Spanish Civil War Tour - Barcelona

As a proud Glaswegian I have always had a keen interest in the historic links to the cities Red Clydesiders and the social change that they tried so hard to achieve.  From the events of Black Friday 1919 in George Square to the Poll Tax and Gulf War demonstrations, Glasgow has never hidden from its right to protest or challenge oppression here in the UK or abroad.   There are a number of reminders around our great city that keep those passions burning brightly, including the Visions of the City display at the Peoples Palace, the controversially renamed  Nelson Mandela place and the monuments to the volunteers of the International Brigades who left the city to fight for democracy in the Spanish Civil War.

 

Those stories of the International Brigaders who travelled to Barcelona to help the fledgling rainbow government of Spain in their time of need has always resonated with me.   In 2014 I made the journey to Madrid for the annual commemoration of the battle of Jarama, touring the battle sites of the protracted war for control the Spanish capital.   I had to wait another 3 years before making my pilgrimage to the Catalan capital to walk amongst the echoes of the struggle that scar the cities architecture.

 

I joined a Spanish Civil War tour of the city during a summer break to Barcelona.   The tour is led by writer and military historian Nick Lloyd.   Starting from the Placa Catalunya a multicultural group hailing from America, Germany, Sweden & Scotland congregated for an early morning reminder of the origins of the struggle for Spain.  Amongst the traffic noise and hum of a confident modern megacity I began to recognise the iconic landmarks of the many pictures captured during the battle, perhaps most famously the image of Marina Ginesta standing with rifle strapped to her back overlooking the fragile city.

 

The tour takes you on a wander around the old streets and lanes which straddle the magnificent La Rambla.  Moving from the busy thoroughfare to the beautiful hidden cobbled lanes the wounds from the close quarter clashes can be seen on buildings and churches.   We are reminded of the propaganda so heavily used during the conflict & the power that these images and stories still hold today.

 

Exploring the area surrounding La Rambla taking in many of the sites critical to the Civil War in Barcelona, Nick provides a deep insight into the complicated and deadly make up of the different factions of the Republican movement, which although at war with the nationalist fascist forces, could still find time to inflict greater damage on their allies in the struggle.

 

The excursion comes to an end at Bar La Llibertària, which displays posters & pictures of the war.   There is plenty of time to chat over a beer or a coffee and to gain a better understanding of the power of the female influence on the conflict as well as the ultimate fall of the new government in Spain.

 

It is easy to visit Barcelona and enjoy the shopping, architecture, cafes and of course the Camp Nou, but the Civil War tour offers a different view on a wonderful city and a clear understanding of the continued desire for an alternative future for Catalonia.

The Tea Street Band - Frequency Album Review

The Tea Street Band released their 2nd studio album earlier this month.    Frequency follows up on the bands self titled release from 2014.     The 4 year gap between albums definitely hasn't made the band lose any of their edge, but just maybe they have gained a little extra swagger with this dazzling  electronic soundtrack.     The 4 friends from Merseyside have delivered an 11 track kaleidoscopic musical feast layering synth based hooks, dance beats & indie guitar riffs, all rounded off with a Mantra like calling on vocals.

The band made up of Timo Tierney on Vocals & Guitar, Nick Otaegui on Bass & Vocals, Lee Smith  on guitar & synth & Dom Allen on Drums spent almost a year in the studio.   This time has allowed them to play with new sounds & effects that are on full display throughout the album.   The output of their efforts is a sound fusion that leads you on a dream like sequence from one track to the next.

Put the album on & close your eyes & you could either be in the middle of a strobe lighting filled  club session, kicking back in the chill out room, rocking centre stage or on the neon light lined car journey home from a night of delirium.

The album is laced with some fabulous tracks that could have easily been used as singles & that is what is so appealing about this release.   Where we might find some albums maybe dip after track 6 or 7, Frequency delivers from start to finish.

From the opening track Givin it Back you are slowly reeled in with a haunting synthesizer & electric guitar arrangement which develops in to a dance beat & melody, from there the album doesn't let go.

Frequency has already delivered three singles with Feel it, Marseille Blues & Only Love.  These tracks are testimony to the time spent in the studio perfecting the full range of what this new album offers.   It also gives an insight to the collaboration between the band members & the progression from their debut album.

If the first single released Feel it were to appear on a Ministry of Sound chill out playlist it wouldn't be out of place & you would then spend time working out which DJ produced it.      Marseille Blues leads with an electronica sound that quickly transforms into a euphoric indie/ dance track.     The most recent single Only Love has the feel of a club mix with more then a hint of Indie riffs & vocals.  

The seamless blend of these tracks is an indication of the new confidence that the band have found.   When you add in tracks like Hearts Collide, Taken it All, Coming Up & BFYH the album genuinely hits all the right notes.

As part of this release the 4 lads from Liverpool will be back on the road performing live & doing what they love best.    A 14 night tour of the UK through November & December will see them travel the length & breadth of the land putting on a show & spreading their new Mersey beat away from their heartlands of Liverpool & Manchester.      Based on what I’ve heard from the album these shows are not to be missed.

The Zutons on the Road Again

After a break of almost 9 years it’s time to get that Zuton Fever back in your head, those Indie Blues revival Rockers from Liverpool will be back on the road after a 10 year absence.    The tour will coincide with the 15th anniversary of the release of their debut album “Who killed......The Zutons”.

With 8 nights already confirmed the renaissance kicks off  in Birmingham on 26th March & culminates in the their hometown of Liverpool on Friday 5th April.  The Zutons will be hoping to put the spring back into the step of fans who have been longing for another iconic live performance since the band quietly went their separate ways in 2009.

Following up from a number of impressive live performances throughout the festival season of 2004, The Zutons found themselves in the running for the coveted Mercury Prize, this is where I first found them.   An advert for the album came on the T.V & gave a short sound bite from a couple of the album tracks.   With more than a passing reference to the Jimi Hendrix classic Cross Town Traffic, the intro to You Will You Won't electrified my eardrums & that was enough for me to drift into HMV the very next day to add their CD  to my collection, I don’t think I listened to another album for about 3 months, it was intoxicating.     

The tracks were incredible.   The album was a boisterous blend of raw vitality.   From the infectious beats, harmonies & melodies served up by Boyan Chowdhury on guitar, Sean Payne on Drums and Russell Pritchard on bass, to the vulnerable voice of Dave McCabe, entwined with golden tone of Abi Harding on saxophone together they delivered a confident blend of indie rock with a healthy helping of soulful blues......Did I already say it was intoxicating?   

Although the Scouse 5 piece would fall short in the Mercury Music prize giving, their stock had already risen significantly through the U.K & they were soon headlining their own shows to bigger crowds.      I was fortunate enough to catch them at the Glasgow Barrowlands some months later where that raw sound from the album was reproduced to amazing effect.

Maybe I look back on this album with a large slice of nostalgia in mind, my daughter would sing away to this CD word for word in her car seat when I was out driving.    It was also just around that time when we (certainly I) started to change how we listened to music, moving from physical CDs to digital.    The progression to digital was great & helped reduce the amount of space taken up in the house for albums, CDs & stereos, but it also took away the enjoyment of an album cover.      Oh yeah, the album cover......A fold out comic strip style story of the mystery behind Who Killed The Zutons with shadowy figures & falling rocks & those four words you miss so much with digital music “See inlay for details”.

Nostalgia or not, Who Killed The Zutons is still an astounding album you can listen to again & again.     Now I just need to work out how I can secure tickets for their performance in our very own Dirty Dance Hall at the Barrowlands in 2019, where the band will play the album in its entirety.

The Tea Street Band Live Glasgow 2018

The Tea Street band are wrapping up their early winter road trip promoting the recent LP release Frequency.   The tour may have been in the closing stages by the time the band rolled into Glasgow, but the 4 lads from Merseyside certainly weren't winding down as they lit up the stage at King Tuts on a crisp December night.

