Celticunderground:The Celtic Football Fan Podcast

Celtic breazed past Hibs (in terms of goals for) on Saturday but gave up an alarming array of chances. Harry and Ross debate whether that was tactical issues, players being too relaxed, the weakest game out of 4 or other reasons.

The bhoys then move on to Tuesdays UCL away game in Croatia and assess whether it will be another sore one in Europe or whether we have really turned a corner.

Enjoy…

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Celtic Advent Calendar

It will be Christmas time soon, and many people are counting down the days using an Advent calendar.

This Celtic Advent calendar tells you more about interesting numbers in the club’s history.

This is the latest tale from @hailhailhistory.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Long standing listeners will know that the Celtic Underground Podcast and Mogwai go back a long way. If you’ve ever heard the Tales from The Celtic wiki or the more recent Hail Hail History Tales you will have heard The Sun Smells Too Loud playing in the background and, for the unitiated, that is by Stuart’s band Mogwai.

Born in Lanark, Stuart is a founding member of Mogwai and after 10 studio albums, there is now a film out about this iconic band - If the Stars Had A Sound, which takes us from the bands formation through to the most recent album. The Guardian describes the film as follows “It has a purist approach, taking cues from the band’s anti-logorrheic approach by offering only a loose biography and comparatively little by way of analysis. All the better to let their majestic instrumental squalls fill the space, unencumbered by too much guiding commentary.”

But as we all know, Stuart has a love of Celtic and he and Andrew explore all of this on the podcast. He also gives us an exclusive on how we nearly had the perfect Celtic/Mogwai collaboration.

As a taster to non-subscribers of the quality of content produce by Celtic Underground, we’ve made this “In Conversation” podcast free to all.

If you like it, why not subscribe, or share the joy of CU with others…Christmas is coming afterall…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

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We are now at season 6 of 10 that we discuss in the second 9iar chronicles and what a season! It started with 13 ,000 at Celtic Park welcoming and manager and it ended with 13 ,000 at the Hydro celebrating 60 years of the Lisbon Lions. I don't think I've given a spoiler away. I think most listeners know what season this is.

It's quite a season.

Enjoy…

I…

30 November marks Scotland’s national day, celebrating the country’s patron Saint, Andrew.

Over the years, many Andrews have turned out for the Celts, and there have been various other connections between Celtic and the name Andrew.

Learn more in this latest tale from Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 1 - The Meat Loaf Pod

People on twitter and bluesky may be aware that regular podcasters (Remy & Paul T - both have been on here but more familiar to bytheminceltic listeners) have been joined by Barcajim3 for The RGC podcast. This is episode 1.

It really needs to get out before the game against Club Bugge so apologies for the hap-hazard nature of the logo and the intro. It’s the best I could do between being a taxi driver to Harry B jnr and bedtime on Tuesday evening.

When I get a minute I’ll source their podcast links.

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

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This was Ronnie’s second season in charge. Cheated out of a double by blind officials, we all went into this season hoping that we would see progress and perhaps even a treble. We knew the new Rangers were coming but their meteoric(!) rise had stumbled (of how we laughed).

It was the first season without a Celtic v Rangers match or Edinburgh derby in…

Recent news of a planned demolition in Glasgow city centre will take away a big piece of Celtic history.

The building which housed The Bank restaurant – owned by legendary manager Willie Maley – is to be knocked down.

This was a venue which was right at the heart of Celtic’s heritage.

Leanr more about Willie Maley and The Bank in the latest tale from Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Saturday 9 November marked 35 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, seen as the symbolic end of the Cold War.

The Bhoys had various experiences playing behind the Iron Curtain, but only one trip to East Germany.

The story of this game is the latest tale from Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

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The 3rd season of the second 9iar chronicles would end up being the last season of Neil Lennon...for a while. It was one of the least memorable of the 9. We romp the league losing just 1 game and achieving 99 points but that would be the only silverware.

We reached the group stages of the Champions league but that would be the end of the achievements i…

Willie Maley nicknamed Willie Lyon “Celtic’s Bayard - the Knight without fear and beyond reproach.”

Willie Lyon is widely regarded as one of the finest captains in the rich history of Celtic. He was of that generation whose life was turned upside by the war, suffering a serious leg injury at Normandy and his football career ended at the age of 32.

Here’s the story.

For more on our history go to

https://www.thecelticwiki.com/

Enjoy…

PS - If you are a free subscriber and to see if all the bonus stuff is worth the cost (and of course it is) then use this link for a 30 day free trial but be quick, the link’s not valid for long.

https://thecelticunderground.substack.com/5061e026

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This podcast is released on the 137th birthday of the hoops. The basic elements of our formation are known by all fans…or are they?

A club formed for the dinner tables of the porr of the East End, everyone knows that charity was at the core of our creation but the part played in this story by Brother Walfrid (an Irish Marist Brother) and John Glass (prominent in Scotland’s Irish community circles, including those with Irish home rule political allegiances) has led to some debate among fans as to whether religion and/or politics were equally motivating among the founding fathers.

Andrew and Matthew of Hail Hail History chat through all aspects of the history of our formation and its impact on other Scottish/Irish clubs.

Enjoy…

To celebrate our 137th birthday, this is a free podacast available to all. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

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This was our 125th birthday season and for the first time in our history, there was no Rangers FC to compete against, that club had died with a new team being wished all the best by the old emerging from behind the Brechin Hedge. How would we fare in this brave new world?

Domestically we would win a double and in Europe we would reach the last 16 of th…

McKeown Ghost Story

In this Halloween week, here a spooky tale from Celtic’s history.

It’s the true story of how a dead footballer came to face the Bhoys, and come to Celtic Park.

This is the latest podcast from @hailhailhistory.

Read on. If you dare…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

No Kelly No Keltic

Another tale from the CU archives and the home of Tales from The Celtic Wiki

To fans of our generation, the name of Kelly sparks memories of Michael and Kevin and the early 90s battle for the future of the club. But whilsy these battles for the future resulted in the end of their tenure at Celtic, it should be remembered that the name of Kelly resonated throughout our history.

This is the story of an older time and how, without the Kelly’s there’d possible be no Celtic.

We’re republishing these 10+year old tales from the Celtic wiki along with new history tales from @hailhailhistory and there will be a Celtic history story out every Wednesday.

Enjoy…

PS - If you are a free subscriber and to see if all the bonus stuff is worth the cost (and of course it is) then use this link for a 30 day free trial but be quick, the link’s not valid for long.

https://thecelticunderground.substack.com/5061e026

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Back in the dark days of the Covid lockdowns, we recorded the 9 in a row chronciles - a fan recollection of those 9 amazing seasons. We always knew there’d be a second series but what period would it cover? We soon found out!

We got the gang back together (well, almost - Lachie was on his boat so subbed out to Andrew H) and have recorded the second 9iar chronicles.

The first one is an incredible season that starts with Rangers seeking their 4th consecutive title and Neil Lennon’s coat on a shoogly peg and ends with Celtic Champions and Rangers dying…wonderful times.

This episode is free to all, but the remainder will be out every Sunday to paid subscribers only HOWEVER if you want to trial out the paid service you can use the link below for a free 30 day trial!!

https://thecelticunderground.substack.com/5061e026

Enjoy

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic and 1974

Another story from Hail Hail History

Saturday 26th October 2024 is the 50th anniversary of the 6-3 final versus Hibs. This podcast tells that that story, and all of 1974 too.

Celtic have played in some momentous cup finals.

However, when it comes to goals, few can match the 1974 League Cup final, when the Bhoys beat Hibs 6-3.

It was another remarkable day in a calendar year that saw many Celtic highs and lows.

Here is the story of that year, the latest tale from @hailhailhistory.

Enjoy…

Thanks for listenning to The Celtic Underground Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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19 October is a notable Celtic anniversary.

On this day in 1957, the Bhoys recorded one of their most famous scorelines:

Celtic 7 Rangers 1

This is the full story of that remarkable day, another great tale from @hailhailhistory.

Enjoy...

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Younger listeners will be stunned(!) to know that the BBC used to have quite and anti-Celtic stance and coverage. Under the authority of Peter Thompson, they really didn’t seem to like Celtic at all. Under Thompson, BBC Scotland’s Sports Department employed a sectarian recruitment policy akin to Rangers. Prejudice seeped into every aspect of BBC Sport coverage in Scotland but Jock Stein would have none of it.

