{"id":8324,"date":"2015-12-24T13:19:52","date_gmt":"2015-12-24T13:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8324"},"modified":"2015-12-24T13:19:52","modified_gmt":"2015-12-24T13:19:52","slug":"celtic-diary-thursday-december-24-and-so-this-is-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=8324","title":{"rendered":"Celtic Diary Thursday December 24..And So This Is Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah, \u00a0the immortal words of John Lennon, from his classic yuletide ditty, Merry Christmas, War is Over. The words are immortal, he isn’t, he’s still dead even after all these years.<\/p>\n

But his music lives on, and perhpas this one more than any other.<\/p>\n

Not many people know, however, that the tune was originally written with a view to being sung at Celtic Park, as Lennon realised his other ditty, sunday , bloody sunday, would one day be outlawed by Fergus McCann.<\/p>\n

Oh, aye, big tim was Lennon. not one of those pretendy ones you see in the boardroom.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Need to be careful what I say here, it could upset other rock stars if they find out.<\/p>\n

Oh, too late.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Not many know about the original lyrics, but we have a copy he asked us to keep , and to reveal at the appropriate time.<\/p>\n

Which, of course, just happens to be today.<\/p>\n

So this is Christmas, and what have they done ?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The first club is over, a new one just begun.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And so this is Christmas, I know you’ll have fun,\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Cos they’ve been defeated, we’ve vanquished the hun.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

A very Merry christmas, and a happy new year\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Lets hope its a good one, with plenty to cheer\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And so this is Christmas ( Gers are finished )<\/em><\/p>\n

Now we have grown strong ( and they know it )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Now they are the \u00a0poor ones ( Gers are finished )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The world no more \u00a0wrong ( and they know it )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And so happy christmas (Gers are finished )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

For Green and for White ( and they know it )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The maroon and the red ones (Gers are finished )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Thats the new fight! (now )\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A very merry christmas, and a happy new year\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Lets hope its a good one, with a treble to cheer. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, when he gave it to the rest of the band at the famous abbey road sessions, the others didn’t like it, and McCartney wanted to work on the bloody turgid Let it Be, which would later mirror the attitude of the Scottish press to the years of cheating once it all came out.<\/p>\n

Lennon quit the band in a huff, and re wrote it for the plastic ono band, where the new version continues to haunt seasonal shoppers, along with Jona Lewies crowd disperser Stop the Cavalry-pup a pup a dum dum -to this day.<\/p>\n

Christmas eh ?<\/p>\n

I’ve been busy this morning, so that i can work on tomorrows hangover as soon as possible, which is why the diary is a little late this morning.<\/p>\n

I’ve done the “get something for the wife ” bit-something she might even like this time-and then rushed back to take the dog out.<\/p>\n

We’re having a korean themed christmas this year, and you need to be on the ball with the cooking times.<\/p>\n

Oh, and while I was out I saw the most hideous christmas sweater-ugh-I said to him, you need to lose some weight Billy.<\/p>\n

Ach, I’m just trying to get into the Christmas spirit, like the Daily Express does \u00a0every year;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

I’m not a fan of this commercialisation of the real meaning of christmas, and so i turned to the traditional family values of the Daily Mail to get the true message;<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

I suppose I’d better mention the football.<\/p>\n

We all know the usual, Ronny reckons that we’ll kick in for the run in to trophy time, Scott Brown says we’ll be fine and Craig Gordon backs the boss as well, so we’ll lkeave that aside for the moment, and hope the words turn into action when the hoops visit Tynecastle.<\/p>\n

Speaking fo which, BGbhoy noted in the replies late last night that he had a couple of spares, and was offering them to the first caller.<\/p>\n

If he gives them to regular contributors Monti and charlie saiz and makes them sit together bagsy I get the seat behind.<\/p>\n

I’ll even \u00a0get them to smile for \u00a0the cameras.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

So, we’ll leave the Ronny in, out, fish fiddler arguments aside.<\/p>\n

Either we will win the league, or we won’t. Either we will win the Cup, or we won’t. Either we’ll win the league cup, or we won’t.<\/p>\n

Theres none of us here who can alter the outcome, so we might as well just strap ourselves in for the ride.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

But there is one interesting little bit of news, from the official website;<\/p>\n

EARLIER this week our Celtic Soccer Academy announced yet another new partnership in the shape of the\u00a0Junior Russia Football School<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n

