19th December
There was a very interesting piece in one of the dailies, under the heading –
Flaw in Celtic Perfection
‘Cautious Celtic supporters are beginning to show slight signs of worry, despite the fact that no team in Britain – or in Europe – has been able to beat the Jock Stein boys this season.
On Saturday the fans had a field day watching the forwards, and Bobby Murdoch, smash in six goals against Partick Thistle but the discerning ones on the Parkhead terracing did not like the manner in which the two goals were lost….
…..it is generally agreed that the six rearguard men sent out by Mr Stein week after week are the best on the Celtic books and individually they are as good as they come in Scotland today. So, it is difficult to make changes’.
It was a perceptive piece, even if I did not totally agree with the final comments. I was pushing for change – particularly at fullback – and I was still keeping the pressure on the Boss. He did not exactly welcome me into his office with open arms but he was never less than courteous and I got the feeling that deep down, he respected my initiative, Could my big chance be approaching?
20th December
Celts European Cup Dates Problem
Scottish Cup dates will play a major role in deciding when Celtic meet the winner’s of Wednesday’s Athletico Madrid v Vojvodina game in Madrid. Manager Jock Stein is heading to the match and will have some discussions with the winners’ officials after the match.
Rangers’ new trainer-coach, Bobby Seith, arrived at Ibrox today but it was merely a meeting with manager Scott Symon as regards the future. He was soon on his way out again with his wife.
21st December
They Want first Game at Parkhead
‘Atletico Madrid are so certain they are going to beat Vojvodina from Yugoslavia in the vast Manzanares Stadium her tonight that they have a revolutionary proposal to put before manager Jock Stein when he arrives for the match.
They are going to suggest that, although Atletico’s name came first out of the silver champagne bucket used as a ballot drum in the European Cup, the first game with Celtic will be played at Parkhead instead of in Madrid – and the second in the Manzaneres Stadium.
Senor Manuel Monzon, the club representative said yesterday “we know Celtic. They are good at the football. They are not beaten for many games yet? Therefore we want them to play first match in Glasgow – then 50,000 Madrid peoples see us win at the Manzaneres Stadium”.
Kilmarnock beat La Gantoise 2-1 after extra time in Ghent to go through to the next round of the Fairs Cup.
22nd December
Last night in Madrid, Vojvodina of Yugoslovia came back from a two-goal deficit to beat Atletico Madrid by 3-2. Manager Jock Stein was on hand to speak to representatives of the victorious side and the clubs have provisionally agreed to dates of 8th and 22nd March for the quarter-final tie.
Back home, training had gone ahead as usual for the squads, apart from on the Wednesday, when we were all given the day off for Christmas shopping. The weather had turned a little colder and that was the forecast for the weekend too.
23rd December
Bent- Now a Par!
We were surprised to hear that goalkeeper Bent Martin had been transferred to Dunfermline. He was a nice lad and had fitted in well with everyone, so we were united in wishing him all the best at East End Park.
There will be no return to the first team on Saturday for Jimmy Johnstone, who is out with a sore throat and a severe chill. So that just leaves 7 forwards for the Boss to choose from for Saturday’s match at Pittodrie.
That number dropped to 6 when the team for the Reserve team game against Aberdeen at Parkhead was put up, as John Hughes was included. The eleven were John Fallon, Ian Young, Jim Brogan, Sonny Henderson, Jim Craig, Davie Hay, Lou Macari, George Connelly, Jimmy Quinn, Tony Taylor and John Hughes.
Astonishing
Britain’s trade figures boomed last month. Exports and re-exports hit an all-time record at £474 million and imports fell £39 million to £439 million.
So the trade gap disappeared completely, giving a plus figure of £35 million, almost unheard of in our trading records.
Expensive Scotland
Only in London and the South East are homes more expensive than in Scotland. Figures prepared by the Co-Operative Building Society in a survey based on 10,789 loans say the average buyer in Scotland pays £3887 (average loan £1179) for his house compared to £5079 in London and the South-East.
New Permanent Boss
John Harvey, appointed caretaker of Hearts in succession to Tommy Walker, who resigned on 28th September, has now been appointed permanent Boss of the club.
Harvey is now in perfect health following a close-season operation and has gained the esteem of the players.