The Celtic Underground

A Celtic win – or even draw – tonight will ensure that this year’s title race will go to the final day.Over the years, the Celts have had numerous momentous ‘final day’ moments that have brought the League flag to Celtic Park.This podcast describes the whole story.Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.comEnjoy…Apple podcastsSpotifyAmazonPlayer.fmSpreakerAudioboomYoutube 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

When Martin O’Neil arrived back at Celtic Park we were 8 points behind leaders Hearts. He closed that and handed a level playing field to Wilfried Nancy. That incredible gamble failed and he came back with the club 6 points behind again. We now go into the final 2 games of the league campaign just 1 point off the lead. It’s there for us to claim history.On this weeks podcast the bhoys discuss the 3-1 victory and THAT goal. As Keith says, IF (and it may be a big IF) this is Martin last derby then his tenures at Celtic have been bookended by 2 of the greatest Glasgow Derby goals - the Henrik dink and the Maeda overhead.Enjoy…Apple podcastsSpotifyAmazonPlayer.fmSpreakerAudioboomYoutube 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

There’s now just 4 games to go in the search for an unlikely double, 3 of them in the league. At the weekend Celtic (and the officials) made the victory over Hibs much harder than it should have been and then there was the Hearts v Rangers game where every outcome could be seen through positive or negative eyes, depending upon your outlook. Hearts won and it has now become a two horse race.Victory on Sunday guarantees Celtic a Champions League play-off and confirms 3rd spot for Rangers but we’ve not played well all season and haven’t beaten Rangers over 90 mins for far too long.The bhoys review and preview.Enjoy…Apple podcastsSpotifyAmazonPlayer.fmSpreakerAudioboomYoutubeThe 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

65 years, the Celtic career of one popular Celt came to a conclusion.Bertie Peacock – the Bhoys’ ‘Little Ant’ – ended his time in Glasgow, an era with some notable Celtic moments.This latest podcast tells Peacock’s Celtic story.Every week, you can listen for free to more tales from Celtic’s past, as told by Matthew Marr (Hail Hail History).You can also take part in free walking tours which visit the sites that have shaped the Bhoys’ history. To find out more, visit: www.celticwalkingtours.wordpress.comEnjoy…Apple podcastsSpotifyAmazonPlayer.fmSpreakerAudioboomYoutube 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 a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thecelticunderground.substack.comTo quote George Michael “If you were there, you’d know…”I don’t think there’s any Celtic fan of 50+ who couldn’t tell you in minute detail about every aspect of that cold May Day at Love Street. For most of us now, those memories are the TV ones, the fans errupting behind Jim Stewart as the news of the Albrt Kidd goal comes through on the trannies, the…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit thecelticunderground.substack.comWe’ve been here before - disputes between fans and The Board and for those us old enough to remember, the names of the protagonists are seared in our memories. The Kelly’s, The Whites, The Grants, The Weisfelds, Brian Dempsey and Fergus McCann. Just like today, everyone was a Celtic fan and just like today all had different visions of who would achiev…

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.comEnjoy...

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...

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 herehttps://www.celticfc.com/tickets/celtic-legends-v-borussia-dortmund-legends/Enjoy...

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Recollections - Paul McStayPaul 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

Are we at the end of the roadThe 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).

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 mamoth 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…

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 Bullshit 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…

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 17th season (18th 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…

We’re in the mixTonight, 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…

The Celtic SteamrollerSaturday 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 startt 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…

Tifo or Tifno…?Sometimes the title provides little or no insight into the real content of the podcast but I've got to do one 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…

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…

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...

The podcast is back (again) after a midseason breakNow 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.

Welcome HomeThe 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…

Ange-ball Rolls OnCeltic 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…

The Game Episode 7 - Barca 125November 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….

Celtic and our Irish heritageThis 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….

The Game Episode 6 - Udinese draw and F’ UEFAThe 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…

Podcast XtraAnge & the starmanOn 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…

Season 16 - Let’s go round againBaby we’re back! Welcome to the 16th season of the world’s longets running football fans podcast. To celebrate our new season we will haveNO new featuresNO new graphicsNO new musicNO new opinionsThe 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…

The View from Down UnderAnge 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…

Ange Postecoglou First InterviewCeltic 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.”

An analogue club in a digital ageThis 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…

The Game Ep5 - TirollercoasterThis 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.TeamsCeltic: Scorers: Donnelly (34, pen 69), Thom (44), Burley (70, 94), Wieghorst (87)Tirol Innsbruck: Scorers: Mayrleb (39), Larsson (45og), Krinner (82)Enjoy…

The Game Ep4 - Boavista Away 2003For 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…

The Game Ep3 - Partizan BelgradeTo 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…

The Game Ep2 - Palm SundayThis 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…

The Game Episode 1 - Shame Game10 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…

Podcast Xtra - John Kennedy & David TurnbullCeltic 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…

Pieces of EightYes, 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 [email protected]…

Celts on The RocksThis 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…

Marketing CelticI 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…