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celticnoise · 6 years

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SIMON DONNELLY is the CQN guest on the eve of the Betfred Cup Final and the former Celtic forward is predicting a 3-1 win for the Bhoys.

Simon joined Celtic from Queens Park in 1993 and enjoyed six years as a Celtic player. Although he started out as a striker, Tommy Burns saw potential in him as a right sided midfielder/winger and that is where he made his name in the Hoops, forming a good understanding with full back Jackie McNamara down Celtic’s right hand side.

Tomorrow, Celtic take on Motherwell in the Betfred Cup Final and the game is being dedicated to one of Simon’s best friends in football, the much missed Phil O’Donnell. Simon talks about Phil in his interview and what the tributes tomorrow will mean to his family.

So here goes. Today’s #10IAR guest is Simon Donnelly, the questions were put to Simon by Scott Alcroft for CQN Magazine…

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You started your career at Queens Park. How did moving to Celtic happen?

My move came about after being spotted playing with QPFC u18s and Reserves, I was invited to train with Celtic for a week before going to a tournament in Geneva. I signed when I got back.

What can you remember about the day you signed?

The day I signed my dad sneaked out of school (he was a teacher) he got someone to cover for him to go to Celtic Park with me to sign. I remember it being a glorious, sun shining day and after talks with Liam Brady we walked home to Burnside talking it over. My mind was made up and I signed the following day!

Who was your biggest influence at Celtic and why?

I’m lucky my education at Celtic was priceless, surrounded by players like Charlie Nicholas and Paul McStay, as a youngster to the first team. I learned off all my coaches but Tommy Burns had greatest influence on me as a kid , moving me from centre forward to the right side of midfield, he felt my style would benefit from playing there, but he was a huge influence on most of the lads coming through, a class guy as well.

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Who were the characters in the dressing room?

We had some larger than life characters, Granty was always involved in any banter and Tosh McKinlay, the year we won the league we had to go to fulfil a game in Portugal the day after we beat St Johnstone to stop the Ten. Needless to say there was a few beers downed, I’ll never forget the boys pretending to carry Tosh into bars, the bouncers would stop us only for Tosh to stand up and walk in; he’s completely teetotal!

What was the best game you played in for Celtic and why?

1995/96 season was a joy to play in despite not winning the title. We were beaten once all season but too many draws were our downfall but I still get fans talking to me about this season. It’s hard to pin one game down, my first game at Ibrox against Rangers with no Celtic fans there, I felt I did well, and enjoy the 5-1 at Celtic Park a few years later!

What were your top 3 goals for Celtic?

My goal at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock, lifting it over big Marsh to finish off a flowing move. The goal against Aberdeen, playing a 1-2 with Henrik then prodding it into top corner 98/99 and a header at Fir park from a McNamara cross, I think it was the winner that day too!

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When you heard that Celtic and Motherwell were going to dedicate tomorrow’s Betfred Cup Final to Phil, what were your thoughts?

My initial thoughts were that this was a great opportunity for his youngest son to realise what his dad meant to both clubs and sets of fans, the wee man is presenting the trophy to them before the game and I’ve no doubt will receive some welcome, it will be a special moment for him and his family!

You were very good friends with Phil, what do you think he would be thinking of this gesture and what do think the score will be tomorrow?

He’d love it for Luc, but Phil being Phil wouldn’t want the focus of attention, he liked just getting on with his job quietly no fuss!

I think Celtic will win 3-1.

What kind of man was Phil on and off the pitch?

Phil is one of the best people I’ve been fortunate to call a friend, an absolute gentleman, as a player brave, athletic, clever, most importantly though a family man who did it all for his wife and kids!

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Finally Simon, what do you think of the job that Brendan Rodgers is doing and this current Celtic side?

Brendan has brought the excitement back, it needed it. 64 games unbeaten and he’s done in style, he’s encouraging youth, it looks like Europe after Christmas despite the other night’s result so it’s great times for the Bhoys just now ……….HH

Looking forward to the League Cup Final on Sunday.

Its great that Phil O’Donnells son is presenting the trophy, Phil was a talented player that will always be remembered for always giving 100%, its such a shame he was taken from us at such a young age. http://pic.twitter.com/Z5uWn6YEua

— JT (@J1888T) November 23, 2017

Simon, that was outstanding. Thanks also for your memories of Phil. We hope it’s a terrific occasion for his family and friends tomorrow and we can all show our appreciation of him. It will be an emotional moment when the love and affection for Phil from all around the Stadium is expressed. Good luck Simon and thanks for taking part in our #10IAR – hope you enjoy tomorrow at Hampden and you’re right about the score!