Here’s the story.

For more on our history go to

https://www.thecelticwiki.com/

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic & Sligo

Another story from Hail Hail History

This week, Brendan will take a Celtic XI to play in Sligo, and in many ways he’s taking a team to the spiritual birthplace of the club.

This will not be the first time Celtic take a team across the sea to Sligo, with Celtic playing there back in 1975 with a team managed by Sligo man Sean Fallon.

For more information on Celtic’s history or the forthcoming free walking tour, go to @Hailhailhistory on Twitter

Enjoy…

Thanks for reading The Celtic Underground Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

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Lee Dornan is a Celtic devotee who works in international affairs for SCIAF, a charity he sees with so many parallels to his beloved football club. And tying the two together is his claim that he has set up the first Celtic supporters' club in South Sudan.

He tells all about that and, with an accountant's obsession, how poring over Rangers and Celtic ac…

Straight after the 7-1 humbling to Dortmund, Lawrence Donegan and I sat down to review the game (and to discuss his substack daily blog about his travels across America).

The game was a tough watch but we tried to remove the rawness of the moment and discuss in the reality of the way the team plays week-in, week-out and and the players available.

After the trauma of the game, we then went on to talk about Lawrence’s roadtrip across America from California to Mar-a-Lago which he is documenting daily over at goodbyedonald.substack.com (and as he explains - it’s supposed to have a ? but substack don’t allow that in titles).

Enjoy…(if you can)

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Judas Part 2

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

Last time we told the tale of the striker’s arrival at Celtic and his performances that contributed to the dramatic last day title win over Hearts. Today we hear about the story that led so many Celts to simply call Maurice Johnstone Judas.

Enjoy…

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The Celts are off to Germany this week on Champions League duty.

The Bhoys will hope to build on their fantastic 5-1 start with another good performance.

It's far from Celtic's first visit to Germany. For that, you have to go back almost 120 years.

It's a tale of boats, trains, big wins and even the death of an iconic Celt.

For more, follow Hail Hail History on twitter.

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Judas Part 1

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

For Celts of a certain age, there is not a name that illicits greater emotion than Mo Johnston. Signed in a record deal in October 1984 he was part of a Celtic forward line that should have achieved even more than it did and during that spell. He completed perhaps the greatest team goal in Celtic’s history in the 5-0 title triumph at Love Street.

He left but was set to return in a dramatic move in 1989 as Celtic set to try and wrestle the initiative back from Rangers.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic fans will still be dreaming of the 5 goals we scored last midweek against slovan Bratislava and looking forward to the rest of the European campaign with renewed ethusiasm and a sense of expectation of what could be.

Following that marvellous result, Matthew of HAILHAILHISTORY decided to look back on previous big Celtic European results.

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Subscribers to The Celtic Underground podcast will have getting their weekly free 10 minute Celtic history hits on their podcast feed and substack emails. You may have noticed that interspersed in among the human torpedo re-runs of the tales from The Celtic Wiki that we’ve had some new history hits. These Hail Hail History hits have been proving very popular and se we thought we should hear more from the man behind the stories.

In addition to the history tales on CU, Matthew has his own twitter feed with regular history updates and quizes Hail Hail History and he also has his Celtic history walking tours.

We’re sure you’ll want to know more so here’s Matthew with Harry.

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This is the remarkable story of when the Chief Executive of the Scottish Football association actively engaged in preventing Celtic from fielding their new star striker signing. Fergus want to war with Farry and eventually won.

Here’s the story.

For more on our history go to

https://www.thecelticwiki.com/

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Tonight Celtic face Slovan Bratislava 60 years on from the two clubs first meeting. That previous encounter was in the quarter final of the Cup Winners Cup. The home leg came first. It played in February 1964 in front of 53,000 expectant fans.

This is the story of that game.

Enjoy…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

This week Celtic kick off our 13th UCL campaign and do so in the new UCL league format, we shall see what that brings.

The boys, with the help of a scouting report from Ross Hall, preview the game and discuss the UCL in general. The boys also discuss the forthcoming subscriber vote on the greatest Celtic UCL XI.

Enjoy

Thanks for reading The Celtic Underground Substack! This podcast is public so feel free to share it.

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This Saturday sees the first visit to Glasgow this season by the team from Midlothian. We don’t have an especially warm relationship with the team often referred to as the lesser version of a certain Glasgow team and the obvious question - has it always been thus? Well, listen to this tale from Matthew of Hail Hail History to find out.

Enjoy…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Robert Austin Thomson played for Celtic from 1929 into the 1930s alongside club legend Jimmy McGrory. His finest year in a Celtic jersey came in 1931 when he was the star of the cup final against Motherwell. Thomson lived a life of excess and died suddenly at the age of just 30 leaving a wife and two young children.

Here’s the story.

For more on our history go to

https://www.thecelticwiki.com/

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic pulled the rabbit out of the hat that Andrew H mentioned on here and brought in players on the final day of the window - lifelong Celtic fan Luke McCowan and Belgian prodigy Arne Engels.

Signed on the last night of the window, the players both made their debuts in the comfortable Glasgow Derby win and then met with the press this week.

We have the audio and video from the meetings with the fan media.

Enjoy…

Thanks for reading The Celtic Underground Substack! This post is public so feel free to share it.

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It’s the international break and there is therefore still some football going on and we decided to use this two week fallow period to chat with a former Celt who is still playing at international level and down in the EPL.

In his chat with Andrew, Ryan covers his time at Celtic and gives an insight into how fraught a transfer window can be. He also disc…

This weekend the Celtic legends secured a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford. This charity game saw thousands of pounds raised for the respective foundations. It was also another chapter in the annals of the famous links between both clubs and Celtic’s experiences at Old Trafford.

We therefore thought it appropriate to sneak out another tale from Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

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Sometimes small actions can have big consequences. 8 September 2024 is151 years since the opening of Sacred Heart Church in Bridgeton. Without this event, there is a chance there would be no Celtic.

For more information, follow Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Celtic’s First Cup Final (Glasgow Exhibition Cup)

Season1888-1889 not only saw Celtic’s first competitive game, but Celtic’s first, second and third cup finals. It would be a year of learning, losing, wining and controversy starting with The Glasgow Exhibition Cup, held to coincide with the International Exhibition of Science, Art & Industry.

For more information, follow Hail Hail History

Enjoy…

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Everyday is a school day as they say and we’re trying something different so if it doesn’t work out, we’ll have another go!

For your listening and viewing delights we have a mixture of prsentations (allegedly).

If you are a paid subscriber to the platform, you can watch or listen to the podcast featuring Andrew H, Ross Hall and Harry B was we discuss the …

Down to business

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

In an ideal world, Celtic would never have been formed, because in an ideal world there would have been not poverty and discrimination.

But we don’t live in an ideal world and this tale from the Celtic wiki talsk about the formation of the club and how/when we changed from a charity to a business.

For more on our history go to

https://www.thecelticwiki.com/

Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

St Mirren 0 - 3 Celtic

Celtic travelled all the way along the M8 to visit St Mirren in Paisley and ran out 3-0 winners.

The scoring began inside 3 minutes and from that point on Celtic looked comfortable and were never in any danger of dropping any points. Three games into the season, three wins and no goals conceded (the only goal against so far was against Hibs in the League Cup).

It was two midfielders and a defender who got the goals today and the post match discussions with Brendan were all about whether we’d sign players and would they be the standard he is seeking.

We have the post game review and the post match presser by Brendan. He’s in a good mood but bery pointed. He knows where the issues lie and so do the executives.

Enjoy…

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Celtic comfortably beat Hibs 3-1 in the Premier Sports League Cup fixture at Celtic Park today.

Following the game Harry B and Andrew H discussed the game and the general positivity about the club.

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Nineteenth season! Let that sink in. 19 seasons most of you have been listenning to this guff. Will you never learn? There are listeners to this podcast who weren’t born when it started. Goodness - there’s even a football club playing in the top flight that didn’t exist when this podcast started.

(You can pick up this podcast for free on this Substack app, apple, amazon, google, spotify or wherever you get your podcast listening.)

