Tag: Celtic

Clubbing together to support Ukraine’s journey to Homeless World Cup

Aberdeen, Celtic, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers, five of Scotland’s biggest and most successful football clubs have joined together to support and aid Homeless World Cup Member Country Ukraine’s journey to the Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup.

Working alongside the Homeless World Cup Foundation, a recent donation from the five clubs has meant that Ukraine can send a team to this year’s tournament under difficult and challenging circumstances.

The donation will cover travel for Ukraine to compete in the 18th edition of the Homeless World Cup, being held in the US for the first time in its 20-year history.

‘The Way home’ has been a partner and worked alongside the Homeless World Cup for many years and have been an inaugural part of the tournament since 2004 and were winners of the Homeless World Cup in Milan 2009.

The Sacramento 2023 Homeless World Cup will take place from Saturday 8th July – Saturday 15th July 2023 at California State University, Sacramento. As well as the venue for the games, being played at the Hornet Stadium, the university will also accommodate the visiting countries from across the globe and their players on campus.

From Paris to Cardiff, Glasgow to Milan, Edinburgh to Mexico City and Melbourne to Cape Town, this world class tournament has been played in some exceptional cities and venues to bring awareness and understanding to this global issue – homelessness.

The Homeless World Cup is an annual, world-class, international football tournament. Every year, teams of men and women who are homeless or have experienced homelessness get the chance to represent their country during the tournament.

Mel Young, co-founder, and Homeless World Cup President, said: “It’s fantastic news that the five Scottish clubs have come together to ensure Ukraine, one of our key partners can get to and compete in Sacramento, The Way Home has continued to work in extremely difficult conditions in Odessa.

“The Homeless World Cup always look to support our Member Countries however we can, and we look forward to welcoming Ukraine, who have fielded a team every year at the tournament since 2004 to Sacramento and the US for the 18th edition of the Homeless World Cup.

“All five clubs didn’t hesitate when asked to help our Ukrainian partner with their journey and we are incredibly grateful for their support in making this dream a reality to those players who will represent Ukraine on the international stage in Sacramento this July.

“I’m proud of the five Scottish clubs and the generosity they have shown by coming together to support Ukraine. This demonstrates how impactful football and sport can be in making a difference to the lives of so many.”

Aberdeen’s Chief Executive, Alan Burrows. said: “Football is a game for all and as a club we were delighted to play our part in supporting Ukraine’s journey to Sacramento to participate in the 2023 Homeless World Cup.

“The ongoing conflict in Ukraine shouldn’t be a barrier for those looking to participate in sport and the Homeless World Cup is the perfect example of how football can inspire and change lives for the better.

“We wish them all the best in the tournament.” 

Chief Executive of Hearts, Andrew McKinlay, said: “We’re delighted to have supported the Ukrainian team at this year’s Homeless World Cup. Everyone connected with Hearts knows well the power of football and how it can be a truly positive force in our lives.

“The conflict in Ukraine, and the widespread homelessness seen across the planet, affects us all. Initiatives like the Homeless World Cup are vital in raising awareness and supporting this global issue. 

“Everyone at Heart of Midlothian wishes the teams, organisers and all participants the very best when the tournament begins in California next month.”

Hibernian FC’s Non-Executive Chairman Malcolm McPherson, said: “The relationship that our club and supporters have with Ukraine is quite unique.

“Whether that’s through the work done by the Hibernian Community Foundation or through Dnipro Kids, we have all been committed to helping Ukrainian people through this incredible difficult time.

“We’re proud to be able to continue that support by backing the Ukrainian team at this year’s Homeless World Cup, which shines a light on two great issues that affect everyone worldwide; the conflict in Ukraine and global homelessness.

“Football is an incredibly powerful sport, and initiatives like the Homeless World Cup can inspire, enforce change, and raise awareness of these global issues.

“Everyone at Hibernian FC wishes everyone taking part in the tournament great success.”

Celtic FC Foundation Chief Executive, Tony Hamilton, said: “Working with the homeless community is a regular feature of what we do here, and we are delighted that we can assist with this in some small way. 

“Football is universal and the Homeless World Cup is everything good about the game that we all love. I hope this year’s event in the USA is a great success for everyone involved.”

