Time To Tame The Lisbon Lions
Aug 17th, 2009 by 'holic
‘Alright boy?’
Yes, I’ve been on the phone to ‘holicdad again, hence I find myself with fifteen minutes to produce a memorable six hundredth ‘holic. The time constraint, and the fact I have to come up with some sort of taster for the upcoming match in Glasgow, means that won’t be happening!
That appointment with the green and white hoops has captured my imagination, and stirred some pleasant memories, since the draw was made. I was with a couple of grandsons when the news came through we had drawn Celtic. I was barely older than the elder of the pair when I sat glued to the ‘Lisbon Lions’.
The grainy black and white transmission of Celtic’s famous triumph over Inter to become the first ever British winners of the European Cup in 1967 was required viewing, no matter where in these isles one lived. To people of my generation that side is on a level just one down from Brazil 1970. Regardless of which of the four home nations you were from, and regardless of your religion, nobody but the most rabid bluenoses failed to appreciate the accomplishment of that remarkable win.
Given the amount of European contests that have taken place since, particularly for Arsenal and Celtic, it is astonishing that our paths have not crossed before now, and for me personally, it is a real shame that one of the sides will not be in the lucrative group stage of this years competition.
‘Dangerous tie, son. Scottish sides raise their game against the English. Nothing would give them greater pleasure than to put one over us. We know that better than anyone.’ For a moment we are both thinking of my late Mum, a fiercely proud Scot.
He’s got a point, of course. I watched Celtic at the weekend, and like us they ventured north to face a tricky opponent, and like Everton, Aberdeen defended poorly, but the Celts won comfortably. They know the importance of winning at Parkhead. They will think they can come to the Grove, set up to frustrate, and nick a draw. So grabbing a first leg advantage is crucial.
For Arsenal that may just be a blessing. Celtic will have to take chances to grab that advantage, and if we were to nick an early goal that could open the contest right up, in our favour.
The ‘holic pound is being set on something quite fanciful. I think the atmosphere, which is bound to be a bit special, will get to both sides, and I am placing that often-unlucky nicker on 3-2 to the visitors. Both my accounts offer just 25/1 on that so I will have to venture to Betfair, where apparently 41/1 is to be had. A virtual shaking of hands is to be sought!
So that’s it. My time is up. If you are going to the game I am so jealous, but soak up the noisy old atmosphere, and a dram of something local. Have a great one, ‘holics.
25 Responses to “Time To Tame The Lisbon Lions”
as long as we are still in the tie going into the 2nd leg we will be more than happy.
Oh, mines is a pint.
Anyway, the Lisbon Lions shaped modern Celtic. I reckon they made the breakthrough which made Celtic the club that they are today.
‘holic…..great piece of writing.
Enjoy the match and take pleasure at the atmosphere – it’s the best in the world.
2-O Tic…The Holy Goalie to have a blinder
what a great piece of writing..i just wish other arsenal websites(arsenal truth)would take a page out of youre book.
Nice to see a bit of friendliness for a change. It will be a great tie may the best team win.
The best piece of writing i’ve read from a Gooner since the draw was made. I have nothing but good memories from the friendlies at Highbury will be there tomorrow to welcome you to paradise.
2-1 to the tic Fortun’e to grab his first(he’s got to sometime eh)
Hail Hail
Congrats on #600 ‘Holic…
i suppose this is the one positive to ending 4th in the EPL… We get to have those Cl butterflies alot earlier than the rest…
just finished watching the everton game for a second time, and i have to admit that we werent as great defensively as I first thort. Better quality opponents and i think Manuel wuda picked 1 or 2 more out of his net. Evertons forwards’ first touches were horendous, which gave our defense that extra second to get across.
Still Also think we desperately, desperately need cover for Song when he goes to ACN or gets injured (touching wood)!!!
sorry that wee got the hoops in the draw cos i always wanna see them in the champs league proper but unfortunatley they are in our way! simple.
went to celtic park as a kid for years – was there most of the season they done the double in ’88 and quite a few times since. The last being 6-1 against the huns, remember the Larsson chip?. Anton Rogan is my cousin so had a few privilidges… see!! we are all related !! ha
celtic have never played a team like us – we are not another english we are the arsenal. Passed to death, head spinning seeing stars all spring to mind!
mon the goonahs!!