The Celtic Underground podcast gets up in the morning, looks in the mirror and thinks “who’s that old bugger looking back at me?” It looks on with a paternal smile as some of the whippersnapper podcasts trumpet their new guest providing “exclusive insight” into an event of days gone by knowing that we interviewed that guy years ago when we both had all our hair and all our marbles. Enough of this maudlin meandering, we’ve got a new season to discuss!

On Sunday 4th August at 4:30pm the proper football returns with Celtic hosting Kilmarnock in our defence of the SPFL Premiership title and as we bid for our 4th title in a row and our 14th in 15 seasons (there’s a gap there but no-one went and no-one witnessed it. If no-one saw it can we even say it happened?).

Having already bagged the pre-season cup (first time in decades) we start our campaign with the possibility of winning up to 4 major trophies. The podcast features Hullbhoy, Ross Hall, Eddie Pearson and Harry Brady. There are obvious concerns about the lack of transfer activity in and the possibility of transfers out, but in general the bhoys are in fine fettle, predicting great days ahead.

Oh and for our brand new listener in Cambodia…can’t wait to hear of your tales of advanture!

It’s season 2024-25. It’s CUs 19th. Enjoy…

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

If you’ve been online recently you will have noticed an increase in the number of bloggers and tweeters (or whatever people or X are called these days) review players and talent. One of the best of these guys is Ross Hall (the scout, not the hospital).

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In this podcast, Ross takes us on a journey that has seen him give up a succesful finance career and jump into the world of scouting and how and why he uses stats and uses his own eyes. Who does stats best and how they can be used to the benefit of Celtic. The chat went on for so long, we decided to postpone the analysis of the Celtic squad to next week. You never know, by then we might have actually signed an outfield player.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

A Rough Justice

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

In March 2011, Celtic & Rangers engaged in “The Shame Game”. It was a match that involved Rangers players losing the plot and finished with the hyperbole of Alex Salmond summoning then CEOs of Celtic and Rangers (Lawwell & Bain) to a summit to discuss the bahviour of both clubs.

At the time The Human Torpedo recorded this slice of Celtic History from The Celtic wiki to look back at troubled games from the past, starting in 1949-50 season.

Enjoy…

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The Man Who Couldn’t Be Bought

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

What is it about Jimmy McGrory that makes him one of, if not the, greatest ever Celts?

He’s our all time leading scorer with 522 goals in 501 games and holds the record for the most goals in a season, with 62 goals from 46 games.

Although he was only five feet and six inches tall, he was renowned for his prowess and ability for headers. His trademark was an almost horizontal bullet header, which he performed and scored with regularly, and which earned him the nicknames "the Human Torpedo.”

A man the Garngad - St Rochs and Celtic, when Arsenal came calling, despite the best efforts of the board, he couldn’t be bought. “Jimmy McGrory of the arsenal doesn’t sound right.”

Enjoy…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

We debated long and hard as to whether to publish this podcast because no matter waht we did, we couldn’t resolve the sound distortion issues - especially with Eddie’s mic. Ultimately we decided - what the heck. The worst of it appears to be at the beginning and the end.

So this is a free podcast from Celtic Underground. It can be picked up wherever you get your podcasts as well as on Thecelticunderground.substack.com.

There’s loads of paid and free content coming over the next few months with at least one bit of audio every week.

Enjoy…

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts direct to your inbox and to support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

French Farce

Another tale from the Celtic Wiki

The Anglo-Franco-Scottish Friendship Cup was a short-lived Inter-League football competition organised by the French Football Federation that would see teams from the English Football League and the Scottish League compete against teams from the French League.

The original idea was to have four teams from Scotland and four teams from England competing together as one nation competing against eight teams from France. Due to the objection by the Scottish League this ruling was cancelled.

Two separate trophies were cast - one for Scottish clubs competing against French clubs and one for English clubs competing against French clubs. Individual clubs could not win the competition, so each country was awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.

Due to disagreements as to when matches should be played, neither of the matches between Celtic and Reims took place.

Enjoy….

The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

The Rebels have won

4th March 1994 and Fergus McCann and Brian Dempsey step out into a dark and rainy Glasgow night to make the famous declaration - The game is over, the rebels have won.

Jubilation abound and tonight, as we publish this tale from The Celtic Wiki, we remember one of the unsung heroes of that takeover battle - John Keane who sdaly passed away today - 16th June 2024.

John was the honourary Chairman of Celtic and he got that role because, with no ownership and no certainty that he wouldn’t lose every penny, John stepped up and paid £1m to the bank to save the club from the ignomy of administration and pave the way for Fergus to take over the club.

In tribute to John, we’re therefore publishing this classic tale.

Here’s a link to the club’s statement on the passing of John - https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/june/16/celtic-pays-tribute-to-john-keane/

Enjoy…

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If you’ve not already done so, please listen to Part 1 of this two part interview with Andrew H Smith on what it was really like being inside Celtic before, during and after the McCann revoltion. As he says - Fergus was a man on a mission and a man with a singular vision on how he wanted Celtic to be as a club and Andre was there, every day, documenting the process.

Enjoy - This is exclusive to paid subscribers for 1 month.

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Working at Celtic During the McCann Revolution

Fergus McCann came into Celtic Park and changed everything. He changed the board and replaced family inheritance with business acumen. He changed the ground from seats on Terracing to a 60,000 seated stadium. He built all the foundations that have now established Celtic as THE premier club in Scotland. He is one of the greatest Celts in history.

The transformation in Celtic pre and post March 1994 was incredible and one of the few people with a front row seat both before and after was Andrew Smith. working at The Celtic View he was part of the team who had to put out the messaging of the old board and their proposals for a move to Cambuslang. He was then part of the McCann messaging as he sought to transform Celtic through a share issue and the building of a new stadium.

The tales from Andrew are incredible, and his impersonations aren't bad either.

This is a 2 part podcast. Part one is out on our standard feed and part two will be available on TheCelticunderground.substack.com

Enjoy...

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In the past week we've had the league secured at Rugby Park, a title party at Celtic Park rounded all off with the Cup Final at Hampden on the iconic date of 25th May. Who else could I ask to discuss this than full-kit Jow Hart love-in man Remy McSwain.

Remy and I review everything and jump all over the place because an easy verbal ramble through the past 10 days became a rushed preview and review because the IT set up/wifi crashed.

The audio is good because the crap bits are editted out.

Enjoy...

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Following securing the league, Andrew Smith met with Celtic FC Foundation CEO Tony Hamilton to ask about the work of the Foundation and discuss the forthcoming charity game against the Dortmund Legends.

Andrew asks searching questions such as - aren't all chairtie just a tax on the poor? But Tony robustly defends the work of the Foundation and the input of the club who are by far the biggest contributors to The Foundation.

To get tickets for the game, which takes place after the cup final, log on here
https://www.celticfc.com/tickets/celtic-legends-v-borussia-dortmund-legends/

Enjoy...

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Winners…again

This Saturday saw the final Glasgow Derby of the league campaign and for listeners to last week’s podcast the result will have come as no surprise. Despite the comments of pundits, this is a game where form does not go out of the window. It is a game that the form team (or more appropriately the better team) nearly always win.

Celtic are the better team. Celtic won.

Whilst the league is not mathematically secured, we’re almost there being 6 points clear with just 2 games remaining. We therefore got two boys to discuss with Harry their thoughts on the game and where we are as club. So listen to Eddie Pearson and Andrew Smith wax lyrical about the game, the manager and the club.

Enjoy…

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Fun Bhoys Three

We have the final Glasgow Derby of season 2023/24 coming up this weekend and so we have organised some experienced heads to discuss the prospects with @Paul1888 joining Andrew & Harry to discuss the game.

We roll out the metaphors and the cliches to preview the game in the context of our performance on last weekend when Brendan finally had his full first choice 16 to field.

As Andrew H says - use your testicular metaphor of choice when previewing the game and have some fun.

Enjoy…

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Smith and Brady - Dundee review and Hearts preview

This week Andrew H Smith joins Harry to review the performance and result at Dens Park. The chat takes a meandering turn as the bhoys discuss the events at Dens almost 34 years ago to the day when Celtic really blew the 1979/80 season by losing 5-1 to Dundee during the title run in. Andrew was there and experienced the vitriol.