This agreement further expands the Academy\u2019s coaching footprint across the globe, with the Russians becoming the 21st country represented within our International Partnership Programme.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Junior Russia Football School is one of the nation\u2019s biggest, developing skills of young footballers between the ages of 3-10 years old across 64 cities. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The partnership will involve the sharing of club methodologies, coach education, coaching camps and it will also present the Junior Russia Football School with the opportunity to come to Glasgow and experience life as an Academy player here at Celtic.<\/em><\/p>\n

They can also attend our renowned International Coaches Convention in Glasgow and receive a behind-the-scenes look at how we develop young players to achieve their full potential.<\/em><\/p>\n

Ilya Shteblov, Partnership Development Manager at Junior Russia Football School, acclaimed the partnership stating: \u201cBeing connected with Celtic is a great honour for us but also a big responsibility.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

“Celtic is a club with great history and we can\u2019t wait to start teaching young football players in Russia to play the Celtic Way.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Celtic Soccer Academy Manager Tony Massie added: \u201cThe confirmation of our partnership with the Junior Russia Football School is fantastic news for both parties.<\/em><\/p>\n

“It\u2019s great to have our first Russian partner on board and it will be exciting to develop what promises to be a very productive relationship. We look forward to working together on a number of successful initiatives over the coming years.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Looks like we have identified Eastern Europe as our talent pool, Simunovic will be the start of the big names, which at 50p a letter, can only help with the balance books. (It’s the real reason we sold Ki. )<\/p>\n

There is a plan taking shape, of that I am certain. But will it work ?<\/p>\n

Anyhow, it is christmas, and if you are lucky enough to be around those who are imprtant to you, then make the most of it. Be nice, and you might find the next couple of days go down as the best of times.<\/p>\n

And remember there are people worse off than you.<\/p>\n

And it wouldn’t be fair to forget them.<\/p>\n

Especially at this time of year;<\/p>\n

\u2018If we played Barcelona tomorrow the fans would expect us<\/h1>\n

to win\u2019, but Mark Warburton is relishing the responsibility<\/h1>\n

at Rangers<\/h1>\n
\n
\n
\n

MARK WARBURTON knows the Ibrox atmosphere can inspire opposition when they face Rangers \u2013 but he reckons the Light Blue legions would expect Barcelona to be beaten if they arrived in Govan.<\/em><\/p>\n

The 53-year-old has become accustomed to life in the Glasgow goldfish bowl in recent months as the spotlight has shone on him like never before in the game.<\/em><\/p>\n

The visit of Hibernian on Monday is arguably the biggest challenge he has faced as Gers boss as the top two teams in the Championship go head-to-head.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n

And the former Brentford boss hopes the Ibrox crowd can play their part in helping his side to a crucial three points in the title race.<\/em><\/p>\n

Warburton said: \u201cWhen I first came here for the press conference I walked about Ibrox as I was shown around the stadium for the first time.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAll I could think about was: \u2018If I was an opposing player coming here I would be playing on the best surface, in a magnificent stadium, to a packed Ibrox, not expecting to win. What a great combination\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt inspires the opposition. That is all I could think about. I couldn\u2019t get it out of my head.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAny team coming here, and they were saying in the last three or four years that certain teams came to Ibrox and we didn\u2019t have the fear factor. You can see why.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n

\u201cWhat have they got to lose? If they go away and get battered they say: \u2018Well, we were expecting that anyway\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf not, people refer to it as having a free shot at it. Rangers have to deal with that.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOur players have to deal with it. You have to be used to the expectation.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the staff said to me: \u2018If we played Barcelona tomorrow the fans would expect us to win\u2019.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat is a great analogy. It is a great example of the expectation on you here.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have got to deal with it, deal with being at a club with this magnificent history and restore the club to its former glories. That is what you have to do.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Chris Jack, the author, is Senior Sports Writer at the Evening Times, and as he says on twitter<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

All his views are his own ?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You know, he probably believes that, as its will be what \u00a0Level 5PR have told him to think.<\/p>\n

He did publish an off message article once, but the PR men were on to him.. and it was soon put right..<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

And then, everything was alright…he was back towing the line..<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Christmas capiton competition. Well, after some of the great replies yesterday, we should quit while we are ahead..<\/p>\n

Nah. Lets roll with it,<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Oh, bloody marvellous. Now I can’t find the puppy. and that snake I got my youngest for christmas looks like its got a tumour.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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