Welcome LOTW.
The courtesy bar is open.
…and thanks South African.
I remember that night in 1967, sitting in Auchtermuchty with my dad (both Dundee fans at the time). I remember the grainy black and white. I remember Tommy Gemmell’s breakthrough goal from the edge of the box. And I remember too, how year on year, as Tommy relived the moment, his distance from goal increased by about five yards, so that by the end, in his mind, he was shooting from the edge of his own box!
The amazing thing about that team was that they were all born within a 20 mile radius of Glasgow Central Station. That’s something that will never happen again in the modern game. If you watch the game again today, they still play brilliantly by any standard. Celtic even had a part timer (a dentist) playing right back. The first European Cup win by ANY British team. Amazingly, Rangers made the final in the European Cup Winners Cup the following year but failed by a narrow margin to win it.
But the solidity provided at the back by Billy McNeil and Bobby Murdoch is no more. The wing craft of Johnstone and Lennox won’t be seen again, the mid-field maestro Bertie Auld is even “aulder noo” and Steve Chalmers is no longer wearing number 9.
On to Tuesday. I think it’ll be a great game. I think Arsenal will win home and away. I think our young team will grow greatly from the experience. I’ll be sorry to see Celtic drop out, if indeed that is the outcome. They’re great ambassadors for the Scottish game.
BTW, I heard a whisper that Jay Simpson might be a candidate for a loan year with them?
OK, enough of this. Off to band practice. Start Me Up, ‘Holic.
Il have a lemonande and lime holic please. How old are you Holic sometimes you seem like an ancient dinosaur or something π
You forgot Ronnie Simpson, BtM. I had his book at one stage. He was about sixty or so when they won it. Well, maybe not quite that old, but getting there.
π
Careful Barry, or I’ll put my sharp teeth in π
Looking forward to what should be cracker…As a season book holder at Cp I am gutted we even had to qualify…..year after year tho myself and my young bhoy have waited for Arsenal in the draw only to be outfoxed by the seedings /tv shananigans etc
Great article to start the debate….
My Granfather regulary supplied the late night “snug bar” for The Lisbon Lions in Coatbridge..they had much to celebrate..
Hairs on back of neck time
Time to see if the potential has really turned into something. Hearing that we have a few injury problems which will be a blow. Still very much looking forward to it though.
Keep the faith.
βDangerous tie, son. Scottish sides raise their game against the English. Nothing would give them greater pleasure than to put one over us. We know that better than anyone.β
Aren’t we french? π
don’t post often but just wanted to say, as others have, that i always love reading your posts. should be a great match, i hope cesc is fit.
With Theo out, the closest we get to being English (in the first 11) is Almunia!
Ronnie Simpson. How could I forget him? A Remarkable Man. You’re absolutely correct, ‘Holic. Played on well into his sixties and then, after every game, nipped along to the TV studios and recorded the show he did with that other Ronnie, Barker wasn’t it? Or are the sands of time addling my memory? Snail would know, he was probably amongst the Invited audience in the TV studio, moving as he did, even then, amongst the upper echelon of the entertainment world.
Good article, surely going to be a cracker! The consolation for me is that if we do go out I would be happy that Celtic would have made it at our expense, always had a soft spot for them.
Up the Gooners though!
Great write-up, ‘Holic. 4-4-1-1 or the same 4-3-3 for this one? I think the former. Should be a great match, no matter. Arshavin is going to score.
Yeah Holic, I too wonder like Barry. Wish my dad had your spirits! π
Cheeky pups. Remember, there is many a good tune played on an old fiddle…
And many a broken string is easily replaced….
BtM – watch it chum, there was no-one higher than Corbett.
*dons Lyle & Scott sweater*
…where was I? Oh yes… so I said to the producer…
Great result for the Arsenal – if somewhat lucky – but we have had our fair share of the twists of fate.
Sorry for Celtic, as have always had a soft spot – both my Grandads were Arsenal and Celtic respectively, coming as they did from Stoke Newington and the Gorbals – although my he got out of 1930’s Glasgow early joining the Army as a 16 year old.