Perched at the top of Glasgow's financial services district sits “The best UK live venue" according to the sign outside anyway.      Over the years King Tuts has played host to some of the best loved bands in world music.  This is where the universe started to change for Oasis back in the mid 1990s, but it’s not all about breakthrough artists though, some well established acts still come back & play at the Wah Wah Hut  just to be part of the legendary venue.

The quiet Sunday night streets are in contrast to the live music on offer behind the double doors of the Hut, being serenaded to the bar with 6 string melodies & the voices of the King Tuts Sunday night open mic sessions was a welcome treat before the doors to the main gig were opened for business.

With 2 support acts on we moved up stairs early to hear what was on offer.    First up were 4 piece band Nineteen Canteen playing a good selection of melodic rock tracks, they were followed by the energetic 5 piece skate rockers Forrest Can't Run.    Two variations in style before the main act took the stage.

A wee refresh of the stage & the unveiling of the magical box of tricks at guitarist Lee Smith’s disposal is the cue for the designer clad Pretty Green, Adidas wearing followers to make their way to the front of the stage.    With 2 albums in the bank, the band have enough to keep the tunes going into the night, but unfortunately I’ve already spotted the curfew is just over an hour away.

Opening the set with Summer Dreaming from their first album before propelling into 3 tracks from the new album Givin'it back, Sacre Coeur & single Marseille Blues is enough to get the revellers in full swing & acclaim from Nick that Glasgow might be the best dancers of the tour.

An unscheduled break to rewire Lee's box of tricks holds up the gig momentarily, but it’s not long before Timo gets the set moving again with the haunting melody laden Taken it All before blasting out  the Disco lights.   The synth mixing & classic dance beats from Dom are leading the night into a full club session.    Two more singles from the album Only Love & Feel It raise the temperature before Fiesta has revellers moving to the front of the stage to dance in the strobe infused musical euphoria.

The set finishes up with more arms in air to the Donna Summer Classic I feel Love, but with an extra bit of gold dust thrown in from the MCs on stage.

A quick chat with Timo & a set list to take home as a trophy from a mesmerising nights entertainment from a group you've just got to see live.

The Story of the Blues with Pete Wylie - Live 2019

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Wah! & launching his brand new album Pete Sounds, Pete Wylie put on a show for his fans at Glasgow's  King Tuts.     Armed with more than 4 decades of stories, songs & struggles, Pete pulled together a cabaret of over 2 hours entertainment for his fans nestled in the famous wee venue.

Choosing to tour without the backing of a full band, Pete was joined on stage by Anders Johnson who helped Pete mix his new album & provided the extra backing tracks on the night.    The stage was set up with a video of the Clash & Bowie in their prime playing on a loop &  cut-outs of famous faces of Liverpool, Shankleys famous outstretched arms in celebration, Elvis & Liberace!

Decked in a Tupac / Makaveli shirt the set kicks off with his very first single Better Scream, Pete set the tone for a nostalgic look back not only at his hits of the 80s, but those people & friends he has lost over the years.   Every story had a song, as he talked us through each of the tracks in his set.    For each older song played, there was a peek at the new ones appearing on the Pete Sounds album too.

As a campaigner for justice politics was never far from his agenda.   Brexit, Trump,  May & the Justice for the 96 campaign so he knew the people of Glasgow would be more than happy to hear & join him in his anthem “The day that Margaret Thatcher dies".     The  first half of his set finished with Sinful, where everybody was in the mood for a singalong.   An expected Q&A between sets had to be cancelled due to technical issues with a talking Elvis doll (yeah you read that right)

Pete kept the songs coming as he strolled back on stage for the 2nd part of the night in a sparkling gold suit, retelling the story of how he met Eric Cantona & trying to plan a night out in Liverpool with him.   The sight of a mechanical Elvis head on stage wasn’t out of place amongst the legendary tales from Pete's encounters with the good, bad & crazy aspects of his life.

New single People was sandwiched by the classics Come Back & Seven minutes to Midnight before Heart as Big as Liverpool, Pete's tribute to the people of his hometown & their fight for justice for the 96 people who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

There was still time for The Story of the Blues to send everyone home happy, & although I was too young to enjoy the songs from Wah! all those years ago, it was great to hear them live, even if the night was a little surreal at times!

The McCann Takeover - 25 years on

Six years on from our memorable Centenary celebrations Celtic found themselves in a footballing wilderness.  The families that had been associated  with Celtic since their inception still continued to control the destiny of the club.   The difficulty our custodians faced was a modern version of the game we love was in full bloom.    European club football had been revamped which had introduced the riches of Champions League football & Celtic weren't invited, worse than that we also had watch on as our city rivals spent big money on big names on their way to five league titles in a row.

March 1994 saw the culmination of a long grass roots battle to wrestle ownership of the club away from a family dynasty.  Celts for Change, Gerald Weisfeld, Stadiums in Cambuslang & a certain Canadian business man.   The story is well documented & there are some fascinating accounts out there in print format to enjoy.

“The war is over..........The rebels have won”.

Twenty five years on from those rousing words and the heated, passionate struggle for control of the boardroom at Celtic Park, fans of the club can look back with the confidence & knowledge that they took the necessary steps to breath life back into the then ageing footballing institution, but back then the club & fans would need more than rousing speeches to welcome Celtic into the new footballing world.     Investment in stadium infrastructure was a necessity after the tragic events at Hillsborough & the output of the Taylor report.    The squad & management structure also needed an overhaul, so any hope of a quick turnaround in fortunes on the pitch would need to be tempered against the stability & growth of the business.

“We have new people, a new plan, a new vision & the strength to go forward"


Success in terms of silverware in the immediate years after the takeover was scarce, performances on the pitch improved & fans returned in numbers not only to support the changes in & around the new stadium, but also on the stock exchange.    The hugely marketable brand name of Celtic was now being shared as a global trademark.

McCann stayed for his agreed 5 year stint at the club, just enough time to build a 60000 seated arena, the envy of many clubs all over Europe at the time.   He watched over an increase in turnover, profit, season ticket holders & perhaps most importantly to fans, witness our first league championship in 10 years.    Leaving the club to return  to Canada, he has delivered success to a starved fanbase & stability & structure to allow the club to continue to grow into the new millennium.

The traditional success of a Football Club is measured by fans with the results on the pitch; in the 25 years prior to the takeover at Celtic Park, Celtic had won 12 league titles, 11 Scottish Cups, 3 League Cups & appeared in a European final.

In the 25 years since the events in March 1994 our honours won are, 14 League titles, 9 Scottish Cups, 9 league cups & a European final.

A winning team has been delivered on the pitch thanks to a well oiled & disciplined business model first introduced under Fergus  McCann this allows us to maintain our place as the leading club in Scotland & in the wider reaches of the global football economy.

“....I can tell you that we have every intention of reaching the objectives that you want, which is Celtic at the very top"

I along with many other fans see Fergus McCann as the man responsible for the birth of the modern day Celtic Football Club & although the argument still exists that he left with huge profits on his original investment, he never hid that was part of his plan.    His plan allowed the bills to get paid, the lights to be kept on & ensured further generations of fans could enjoy being part of a club celebrating being 132 years young this year.

Scott Brown - The Art of Gamesmanship

Sporting greats throughout the years have made the most of this very unique talent.  It’s not taught on the training ground nor is it learned by running a drill over & over again.    Only by understanding your opponents strengths & weaknesses can this art form produce the desired effect, well that & the confidence in your own ability & the knowledge that you have the backing of your team around you are critical in using Gamesmanship to full advantage.

Not confined to football, gamesmanship plays a pivotal role in all of the biggest sporting events across the globe.   Muhammad Ali wore down opponents before they even met in the ring by getting in their heads.      Legendary cricketers Merv Hughes & Shane Warne amongst others used “sledging” to gain an advantage when on the field.   Footballers & coaches are no different in using this talent, some fail, but others like Scott Brown continue to produce a masterclass in working every advantage to deliver the results for his team.

