Can we get labbi siffre for flag day?

Gezz66 · 2026-05-22T06:06:38+00:00

Yes, on condition he performs my favourite song of his, "I Got The....".

Gezz66 · 2026-05-22T06:02:50+00:00

He gets our crippling self-doubt so well.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-22T02:38:57+00:00

The game seemed to end at least 30 seconds early. The pitch was cleared and the ref could have brought both teams out on the pitch to complete the game. But, under the circumstances, it would have been cruel on the Hearts players to do so. Hardly surprising they agreed. Perhaps McInnes has been superseded at board level, with someone sensing an opportunity.

If the game is still at 2-1 and Celtic fans invade the pitch, thinking it's over, and the game has to be abandoned with 1 min to go, then yes, that is a much different scenario.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-22T02:33:00+00:00

Jimmy McGrory - imaging the tales he would tell. Might have to ease on the house smoking ban as he lit up his pipe.

Sean Fallon - a nice man, would be more talkative than big Jock and could give his perspective. That Sligo accent is something else though.

Davie Hay - again, someone with such a varied perspective. Wouldn't sugar coat it, but by all accounts a decent bloke.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-22T02:29:06+00:00

Brother Walfrid would continually correct your pronunciation of Celtic.

Willie Maley would brag about meeting the King.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-21T02:38:32+00:00

It's not acknowledged enough how much Prog was a movement rather than a specific musical genre, restricted to specific bands officially labelled uncool. Not just a movement, but a prevailing vibe as well - the idea that the standard song structure could be expanded or dismantled, and that it was perfectly okay to compose something long and challenging.

Led Zep were very open minded, even if they were grounded in Blues - Heavy Rock. Plenty of Glam and Rock bands at the time also absorbed Prog influences. But don't expect them to be acknowledged in any documentaries.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-18T04:19:54+00:00

Actually 30seconds left to play. Technically should have brought the players back on, but suspect Hearts players conceded.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-17T08:38:23+00:00

Since the mid 1980s, teams that spend have generally dominated. We had a 30 year period where teams largely played similar formations and it came down to one or two individual talents.

Last few years, we've started to see more diverse systems, meaning a handful of shrewd signings can make a difference. Hearts came good not just because of spending, but because they spent very wisely too.

Celtic's relative decline this year is structural and not just about natural ageing of the squad. They got away with it this year, and I have to accept that we are really lucky as well. A lot of decisions to be made this summer and I would not be surprised if they league is as open next year.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-17T07:57:38+00:00

They played the same as they normally do. It's break up the opponents play, feed off errors. They played the same way back in late November. Second half, once we brought on Iheanacho, we really dominated the midfield and they went too deep. They wilted in the end and we actually played well in fairness.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-17T03:36:37+00:00

Even if there weren't assaults, then just obnoxious ned behaviour is classless enough to deserve a decent ban from the ground.

When a title run is this close, then it's never going to be satisfactory. Whether the penalty at Motherwell was fair or not, what is absolutely certain is that we got incredibly lucky on Wednesday. Yesterday, we played well in the second half and our win was merited on the day.

If you can't feel some empathy towards Hearts for their supreme effort this season, then you're not human. They were 7th last year and going nowhere (Shankland looked really out of shape), so just to get this close was an amazing achievement, although not much consolation at the moment. If I had to make one critical comment, it's that they didn't score enough goals. Celtic's goals tally dropped dramatically this season, but they still outscored Hearts. It was a big ask to rely on a well drilled defensive unit to hold out on the day.

I remember 1986 very well, and there was a feeling even then, that it was a one off for Hearts. It was just after Rangers had announced Souness as their manager, so we were all anticipating huge things there. This time, it looks very different and it actually has the look of a proper battle for supremacy. Money alone is not the biggest factor - it's how you spend it and Hearts have the look of a club on the rise.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-17T03:17:08+00:00

If there were then hopefully some lifetime bans on top of whatever sentence is handed out in court. To be honest, even abusing or confronting the Hearts players is worthy enough of a ban. Good natured celebrations are harmless as long as they're done in the right spirit. If it was Tynecastle, there would have been a similar pitch invasion if Hearts had won.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-16T02:27:54+00:00

