Celtic Absorbed The Pressure And Delivered - Congratulations

RIGHT from the start, can I say, Celtic going through the 2016-17 Scottish domestic season unbeaten - “invincible” and winning a Treble is a marvellous achievement. Nothing can take away from this, it is a great feat.

The Treble Achieved and Invincible in Scotland

But, where does this fourth Celtic Treble rate in the list of such achievements? I would not care to say, but, certainly, to my mind it does not match the feats of the Lisbon Lions in 1967. That season, although the team did not go through the domestic campaign unbeaten, they won everything they entered, and that European Cup win surely scores treble points, at least, in any game of top trumps.

The 1967 Legends had to deal with something the 2017 Invincibles were spared – genuine competition at home. The current Celtic squad is the best-paid, the best-funded, the best-resourced (things such as the quality of staff and facilities). Anything other than a Treble, given the advantages Celtic have, would have been under-achievement.

Celtic this season did what they should have done – at least at home. They did not, unlike the Lisbon Lions, over-achieve; that is the difference between the two squads. Also, as a Scottish fitba fan, I would far rather the 2017 vintage had been, like the 1967 one, genuinely Scottish and home-grown.

These caveats apart – well done Celtic.

CHELSEA, like Rangers, are an unloveable lot. They are the epitome of noveau riche – money can buy you anything but class, and Chelsea, particularly as epitomised by John Terry, have, to use that old Glesca put-down: “nae class”.

So, I was happy to see Arsenal win the FA Cup yesterday. I was specially happy for poor old, beleagured Arsene Wenger. Trouble with the aristocratic Frenchman is – well, for a start he's French and, if there is one thing the English football media hates more than a successful Scot, it is a successful Frenchman.

They were scared shitless by Alex Ferguson, a semi-house-trained Govan “ned”, who, if the press went too far – they, the hacks, feared would deliver a perfectly-time Glesca Kiss to them. They were similarly afraid of Souness, a cold-eyed hit-man who would not hesitate to take them out, cruelly.

Hasn't he aged well - Wenger on his first day and today

They respect, but, do not fear Wenger, so, they take liberties with him. By any standards he has been a tremendous Arsenal boss. He has worked miracles, given the directors and owners he has had to work with. Also, maybe, the press thinks he has been around for too long.

I hope he hangs around a wee bit longer. I love the guy.

SHOULD he be run over by a Manchester tram tomorrow, and heaven forfend this does not happen, I would reckon they will play 'My Way' at Jose Mourinho's funeral.

Because, that's how things are done at whichever club the Portugese Poseur II (CR7 remains THE Portugese Poseur) manages. Loathe him, hate him or put up with him – Jose does not need anyone else to love him – the guy's a winner. So, it was good to see him lead MU to Europa League glory and back to the Champions League.

Zlatan shows how to make an entrance in Stockholm

By the way, for me, the star of the night on Wednesday was big Zlatan. For these big European nights, to get anywhere inside the ropes and close to the pitch, you need to have the correct media pass hanging round your neck.

Who, in Stockholm on Wednesday night was on the park without the proper accreditation showing? Why the big man of course. Well, when there is a bloody big statue of you outside the stadium – I don't suppose you need to wear a silly wee plastic pass on a lanyard.

ONE WEEK to go before the Scottish Junior Cup Final, and, I am worried. Glenafton Athletic, my own wee village's team has won the West of Scotland Superleague – ok, the Glen lost their final game, to runners-up Rob Roy, on Saturday, but, the Glen are still flying.

Auchinleck Talbot, whom they face in Sunday's Rugby Park showpiece, has lost their last three games and even Talbot stalwarts are concerned at the team's form. On paper, the Glen should win on Sunday.

BUT, it is a cup final, and it is Talbot the Glen will be facing. Never, ever, ever, ever, write-off or under-rate the 'Bot when it comes to a cup final. This one will be tight and could turn on a single mistake, or moment of genius.

STILL in the Juniors. Well done to Girvan, who, on Saturday, beat Yoker to win the West of Scotland Superleague First Division. Thus, next season, Girvan will be taking on the big boys – Talbot, the Glen, West of Scotland cup winners Pollok, Cumnock and the like.

Girvan FC - Up among the big boys now

It will be their first experience of the top flight in junior football and I wish them well. For years, Girvan tootled around in the basement of Scottish football – the South of Scotland League. Then, they took the bold step of moving to the Ayrshire Juniors, since when, they have steadily improved until they have now reached the top league. Congratulations to all at Hamilton Park.