The now legendary tale of Bertie Auld in the tunnel of the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon on the glorious night in 1967 starts our look back at winning or losing a match not on the pitch but in the minds of the protagonists.

With the Celtic & Inter Milan teams lined up in the tunnel there was a short pause before entering the arena, this could have caused nerves to grow in the Celtic team, but for Bertie Auld it was the perfect moment for him to galvanise that team spirit that had been so crucial in conquering all in front if them that season.   With both teams waiting the signal to make their entrance Bertie started to sing the Celtic Song & was soon joined by the rest of the team in the rendition.    In that moment the superstars of Inter would have witnessed the unbreakable spirit of a team united as one.    Without a ball being kicked Bertie had planted another seed in the heads of our opponents.

Jock Stein wasn’t only a master tactician, coach & manager he also had the knowhow in working his way into opponents thought processes.    In the days prior to his untimely death in 1985 Jock appeared on Grandstand along with the other home nation managers.   The discussion was on the crucial Scotland versus Wales match 3 days later.   Jock slowly & methodically smiled, nodded & spoke about how Wales had already lost some advantage by moving the match to Cardiff instead of playing it in Wrexham.    The Wales manager Mike England in his response is animated & agitated, before Jock gently reminds him it will be the players on the pitch that will settle the result.  Again in that moment the psychological seed was planted.

Even the richest league in the world is no stranger to getting one over an opponent without taking the field.    We watched Kevin Keegan buckle on T.V under the pressure of Alex Ferguson mind games, Jose Mourinho famously announced his own Chelsea team & that of opponents Barcelona in the days leading up to their Champions League match.    Mourinho was in control, took the pressure off his own team & placed it squarely on to Frank Riijkaard.

Back in Scotland many pretenders have presented their petitions to the public on how they will topple Celtic & Brown from their perch at the top of the Scottish game.    Joey Barton & Bruno Alves have come with big ambitions & words, but both have left empty handed.   All the while Scott Brown has cemented his role as tormentor in chief.   He continues to take the hits as the focal point of our opponents frustration & this let’s his fellow teammates weave their own piece of magic elsewhere in the match.

Brown does his talking on the pitch in more ways than one, what he dishes out he receives in equal & often more crude measures but he takes the hit gets up & continues with the plan.  He perfectly demonstrates the benefits of gaining a psychological edge.    The opposition fans & players might loathe him & his actions but everyone of them would have his artistry in a heartbeat so that they might dictate the physical & emotional pace of the game the way only Scott Brown can.

So here’s to gamesmanship - the art of winning games by using various ploys and tactics to gain a psychological advantage.

Stevie Chalmers - A tribute to a Celtic Hero

A little over 20 years after Celtic’s glorious night of triumph in Lisbon, I stood on the edge of a building site at the top of Kerrydale Street with my dad.     The building behind us had witnessed some iconic moments over the previous 58 years since it was originally complete & our custodians were modernising the old place  as part of the clubs wider centenary celebrations.    The rebuilding process outside the stadium was matched on the pitch as Billy McNeill constructed a team that would deliver league & cup double in the spring of 1988.

Our visit to Celtic park was not to inspect the plans of the rebuilding process, instead my dad had arranged for a special visit for me to meet the players & have a look round the stadium.     As we waited outside I could see my dad’s eyes light up as a well dressed gentleman approached us.

“Mr Donaldson” the gentleman said, my dad replied “Hello Stevie".

Stevie turned to me & said “you must be Martin, pleased to meet you.  I am Stevie Chalmers"

Walking through the corridors & rooms of the main stand we were led out the tunnel to views of the famous jungle on the opposite side of the pitch.   My dad snapped a few pictures of me sitting in the Celtic dugout & stopped for a quick chat pitch side with our host before heading back into the club trophy room & players lounge where we were joined by Neilly Mochan.

Neilly & Stevie told me all about the trophies on display, swapping stories about the Empire Exhibition Cup & the Coronation Cup.    There was also time to talk about the huge matches that both of them had played & scored in 10 years apart.    Neilly shared details of his goal in the 7-1 demolition of Rangers in the 1957 league cup final then Stevie spoke about the victory in Lisbon & his winning goal against Inter Milan that secured the European Cup for Celtic.

We moved into a room at the top of the tunnel, the floor had a huge Celtic Crest in the middle & all around the walls were the pennants of some of the clubs Celtic had played in European competition over the years.   One wall was dedicated to the Lisbon Lions campaign in 1967 in which Stevie played in all 9 matches, scoring 5 times.

Stevie will always be a hero of mine, not only because of the goal in Lisbon & his breathtaking scoring record for Celtic , but more for how he; a man who achieved so much took the time give me a personal insight in to his life as a Celtic player.   He may have scored the  most important goal in the history of Celtic Football Club, but he remained humble with his achievements & took great pride in representing Celtic in many different ways as player, employee & ambassador.

That was the Goal that was - The King of Kings.

The arrival of Henrik Larsson at Celtic Park came after a protracted  wrangle over his contract with his former club Feyenoord.    New manager Wim Jansen was building a team that he hoped could wrestle the title away from our old rivals on the other side of the city.   Larsson was worth the wait, maybe not noticeable in the first couple of matches, but over the next seven years we witnessed the talents of a truly world class striker at the peak of his footballing ability, making him the greatest modern day striker to have worn the hoops.

Henrik finished his spell at Celtic racking up 242 goals ranging from close range finishes to sublimely wonderful headers, free kicks & the occasional lob.    With every goal he carved his name deeper into the history of the club & into the hearts of the fans who had the thrill of watching him.  Everyone will have a favourite, but mine is a one off, 43 years in the making.


Venue - Estádio do Bessa
Date - 24th April 2003
Match - Boavista 0 Celtic 1

When Celtic arrived in the Iberian peninsula for the 2nd leg of their UEFA Cup Semi-Final they knew they needed to keep it tight in defence & score at least one goal.    After a nervous 90 minutes at Celtic Park in the late spring sunshine Celtic had some work to do following a 1 each draw.   A missed penalty from Larsson in the 1st leg making the trip that little more daunting.   However, this was a Celtic side who had already come through some difficult obstacles in visits to Spain, England  & Germany.


In what was a match full of tension & nerves the hosts seemed happy to hold on to their away goals advantage from the first leg.    Half chances & snatched shots were traded as neither team could find a positive commanding rhythm.    With time running out & desperation creeping into the prayers being offered by fans the special moment arrived as the ball was diverted into the path of our talismanic striker.    Larsson scooped the ball passed the despairing arms of goalkeeper Ricardo into the Boavista net.   


The goal wasn't a classic, it wasn't spectacular but in that instant a 43 year wait to reach a European final was coming to an end.    The ball crossing the line in what felt like a slow motion replay is etched in Celtic fans minds in every corner of the world.   The celebrations from the goal lasted for weeks as fans made their plans to travel to our first European final since 1970.   Larsson scored goals that helped us win league titles, cups & trebles, but the magnitude of that moment for me was the most euphoric.

Mull Historical Society - Celtic Connections 2019

Now in its 25th year, Celtic Connections has been warming up the opening weeks of January  with its wide ranging events & shows throughout Glasgow.   From traditional folk & ceilidh nights to music acts from around the world, the festival brings a lively start to the year for music lovers.     Thursday night it was the turn of Mull Historical Society to take the stage at the Centre for Contemporary Arts on Sauchiehall Street.

Fronted by proud islander Colin MacIntyre, Mull Historical Society dipped into their back catalogue of albums as well as the new release “Wakelines" to deliver a fantastic nights entertainment for the cosily assembled fans in the CCA.    Colin was joined on stage by a strings section, Piano, drums & bass player.   Bernard Butler who produced the most recent album completed the line-up as guitarist of the 7 piece band.