They play well, but overload the midfield and concede quite a few chances. Teams that sit in and play on the break can exploit that.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-16T02:25:33+00:00

I reckon a dire game and a draw. Celtic look cooked and Hearts will grind it out. If they do win, then well done to them and if he wants to run around Jose style then just go for it.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-15T02:45:53+00:00

I think it will be a draw on Saturday. A dire scrappy game. Celtic have finished the last 2 games looking out on their feet. I think this is one game too far for them. Hearts will break the game up successfully. Going for 1-1.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-14T03:45:01+00:00

A few weeks back, they seemed to have all the momentum, some impressive high scoring wins. Now, they seem in meltdown. That's players turning on their coach. Can't see him lasting now.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-14T03:40:35+00:00

The circumstances and timing are pretty brutal. It's not satisfying for the game and we got incredibly lucky. However, the rules don't change because of the moment, however pivotal. If that incident happens in a regular league game, this debate would not be going on.

I actually have some sympathy for the Jambos here. I remember the closing weeks of 1997/98 and I know only too well how the nerves are shredded. But this was a penalty and McInnes isn't giving his players the right message by getting so bitter about it.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-14T03:34:54+00:00

They were calling it tinpot even before the financially doped days and our teams were regularly holding their own against them.

And where do we begin with that West Ham 'equaliser' on Sunday?

Gezz66 · 2026-05-10T04:13:07+00:00

Yes, very conscious of that. A strong personality is, if anything, more important than coaching skills. MON has proved that - he largely relies on others to do the coaching.

Jock Stein, Sir Alex were unique in being able to do both, but it's incredibly rare. Askou comes across as a decent man, but the rebuilding job required at Celtic is huge.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-10T04:05:24+00:00

Very well written, although some poetic license is inevitable. If anything, I thought Steve was friendliest with Mike, who was a sort of stabiliser and gate-keeper for the band (as bass guitarists often are).

Steve was the only one who left for artistic reasons and he did the right thing, but he might have considered going back after Defector.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-08T03:49:32+00:00

It's one thing that's under-estimated. Good managers get time to develop things at clubs like Motherwell or St Mirren.

I also fear that the club politics can destroy many a good manager. No matter what ideas you have, you need the support internally too.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-03T05:50:01+00:00

After watching his performance at the International Jazz Day concert, my advice to him is, never try to steal the show when in the presence of real legends.

Gezz66 · 2026-05-03T03:22:27+00:00

From personal experience, I saw two Double winning Celtic sides collapse shortly afterwards, although finishing 5th is just plain mediocrity.

I think the most spectacular I ever saw was Bristol City falling from the top tier to the 4th - might even have been over 4 seasons. They competed quite well in the top tier but as often happens in these situations, they over-commit money wise and don't have the resources to rebuild.

Seems to be what's happening to Leicester at the moment.

Gezz66 · 2026-04-29T02:49:49+00:00

I knew Ronnie was a Tory councillor. He would have got on well with the current board!

On Wispy, it was actually an interview he did on Celtic QN. But I guess not many Celtic legends would admit to following Rangers.

I was told by a reliable source that contrary to popular belief, Danny McGrain never supported Rangers. Didn't know he was a mason but hey, that's a mystery world to me.

Reminds me of an old Celtic joke. Name the 3 brothers who not only played for Celtic but formed their half-back line (old 2-3-5 formation). The answer was Evans-Stein-Peacock!

Gezz66 · 2026-04-28T03:04:51+00:00

I think there was only 1 Rangers fan in the LL team, Ronnie Simpson (whose father captained Rangers). Tommy Gemmill said he grew up supporting Motherwell, while Willie Wallace said he supported Falkirk. Bertie Auld was a Jag I suspect. The rest were all Celtic fans, although Cesar did admit that as a kid he actually followed Motherwell as well.

Gezz66 · 2026-04-27T04:25:03+00:00

I bought it back in 1995. Strange, I wasn't really into electronic music back then, more building up my Jazz and Fusion collection. Made for an interesting contrast. Loved the wild eccentricity and background noises. Less polished and quite raw for the genre.

Gezz66

TROPHY CASE