Interview by Scotty Alcroft for CQN Magazine. @Sco2hot #10IAR

Scott spoke to another Celtic star from the side that stopped the Ten earlier this week, read his interview with Enrico Annoni HERE.

NEW CQN PODCAST: RIGHT BACK TO 67 WITH LISBON LION JIM CRAIG, UNMISSABLE!

LISBON LION Jim Craig is the very special guest on the new CQN Podcast – out now!

Jim releases his new book, Right Back to 67, The Lisbon Lion Diary next week and we are pretty confident that this will be regarded as one of the classic Celtic books of all time.

There has been so much written about 1967 in some very fine books to-date but nothing like this. Jim kept a diary of his time at Celtic and in Right Back to 67 he is able to provide the authentic, inside story. It really is too good to miss.

You can order the book now from CQNBookstore.com and you will receive a signed copy. You can also add a personal dedication which is ideal for a Christmas gift. Simply email [email protected] with your dedication after you have ordered and Jim will sort this for you next week.

Jim is on fine form in the Podcast too, you’ll love it.

A Celtic State of Mind presents its 25th instalment of insightful discussion around the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.

Jim Craig joined Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham in the Tolbooth Studios in Stirling to discuss the Lisbon Lions’ 50th anniversary celebrations in a year which also saw Celtic winning an invincible treble, a prestigious award from FIFA naming their fans as the best in the world, and even a BAFTA!

In this emotional interview, Jim reminisces about Jock Stein, Billy McNeill, Neilly Mochan, Bertie Auld, Tommy Gemmell, Joe McBride and George Connelly.

He also discusses his latest book, his magnificent Lisbon Lion Diary: Right Back to ’67. This memoir is a real fly-on-the-wall recollection of events from 50 years ago, brought to life by Jim Craig’s intelligent and humorous brand of storytelling. Order HERE.

The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.

Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes, @anorthernprose and @CQNMagazine and subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or through your podcast player.

ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY OF JIM CRAIG – RIGHT BACK TO 67, A LISBON LION DIARY TODAY!

SIGNED COPY!

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#CelticNoise #Celtic #CelticFC #CelticQuickNews

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celticnoise · 4 years

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CQN concludes its week-long tribute to the one-and-only Bertie Auld who celebrated his 82nd birthday a week ago.

The irrepressible Lisbon Lion has been sharing his Celtic secrets with CQN readers in EXCLUSIVE extracts from his autobiography, ‘A Bhoy Called Bertie,’ co-authored by Alex Gordon, and today the Hoops great gives you an insight into his dealings with the legendary Jock Stein.

Enjoy the last in the series of sitdowns with the iconic Parkhead favourite.

HERE’S something that may surprise you – Jock Stein wasn’t a bad singer. He liked to get up, grab the microphone and batter out some Sinatra songs to startled guests at one of the many functions we used to attend. The gruffness was gone as he belted out some numbers and let his hair down.

But, back at the park the following day, it was business, as usual. Looking back, I can now heave a sigh of relief – thank goodness there wasn’t such a thing as Karaoke around then. We would never have got Big Jock off the stage!

I had a few run-ins with Jock, of course. I recall one day storming out of Celtic Park after a particularly bad fall-out between us. I had been a substitute on the Saturday when Celtic drew 3-3 with Partick Thistle during a Scottish Cup-tie at Firhill in January 1969. I didn’t get on that afternoon, but I thought there might be a chance of getting the nod in the replay. Not only was I not in the first team, I wasn’t even on the bench.

I had been ditched without kicking a ball. I was more than just a wee bit incensed as well as puzzled.

I went to see him in his office. As a seasoned pro, I thought I deserved better treatment than that and I told him so. He could have pulled me aside at training and told me what he was going to do. I would still have been bewildered, but, at least, it would have softened the blow. But he never uttered a word – not one.

Then when the team sheet went up there was no sign of my name. I couldn’t bite my tongue on this occasion. I was angry. After I told him how unhappy I was at his selection process, I just got out of his room before he could even say a word. I went straight out of ground, jumped into a taxi and went to a restaurant in Glasgow city centre. Stevie Chalmers – there was only one outfield substitute in those days – took my place as twelfth man and Celtic didn’t seem to miss me as they won 8-1!

