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A day in Dublin with John Hartson

A year on from my last visit to Peadar Browns with John Hartson we returned for another evening of Celtic chat with plenty of questions from the audience. There were plenty of familiar faces in the audience once again this year.

My own club St. Margaret’s CSC were there in force as were the bhoys from Peter Scarf CSC, Linwood who travelled over for the show and insured that the flow of Guinness was constant.

Another familiar face was the famous Dubliner Scatman who was home from Germany and as we learned during the questions and answers he is no fan of Celtic’s current chairman, Peter Lawell.Dundalk, Glasgow and Swansea were also well represented on the night.

A big shout to Aidan Brown for the invite back his bar again this year. Big John was in great form when I picked him up in Dublin airport. John is sports fanatic. His first love is football and as usual Celtic took centre stage in our conversation on the way to the hotel in Dublin City close to the venue.

As it was international weekend we chatted about the Ireland management situation as Stephen Kenny’s time in the Irish hot seat neared the end after only two wins over Gibraltar for fans to celebrate in a very disappointing campaign. One of John former team mates, Neil Lennon is for the job as I write but nothing has been confirmed yet by the FAI.

Wales is never far from John’s mind so both the Football and Rugby team were chatted about before we got settled in for the afternoon in the hotel. As a Celtic fan most of my focus when I am in John’s company is to get his opinion on the current state of play in and around Paradise. You can forget about how many clubs John played for in England but I was reminded when a West Brom fan introduced himself in the airport and John spent 10 minutes chatting about his 18 months at WBA.

We went to the Camden Bar for a bite to eat before watching Ireland v Norway under 21 game. The game finished 3-2 to the Norwegians. Their team included Celtic’s Holm in midfield.

The bar has the biggest screen I think I’ve ever seen in a pub and must be great to be able to watch games on the TV regularly. The manager of the venue recognised John straight away from his appearance on Off the Ball which was recorded in the Camden a few months back.

It’s not only fans of clubs John played for that want to meet the big man. A group of Derby fans in the bar who were on a stag party wanted a team picture with John and he chatted to them about their club. He knows his stuff does our John but I suppose you have to when you work in the media.

Back in the hotel and we meet two ladies in the lift. Two Celtic fans from Glasgow over for there Mam’s 80thbirthday. They were delighted to meet John and chew the fat with him about all things green and white.

The reception was very warm when we arrived at Peadars with everyone enjoying a few pre-show pints and taking time to chat to John, get an autograph and some pictures with the Celtic hero who scored 110 goals for Celtic, 9 of which were against Rangers which always gets fans on their feet when I invite him onto the stage.

I have been lucky enough to interview numerous Celtic players and managers over the years and have shared the stage a good few times with John but there is something special about being in a cosy warm pub surrounded by good people when it is a dark cold and wet night outside.

We took our high stools on the stage with the SPL trophy sitting proudly between us with the green and white ribbons reminded us of how many times we have been champions over the past few decades. John himself won the league trophy 3 times during his time at Celtic. What a great move it turned out for him after failing a number of medicals including one at Rangers and as he joked one at Crystal Palace.

I quizzed John on the recent ban implemented on the Green Brigade. John hopes that through dialogue that an agreement can be found between the board and the GB to see them and the Bhoys back in Celtic Park on match days creating the fantastic atmosphere that we have all come accustomed to over the years.

John spoke about the return of Brendan Rodgers to steady the ship after Ange Postecoglou moved south to take over Spurs. He also spoke passionately about his time at Celtic, the current season so far including how hard it is to compete in Europe and the difference in the quality gap since he lined up with Sutton and Larsson under Martin O’Neill against the best in Europe.

John did not only beat Rangers, he beat cancer and his gambling addiction. It has been 12 years since he has had his last bet and he got a great reaction when he told the audience about his battle with the bookie. John also shared some funny tales about his time at Celtic and his former team mates.

There were some great questions from the audience including one in John’s native language. John is fluent in Welsh and it was nice surprise for him to hear the question from a fellow Swansea native.

Thankfully John translated for us. When members of the audience took to the microphone to ask questions they also shared some stories of meeting John in the past and spoke about there own memories of watching John in the hoops. Goals against Liverpool, Celta Vigo and off course Rangers got plenty of lip service.

Ballad singer, Gary Lawlor took over for a sing song when the conversation finished on stage but not off stage as John continued to chat to Celtic fans until he slipped of back to his room before Gaffer took him to the airport at 4am for a red eye and another show in Cardiff.

Another former Celtic striker and Dublin native, Anthony Stokes also popped in on the night.