I first heard the songs of MHS 15 years ago when Colin joined Eddie Reader, Justin Currie & Blazing Fiddles on stage at the Royal Concert Hall for an unforgettable performance.    Colin matched anything the more established Glasgow bards recited & shone brightest in my memory of that gig, but back to 2019 & 8 studio albums later Colin is back on stage with his very own MHS.

As an author, play write & songwriter Colin weaved his storytelling magic  throughout the night.   From 12 & 6 string acoustic to electric guitars he orchestrated his arrangements with the rest of the band on stage creating a perfect celebration of his works.    The new tracks blend in perfectly with those early hits & the sometimes fragile sounding voice still lifts your spirit.   Wakelines & Clementine provide the traditional MHS energy, while Little Bird & Somewhere in Scotland show the more sensitive vulnerability from the new album   Colin’s ability to integrate sounds to maximum effect are highlighted perfectly in Wetlands Urban Fox as the track is introduced by his late grandfather reading poetry, which continues throughout the track.

With the rest of the band taking a breather Colin reads from his book to introduce another track form the new album “14 Year Old Boy”, telling the story of the song & his early Christmas present of a Fender guitar from his father, which he then plays on stage.

All too quickly the night is heading into the final few songs of the set,  fans breathe in the poignant “Put your Arms around me” before the band finish the set with This is not who we are & Peculiar.     Then the lights come up, the doors open & its time to leave.    You can't help but notice the wide demographics of the audience young & old, all of whom positively buzzing after a fabulous night with our host.

The Wakes Live at King Tuts Feb 2019

In a fitting commemoration to the 100th anniversary of Bloody Friday The Wakes took the stage at King Tuts Wah Wah Hut & stoked the fires in the bellies of a new generation of liked minded social activists.      A night of true celebration of how far marginalised communities have come in our modern world & the realisation that so much more still needs to be done to overcome an oppressive political & media narrative.

With 4 albums in the books The Wakes have a musical manifesto to support any live show.    Telling the stories of political struggles from Glasgow to Dublin & Jarama & to the middle east & back again but these are not just words to the band, these are causes to believe in & a purpose to fight for change.  

Kicking the night off with No Irish Need Apply & The Battle of George Square, followed by a tribute to those two ground breaking  Scottish socialist  stalwarts James Connolly & John MacLean defined the score for the session.

Still beaming from their recent exploits in London with fellow peoples poet Billy Bragg, the Glasgow folk rockers blew the roof off the Hut as they led the sell out crowd through a medley of melodies, song & stories to lift even the most weary soul.   Playing for just over 90 minutes & squeezing in 20 plus toe tapping, fist pumping sole searching anthems, The Wakes shone as a finely tuned musical movement in unison with their fans.

The musical arrangements from nine piece band delivered a pulsating folk / rock, ska infused message.   The traditional mandolin & whistle sounds of the world of folk were complimented to incredible effect with the addition of the brass section of trumpet & trombone, never forgetting the impact of the flawless harmonica.    The line-up only changing briefly for the haunting rendition of Gutter to the Whitehouse with Paul on guitar & Chris backing on sax.

The instrumental introduction to Peat Bog Soldiers raised the decibels another couple of notches as the night flowed into a crescendo of football & Anti-Fascist call & response between band & audience.    From Bella Ciao to The Pirates of the League, the rousing unity between band & comrades in the crowd was stirring.

Its not all politics & football though, there is still plenty of room for party tunes as the band Set you Free and take you to a Discoland & back to 8:30am at Glasgow Cross as part of a frenzied set finale & encore.

Walking back downstairs to the bar with the concert finished the singing continues amongst the crowd.    Smiles & clenched fists salutes greet you to the sound of Viva la Quinta Brigada.

Often listening to the stories of struggles & fight for equality can be difficult, but The Wakes triumphed in bringing these stories to life whilst keeping the burning desire for a better society at the forefront of an enthralling night of music.

That Was the Celtic Goal that was - Cathkin Park Farewell

John Hughes 28th November 1964


When Celtic made the short journey across the Clyde to play Third Lanark on the afternoon of Saturday 28th November 1964 it would be their last competitive visit there.    The 2nd Hampden Park or as it was known then Cathkin Park was a ground which had mixed memories for Celtic players & fans over the previous 76 years.


Cathkin Park was the home of Third Lanark from 1903, but before Thirds moved into the old ground it had already hosted a number of Scottish Cup Finals & challenge matches.


In our inaugural season Celtic lost the Scottish Cup Final to Third Lanark 2-1 in a replay, however in the last final played there in 1899 Celtic secured the Scottish Cup for the 2nd time by overcoming city rivals Rangers 2-0.


Those famous names from Celtics history Kelly, McCallum, McMahon & Maley had all performed on that very pitch.     It was here that manager Willie Maley gave a 19 year old striker his debut in 1923.    Celtic would lose the match 1-0, but it would be one of the few times in his career with Celtic that James McGrory would fail to hit the back of the net.


So, perhaps fittingly 41 years after making his Celtic debut there, James McGrory now as manager led Celtic to their final official visit to Cathkin Park.


In the early 60s Celtic had potential, some very talented players but they could never quite find the consistency that would allow them to become challengers for the title, or even 2nd place.


Third Lanark Lanark finished 3rd in the Scottish top flight in season 60/61, but the financial crisis that had surrounded them since then saw their fortunes change.     They began to fall down the top division, their attendances also fell.


In the dugouts for the match were 2 legendary Celtic servants.   McGrory for Celtic & Bobby Evans for Third Lanark.


With neither team particularly fancied for the end of season silverware, a crowd of around 11,000 fans paid to watch Celtic take the game to the hosts in opening minutes.       The early pressure paid off as Celtic took the lead on 6 Minutes through Bobby Murdoch.    A strike from range that Thirds keeper Evan Williams was unable to maintain hold of rolled over the line to give Celtic the advantage.


Celtic continued to control the match, with chances for Maxwell, Murdoch & Hughes, but the young Evan Williams helped keep the score at 1-0 as both teams made their way to the dressing room for half time.


The one way traffic continued into the 2nd half with Jimmy Johnstone pulling the strings, Gallagher missed from 8 yards & both Hughes & Murdoch were denied by Williams.


With 15 minutes remaining, Celtic doubled their lead.     Jimmy Johnstone jinked & weaved his way past 3 Third Lanark defenders & fired in a shot which flashed along the goal-line.    John Hughes was on hand to knock the ball over the line to ensure the points would go back to Celtic Park.


Celtic added a 3rd goal 2 minutes later thanks to an own goal from Doug Baillie.


From the Celtic team that played that day 6 would go on to win the European Cup in Lisbon less than 3 years later under the management of Jock Stein.


The young Thirds keeper Evan Williams would go on to sign for Celtic in 1969 & play in the 1970 European Cup final in Milan against Feyenoord.


Although an own goal is statistically the last goal scored for Celtic at Cathkin Park,  John Hughes was the last Celtic player to score at a ground which had given many great years service to Scottish football.

Christy Moore Barrowlands Nov 3rd 2018

On a rainy Saturday night in Glasgow I made my way through the streets of the East end towards the Barras.    The streets that had welcomed 60000 football fans only 2 hours earlier were now quiet with only the sound of a few passing cars & the early evening rain hitting the ground to break the darkened silence.


I reached a bend in the road where I caught a glimpse of the shining neon lights of the Barrowlands & at once the darkness was lifted & the silence broken with the noise of concert goers & football fans mixing in & around the bars of the Gallowgate.


With a small queue already formed along the old shopfront of Bairds bar & the call from the stewards to have tickets ready we made our way to the entrance.     Signs on the door confirmed  "No cash machine, no contactless & no switch card payments inside.   The bar in main hall would be closed & any drink would need to be consumed in the downstairs bar.    Welcome to Christy Moore at the Glasgow Barrowlands.


