The Celtic Underground

We debated long and hard as to whether to publish this podcast because no matter waht we did, we couldn’t resolve the sound distortion issues - especially with Eddie’s mic. Ultimately we decided - what the heck. The worst of it appears to be at the beginning and the end.So this is a free podcast from Celtic Underground. It can be picked up wherever you get your podcasts as well as on Thecelticunderground.substack.com.There’s loads of paid and free content coming over the next few months with at least one bit of audio every week.Enjoy…The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts direct to your inbox and to support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

French FarceAnother tale from the Celtic WikiThe Anglo-Franco-Scottish Friendship Cup was a short-lived Inter-League football competition organised by the French Football Federation that would see teams from the English Football League and the Scottish League compete against teams from the French League.The original idea was to have four teams from Scotland and four teams from England competing together as one nation competing against eight teams from France. Due to the objection by the Scottish League this ruling was cancelled.Two separate trophies were cast - one for Scottish clubs competing against French clubs and one for English clubs competing against French clubs. Individual clubs could not win the competition, so each country was awarded 2 points for a win and 1 point for a draw.Due to disagreements as to when matches should be played, neither of the matches between Celtic and Reims took place.Enjoy….The Celtic Underground Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

The Rebels have won4th March 1994 and Fergus McCann and Brian Dempsey step out into a dark and rainy Glasgow night to make the famous declaration - The game is over, the rebels have won.Jubilation abound and tonight, as we publish this tale from The Celtic Wiki, we remember one of the unsung heroes of that takeover battle - John Keane who sdaly passed away today - 16th June 2024.John was the honourary Chairman of Celtic and he got that role because, with no ownership and no certainty that he wouldn’t lose every penny, John stepped up and paid £1m to the bank to save the club from the ignomy of administration and pave the way for Fergus to take over the club.In tribute to John, we’re therefore publishing this classic tale.Here’s a link to the club’s statement on the passing of John - https://www.celticfc.com/news/2024/june/16/celtic-pays-tribute-to-john-keane/Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Working at Celtic During the McCann Revolution   Fergus McCann came into Celtic Park and changed everything.  He changed the board and replaced family inheritance with business acumen.  He changed the ground from seats on Terracing to a 60,000 seated stadium.  He built all the foundations that have now established Celtic as THE premier club in Scotland.  He is one of the greatest Celts in history.   The transformation in Celtic pre and post March 1994 was incredible and one of the few people with a front row seat both before and after was Andrew Smith.  working at The Celtic View he was part of the team who had to put out the messaging of the old board and their proposals for a move to Cambuslang.  He was then part of the McCann messaging as he sought to transform Celtic through a share issue and the building of a new stadium.   The tales from Andrew are incredible, and his impersonations aren't bad either.   This is a 2 part podcast.  Part one is out on our standard feed and part two will be available on TheCelticunderground.substack.com   Enjoy... This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

In the past week we've had the league secured at Rugby Park, a title party at Celtic Park rounded all off with the Cup Final at Hampden on the iconic date of 25th May.  Who else could I ask to discuss this than full-kit Jow Hart love-in man Remy McSwain. Remy and I review everything and jump all over the place because an easy verbal ramble through the past 10 days became a rushed preview and review because the IT set up/wifi crashed. The audio is good because the crap bits are editted out. Enjoy... This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Following securing the league, Andrew Smith met with Celtic FC Foundation CEO Tony Hamilton to ask about the work of the Foundation and discuss the forthcoming charity game against the Dortmund Legends. Andrew asks searching questions such as - aren't all chairtie just a tax on the poor?  But Tony robustly defends the work of the Foundation and the input of the club who are by far the biggest contributors to The Foundation. To get tickets for the game, which takes place after the cup final, log on here https://www.celticfc.com/tickets/celtic-legends-v-borussia-dortmund-legends/ Enjoy... This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Winners…again   This Saturday saw the final Glasgow Derby of the league campaign and for listeners to last week’s podcast the result will have come as no surprise.  Despite the comments of pundits, this is a game where form does not go out of the window.  It is a game that the form team (or more appropriately the better team) nearly always win.   Celtic are the better team.  Celtic won.   Whilst the league is not mathematically secured, we’re almost there being 6 points clear with just 2 games remaining.  We therefore got two boys to discuss with Harry their thoughts on the game and where we are as club.  So listen to Eddie Pearson and Andrew Smith wax lyrical about the game, the manager and the club.   Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Fun Bhoys Three   We have the final Glasgow Derby of season 2023/24 coming up this weekend and so we have organised some experienced heads to discuss the prospects with @Paul1888 joining Andrew & Harry to discuss the game.   We roll out the metaphors and the cliches to preview the game in the context of our performance on last weekend when Brendan finally had his full first choice 16 to field.   As Andrew H says - use your testicular metaphor of choice when previewing the game and have some fun.   Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Smith and Brady - Dundee review and Hearts preview   This week Andrew H Smith joins Harry to review the performance and result at Dens Park.  The chat takes a meandering turn as the bhoys discuss the events at Dens almost 34 years ago to the day when Celtic really blew the 1979/80 season by losing 5-1 to Dundee during the title run in.  Andrew was there and experienced the vitriol.   When they get on to the 21st Century tie they get on to discuss how brilliant James Forrest is and anyone who disagrees will go on Wolfie Smith’s list.   Finally, the bhoys get to the Hearts game.   Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe

Smith & Brady - The Scottish Cup Semi Final   Following the dramtic 3-3 draw and subsequent penalty shoot-out victory, Harry Brady and Andrew H Smith review the cup semi and discuss all of the action.   There’s a review of the defensive short-comings and like every discussion by Celtic fans of a certain age, 20+ year old Hampden games are shoehorned in.   Enjoy… This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecelticunderground.substack.com/subscribe