E
QtOZ
-net
From Alloa to Zagreb,
from John Young to Davie
Adams, JP LEACPf presents
a series looking at all
things Celtic. Each home
game, the alphabet will
give its cue of teams,
places, players, trophies,
and events worthy of
discussion. Bizarrely, after
last time covering the
letter D, JP has decided
to go with the letter
ENGLAND
EARLY DOORS
EUROPE
ERSI
EDVALDSSON, JOHANNES
ETIENNE, SAINT
HALF TIME OF YOUR LIVES
Most half-time entertainment
like pipe bands are boring
but our Hoopy is always fun
In past decades, this was traditionally the source of the
vast majority of our transfer revenue; Southern clubs
would do us the 'favour' of giving us a miserly sum
in return for a priceless piece of footballing property -
(see Dalglish, Crerand, Hay, Nicholas, McClair, etc,
etc). By the mid 1980s this flow of both players and
cash was effectively reversed. England usually provides
opposition for pre-season friendlies, where we often
manage to give a reasonable account of ourselves. In
contrast, we have a fairly poor record against English
opposition in proper games. In the times we've faced
English teams in European competition, we've only
come through once (against Leeds in the 1971
European semi final - see recent programme).
Otherwise we've been given a lesson by Liverpool
(twice; 1966 and 1997) and Nottingham Forest in
1984. Our record against Dutch opposition is a bit
better, so maybe we should count our blessings!
Mystifying phrase referring to the game's opening
stages. Apparently an ideal time to score, but is
there ever a bad time? Anyone know its origin?
Believe it or not, at one time your average Celtic fan's
interest in Europe was limited to the Eurovision Song
Contest - the 1990s I think it was. How things have
changed in the last...er 90 minutes or so and we are now
on the verge of the Group Stages - whatever they are.
Traditional vendor speak for "Would anyone care
to purchase?" Usually signifies a bizarre mix of
goods on offer; as in "Ersi macaroon bars, anna
spearmint chewing gum".
Hulking son of the Northern waters who was bulky
enough to function equally well as a solid-as-a-rock
stopper or as an intimidating striker. This one-man
Cod War deterrent found that his first name quickly
proved irresistible for Glaswegian wit; it was
consigned to history when he was immediately
rechristened - with due deference - Shuggy. Won
major honours with Celtic including 1977 cup final
victory against Rangers. Still the only Icelandic cap to
play in the Hoops.
The second European encounter with French
opposition was with St Etienne in the 1968/69
European Cup first round. In fact, this match
would never have happened had the Celtic board not
page 42