When they get on to the 21st Century tie they get on to discuss how brilliant James Forrest is and anyone who disagrees will go on Wolfie Smith’s list.

Finally, the bhoys get to the Hearts game.

Enjoy…

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Smith & Brady - The Scottish Cup Semi Final

Following the dramtic 3-3 draw and subsequent penalty shoot-out victory, Harry Brady and Andrew H Smith review the cup semi and discuss all of the action.

There’s a review of the defensive short-comings and like every discussion by Celtic fans of a certain age, 20+ year old Hampden games are shoehorned in.

Enjoy…

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What’s Going On?

There’s hasn’t been a podcast in ages and then, in usual style, two come along at once. If you’ve not listened, then get your ears around St Anthony’s Recollections podcast out earlier in the week. It was a short sharp pod all about Paul McStay.

For the longer form podcast (and it’s very long) we have Remy, Lawrence & me asking (and attempting to answer) the simple question - what’s going on?

The answer seems to be Dermot with everything flowing from that!

It’s nearly two hours long so you’ll maybe listen in instalments.

Enjoy…

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Recollections - Paul McStay

Paul McStay was born on 22nd October 1964 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire. Grand-nephew of former Celtic team captain and manager Jimmy McStay, playing for Celtic was in the family blood.

A hotly tipped youth prospect Paul McStay was a member of Celtic Boys Club who burst onto the football scene in remarkable style when he hit two goals and was man of the match as Scotland schoolboys defeated their English counterparts at Wembley in front of a live TV audience in June 1980.

He signed for Celtic aged seventeen and made his senior Celtic debut in a 4-0 home Scottish Cup win over Queen of the South on January 21st 1982. Part of a great Celtic dynasty – his Great Uncle’s Jimmy and Willie were both Hoops greats while brothers Willie and Raymond also played for the club – Paul McStay seemed almost destined to write his name into Celtic folklore….

Enjoy

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Are we at the end of the road

The Green Brigade - ostensibly a small group of fanatical “ultra” supporters below the age of 30 so who better to discuss their behaviours than a group of aging middle aged fans…?

Hullbhoy, Lawrence, Eddie & I appreciate that none of us share the likely demographic of the supporters group that we discuss, but Celtic is a broad church with fans from 1-100 and all within that spectrum are entitled to their views. Online is principally in one place on the GBand so one element that we discuss is whether the wider fan base are broadly supportive of the GB and their actions or whether there is a “silent majority” who passionately disapprove. Like all things the truth is probably somewhere between these two positions.

In general (and this is not a judgement by us, mere an assessment of the dynamics) we all agree that it’s probably the end of the Green Brigade as a recognised group within Celtic Park. We discuss the damage the banner of 7th October did or didn’t do to Celtic’s reputation and yes, we do get on to talk about football, specifically the Motherwell game.

We very rarely edit the podcast and tend to put out the audio “as live” (as the recent ‘mother-in-law comments showed) however at times the debate got a little heated and there is a small section where we all talk over each other and it’s pretty much unlistenable and so if there sounds like a jump in the recording, it’s where this bit was taken out.

Enjoy….(if you can).

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Born to lead the green & white

Any goal for Glasgow City, another victory for the cause, another reason to giving another cheer just for the bhoys.

All week I have heard and read ill-informed nonsense about Celtic getting a heavy defeat and responded the same way - have you seen them? We the best manager in Scotland and one of the best in Britain. He’ll spend all week getting the team right…and he did.

A marvellous preformance by Celtic. Bossed the first half and controlled the game to preserve the lead in the 2nd. Should have scored on the breakway and we only get better from here.

Top of the league, one away Glasgow Derby down and 4 points clear of the Glasgow rivals and 2 points clear at the top.

Not bad for a club with half the 1st team missing.

Enjoy…

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Sense and sensibility

Podcast No1 of the new season had 2 of us, podcast No2 had 3 of us and this week, podcast No3 we’ve got 4 (four) of us on it! Whatever next…?

Following the victory over Aberdeen, we’ve got Eddie, Saint Anthony and Paul T on to discuss the game, where the club are at, signing gossip and the forthcoming game against Killie in the cup. This weeks’ podcast is not as long as last week’s marathon but it’s still an hour of Celtic chat by middle aged Celtic fans - just what we all need on a regular basis.

Enjoy…

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Just like buses…you wait months for a podcast and then two come along in a week and what a podcast we have for you. I’ve no idea if it’s any good but it’s long, my goodness it’s long. Nearly two hours of Celtic chat (although, it could be argued that it’s 2 hours of sport chat with around 45 mins of Celtic chat but I’ll let you be the judge of that).

Anyway, I am joined by Lawrence Donegan and Eddie Pearson to discuss all things Celtic, Scottish Sport, male grooming products, VPNs, youth development and everything in between. In fact if you’re an avid listener and get all the way to end you’ll get a discount code for our Patreon site (if we were to ever have one!)

We enjoyed recording it and hopefully you’ll enjoy listening to it and if you do please rate us on apple podcasts and if you don’t then unsubscribe because they’re all like this!

Enjoy…

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But who’s the left back…?

Nice to see you to see you…nice! It’s good to be back and especially when we’re back to talk about the new seaso, with a new manager, new signings, new signing gossip and all for our 18th season of podcasting.

This week it’s the old team of Eddie and Harry who ramble and rumble over everything from fans objecting to people moving on, fans on message boards taking transfer rumoutrs too seriously, what those transfer rumours may be and our predictions for the next game.

It’s a huge bumper edition to kick off the new season so please enjoy…

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Ange train keeps on rolling

Sunday saw the coronation of Celtic as back to back champions in Scotland. It was the 11th title out of the last 12 and the 11th of 11 titles were fans have been in attendance. All in all a remarkable period of domination by Scotland’s most succesfull living club.

The game itself was a 2-0 triumph with Hearts trying hard for 20 mins or so before normal service was resumed. A (valid) red card helped but no doubt Celtic would have gone on to win as they have done in all bar 3 previous domestic games.

Antony Murray is on the podcast this week to review the game compare this team with the invincibles and preview the next Glasgow derby.

Enjoy…

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Double Denim Edition

First up an apology. After every podcast this season we have promised the the paucity of podcasting provision from CU will ceases and a plethora of podcasts will follow. If you’re being pedantic you could say that promise after every pod has been a pile of pish - and you’d be right. So sorry.

With that out of the way I can talk about this week’s podcast -it’s a mammoth 2 hour extravoganza that starts by talking about the cup wemi and then just gets into a ramble and covers just about every topic - including (but not exclusive to) toxic masculinity and can grown men carry off double denim in the 21st century?

We also discuss being better than Rangers - in every department!

Enjoy…

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I should be so lucky

Once again the lucky bhoys triumphed and Ange won his 3rd out of 4 domestic trophies he has competed for and B******t Bingo Beale went home with his tail between his legs.

Celtic won the league cup on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Rangers in a game that was pretty comfortable throughout and that Celtic could, in the end, have won by 3 or 4. St Anthony was at the game with Saint Jnr and they were larging it up with the young team in the Celtic End and so I thought who better to call up and discuss the game.

We review the match, the crowds, the Tifos and preview St Mirren.

Enjoy…

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The Celtic Da Podcast returns

You can have all your whipper snapper podcasts with your Xthis and that but there is only one podcast that can continually hark back to the 90s and earlier and it’s this one - the world’s longest running football fans podcast.

We’re now in our 18th season (19th year) and although we may have taken a break, you can be sure that we will always have something old and hackneyed to say about the modern game and this episode is no different.

We discuss the League Cup semi-final victory over Kilmarnock, we discuss VAR, how rubbish Scottish refs are, group think of refs, the transfer window and then touch on the forthcoming St Mirren game. Amazingly in all of that we manage to debate whether the Lambert challenge on Albertz was indeed a penalty.

Enjoy…

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We’re in the mix

Tonight, before recording this podcast, I was in a whatsapp debate about how to describe the draw with Shaktar. I described it as brilliant, others said disappointing.

Personally I couldn’t see how you could describe an away UCL prefromance wehere we should and could have won by 2-4 goals as disappointing. Yes, there’s disappointment that we didn’t win but surely it’s absolutely brilliant that we were that good that we feel disappointed about only drawing away?

