Well, that’s that.
I’m sure that several people in the Irish capital breathed a sigh of relief at the result in Ibrox tonight.
Quite simply, the prospect of Sevco in the Europa League Final in May was an appalling vista.
Memories of Lansdowne Road 1995 did spring to mind.
Today, I spoke with a very well-placed GAA source.
He told me that UEFA had been in touch to ask if Croke Park could be used to house fans who didn’t have tickets for the match.
A big screen affair.
Well, he told me that the folks at Croker made it quite clear to UEFA that if the Ibrox club made it to the final, their stadium would be off-limits to the chaps who trashed Manchester in 2008.
I’m told that, as an alternative, Phoenix Park was considered to house the dignified ones.
However, that brought into play the proximity of Áras an Uachtaráin.
It would seem that no one wants to accommodate a klanzone.
So to the heroes of Lisboa tonight, only one word is suitable:
Obrigado!
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That’s a smart headline. 🙂
Dublin is safe but George Square is in danger
Do Dublinners realise what a state their city would’ve been in had they eventually got thereThe only ‘tourists’ to never sample a pint of the black stuff…well not paying for it.
While R2ngers were working their way up the SPFL , we had peace n quiet….although residents of Brechin( the hedge) n Alloa ( always cheating) and every other town might not agree.
And the Belgian Beale is becoming more bealish, more than ever.
Someone writing his script perhaps?
I was interviewed for lecturer position at Manchester University just eight weeks after ‘that’ final. It was a job I really wanted. I spent the whole day with all the other candidates as we delivered a number of presentations and had informal chats with senior members of staff. It turned out I was the the only one who had lots of original experience teaching the subject at under- and post-graduate levels; I reckoned I was the best candidate. As it was, hearing I was from Glasgow, every single one of them asked me “how could you do that to our city?” Telling them I was a Celtic supporter helped, but not by much.
At the final interview, the reaction by the head of department to my Glasgow accent when I entered the room and introduced myself was something to behold.
Dublin is like a second home to me so I am glad for tonight’s result. There is a reason they were called Huns and it wasn’t Celtic fans who named them. It was the English press after one of the previous club’s many riotous intercity excursions — different club, same fans — it’s the one thing at which they actually excel.
Oh, and Ah didnae get that job, by the way… in case you were wondering. Bastards!
The press in Fair Caledonia will be having fits. Ah, well, the delusional ones can only dream of sitting and watching their team on the big screen in one of the best stadiums in the world ( Coke Park ). I’m sure they had it won when the draw was made. Well done, Benfica!
Croke Park. I wrote this out, but it came up Coke. Disgusted!!
Phil, someone sent me their tifo changed so the bus has turned and the slogan says…away back up the road.
Comedy gold
I wonder what feel good story the scottish media will come out with now, that sevco and Liverpool will not be playing the final in Dublin
It’ll be one of how Liverpool would have had ‘ no chance ‘ against the Rangers in the final . Don’t bother to turn up as there would have been only one winner horse manure comments. That has to be the worst Benfica side I have ever witnessed and yet Clement got found out tactically in both legs . Now the SMSM will promote this guy as the greatest thing since bubblegum now Europe is gone …again ! Their adoration for big Pip will know no bounds .