Saturday, May 12, 2007

Keep Madeleine in mind

In common with many other sites, we are joining with Celtic Football Club to publicise the plight of Madeleine McCann. The following statement appeared on the club website yesterday:

Celtic players will wear yellow armbands at tomorrow’s game against Aberdeen to mark the fourth birthday of Madeleine McCann, the little girl who was abducted in Portugal last Thursday, May 3.

The club hopes that the gesture will help keep the focus on the search for Madeleine. Celtic, where Madeleine's dad, Gerry, had worked before moving to England, were asked to help by the little girl's aunt.

A Celtic spokesperson said: “We were approached to wear the yellow armbands and naturally we were very happy to agree to this. Hopefully, this will keep the focus on the search for Madeleine.

"Clearly, the thoughts of everyone at the club are with Madeleine and her family at this extremely difficult time and, of course, we are pleased to be able to offer any kind of help or comfort that we possibly can."

The family of Madeleine McCann have already made an appeal through the club, for help in the search to find her.

They have asked that, if anyone has any information about Madeleine’s whereabouts, they should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (UK).


Friday, May 11, 2007

Who are the Celts fans in Camp Nou hall of fame?

Anyone who has toured the museum in Barcelona's Camp Nou should take some time to browse the magnificent collection of photographs evoking the spirit of football across the world. If you do so, don't miss the series of photos of some of our very own fans, entitled "The passion of the football fan".

These pictures come from a Spanish sports magazine and were taken during Barca's visit to Celtic Park in 2004 (the caption doesn't say which one).

But who are these fans - do you know? Are you pictured? Do the fans themselves realise they have been immortalised in one of the great sporting grounds of the world?

If you know anyone pictured, please send an email to theceltsarehere@gmail.com or leave a comment below.

Monday, May 07, 2007

Lest we forget - the Celtic title party





No time for coasting at Celtic

Unlike some of our counterparts, most Celtic fans can acknowledge the phenomenon of being beaten by a better team on the day and Rangers were certainly that at Ibrox on Saturday.

Despite what some might care to suggest, there is only one type of Old Firm defeat – a bad one and, while we should view this season in its entirety rather than constantly whining about failings of style or substance, it is also fair to note that sometimes the players just do not perform.

From a personal perspective, it is difficult to think of one Rangers player who would be preferred to his opposite number in green and white by any objective observer. That said, Walter Smith has now secured two wins over Celtic through employing the old-fashioned methods of organisation, guts and graft. Celtic’s players ought to take note.

Boruc, McManus, Lennon, Naylor, Nakamura and Vennegoor of Hesselink have been the only players guaranteed a start when fit since the season began. The reason is obvious – they always show up when needed. Others, whether big names like Gravesen, super talents like McGeady and Riordan or major signings who combine trying hard with true talent, like Miller and Hartley have had to come to terms with dropability (it will be the new sports hacks’ buzzword by next season).

Strachan has pursued a wise and courageous policy in demanding that players perform to the highest standard at all times to earn a place in the team. When he has eight or nine un-droppable players, Celtic will have a team to reckon with – and one that need not learn embarrassing lessons from less talented but more focused opponents.