It was a great night with a great guest, great stories  great company on and off stage and finished off with a great sing song and a few pints of plain.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & host of the Celtic Soul Podcast

Issue 130 Print edition is SOLD OUT but if you want to continue to read the latest issue you can download the digital edition

I’ve been loving you a long time

 

Shane MacGowan was the outward symbol of what millions of people globally saw as Irishness.  He was and will forever remain at the forefront of Irish music, culture and storytelling.

From his punk days in London in the 1970s and the rise of The Pogues, to his long illness and subsequent withdrawal from public life, Shane took the torch that was passed to him from generations of Irish troubadours and used his rare abilities to reach new heights for Irish folk music.

It is almost 40 years since The Pogues debut album was released.  Red Roses for Me would be the initiation for many to the new wave Irish/Punk/Folk fusion that would allow the band to remain at the pinnacle of the music scene for over a decade and beyond.

For me, as an 8 year old growing up the youngest of 9 children in the east end of Glasgow, I can be thankful to my older siblings for introducing this music to me.  How we consume music has certainly changed in the last 40 years, but the lasting legacy of the unique style Shane had, means he along with The Pogues still list in my top 5 artists when it comes to Spotify Wrapped at the end of every year.

Shane was more than a front man.   He was a teacher, a poet, a director and a star.  He had the ability to not only paint a beautiful picture with his words, but build a set, furnish the surroundings and then make you feel like you were living and breathing every word he sang.   A one-off and a legend in his time.

His tour stories are legendary, all of his gigs memorable to anyone fortunate enough to be there.  I was too young to see The Pogues live first time around, but was lucky to see him play in and around Glasgow, including the reunion tour in 2002.   However to see to him play at the Barrowlands along with the full arrangement of musicians is a memory that will stay with me forever.

From The Pogues to The Popes, the master lyricist always produced a story that had you mesmerised from the opening chords and words.   Collaborations with Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, The Dubliners and Johnny Depp all broadened the appeal of the lovable rogue.

A genuine sadness hit me when I heard the sad news of Shanes passing.  So many happy memories of family gatherings and gigs, or introducing his music to my own children now.   Shane has been a staple of my music tastes for 4 decades and his gift to us will be that his music and poetic storytelling has already become part of the great Irish songbook, shared and cherished by those who knew him well, and folk like me who just connected with his music.

Christy Moore probably put it best “Fair play to you Shane MacGowan…….but you sure know how to write them boy”

I’ve been loving you a long time,

Down all the years, down all the days

And I’ve cried for all your troubles

Smiled at your funny little ways

Martin Donaldson is a Glasgow East End Bhoy,  He made my first trip to Celtic Park in 1983 for a 0-0 draw with Brechin City & thankfully that never put him off going back.   He now sits perched high in section 409 of the North Stand with his 2 kids making memories along the Celtic Way.

He loves picking out those matches from yester-year to find out much more about the legendary names & faces that have graced the Celtic Jersey over the years.  He is a keen fundraiser for The Celtic Foundation & The British Heart Foundation as they both strive to  make a difference and to change peoples lives all over the world.

The Print Edition of issue 130 is sold out but you can still download the digital edition to read more quality articles from our team of writers.

THANK YOU – Mt90M ISSUE 130 SOLD OUT

THANK YOU
Another sold out print edition of the fanzine. If you still want to read the fanzine you can still download the digital edition.
Never miss a copy and get it delivered straight through your letterbox as soon as the ink is dry.

Tribute to Shane

* TICKETS ON SALE *
Tribute to Shane
Saturday 06 Jan
We are delighted to announce that Paul Sheridan – Singer, Songwriter of Glasgow Irish Folk Rockers, The Wakes will be joining us to celebrate the life and music of Legendary Pogues front man, Shane MacGowan.
Paul will join Ronan McQuillan from the Enemies and Niall Boyle from the Unit along with a host of special guests.
DJ sets by Milish & Bazz
There has been a lot of interest in this one so we advise you to grab your tickets early.

More than 90 Minutes Issue 130

Thanks to everybody who bought the latest print edition if the fanzine which is heading for another sell out.
Thanks to all our subscribers and sponsors for their continued support.
To grab one of the last copies click link below and we will post out to you.

Bringing in another quality striker will be on Brendan’s mind.

 

Celtic return to action after the international break with Motherwell the visitors to Celtic Park. Every Celtic fan will be hoping they can turn in a performance like the one they signed off with against Aberdeen before the players went off to play for their respective countries.

That 6-0 performance was almost perfect on the field although the noise and colour created by Ultra groups the Bhoys and the Green Brigade was sadly missed.

After the disappointment of our 6-0 hammering in Madrid it was nice to return from our travels and watch the Celtic players turn in such a positive performance and send us all home happy.