A walk up the stairs into the bar to grab a few drinks before the show you see the impact Christy Moore has on people of all ages & backgrounds.    Whether it's football fans still decked in colours who made their way straight to the gig post match consuming pints or long time listeners who have been on the road with Christy (& Paddy) since 1969 everyone here loves to hear the musical narrative of a career spanning almost 50 years.


Making our way to the main hall, the venue was already brimming with expectation & after short wait Christy Moore, Declan Sinnott & their musical collaborators walked on stage to a huge welcome.


Opening with City of Chicago, Black is the Colour & North & South set the tone for a sublime evening of entertainment.   With a seemingly unlimited number of songs from his career I cant imagine any 2 of his concerts ever being the same.


As with most artists there is an appreciation of the host city & venue, at times you think this is over manufactured, but Christy Moore goes way beyond his acclimation, he cements his love of the hosts & dreamers by delivering his lasting appreciation through his song Barrowland.


The touching & sometimes haunting lyrics of the set list together with the musical arrangement are enough to make you feel every emotion.   From the joy of Joxter in Stutgart, the hope & camaraderie of the International Brigades for Viva la Quinta Brigada, the despair of the story of the Magdelene Laundry & the love of The Voyage, Moore paints a picture as colourful as any artist.


The social & political edge on which Moore built his many followers in Glasgow was in full view of the 2000 strong crowd.   Fidel Castro's name rang out as no Ordinary Man amongst the cry of the morning.    Towards the end of the 20+ song set list, you begin to ask yourself what song would I like to hear next, what has been omitted, but in truth you are happy to be part of the Cabaret.


The nights entertainment finished with a rendition of Fairytale of New York & commentary from Christy Moore on his love of fellow lyricist Shane MacGowan.    Leaving the venue you cant help but smile knowing you have heard a master performer at his very best.

That was the Celtic Goal that was No.9

That was the Celtic Goal that was 

7th May 1977 - Andy Lynch



When researching some of the goals for the series, I try to pick out significant memorable moment from a match, a touch of genius or a collectors item like a European goal from Bertie Auld or a strike from Tom Boyd.      For this goal I've looked at it from more of an era defining moment, or end of era moment.



Almost 10 years to the day after the clubs greatest triumph when we defeated Inter Milan in Lisbon, Jock Stein was looking to secure his 25th major honour as Celtic boss.      Just 3 weeks earlier his 24th had been wrapped up when the league title was won with a 1-0 victory at Easter Road.



To win the league & cup double, Celtic would have to overcome the then holders of the trophy, Rangers.    The 1975/76 season had saw Rangers complete a clean sweep of domestic honours, now the '77 Cup Final was their last hope of any silverware for the season. 



A smaller than expected crowd of around 55,000 made their way through the turnstiles to watch the match.     A combination of  miserable weather & live coverage on TV meant 15,000 ticket holders decided to stay away from the showpiece final.



In a typically tight derby the match never really got going, with stoppages for free-kicks & treatment to players making up most of the opening exchanges.   Still in the opening 20 minutes Celtic won a corner which Alfie Conn crossed right footed into the box,  Roddy McDonald met the cross ball to head the ball towards goal, Edvaldsson challenged the Rangers keeper Kennedy a yard from goal & the ball bounced towards goal where it stopped on the line by the hands of Derek Johnstone.      The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, ignoring the protestations of the Rangers players & with 20 minutes gone Celtic had the chance to take the lead.



Regular penalty taker Kenny Dalglish passed up the opportunity to take it, perhaps thinking about the few penalties he had missed in previous matches that season, so the ball was given to Andy Lynch.     Andy Lynch wasn't a prolific goalscorer in his time with Celtic, but a ratio of roughly a goal every 8 games is a fabulous return for a player who eventually played at left back.     Jock Stein signed Andy from Hearts where he played as a winger.     After a number if setbacks due to injury the boss converted him to a left back using his pace to turn defence in to attack in the mould of so many great overlapping wing backs for Celtic.



Without too much fuss Andy Lynch placed the ball on the spot started his run up from the edge of the box & fired a low drive towards the keepers left hand post, the Rangers keeper guessed the right way, but the pace & accuracy of the penalty beat him as the ball passed him into the bottom corner to give Celtic the lead.



The Celtic fans soaked in the afternoon rain celebrated the goal on the slopes of Hampden and the Celtic players joined in the jubilation of Andy's perfect penalty.



Celtic would create more chances in the 2nd half, but could not score the goal that would provide breathing space.    In the closing moment Celtic & Peter Latchford  had the cross bar to thank for keeping them in the lead as a powerful shot from Rangers substitute Robertson crashed off the frame of the goal. 



As the final whilst blew Celtic players, staff & supporters celebrated the league & cup double.   Andy Lynch's goal from his first ever penalty kick had given Jock Stein his 25th & last major honour as manager of Celtic.

St Margarets CSC 20th Anniversary Fundraiser- Dublin

My wife & I have visited Dublin a number of times before walking up and down O'Connell street, shopped on Grafton Street & I've savoured my fair share of Guinness in the many crowded bars in the fair city.      It never gets old.     A city that always seems to be on the move & 22 years after my first visit it still has a few hidden gems to enjoy.

After a fairly heavy night of bad weather over Ireland on the Thursday night/ Friday morning our flight out of Glasgow was delayed & with plans already made for tours in Dublin it would be tight to squeeze it all in.    A short bumpy flight in heavy winds & quick bus journey to the hotel in the pouring rain & we were ready to start our mini break.

First port of call was the museum & tour at Glasnevin.    Home to 1.5 million souls at Ireland biggest cemetery.       A stunning city of the dead that tells the story of the struggle for Irish freedom through its many statesman, patriots, poets & heroines.         A rousing speech from Padraic Pearse at the grave of O'Donovan Rossa is the start of an enthralling visit.    The  90 minute tour only scratches the surface of the rich history of despair, love, hope & freedom.

Our first day was rounded off with a casual stroll through streets of Dublin, walking north & south of the river enjoying a few drinks & the buzz of the city bars.

Our trip to Dublin wasn't all about the sightseeing, we were there to help the boys & girls of the St Margaret Celtic Supporters Club celebrate their 20th anniversary, 20 years of making the trip from Drogheda to Glasgow & much further afield to watch Celtic.   With 3 events over 2 days at the City North Hotel planned the organisers were marking their anniversary in style.

Unfortunately, due to timing we were only able to enjoy a small part of the celebrations with Hilly, Andrew Milne & the rest of the club.

With a 12 noon start it was an early rise to get the train to Balbriggan & then on to to the City North Hotel for a special Celtic Am.       With Frank McAvennie, Paul Byrne, Bobby Petta, Alan Thompson & John Hartson all there to share stories it was an afternoon we couldn't miss, although we did make a visit to the Milestone on the way.

As a  regular at the Celtic Am events at Malones in  Glasgow, you are always guaranteed a great pre-match build up with Anrew on the mike.     A good mix of guests from ex players, actors & charities there really is something to talk about for everyone, with Celtic at the forefront.

The players opened up to the small crowd & shared stories of their playing days, training sessions & marriage proposals.     Macca & Byrne were like a double act trading stories & laughter at some of those painful years as Celtic players during the mid 90s.

Thompson & Petta gave an insight into playing under current Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, with special praise for his back room team John Robertson & Stevie Walford.    Big wins over our rivals, late winners & an appreciation of the fans was never far from the agenda.

By the time John Hartson took the Mike the room was buzzing with the arrival of the SPFL trophy and special guest Hilly.

Hartson well known for big goals in big games spoke about those moments & the disappointment of missing his chance to play in the UEFA Cup Final in Seville.    The guests held the crowd captive with their stories & memories of playing for Celtic, making sure the reminded Petta that he was the only one of them not to score against our city rivals.

