I’ve said it before, I don’t like International breaks in football, I don’t really mind the week off, it’s just that it serves no purpose to the everyday football supporter. It also puts added pressure on our players through the extra games having to be played, so as you can imagine, I was delighted when Callum Mc Gregor retired from playing for Scotland, when was the last time Callum had a decent summer break?
Another downside to International football is the risk of injury, it’s been reported that Ali Johnston had to come off before half an hour had passed playing for Canada against the United States, AJ is a whole hearted player, he leaves everything out on the pitch, much the same as his back-up at right back, Anthony Ralston, right back is a position we don’t have a lot of cover in, it’s basically Big Tony or AJ, so both of them playing for their countries is a worry.
I think every Celtic Supporter was happy with the work done by the Club in the transfer window, it looks like we have recruited well, and a few players have also left, trimming the squad was important, we need a strong squad, but you can have too many players as well, so it was good for the club, and for the players who left, they want to play every week, so they should get that with their new clubs, we wish them all well at the new clubs, I’m pretty sure, like Big Joe Hart, we’ll see them back at Celtic Park as supporters.
It was sad to hear of the passing of a good friend of mine, and of many, that was Mick Cullen, I met Mick regularly in the Luton Celtic Supporters Social Club, like myself, he like a few haufs. Mick was noted for playing for Luton Town, and for Grimsby Town, and Derby County. Mick won one cap for Scotland, the first Luton Town player to be capped for Scotland. Mick was a massive Celtic Supporter, he often told me he would have loved to have played for Celtic. Mick missed out on playing for Celtic because of his love for his Mother, Celtic had offered him £2 to sign, and I believe £2 per week, Mick said when the Luton Town Manager visited his Mother’s house, he placed a £100 note on the table to sign for Luton, Mick said when he saw his Mother’s eyes light up, he couldn’t say no, even though he wanted to play for Celtic. Mick loved nothing better than singing the Celtic Song, I’m reliably informed by Mick Mooney, that Mick was the first person to sing the Willie Maley song in the Luton Club. Requiescat in pace Mick.
Glasgow’s still Green & White