The Internationals are over and now we wait in hope that all players have returned free from injury and Covid-19 and are fit and ready for Hibs on Saturday. The last international break was the disaster for Celtic players between those catching the virus and those deemed to have been in close contact with an international teammate who contracted the virus.
News of vaccines is good news as we look forward to returning to watch the football but sadly it may not be here in time for any of us to return to Paradise this season. Up the road from me the IFA allowed 1,000 fans in to social distance and watch their team in Windsor Park. Not ideal but it’s a start and an increase in numbers that seen 300 fans watch Celtic in Dingwall when we beat Ross County.
International break for me normally means running a bus to Dublin to watch Ireland or get on a plane and catch an away game and maybe get to see a new city but these days it’s a mix of walking the dog and watching the games on TV. Scottish players and fans enjoyed qualifying for the Euros next summer and well done to all involved. Hopefully fans will be able to attend games because the hospitality industry in Glasgow could do with a boost.
Talking of hospitality, I was very glad to see McChuill’s Bar opening as a Café and launch a crowd funder to save the bar from closure. Nick and the staff are delighted with the support they have received even Bez from the Happy Mondays has given them a shoutout. I’ve so many memories of sessions in the High Street Venue. A place you could bump into Celtic players over the years or bands before they played the famous Barrowlands.
A brilliant pub which has hosted many a great night of music and craic. Only last December I hosted an Evening with Rudi Vata there with special guests, Celtic Minded author, Dr. Joe Bradley and Paul Sheridan from the Wakes and I can’t wait to get back for a few beers and to catch up with the regulars when I can travel again.
We took a break earlier in the week and did not record our usual Tuesday show as Ronan our producer is studying hard for his Masters’ degree, in music technology and I was kept busy posting and packing T-Shirts and Fanzines. Not bad having such a talented lad around More than 90 Minutes Tower.
The good news is we are back tomorrow with Episode 42 of the Celtic Soul Podcast when I will be chatting to former Celtic player, George McCluskey. George a familiar face around Barrowfield and Lennoxtown as part of the Celtic coaching staff and on match day at Celtic Park in the Hospitality suites with Dixie Deans and Bobby Lennox.
On the pitch George played over 200 times for the Tic and scored over 80 goals for Celtic. Managed by both Billy McNeill and Jock Stein he played alongside names Danny McGrain, Kenny Dalglish, Jimmy Johnstone and Charlie Nicholas. Really looking forward to talking to him tomorrow. Podcasts have given us something to listen to if you are working from home, commuting to or from work or out walking the dog. Fair play to all the Celtic Podcasters out there keeping us entertained and informed.
Tradition returns this weekend when Celtic a have a very rare away game on a Saturday at 3pm. Easter Road 3pm Saturday afternoon could be magic, smell of pies, the noise, the songs, the history but NO it’s back to the armchair for most of us!
It’s a tough task for Neil Lennon and the Bhoys but let us hope they can produce a bit of magic and get us off our seats. We could all do with a little lockdown lift and the team can produce another positive result and performance after a mixed batch of both before the international break it would be the perfect tonic to another dark winters night stuck at home.
Andrew Milne started More than 90 Minutes in 2001. He has written for numerous publications and online about Celtic. He is a former newspaper columnist with the Daily Ireland and the man behind celticfanzine.com. He is host of the Celtic Soul Podcast & Celtic AM pre-match events at Malone’s in Glasgow on match days and follows Celtic Home & Away. He is a season ticket holder for Celtic FC and the Republic of Ireland. He is also P.R.O. of St. Margaret’s CSC, a member of the Celtic Trust and the Celtic Graves Association.
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