Things were more than a little strained after that. If only he had taken the time to explain his actions. Look, I’ve fallen out with many players while being a boss at Partick Thistle, twice, Hibs, Dumbarton and Hamilton. No-one likes to be dropped and everyone likes to play. Big Jock realised how much it meant to me to be out there with the rest of the lads doing my best for the club.

I loved playing the game and he knew it. I would even turn out for the reserves if it meant getting a kick at the ball. So, I admit I was furious that evening and it was better for all concerned that I removed myself from the immediate vicinity. But I still ask myself why he didn’t take the time to let me know I wouldn’t be involved. There were four days in between the first game and the replay and he had lots of opportunities and numerous occasions to tell me the news.

CUP THAT CHEERS…matchwinner Billy McNeill is chaired by Bertie Auld as Celtic celebrate their 3-2 Scottish Cup Final over Dunfermline in 1965. The skipper scored the third following two from Bertie.

Jock could be like that sometimes. He could make you look more than a wee bit silly in front of your team-mates and he certainly ruled with an iron fist. I could accept all that, but I repeat he knew only too well how much actually playing meant to me. He knew he would hurt me by leaving me out completely without a word of warning or explanation.

I missed the next two Cup-ties that season, wins over Clyde and St.Johnstone, but, strangely enough, I came back for the 4-1 semi-final success over Morton and I kept my place for the final – the famous 4-0 drubbing of Rangers. Jock was all smiles after that one.

I wasn’t at Celtic when he had his near-fatal car crash on the A74 in July 1975 when he was returning from Manchester Airport after a family holiday in Minorca and his Mercedes was in a head-on collision with a car coming directly towards him on the wrong side of the motorway. He was ordered to take a year out, but friends at the park told me he was there shortly afterwards although it was clear that Sean was in charge of the team on matchdays.

Thankfully, he made a full recovery, but those close to him said he was never quite the same again. Possibly, he now had new priorities and who could blame him?

I was watching Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on 10 September 1985 on television in my pub, The Buccaneer in Hamilton, when he collapsed and died shortly after the game. I was numb. The footage only showed the viewers that there was some commotion around about the dug-out area before the programme ended.

I wasn’t sure what on earth was going on. Telephone calls were made all over the place. Then the news bulletin came on and told us Big Jock had passed away. I felt as though I had lost a true friend, despite all our ups and downs. Big hard guys in the pub that night just broke down in tears. Yes, I cried, too.

I had to close early that evening and the blokes in the bar just accepted it. It was a very emotional evening for us all. Jock’s funeral at Linn Crematorium a few days later was one of the saddest days of my life. Football had lost a legend.

As I have pointed out, Jock could be complicated on occasion, but how can you ever doubt that his methods, controversial or otherwise, brought dividends? Just take a quick look at his trophy haul – ten league championships, nine Scottish Cups – one with Dunfermline – six League Cups. Oh, and a little matter of the European Cup. Jock Stein gave Celtic back their belief.

Above everything, he taught us all what it was like to be a winner. I hope he would accept that as an appropriate epitaph.

CQN READERS! Please keep a look-out for some more EXCLUSIVE series featuring Celtic greats in the forthcoming weeks.

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#CelticNoise #Celtic #CelticFC #CelticQuickNews

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celticnoise · 5 years

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CQN continues its tribute to the one-and-only Bertie Auld who celebrated his 81st birthday a week ago today.

The Lisbon Lion has been sharing his Celtic secrets with CQN readers in exclusive extracts from his autobiography, ‘A Bhoy Called Bertie,’ co-authored by Alex Gordon, and today the Hoops great gives you an insight into his dealings with the legendary Jock Stein.

Enjoy a Saturday sitdown with the iconic Parkhead.

I had been ditched without kicking a ball. I was more than just a wee bit incensed as well as puzzled.

Thankfully, he made a full recovery, but those close to him said he was never quite the same again. Possibly, he now had new priorities and who could blame him?

Above everything, he taught us all what it was like to be a winner. I hope he would accept that as an appropriate epitaph.

TOMORROW: SUNDAY SHOWDOWN: Lenny v Gerrard – Bertie Auld gives his Big Game verdict.

https://ift.tt/2V7uXUa

#CelticNoise #Celtic #CelticFC #CelticQuickNews

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