Anyway, enough of the use of the word disappointment in one small section of text - I am joined by Antony Murray as we discuss the draw with Shaktar, the away game to St Mirren and I also debut my open all mics try-out as Napoli get 2 pens as we record.

Enjoy…

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The Celtic Steamroller

Saturday 3rd September Celtic played Rangers. Saturday 3rd September Celtic toyed with Rangers.

We played them off the park in the first half and coasted the second. You got the impression that if Ange had told the team at half-time that they needed to score another 4, we could have.

We start the podcast with a quick exert from the Heart & Hand Podcast that someone sent us previewing the game, we then move on to a review of the game before a preview of the game against some team from Madrid.

We hope you like it as much as we liked recording it.

Enjoy…

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Tifo or Tifno…?

Sometimes the title doesn't really give an insight into the real content of the podcast but I've got to write something and I quite liked this so, there you go.

Anyway, this week the middle aged podcast by middle aged fans for EVERYONE returns (have we mentioned we are the world’s longest running football fans podcast?). Anyway, back to the point…we are enjoying lige under Ange and so we are enjoying life in general. Lawrence is on his usually summer sabbatical to the Raploch and Eddie’s life is just one big long holiday. With both of them having time to spare I connected the phone line, dialled them up, listened to that weird screaching noise you get with dial up internet and I connected to the two guys to discuss life, the arts and the football.

First up was the V & A. Next up was Eddie discussing whether Tifo’s are for him and finally we reviewed the Aberdeen game and then previewed the Ross County game.

It’s a bit of a ramble and if you want xyz and tactis chat…you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Enjoy…

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When we started this podcast (did I mention it’s the world’s longest running football fans podcast) we never thought it would last 17 seasons. It’s ebbed and flowed and the young kids have arrived with their xg, xa, xt, abc, easy as 1,2,3 but we’ll always be here - the middle aged podcast for the middle aged fan who loves the hoops and gets mildly irritated.

And so we are back for that record breaking 17th season (every season is record breaking because I’m not sure I’ve mentioned it but we’re the world’s longest running football fans podcast). This week I am joined by Duncan, St Anthony and Lachie Mor to preview the season, discuss the Aberdeen game and even get around to questioning if Queens Park can become Glasgow’s second team.

Enjoy…

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Celtic today secured a draw against Rangers to put us just one win from the title. It's the 4th time in a row we have secured either a draw or win against the team from the South Side of the city.

It's a game that Celtic had the chances to put to bed before the Rangers equaliser. We didn't and a few players looked exhausted towards the end but we held on, secured the draw and now only a dire change of form will prevent Ange picking up another trophy and his first Scottish title at the first time of asking.

This week I am joined by Eddie Pearson and Lawrence Donegan to discuss their favourite podcasts, whether Zebedee is an outdated cultural reference and the meaning of various police hat colours.

Enjoy...

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The podcast is back (again) after a midseason break

Now where were we....ah that's right, we're on track for a treble!

Sorry it's been so long but you know how it is, life, work, IT issues - they all get in the way of creating the latest episode of the world's longest running football fans podcast. Anyway, the IT issues have been resolved (like most I'm not sure about volume of hours in work) but we're ready to go.

This should have been out a week earlier but the aforementioned IT issues prevented. Anyway - it's Saint & me discussing the recent victory at Ibrox, just prior to the 7 goal victory over St Johnstone.

Update Description

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Welcome Home

The podcast is back for another episode and we have some old and older voices for you in the names of Lawrence and Eddie. Yes, Lawrence is on and fresh from his recently return on a Sunday night on Twitter Spaces, we are joined by Eddie Pearson.

The boys go on to discuss Ange-ball, whether the board should get praise or not for the transfer window. Also following the departure of French Eddie we discuss the top 3 post Larsson strikers. We also take 5 mins to discuss the weird and wonderful world of “fan media”.

Enjoy…

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Ange-ball Rolls On

Celtic have tonight come through what was at times a very nervy evening (a very self-inflicted one) to progress to the group stages of the Europa League and they can now prepare for Sunday.

I was unsure about organising a post game podcast. I always recall Mark Cooper bemoaning that everytime I organised one with hime we lost. But I am not a believer in “what’s for you won’t go past you” or the concept of “tempting fate” so I organised one. We lost but we’re through and that’s all that matters.

I am joined this evening by Anthony and Season to review the game, discuss our stresses and celebrate the overall result. We also breifly touch on how crap the other clubs are to not achieve the Conference League and have a brief review of Sunday.

Enjoy…

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The Game Episode 7 - Barca 125

November 7th 2012. The night before a Mass was held in St Mary’s to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the forming of Celtic Football Club and that week illustrated that Big Billy’s words about there being a fairytale about this club were never more true.

We has invited the board of Barca to share in our commemoration mass and the following night they visited the Cathedral of noise that was Celtic Park as 60,000 fans and 13 players put on a show that had the whole world talking.

On this weeks podcast Antony Murray and I discuss The Game with Ewan McLean (@_ewanmclean). We talk about what he was doing at the time and the marvel of that evening. Paul Hayward of The Telegraph wrote “ Somehwere between madness and love, this fanaticism did for Barcelona on a night when the Celtic team and their disciples were indivisible. Money can’t buy you that”

What a night! The world's greatest team beaten by the world's greatest club….

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Celtic and our Irish heritage

This week St Anthony takes control of the podcast to discuss Celtic and it’s Irish heritage. Saint is joined by Sean McDonagh who lecture politics and Scots/Irish history at OU.

There cannot be a Celtic fan out there who does not know some basics of the coubs formation and heritage however it is always good to get the details from an expert in the field and Sean provides that in spades here.

Enjoy….

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The Game Episode 6 - Udinese draw and F’ UEFA

The current situation at Celtic could be better and so our guest wanted to pick a game from happier times. It’s the winter of 2011 and the team has had a dramatic turnaround since being 3 nil down at Rugby Park and Neil Lennon looked like being on the way out. They pulled things back in the 2nd half of that game and started to really motor. At the same time RFC where spiralling to their death and we were all having a right laugh on this podcast.

Our guest, Matthew Mochan was listening in and enjoying every moment and he wanted to recall a game that took him back to those fun times.

Celtic went into this game still with a chance of qualifying past the Europa League Group stages.

It wasn’t to be but we did have a very good performance in this 1-1 draw and we also had a UEFA fine because some fans unveiled a banner that said “F**k UEFA”.

Enjoy…

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Podcast Xtra

Ange & the starman

On Saturday31st July Celtic commence the new league season away at Tynecastle. The current state of the first team squad has some fans concerned but we have the new Swede and an update on the new Japanese striker in these pre-game interviews from Ange Postecoglou and Carl Starfelt.

Enjoy…

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Season 16 - Let’s go round again

Baby we’re back! Welcome to the 16th season of the world’s longets running football fans podcast. To celebrate our new season we will have

NO new features

NO new graphics

NO new music

NO new opinions

The podcast will be just as you like - same old usual rubbish but it’s this consistency that has kept our listener numbers the same all these years.

We really appreciate everyone who takes the time to listen or rate us on iTunes. We don’t have any awards but then, you have to self nominate so where’s the fun in that?

CU - The podcast for the generally optimistic but occasionally midly irritated middle aged Celtic fan.

Enjoy…

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Welcome Ange & Dom

Today was the official unveiling of Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager and of Dom McKay as Celtic CEO. Both spoke very well. Talk is cheap as the negative people say however I was very pleased with what I heard today.

No-one comes into a new job and criticises the people or the past but it’s clear, reading between the lines, that Dom wants to address the stagnation in our business model over the past 10 years and Ange will have his own people in coaching roles sooner rather than later.

We have the fan media questions first followed by the broadcast media press conference.

Enjoy…

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The View from Down Under

Ange Postecoglou is the new manager of Celtic. Fans are filled with trepidation about a manager with no European track record. The pessemists are trotting out the usual “he’s sh!te3” stuff whilst the optimists are noting the exceptional level of positivity coming out of Australia for this guy.

Based upon this mixed view, I called up our friend Mike Mehall-Wood (now based down in Aus) and sought his view.