The afternoon wasn't all about the ex Celts sharing stories, we were there to help raise funds for Cancer charities & to support the hospice in Drogheda.    Ireland international Gary Kelly donated funds from his testimonial against Celtic to help support & build the hospice and guests were happy to donate to support the work there.

The laughter form the stories shared by the players, Hilly & Andrew faded as John began to speak about his life or death fight against cancer.          Open & honest, John left nothing out of his fight to survive.    The strength & character shown by John is an example to all of us to check yourself regularly, go to the doctors & appreciate your family, friends & loved ones.

An amazing afternoon came to an end as John Hartson closed the session with an emotional account of being discharged from hospital to recover with his family.

This was no doubt a small taster to the main event later that night, but what a funny, thought provoking uplifting afternoon it was.

The 100th Scottish Cup - A Moment in Time

In the days, weeks and months that have passed since the footballing world in Scotland was brought to an abrupt stop, broadcasters have had to rethink schedules and repackage old footage to satisfy the demand for a fix for hungry but patient football fans around the country. While Sky and BT focus on the recent battles on the pitch, BBC Scotland have been able to dig deep into their archives and provide a wonderful and often nostalgic reminder of the game we fell in love with years ago.

My fascination with Celtic wasn't honed on the terraces around Paradise, it was in the stories shared by my family, It was in the recorded footage from Sportcene and Scotsport, the writing and presentation from master broadcasters in Archie McPherson and Ian Archer that are still etched in my mind almost 40 years later. So, when BBC Scotland aired Road to the 100th Scottish Cup Final I was delighted. That 1985 Cup final was my first memory of watching Celtic win a trophy and my dad dance around the living room in celebration.

The Scottish cup holds tremendous significance for Celtic, going all the way back to 1888/89 when we reached the final at the first time of asking only to lose to Third Lanark in the final. Winning our first national Cup at Ibrox in season 1891/92, the record attendance in 1937 to the 1965 cup final that would propel the club to unmatched greatness, it is a trophy that will always look out of place in any other trophy cabinet.

I suspect without actually realising at the time the BBC Scotland programme producers haphazardly captured on camera the exact moment Scottish football entered a new era. Starting in the early rounds of the Scottish cup, the film crew followed Stirling Albion on their quest for Cup glory. A one sided 20-0 victory over Selkirk at the old Anfield Stadium in Stirling was a glimpse into the old habits of supporters walking from one side of the stadium to the other at half-time & the awful conditions underfoot for the players. 

Progressing to the semi-final Aberdeen were on course for back to back domestic doubles before being knocked out by Dundee United, Celtic overcame Motherwell in the other Semi-Final to set up the landmark final. With Aberdeen champions, the Scottish cup was the last hope for silverware that season.

The match was won by a brave decision when David Hay substituted Paul McStay for Pierce Oleary and moved Roy Aitken into a driving role in midfield. Two moments of magic from Davie Provan and Frank Mcgarvey, goals I have waxed lyrical about countless times before secured the cup. The euphoria of the celebrations at Hampden were echoed in my livingroom at home with my dad. Me sitting next to the TV with my Celtic jersey on, Celtic teddy in my arms and my dad taking pictures as Danny McGrain lifted the cup as captain. Great memories.

That great feeling carried forward into the next week when our school received some special visitors with very important piece of silverware. David Hay and Roy Aitken brought the Scottish Cup to the children at St Thomas's school in Riddrie (and no doubt other schools across the city) to be included in the clubs celebrations was special.

The programme aired by BBC Scotland was dated, yet timeless. Interviews with Billy McNeill and Jock Stein show the presence and character in which we care to remember our heroes of yesteryear. 1985 was the last time the Scottish league was won by a club outside Celtic or Rangers. The Scottish cup has changed hands a number of times since then including some surprising new names on the trophy.

The Scottish Cup up also represents the last piece of silverware still to be won in season 2019/2020, hopefully when the competition is complete Celtic will maintain the recent dominance of the trophy so intrinsically linked with our club over the years.

The Hoops & Stripes, A match made in Paradise

For anyone who sat pressing F5 on their computer or pulled the screen down on their mobile device to refresh the page every couple of minutes on Friday morning the wait was almost over. In scenes similar to Cup final tickets being released, Celtic fans across the globe bombarded the club shop website to snap up the latest design in club training wear produced by our new kit supplier Adidas. Even with the connection issues and timeout problems the pre-order release gave Celtic fans an initial glimpse into what will no doubt be an expensive summer for supporters and lucrative deal for the club and Adidas.

While Jock Stein sat in the shoe shine box in Lisbon, his legendary team were already the polished article. The Lions soaked up the Lisbon sunshine in the days leading up to the clubs greatest footballing achievement. Pictures of the players relaxing in Estoril enjoying an ice cream, shopping and strolling around the Lisbon coast show a confident squad with one aim; to bring back the greatest prize in that season of seasons. A closer inspection of the photographs show the players sporting trainers, I am sure you know which ones......The brand with the 3 stripes. From a wonder on the esplanade to controlling every blade of grass on the pitch at the Estadio Nacional those famous 3 white stripes (admittedly some crudely drawn on) are in unison with the iconic green and white hoops of Celtic.

Over time football has changed from it’s working class roots in to a multi-million pound industry. Commercialism, sponsorship and corporate goals are crucial in the survival of elite footballing institutions around the world. However, that does not mean “ordinary” fans on the terraces or stands were left behind. The days of supporters dressed in a shirt and tie have been replaced with fans donning the casual insignia designer names and leading sports brands. None more recognised than that of our kit partner Adidas.

Some of the greatest moments in the beautiful game, captured in wonderful technicolour are sponsored by Adidas. 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Adidas supplying the ball for the FIFA World Cup & no matter what age you are, we all have a World Cup moment etched in minds forever. That 4th goal Brazil goal in the 1970 World Cup final, Mario Kempes scoring amongst the ticker tape in Argentina, “the hand of god" in Mexico ’86 all created by footballing genius, but all sponsored by Adidas.

Celtic are not short of truly symbolic moments captured in time. There is no match for that image of Billy McNeill lifting the European Cup in Lisbon, it will never be surpassed. However, over the years we've already dabbled in some iconic Celtic and Adidas imagery.  

There is the drawn on stripes Billy McNeills boots for the European cup final in 1967 – i am sure Adidas will forgive us for that now. In the 1985 Scottish Cup final when Davie Provan curled his freekick over the Dundee United wall into the top corner of the net and moments later when Frank Mcgarvey miraculously curled a header passed Hamish McCalpine to win the cup the Adidas Tango ball spun majestically into my heart and the history books. John Collins silenced the stands at Ibrox scoring the first freekick in the all new Adidas Predator football boots, a moment the Celtic were robbed of by the Ibrox club when no Celtic fans were permitted in the stadium.

Nobody knows what on field success will be achieved during the lifetime of our contract with Adidas, but early indications suggest both Celtic and the sportswear giants will profit from a long awaited collaboration of two iconic global brands. This match made in Paradise is more than a decade in the making for some fans, perhaps more of a lifetime wish.

Legendary Celtic Players - James Connelly Johnstone

In 2002 the title of Greatest ever Celtic player was bestowed on one James Connelly Johnstone. It may have been over a quarter of a century since Jinky had last pulled on the famous hooped jersey in a competitive match for his beloved Celtic. However, the lasting legacy of the “The Lord of the Wing" ensured those who were fortunate enough to watch him in his prime and those who could only dream of watching him tie defenders in knots voted the Wee man from viewpark as the greatest of them all.

Jinky exuded everything that represents Celtic and The Celtic Way, from the desire to entertain to his ability to come back stronger after a fall (or in most cases a crunching late tackle or tackles). In his 12 years with the club Jinky won every trophy available at the top of the Scottish game as well as helping to deliver the greatest prize in European club football.