The nightmare of watching  the Spaniards after Maeda was sent off was put to the back of my memory as I left Celtic Park looking forward to watching the highlights of the game and the goals by Yang, Kyogo, Palma, Turnbull and Oh (2).

Brendan was quizzed about the Champions League at this week’s press conference but he will focus on Motherwell first.

The SPFL is our bread and butter but after the AGM financial results you would imagine that the board will back Brendan to bring in better players in January which as Brendan stated can be a tough window to shop in.

He wants to cut the squad numbers down and a number of players will have to move on.

With the Asian cup starting on the 12th of January during the Scottish winter football shutdown. Celtic will be without key players with the final not scheduled until.

You would imagine bringing in another quality striker will be on Brendan’s mind.

Lots to talk about in Dublin … John Hartson

John Hartson will be back on stage at Peadar Browns, Dublin on Friday night. Just over a year since his last visit to the venue. So much has happend over the last year at Celtic Park. Ange leaving, Brendan returning and a treble of trophies to admire in the trophy room at Celtic Park from last season

In his time at Celtic, he scored over 100 goals for the club and won 3 Leagues, 2 Scottish Cup and 1 League Cup and does not sit on the fence when it comes to defending Celtic in the media where he has carved out a career.

Click the image to get the last of the tickets

St. Margaret’s CSC celebrate in style with MON, Tommo & Fallon

The dust has now settled on St. Margaret’s Celtic Supporters 25 Anniversary Gala Charity Dinner Dance and what a night it was as 390 members and friends celebrated 25 years on the road following Celtic.

The club was set up for 3 reasons. 1. To travel to Glasgow and beyond to see the famous Celtic 2. To raise money for charity and 3 to keep Margaret Hillman forever in our hearts.

It was an emotional night for many as funds were raised for the Gary Kelly Cancer Centre but the night would not have went ahead or been such a success without everyone who bought a dinner ticket, raffle ticket and our sponsors

Celtic Legends Martin O’Neill, Alan Thompson and John Fallon were there to make the night even more special and recounted stories of their time at Celtic. It was a proud night for the founders and those who have joined the journey along the way which includes members from all over Ireland, Scotland and even Germany. Special shout out to Charlie Lord who travelled all the way from the US to join in the celebrations.

Nice touch from Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor.

 

 

This is how it feels to be Celtic

While attending a music festival in Murcia, Spain at the weekend for the first time in years I listened to a Celtic game on the radio. We could not locate a bar showing the game or get it online so we enjoyed a few beers on the balcony of our hotel.

Still buzzing from the bands we had danced to at the festival the night before we settled onto the balcony to listen to the game with Packie Bonner for company on commentary. Rene my big Celtic supporting Norwegian mate joined me for the game and even brought the beers.

The usual conversation took place between us that most fans have before games when you see the team sheet. James Forest was the surprise getting a rare start on Livvy’s plastic pitch. Would there be a European hangover? Would it be another plastic pitch disappointment?

Thankfully none of the above happened and Celtic ran out 3-0 winners with 10 men after Joe Hart got sent off after Reo Hatate opened the scoring from the penalty spot. On form Matt O Riley and Daizen Maeda added to the tally.

When Hatate opened the scoring a loud roar could be heard from my fifth floor balcony only to find out that a wedding was taking place underneath us in the early afternoon sunshine. The staff gave us the signal to be quiet and we had to be a bit more reserved in our celebrations for the other 2 goals.

After the game I noticed a hooped top at the swimming pool in the distance and when I arrived down for a swim it was the famous hoops of Celtic alright. It was Jackie Stewart and his lovely wife Sandra who I had met at the Las Vegas Celtic Convention last year.

It’s a small world and if I had met Jackie before the game we could have watched the game  as he had it on his room. Celtic fans are everywhere, This is how it feels to Celtic.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes and host of the Celtic Soul Podcast 

More than 90 Minutes 22 years on

Happy Birthday to Us

Its been 22 years today since More than 90 Minutes first went on sale outside Celtic Park. It’s been some buzz travelling up and down Scotland, Europe and beyond covering the Celtic Fans journey  following the famous Celtic FC.

There have been ups and downs along the way but we thank everybody who has bought a copy, subscribed to the fanzine or sponsored us from 2001 to the present day. Special mention to the ground sellers from over the decades who stood in all weathers selling the fanzine before and after games.

To everybody who contributed articles we thank you for making the fanzine what it is today as we work on issue 129. Fan media has changed a lot since then and we have had to follow kicking and screaming into the digital age but with your support we are still able to put out the print edition against the odds.

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