Enjoy…

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Ange Postecoglou First Interview

Celtic have today appointed Ange Postecoglou as the new manager of the club and we have the audio from his first interview. Interstingly in the chat that follows with Dom McKay, he once again mentions modernisation. It seems to be his theme and listeners to the last podcast will know we heartily agree.

Dominic McKay: Ange is an outstanding leader and an outstanding manager

Dominic McKay is delighted that Celtic have appointed an experienced manager who knows what it takes to win, and he believes that Ange Postecoglou’s vision for the future of the Club aligns with his own.

In an exclusive interview with Celtic TV, the Club's incoming Chief Executive, who officially takes over on July 1, explained why the Australian manager is the right fit for the Club, and explained that he has already started working with the new Celtic manager to pave the way for future success.

“I’m delighted that we’ve managed to secure Ange as the new manager of Celtic Football Club,” said Dominic McKay. “Ange is an outstanding leader and an outstanding manager.

“In all my discussions with him to date, I’ve been really impressed by his enthusiasm for Celtic, and his keenness to work with me to modernise and develop the footballing structures and the non-footballing structures to make sure we are the successful club that we need to be for the generation ahead.

“His experience at the international level, having taken Australia to World Cups is hugely impressive, as is his experience of winning both in Australia and Japan, so I’m excited about securing a winning manager and in securing someone who wants to drive forward the club in a way that I think everyone will be really proud about.

“We’ve spent a lot of time chatting through the playing side, the coaching side and the footballing operations side.

“It would be fair to say his phone’s been busy over the last number of weeks and I’m excited that we’re getting information across to him to make decisions and get feedback on all the various aspects you would expect us to be considering ahead of the new season.

“We’ve been talking about recruitment in particular and the plans for the season ahead, so we’re very active in that regard. There are some important fixtures coming up so we need to make sure the team is in the best shape it can be, and I’m sure Ange will share more information with the Celtic support as soon as he can.”

Dominic McKay also shed light on how his own vision for delivering success to the club aligns with Ange Postecoglou’s ambitions.

“We have a shared vision and that was very important to me to make sure we had a new manager who bought into the modernising, evolution and development of the club, both on and off the field,” the new Celtic CEO said.

“In terms of his style of play, I think he will excite the fans. In terms of his communication, I think he will be great in engaging with supporters and, importantly, his philosophy, which is borne out of his experience at international level going through World Cups but also in winning competitions. I wanted a winner and I’m delighted that we’ve managed to secure Ange.”

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An analogue club in a digital age

This week we’re back to talk about The Celtic! We will be having more of The Game series but we thought we’d take a break from that to discuss the managerial situation at the club. First we’ve had the rejection by Eddie Howe and then the appointment of Ange (or at least the likely appointment of Ange as nothing has happened yet…).

This week we get Saint Anthony, Hullbhoy and Sean together to discuss the situation at the club.

Enjoy…

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The Game Ep5 - Tirollercoaster

This game had everything - a new team under a new manager with a new striker scoring an og in a 9 goal thriller where Celtic were out with just 6 minutes to go. It had a full house and so everyone who was a Tim at the time could say “I was there” but for some reason it’s never one of those games everyone talks about with reverence…and it should be.

Celtic 6 Tirol Innsbruk 3. What a night.

The Celtic Wiki describes it as follows:

An incredible European night. A nail-biter all the way down the line finally settled by goals in the 87th and 94th minute.

It looked like Anoni was for the off. Allegedly this was all down to a training ground bust up between him and Jansen on pre-season in Holland and he had been on the injury list for some time. And just to prove it Jansen included him in the squad – so much for newspaper rumours. Surprise surprise when Bebeto was not going to be signing for Celtic. The 33 year old returned to Spain and although it was said he would return to Deportivo la Coruna he eventually joined Sevilla. Darren Jackson was taken ill prior to the match and immediately after was admitted to hospital for tests. He complained of a migraine and was too ill to play.

Teams

Celtic: Scorers: Donnelly (34, pen 69), Thom (44), Burley (70, 94), Wieghorst (87)

Tirol Innsbruck: Scorers: Mayrleb (39), Larsson (45og), Krinner (82)

Enjoy…

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The Game Ep4 - Boavista Away 2003

For those of us lucky enough to remember Seville it was all made possible by this night - a victory away at Boavista. A crap game, a sclaffed shot and a penalty claim….but we were through.

Remy of ByTheMinCeltic fame joins Antony and I to share his recollections of The Game.

This is how The Celtic Wiki describes it…

With so much at stake, the opening exchanges were tentative, but Celtic settled first and created the game's first decent goalscoring opportunity. A hopeful Alan Thompson free-kick was flicked on by the head of John Hartson, allowing Larsson a sight of goal, but the Swede uncharacteristically pulled his shot wide under pressure from Eder Silveira.

Celtic were forced to bring Chris Sutton into the fray rather earlier than planned when Paul Lambert was forced off with an ankle injury with just over half an hour gone.

In the second half Alan Thompson had a fierce drive deflected wide on 70 minutes as they sought that elusive away goal. It finally came eight minutes later, when Larsson played a slightly fortunate one-two with Boavista defender Filipe Anunciacao before finishing clinically from 12 yards.

The performance may not necessarily have been vintage and will be overlooked by the Celtic supporters as we prepare for the trip to Seville, where the team will play Porto in the final on 21 May.

Boavista v Celtic, 24 April 2003, was one of the most frustrating games of football I’ve sat through. Needing to score, for 78 minutes Celtic were moribund; they made not a single attempt on goal. Instead, they did what most teams do away from home, condensed midfield and defended, while Boavista, who would qualify for the Uefa Cup final if the game ended goalless, did much the same.

The goal appeared to take place in slow motion. Henrik Larsson moved forward to the end of the D and tried to pass to John Hartson, but a defender intercepted. Unfortunately for Boavista the ball was returned from the interception to an unmarked Larsson on the edge of the box.

It spun from his preferred right foot onto his left but the shot gently arced inches away from the goalkeeper’s grasp. The goal was a deflection, although we didn’t see it at the time. The keeper was moving his weight from right to left as the ball drifted to his left.

It may have been a turgid game of football decided by a deflection but it was also one of the most intense sporting occasions in our 125 year history. The sheer release of tension when the goal went in was incredible. 15 minutes, and one generous refereeing decision later, Celtic were in a European final.

Since then we have become accustomed to our position as a credible European team but it was very different in season 2002-03. This was the first Christmas Celtic were in Europe since 1979; each milestone along the way, Blackburn Rovers (a far more credible team at the time), Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Liverpool, was celebrated with something close to astonishment.

The triumphs of this season, qualifying for the Champions League group stage instead of losing to Basel, then progressing to the knock out rounds, are greater than the achievements of April 2003, but they will never feel that way.

That game, that season, trophy-less though it was, changed our entire landscape. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Enjoy…

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The Game Ep3 - Partizan Belgrade

To this day, this is one of the most incredible games I have ever attended. Yes I’ve been at the Barca game, the Invincibles Cup Final Game, victories and defeats at Ibrox but for utterly incredible drama few can match this game - Celtic 5, Partizan Belgrade 4.

A future Dundee Utd Manager, the dad of a future Celtic striker and a guy wearing trackie bottoms - this game had it all (all except a Celtic victory).

Antony and I are joined by Lawrence Donegan as he name drops his way through his memories of The Game.

Here’s how the Celtic Wiki describes it:

This was one of the most remarkable games ever viewed at Parkhead with an absolutely disastrous ending for a brave Celtic team.

Scoring went as follows: 0-1, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 5-3, 5-4.

With Celtic leading 5-3 and going through on aggregate with just two minutes left, Joe Miller lost the ball at the Partizan goal corner flag. A quick break down the left wing saw a cross come in and Scepovic headed it for goal. The despairing Bonner got a hand to out and only served to divert it past Paul Elliot who was on the goal line and would have cleared had Bonner not knocked it past him.

Celtic players and fans were devastated at time up and stood in stone silence as jubilant Partizan players and coaches danced for joy on the Parkhead turf.

Billy McNeill was heavily criticised afterwards for not making one substitution when Celtic were leading 5-3 with minutes to go which would have broken the game up and killed some time.