The meteoric rise of the team under the stewardship of Jock Stein banished a baron spell for the club, propelling the members of the Lisbon Lions to global fame, perhaps none more so than the player dubbed “The Flying Flea" by French sports writers.

The legendary stories associated with Jimmy Johnstone's playing days transcend generations of Celtic fans. The simple mention of teams like Red Star Belgrade, Leeds and Real Madrid conjure up images of the jinking wizard bamboozling international class players and leaving them in his wake. His artistry and consistency earned Jimmy a 3rd place finish in the 1967 Ballon d'or awards, but the downside to this was the treatment received from the crudest of opponents especially in the colours of Racing Club and Atletico Madrid. These battles, though leaving him bruised and grazed only strengthened his resolve as he would attempt to skip past the perpetrators after dusting himself down.

In his prime Jinky had the chance to deceive defenders in the English and Spanish top flight, with interest shown in his skills from Tottenham, Manchester United and Real Madrid. However, Jimmy was never quite prepared to give up his love affair with Celtic and the fans who adored him.

When the time came to move on from the club he loved his entire life, he couldn't believe he would never get the chance to walk though the front doors and pull on the jersey as a Celtic player ever again. By this time his legacy had already been assured.

The many adversaries faced during his time at Celtic had galvanised an inner strength that would be called upon in Jimmy’s later life. Diagnosed with motor neuron disease Jimmy fought his greatest battle. As with his football career, he faced up to this new opponent and tried to find ways in which to overcome it.

Jinky is one of a select few players to have played in over 500 competitive matches for Celtic. The people young and old who lined the streets to pay their respects on the day of his funeral show the level of respect reserved for a Scottish footballing hero. On the journey to his final resting place Celtic fans were given the opportunity to commemorate the clubs greatest ever player in an emotional farewell.

There have been players who have scored more goals and collected more winners medals, but there will only be one Greatest ever Celtic player, and there will only ever be One Jimmy Johnstone.

Grace - The Romantic Ideology & Sacrifice

This week commemorates the anniversary of the beautiful, but heart-breaking story of the wedding between Joseph Mary Plunkett and Grace Gifford. The events of the Easter rising in 1916 thrust Irish independence and freedom from British hands back in to the worlds focus. Even with the great war raging in mainland Europe, the quest for home rule brought bloodshed to the streets of Ireland and to Dublin in particular. The response from the British government was brutal and controversial, but not unexpected as the main revolutionary leaders of the Irish rebel forces were executed in the aftermath of the uprising.

In the decades that followed the Easter rising balladeers retold the story of the critical events and leaders that shaped those initial steps towards an Irish Republic. In 1985, with the 70th anniversary of the Easter rising on the horizon, brothers Sean and Frank O'Meara penned “Grace" retelling the story of the celebration of the marriage of Joseph Plunkett to fiancée Grace Gifford in the chapel at Kilmainham Gaol, before Plunkett was executed early the next morning. This story and song is very much imbedded in the hearts and minds of Irish men and women across the world and has been performed by all types of musicians to global acclaim.

The song itself was immediately celebrated by the Irish public with ex Dubliner Jim McCann’s version spending 36 weeks in the Irish charts. The widespread Irish diaspora ensured the song became globally recognised as different generations of Irish people embraced the ballad in their adopted homeland. 

In the early days of my brother George's singing career, he would perform in a number of pubs in and round Glasgow singing Irish songs of love, hope and freedom. In 1989 he was asked to support Jim McCann at the City Halls in Glasgow, a real honour for George who was only 21 at the time. A number of family and friends, my mum included attended the show supporting George in his first performance in a major venue.

With George able to relax after his performance, we sat back and enjoyed Jim McCann weave his magic through his back catalogue of Irish ballads including Grace. This was the first time I had heard the song and you could immediately feel the depth of meaning in the song amongst the crowd in the City Halls.

During the centenary celebrations of the Easter rising in 2016 Grace was proudly sung in schools and theatres from Dublin to Donegal and Skibereen to Sligo. In the 30+ years that have passed since the song was first written; Grace has become a symbol of the romantic ideology in which Irish people remember the sacrifice of the leaders of the uprising.

Legendary Celtic Players - Bobby Evans

In the years and decades that’s followed the end of the second world war it’s fair to say Celtic had lost the winning mentality that had delivered so much success in the initial half century of our clubs existence. The grand gala which marked our jubilee celebrations in 1938 was a distant memory along with the gilded dreams of a flourishing club at its peak. After winning the Empire Exhibition trophy and League championship in 1938 Celtic would be starved of any sustained success until the golden era of Jock Stein & the Lisbon Lions team he nurtured. However, even in amongst those darker days Celtic still produced moments of magic along with players that will live forever in the folklore of the club.

The immortal names of the players who wore the Hoops with distinction and pride, and still echo around our modern arena helped deliver success during a downturn in fortunes. Mochan, Fallon, Peacock, Stein, Tully and Evans all played their part in providing some of the biggest days in the clubs history. The latter of the names mentioned Bobby Evans joined Celtic in 1944 from juniors side St Anthony's and spent 16 years in the east end of Glasgow before leaving in 1960 to join Chelsea, during his time as a Bhoy, he amassed over 500 first class appearances winning 1 league championship, 2 Scottish cups, 2 league cups and the Coronation cup. 

When the wait for a major honour finally ended after 13 years Evans took his place on the field as the side overcame Motherwell by a single goal in the 1951 Scottish cup final. Not a classic final by any stretch but a winning mentality was a welcome change for the Celtic officials and faithful on the terraces. 

In 1953 a one off Cup competition was created to commemorate the Coronation of the new Queen. 8 clubs took part in the festival of football starting on the 11th May, 4 clubs each from Scotland & England. Celtic, although finishing 8th in the Scottish league beat Arsenal and Manchester United on route to the showpiece final where they overcame a fantastic Hibernian team that included their “Famous Five” frontline. Goals from Mochan & Walsh ensured Celtic would forever hold on to this piece of history.

In season ‘53-54 his stamina and durability were put to the test as Evans played in all but one of the clubs league, Scottish & league cup fixtures throughout the season. His reward for competing in 41 of 42 matches was helping Celtic achieve the league & cup double, our first domestic double for 40 years.

With Jock Stein sidelined due to injury Bobby Evan’s found a new lease of life at the heart of the Celtic defence. With the entire playing field in front if him Evans ability to read the passage of play and game management paid dividends as he secured 2 more medals as captain of the club. Firstly in 1956 when Celtic defeated Partick Thistle 3-0 in the league cup final replay at Hampden park. This victory ensured the league cup would be held in the Celtic park trophy room for the very first time. 

The following season Evans won his final medal at Celtic leading the club to their greatest domestic cup victory of all time. On the 19th October 1957 an inspired performance by the men in green & white rewrote the history books by notching up the biggest margin of victory in a UK cup final. Celtic thrashed Rangers 7-1 to retain the league cup, a simply stunning performance that is still celebrated by Celtic fans around the world.

His medal haul does not reflect the influence he had in the team, nor does it fully recognise the talent of a hugely versatile talented leader on and off the pitch. At a time when Celtic players found it hard to make an impact at International level Bobby Evans was selected as captain of the Scottish national team and earned every one of his 48 caps. 

Bobby Evans ability to play, marshal and eventually lead a Celtic side for 16 years ensures that he will always be considered as one of the greatest names to have worn the hoops.

Legendary Celtic Players - Alec McNair

The wonderful and timeless quote from Willie Maley “It's not the creed nor his nationality that counts. It's the man himself" could be used to show the open signing policy displayed by Celtic from it’s humble, but outward thinking beginnings. Over the years a number of players who may not have been Celtic fans have been influential in the clubs success on and off the park. 

Alec McNair fits this narrative perfectly, signed from Stenhousemuir in 1904 he was not brought up on Celtic traditions, he was in fact raised as a Rangers fan. However this had no impact on a glittering Celtic career for the man nicknamed “The Icicle” because of his cool and measured approach on the field of play.

