Frank Owen
Well-known member
Celtic v Dunfermline, Scottish cup final,1965. Bertie's double, coupled with Big Billy's glorious headed winner gave me my first taste of watching this unique club of ours actually winning silverware. How could any of us know, how could we have even an inkling as to what an incredible journey lay ahead for the world-wide Celtic Diaspora. A couple of additions; Joe McBride from Motherwell, lennono's favourite player from Hearts. Ronnie was already at Paradise, of course, having been sold to Celtic by Big Jock as he apparently (?) didn't fancy him for Hibs. A squad full of wonderfully talented players. A sea change in the fortunes of, not only our club, but the lives of those of us who live and breathe Celtic. The Lisbon Lions were born. A terrible beauty indeed.
If the 1965 final was the beginning, I'm not at all sure where 2026 will feature in our Celtic story. Of course, it goes without saying I'm delighted to win the double. Who wouldn't be? I'm not going to compare those two squads either; that would be ridiculously unfair.
Different times for sure. The outrageous success of recent decades, yes decades, has also given rise to increased expectation levels. Is it realistic to expect such continued success? In truth, and especially given the current flux in Paradise, I have my doubts.
A time of change surely awaits? That change has to be seismic. Players, manager, boardroom, recruitment. But you good folk don't need me to tell you any of this.
Still, summer is here, I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can. I have absolutely no control over whatever lies ahead. I only have hope that those charged with the responsibility of keeping us at the top of the pile are up to the job.
If it does indeed transpire that those two finals against The Pars bookend those fairytale decades, I won't cry because it's over, I know how very fortunate I've been to live through it.......I'll smile because it happened.
Have a wonderful summer folks.
Hail Hail.
If the 1965 final was the beginning, I'm not at all sure where 2026 will feature in our Celtic story. Of course, it goes without saying I'm delighted to win the double. Who wouldn't be? I'm not going to compare those two squads either; that would be ridiculously unfair.
Different times for sure. The outrageous success of recent decades, yes decades, has also given rise to increased expectation levels. Is it realistic to expect such continued success? In truth, and especially given the current flux in Paradise, I have my doubts.
A time of change surely awaits? That change has to be seismic. Players, manager, boardroom, recruitment. But you good folk don't need me to tell you any of this.
Still, summer is here, I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can. I have absolutely no control over whatever lies ahead. I only have hope that those charged with the responsibility of keeping us at the top of the pile are up to the job.
If it does indeed transpire that those two finals against The Pars bookend those fairytale decades, I won't cry because it's over, I know how very fortunate I've been to live through it.......I'll smile because it happened.
Have a wonderful summer folks.
Hail Hail.