It is thought that Darius Dziekanowski could have laid on another cert, but went for a personal five. He was later lambasted in the changing room despite having scored four goals, and maybe others were more culpable for the defeat than Jacki.

Enjoy…

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The Game Ep2 - Palm Sunday

This week marks the 30th anniversary of the Palm Sunday gubbing of Rangers, a game that holds special memories for our guest Kevin Schofield as it was his first Glasgow Derby. It was dark times for the club and these victories were smal glimpses of light.

We had beaten Rangers the week before for what became known as the ST Patrick’s Day Massacre. That was a game that saw Rangers receive 3 red cards and so for this match, Not The View gave out red cards and Nisbet duly obliged by getting himself sent off and leaving the pitch to a sea of aforementioned red cards from the crowd. Anton Rogan was the star of the day, scoring the opener in the 3-0 victory over Rangers in March 1991, his first against them (just day before his birthday), but he also set up the second and cleared a goal off the line.

Enjoy…

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The Game Episode 1 - Shame Game

10 years ago this month was The Shame Game. A silly title for a game that saw no shame apart from the terrible behaviour of the soon to be defunct Rangers players and assistant manager. But with its notoriety and coming to the fore we thought we’d kick off the new series with a review of that game.

Here’s how the Celtic Wiki describes it:

As one-side a match against the Huns you'll ever see. Celtic were on top throughout this game, and despite the Huns being able to break well at points, they were simply playing for penalties from early on. With injuries/resting players like Lafferty & Jelavic, the Huns were relying on some rough tactics with heavy tackling on the menu. Luckily, Celtic's pressing on fairer referees has paid off with Murray officiating well and taking to half measures. He allowed around 20-25 mins before dishing out yellow cards, and Whittaker was first to be ordered off with two yellows. Harsh the first card may have been but it wasn't for that challenged alone (he had committed a few bad tackles before hand).

From then on, Celtic took control (in particular in the midfield) however we weren't makign enough of our advantages. Wilson was exceptional and has been on a bit of a goal glut of late (3 goals in 6 games) and he scored with his second chance today just after half-time to send the support into raptures. From then in, there was only one team in it. Rangers had a late burst but their runs were cut short..... and Rangers were out the cup!!!

YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More important is the rammies that occurred. Diouf was in everyone's' face, with match offs with Brown and then inexcusably with the Celtic bench. He should have been sent off early but the referee was too soft. Next there was a rammy with Mjallby for Djouf in the tunnel at half-time! It was comical.

The unbookable Bhougeira was sent off! Amazing! Daft tackles were the cause, he's scum like Diouf.

Diouf was sent off after the final whistle for not keeping control of his senses (not possible for him). A farce and scumbag.

The home support were in his face and we all laughed. The worse he is on the pitch, the worse his antics are...

Match ended with a spat between Lennon & Ally McCoist (Hun assistant manager). McCoist approaced Lennon in our dugout, Lennon politley held out his hand, then McCoist whispered something in his ear, Lennon retorted, then it blew with some shoves and people jumping in to separate the two. McCoist should be hammered for it.

Anyhow, we won, it's great to be a Celtic.

Crazy: The match has been criticised by the First Minister as a disgrace with head police officer calling for possibly stopping all games v Rangers or play them behind close doors! Absolute joke, total mock outrage.

Enjoy…

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Podcast Xtra - John Kennedy & David Turnbull

Celtic are looking to engage better with the fan media and this was the first step in 2021 of that new engagement with a specially organised fan media press conference. To be fair to the club, bringing this together is slightly more complicated than it seems. As I’ve joked recently, there are now a plethora of podcasts and how do the club make sure everyone gets access, how do they balance this with those fans who do excellent written work but not the spoken word - do they let on every podcast and website (not matter the numbers of listeners readers). Do they have a cut off and how do they measure that cut-off? etc etc.

Regular listeners and readers will know that we have been fortunate enough to have engagement before but it is good to have some further engagement after a little bit of a hiatus.

We have David Turnbull and John Kennedy first up, John being especially generous with his time and providing very full answers. I have met with John before and found him a very impressive and engaging man. I have yet to meet a football person who isn’t impressed by John. I hope you are too.

Enjoy…

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Pieces of Eight

Yes, it’s the pirate podcast (you’ll understand when you listen) and we are reviewing the tenure of Neil Lennon as Celtic manager. We look at his departure last time, his re-appointment and assess whether this was some catastrophic turn of unlucky events for Neil or the inevitable outcome of appointing someone not qualified for the job and I would suggest that the panel have a range of opinions along that spectrum.

A change is gonna come at Celtic and we suspect that it will have an alpine look to it but whatever it is, there are always grounds for omptimism when you support Celtic so we (mainly) agree that next season is going to be very exciting.

Saint Anthony, Sean and Antony all discuss.

Also, we’re pulling together a series on Celtic matches, key games that might now have mythical status among the support. We’ll be starting with The Shame Game. Email your memories of this and also let us know hat games you would like us to feature.

Podcasts@celticunderground.net

Enjoy…

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Celts on The Rocks

This week I am joined by Lachie Mor and Duncan Smillie of Glasgow Rocks to discuss the current situation at Celtic.

We review the inept Ross County performance and then go on to discuss the nature of the vitriol against senior people at the club (manager CEO) and question if that is the “Celtic Way” - can we not disagree with the board’s decision on Lennon without being so disagreeable? Duncan has a go at me for the agressive language of the Ferencvaros podcast. Lachie is taken aback and patently didn’t listen to it!

We review the need to get more young players coming through the academy into the first team and generally wish this season would just go away.

Enjoy…

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Marketing Celtic

I know, I know, all we want is a succesful team on the pitch and you have no time for all this marketing and “brand” chat that revolves around modern football and if that’s the sum total of your thoughts on marketing a football club then this podcast is not for you. If, however, you see maximising income as the way of getting the best players in the pitch then hopefully you will find this of interest.

I look at our club as failing to communicate well with the supporters. I therefore wonder if we are so poor at speaking with the fans, are we even worse at communicating with a wider audience, and is that poor communication impacting on the business as a whole?

Whilst I can have a view, I always think it best to ask an expert and so I asked the Managing Direcor of Sporst Marketing experts Fuse for some input. It does help that not only is Stephen an expert on sports marketing, he’s also a huge Celtic fan. We therefore have a marketing expert talking specifically about our club and how we might get those marginal benefits that allow us to get better players on the park.

Enjoy…

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And so after 17 years in the job Peter is leaving.

Peter Lawwell was first employed by Celtic as the club's Financial Controller from 1990 to 1991 under then Chief Executive Terry Cassidy. In September 2003, he returned to Celtic succeeding Ian McLeod as Chief Executive. The job title was changed for Lawwell to Executive Director, Head of Operations as many of the previous Chief Executives had performed poorly in that role. Arsenal were interested in appointing Lawwell as their chief executive in 2008, but Lawwell rejected their approach. Lawwell has been credited with increasing revenue, reducing debt and is considered a tough transfer negotiator. He has attracted criticism since 2008, however, as Rangers had won three championships in a row. In particular, Celtic fans cite the club's refusal to increase their offer for steven Fletcher in January 2009, after which Rangers overhauled Celtic to win the 2008/09 SPL. In 2010 it was reported that Lawwell earned a wage of more than £700,000 a year, after receiving a 25% rise from his previous contract for the 2008–09 season.

Everything at Celtic changed in 2012 when Rangers went to the wall and this saw the club commence an incredible period of dominance, winning trophies and building cash in the bank for a rainy day, We had the Brendan era followed by the appointment of Neil Lennon in the showers and for many, the diasters of the current season were sewn on that day.

Peter leaves and Hullbhoy and I assess his legacy.

Enjoy…

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Dear Dr Jo

This past week saw the passing of Big Shuggie Edvaldsson and formerCeltic manager Dr Jozef Venglos.

Jóhannes Eðvaldsson signed for Celtic in 1975 and made 127 appearances for the club. He scored 24 goals for Celtic playing in defence, midfield and attack but made his name mainly as a central defender.