In the formative years of organised football there was an expectation for players to deal with more stern challenges and rough play from opponents. McNair had an athletic physique that allowed him to deal with whatever was thrown at him. He wasn't all about strength though, McNair read the game instinctively well and those attributes along with his footwork meant he was seldom found second best.

Spending an incredible 21 years at the club as a player, Alec boasts the highest league winners medal tally of any Celtic player past or present. In all he won 12 league titles between 1904 and 1925 incorporating the 6 consecutive titles by the all conquering Scottish champions from 1905 to 1910 - which also included the winner take all league championship play off match against Rangers at Hampden where Celtic won 2-1.

He was a colossus for Willie Maley in developing that groundbreaking Celtic style and winning mentality. During the 1910/11 season Alec McNair would represent Celtic in every Scottish league and cup match, running out 40 times for the Hoops collecting a third Scottish Cup winners medal as his reward.

Alec McNair formed part of the very first “Trinity" that came out of Celtic Park. He along with goalkeeper Charlie Shaw and fellow defender Joe Dodds created one of the finest defensive backline to have played the game, which included a shout-out lasting over 1200 minutes covering 10 league & 3 cup matches during season 1913-14. Such foundations allowed the club to maintain its stranglehold on the Scottish game. Conversely this was a far cry from the early appearances for Alec, when his name was included amongst the attacking players at inside right on some occasions. 

Perhaps Willie Maley captured it best talking about Alec “he would have distinguished himself in any position, even in goals, with that calm cool head and the sharp eyes" 

With the changing face of football ensuring players move at will for significant sums of money, it is difficult to imagine any similar commitment to one team over such a long period of time now.

Alec McNair like so many other illustrious players to have served the club over the years may not have been a Celtic supporter from the outset, but his commitment to the club and its success certainly ensured that he will forever remain a Celtic legend. 604 Appearances 11 goals 12 league winners medals 6 Scottish Cup winners medals 1

Legendary Celtic Players - Jimmy McMenemy

In over 130 years of footballing excellence a number of Celtic players had been tagged with legendary status. These powerhouses of the club have written their names into the history books as great goalscorers, skillfull wingers, commanding defenders or natural leaders. There are a select few have made over 500 appearances for the club. However, only one man can lay claim to being the first to do so.

Signed from Rutherglen Glencairn just before his 22nd birthday, Jimmy McMenemy was a mainstay of the early Celtic side, making his debut in 1902 shortly after joining and just before the club strip was changed to the iconic Green & White Hoops. “Napoleon” as he was known was an integral part of the Willy Maley team that simply swept aside the rest of Scottish football in the opening decades of the 20th century. His instincts and intelligence on the field made him one of the many commanding leaders in the all conquering 6 in a row championship winning sides between 1905 & 1910.

Coupled with dominance in the league, McMenemy also played his part in making history in the first Celtic side to win the League & Cup double in 1907, then repeated the feet the following season securing back to back doubles (the first time it had ever been achieved). McMenemy scored the only goal of the game as Celtic overcame Aberdeen in the 1908 Semi-Final to set up that date with destiny. 

As the team evolved during the 1910s Jimmy played an important role in bridging that gap between the experienced players and those brought in to continue the success of playing the “Celtic Way". Celtic remained the dominant side during these years, securing 5 league titles between 1913 & 1919, along with 3 Scottish cups from 1911-1914. Including a 2-0 win over Clyde in the 1912 final at Ibrox when Jimmy scored the opening goal, his only Cup final goal.

After securing 17 winners medals at Celtic his presence was sorely missed when he left for Partick Thistle. The Celtic team would go into decline during the roaring 20s, unable to match the silver laden success of the previous 20 years. A return to Celtic in a coaching capacity in 1934 was hailed as a triumph by fans, players and officials. McMenemys influence and leadership shone through again as Celtic won the league in 1936 & ’38 along with the Scottish Cup in 1937 against Aberdeen in front of a record breaking crowd. The brutality of the 2nd world war meant football took a back seat, Jimmy finally left the club in 1940.

Jimmy McMenemy will always be considered one of the all time greats to be associated with Celtic. A man who most definitely played “The Celtic Way”. Attack minded along with quick feet with the ability to control a match from his position as a forward. At a time when the beautiful game was still finding its way, Jimmy McMenemy provided secure footing not only for Celtic, but as a pioneer in everything we love about football and our club.

One Day in Madrid in the Green & White

By the time most of Celtic supporters club busses had started the journey up the A9 to Dingwall for the lunchtime kick off against Ross County, I was in a small cafe finalising my travel plans for the day ahead. Over the next 14 hours or so I would be immersed in the footballing obsessed city of Madrid, thankfully I had my wife and son for company for the journey. 

The crisp cold morning that met many Glaswegians as they opened their doors on Sunday morning was in stark contrast to the soaked avenues and cobbled lanes of Madrid, but no amount of rain would dampen our spirits as we set off on the first leg of the journey and the Santiago Bernabeu.

For me, every trip to a stadium tour has to have a link to Celtic, so I was delighted to be in the venue where our greatest ever player lit up the Madrid sky back in 1967. Real Madrid had arranged to play a testimonial match for the legendary player Di Stéfano and “Los Blancos" looked at this as an opportunity to topple the newly crowned kings of Europe. 

Celtic arrived in Lisbon fresh from our victory at the Estadio Nacional in Lisbon and put on a performance that even had the Real Madrid fans cheering “ole” whenever Jinky had the ball. Celtic won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal from Bobby Lennox and ensured that the magnificent Madrid trophy cabinet would always be short of one piece of history. Overall, the stadium tour was excellent, but I can only imagine it being much more of a challenge during the summer months when there are plenty more tourists in the city.

From the end of the tour, conveniently placed next to the Real Madrid club shop we had a 10 minute walk to our next venue – Paddys Irish Bar and a catch up with Madrid Emerald Celtic Supporters Club for the Celtic and Ross county match.

The downstairs bar had been converted into a shrine for all things Celtic by the time I picked my seat to watch the match. Around 30 fans all crowded round the telly gave it a proper big match feel, with accents from Glasgow, Ireland and even a couple of local Spaniards who had caught the bug for Celtic. Most of the fans there had made the journey through the Madrid metro to keep in touch with the hoops. 

Our hosts shared details of their annual Christmas appeal where they are raising money to buy up products to be donated to food banks in the city to help those less fortunate. Once again, that charitable arm of Celtic and its supporters shone even in the most miserable of Madrid weather. By full time we had watched a convincing Celtic victory, had a good sing song, picked up a Madrid Emerald CSC scarf and an invite back to join the club members to a Rayo Vallecano match. Now we were ready for the last part of our Super Sunday football feast.

Making our way to the Wanda Metropolitano stadium for the Atletico Madrid v Barcelona match saw us snake through the city metro system crossing from one side if the city to the other. In amongst the red & white stripes of the Atletico colours the Green and white of our newly acquired Celtic scarf stood out brilliantly as commuters looked to check our badge of honour. 

As the stadium filled up it was easy to sense that the Atletico fans and particularly the ultras were using this match to remind the Barcelona players & travelling fans that Catalonia was still very much under control of Madrid. Orchestrated banners & Spanish flags were waved throughout the match. In the end a moment of genius from the 2019 Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi secured 3 the points and silenced the hostile Madrid crowd.

The metro journey home was a quiet one, with much frustration amongst the Madrid faithful. As the carriages began to empty the green and white Celtic scarf became more noticeable, one Madrid fan approached us saying, “Celtic - it's a historic club" and shook our hands. Our walk back to the hotel was peppered with shouts of “Celtic – Glasgow”. As far as footballing mad cities go Madrid is high on the list and it’s good to know that Celtic and our fans are still recognised in the madness.