Dr Jozef Venglos was the first foreign born & raised manager of a club in the English top tier league(now it's the EPL): Aston Villa. He won the European Championships at under 23 level, and then his finest moment in coaching, the full European Championship with Czechoslovakia in 1976, beating Netherlands in the semi-finals and West Germany in the Final, as well as reaching the quarter-finals of the Italia 1990 World Cup. Appointed President of the European Coaches Union in 1995 as well as being chosen to coach European and World select teams in the 1980's and 1990's. AT Celtic he signed the great players Lubo & Mjallby for Celtic. Truthfully, he never made a bad signing. Disgracefully treated by the local press whilst in Scotland (quite petty patronising racism in some cases).

Enjoy…

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Tell me when it’s over

And the hits just keep on coming… This past week Celtic have dropped points to Livingston twice (once to a team made up of their fringe players) and still the management team remains unchanged. On the podcast we discuss the possible rational behind this, the issues with the players, the Livi game and of course that press conference.

As a podcast that has (at times) been very aggitated with the team - coaches and players, we try our best to take a step back and assess how and why. We discuss the board and what we should be doing. Tanks on the lawn with a firm statement of intent that this will never happen again.

Enjoy…

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What’s going on?

Who could have predicted, that going to Dubai, in the middle of the world’s worst pandemic in 100 years could end up being a PR disaster…?

Sunday night the news broke that we had a player with Covid. Then it started to come out that, due to the nature of everyone being in close proximity, 13 players and 3 coaches would be unavailable for the game against Hibs. With perhaps a 5% chance still left of winning the league, we needed to win every game left this season and this wouldn’t give us the best chance of starting that run, yet we nearly achieved it.

Antony Murray and I discuss the game, the trip and basically ask - Celtic - What’s going on?!?

Enjoy…

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2020 - A Year in Review

Twenty Twenty vision was hard work - a year of two halves. We ran away with the league until Covid came and we were robbed of the 9iar celebrations. When won a quadruple treble and again robbed of the celebrations. In the grand scheme of things it will be just one year of missing going to games and there are worse things happening in the world however it hurt to miss them all the same.

It WAS supposed to be a review with @antonymurray25 and @hullbhoy @stephen4_2 and myself but for a variety of reasons it was just Saint & I but we still managed to ramble on for 2 hours reviewing the seasons past and present in 2020.

Hullbhoy and Antony will be on again soon.

Meantime, please enjoy…

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I don’t want to talk about it!

The maltesers edition.

And there it was - in the 62nd minute the final flickers of the 10iar dream were snuffed out when Nir Bitton climbed all over the back of Alfredo Morelos and Madden was presented with the opportunity to reduce us to 10 men and any chnce of clawing back the huge deficit went.

It wasn’t the Bitton sending off that killed the chances of winning the league and securing the 10. The seeds of this defeat were sowed long ago with a various key points since February 2012 when, presented with an opportunity, Celtic made the wrong choice. The key to losing the ten was when the club decided to focus on demoestic rather than European dominance. Set your standards low and and you achieve low.

Antony Murray and I review a game which, for the first hour, was dominated by Celtic.

Enjoy…

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Quadruple Treble

No illiterative headlines name for the podcast - it’s a simple history making name. The remarkable dominance of Celtic over Scottish football continues as the third and final trophyof the 2019/20 season is secured and Celtic become world beaters by securing a fourth consecutive treble.

After a first 45 mins where we looked like we would go on to score 4 or 5 it was squeaky bum time and penalties were required.

I am joined by Antony Murray and Saint Anthony to discuss why that might have been, to review the game, the players, and the unique achievement of 4 trebles. We also (briefly) preview the Ross County game.

Enjoy…

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Custer’s Last Stand

And the hits just keep on coming…..this week it was St Johnstone. Where do we go from here? Is it down to the lake I fear?

After the Ferencvaros game Antnony Murray and I were very critical of the manager and after 30 mins I got St Anthony on to be the voice of reason and calm us all down. Since then there has been no discernible improvement in performances and so we thought we’d get Saint back on.

We review the St Johnstone game, discuss the Cektic statement, try and think why the board are thinking as they are and then discussing whether we believe that 10iar can be saved.

After the analogies of Julius Ceaser, this week it’s Cowboys and Indians.

Enjoy…(if you can)

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No longer surprising

Sorry to have such long breaks between podcasts, honestly, we’re not just waiting for defeats but I know many will be in the working every hour God sends boat at the moment and getting an hour to do a podcast is challenging.

Enough of that negativity - onto the hoops! As you’ll hear on the podcast, Antony Murray has just been teaching Julius Ceaser and one quote from that came to mind that our coaches and board would do well to think about;

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

Something has to change, new coaches, new attitudes, I don’t know, but something.

Here’s hoping it’s soon.

Enjoy…

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Count The Trophies

Following the Scottish Cup Semi-Final victory Celtic are on course for another treble - 4 in a row would be quite incredible and you would assume that everything in the garden is rosy…but it’s not. Thursday night saw another abysmal European result for the club and another performance were body language was dreadful on and off the pitch and it was hard to believe that this is a team coached to play together.

After the Feroncvaros defeat we had an immediate post game review (more of a rant) with myself and Antony Murray, later joined by the voice of reason Aint Anthony. This time we decided to hold off for a few days for a more taional debate.

We discuss everything and go back 8 years in reviewing where we are just now.

Enjoy…

Don’t forget that antony can be found on twitter @antonymurray25

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Success in mind

Saturday’s result and performance could have been better…!

Rather than have a knee jerk rant, I thought it would be more appropriate to have some positive thinking on the podcast and who better than the guru of Scottish positive thinking, Mr Jack Black.

I first came across Jack around 1997 when my then boss handed me some audio tapes and said - I think this will be right up your street. The days before Apple Car Play or even in car CDs, these tapes were of Jack’s Mindstore lectures and they were a huge eye opener. At the time he was working with Rangers and it came as a revelation to me that he is actually a Celtic fan. Even more of a revelation was that he was a fan of our podcast and so when I discovered this I knew I had to get him on.

Work, work and more work have got in the way of late and so it’s simply a coincidence that he is on straight after THAT Rangers performance.

If you want to know more about Jack after listening you can log onto https://www.mindstore.com/

He’s also on twitter @jack_mindstore

Enjoy…

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Antony Murray brings us episode 7 of the lifetime XI series.

Many listeners have been enjoying the lifetime XI series of Antony Murray. Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and this series is coming to a close, butnot before we have at least one more episode. This week Antony returns and we have episode 7 of the series.

Enjoy...

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Celtic in the Black & White Era

There’s a new book out and St Anthony chats with the author, Steve Finan

This brand new book features hundreds of previously unseen classic Celtic photos from the glory days.

Even if you know the history . . . have you seen it like this? These photos have lain hidden in archives for 40, 50 or even 60 years. They show the great events such as the European Cup triumph of 1967, Hampden in the sun, Gil Heron’s debut, the John Thomson tragedy, and the Leeds United European tie of 1970. There are also scores of behind-the-scenes photos, images of Celtic heroes of the past as you’ve never seen them, and “new” old photos of the great games.

It is the ideal gift for any Celtic-minded person — nostalgia for those who remember, a chance to experience the halcyon days for those who don’t.

There’s never been a Celtic book like this!

Enjoy...

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Garbage

Tonight Celtic played a team who are vastly inferior to us. They had three attempts on goal and scored with two of them. Meantime our manager picked a starting 11 with no striker and didn’t bring one on until the 78th minute. I get that Ajeti may not quite be fully fit and I fear Klimala not starting is because the manager doesn’t rate him. what a s**t show

We wanted to get a podcast out and to your ears as quickly as possible and so we start with just Antony Murray and after 25 mins are joined by St Anthony. We discuss what to do and don’t come up with solutions, just moans.

If you can, enjoy…

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Viva Espana

We have had a very eventful time of things both on and off the park at Celtic since our last podcast discussing the current squad. In that last podcast Juco James disected the pros and cons (minus the pros) of continuing to play Scott Brown. we then had the Killie game which was the usual purgatory on plastic. We lack creativity and gave away a stupid goal and many fingers pointed at Jullien and Brown. After that we had the Boli 24 hour Spanish holiday jaunt. In between we signed Ajeti.

With all this going on we needed a podcast and we needed some calm heads and so we have Hullbhoy and Duncan to discuss all this and more.

Enjoy…

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