Connal Cochrane, Rangers Charity Foundation Chief Executive, said: “What a wonderful way to come together for a common cause. I hope the Ukrainian team create powerful memories and many new friendships in Sacramento.”

Over £11,000 raised for Pancreatic Cancer Action in memory of Frank McGarvey

Glasgow locals and Celtic supporters came together on Friday 17thMarch 2023 to remember and celebrate the life of football legend Frank McGarvey, raising £11,050 for Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Frank’s close friend Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, teamed up with Robert and Mary from Elders Bar in Tollcross to organise a special St Patrick’s Day gathering. They wanted to create a memorable evening that would honour Frank’s legacy whilst also supporting a worthy cause.

Tickets for the event sold out in record time, with family, friends, and fans of Frank all eager to show their support. Ninety guests attended the evening, which was hosted by Tommy Sheridan, another of Frank’s close friends. Former Celtic Football players Tosh McKinlay and Joe Miller were also in attendance, sharing football memories and stories.

Guests were provided with an opportunity to win a raffle prize of a framed Celtic Football Club shirt, signed by the squad and a very kind guest then offered a very generous donation for a second version to be sourced by ‘Fitba Greats’.

The auction was the main driver of achieving such a fantastic total, with exclusive prizes creating a bidding battle across the packed room!

Prizes included:

  1. Signed framed print of Frank McGarvey
  2. Framed Bertie Ault print
  3. Framed Danny McGrain signed shirt.
  4. Framed Lisbon Lions print signed by 8 Lions.
  5. Framed & signed Celtic double winners’ shirt – Ange’s first season.
  6. 1985 Cup Final Shirt signed by the scorer of the winning goal – Frank McGarvey
  7. Signed by the Boss Ange signed shirt.
  8. Framed & signed Jersey – Captain Callum McGregor

Franks’ son Sean also brought along an additional prize of a signed Celtic shirt kindly donated by Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson.

Fiona Brown, Scottish Development Manager for Pancreatic Cancer Action, said: “I was privileged to meet Frank and his family last year, and it has been heart-warming to see the incredible outpouring of support from across the football community.

“It was lovely to hear people share memories of Frank event, and a wonderful video played on the night showcasing some of Frank’s many footballing highlights certainly triggered a few tears!

“We are very grateful to everyone involved in making the event such a huge success, raising a phenomenal amount of money, and indeed helping raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.”

Bernie Vallely, who runs ‘Fitba Greats’, said: “This was a real team effort, and we are all hopeful that raising the funds we did will massively help Fiona and her team.

“I’m glad we could celebrate Franks’ 67th birthday in such a positive way. Everyone played their part, and a great night was had.”

Jennifer Kane (Frank McGarvey’s daughter) said: “I was so flat on St Patrick’s Day with it being my dad’s birthday and have been missing him so much, but I got such a lift from people’s generosity and stories.

“My dad was so lucky to have pals like Bernie, Robert and Tommy and everyone coming together to raise that much money for a charity now so close to my heart is unbelievable, I know my dad will want us to continue to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer, it was an amazing night my dad would have loved it. I can’t wait for next years!” 

For Celtic supporters, 67 represents a special number, and this fundraiser was a fitting way to remember and celebrate Frank McGarvey’s life. It’s heart-warming to see how the Glasgow community has come together to support this cause, and we hope that this event will help raise awareness and support for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the 5th most common cause of cancer death in the UK, with over 10,000 people diagnosed each year. Early diagnosis is crucial for improving survival rates, yet under 8% of those diagnosed will survive for five years or more.

Pancreatic Cancer Action is dedicated to raising awareness of the disease and funding research into early detection and treatment. To find out more about their work, visit their website at www.panact.org

Scottish Cup: super Spartans are ecstatic!

Can high-flying Hearts complete capital cup treble?

DEFYTHEODDS

With Hibs and Spartans safely through to the last sixteen of the Scottish Cup, all eyes with be on Tynecastle this afternoon – can high-flying Hearts make it a capital cup treble?

Both Hibs and Spartans came from behind in their fourth round ties yesterday.

The biggest upset of the day belonged to local Lowland League side Spartans, who came from behind to defeat Greenock Morton at Ainslie Park. A stoppage time strike by Beasley created history for the local team – giant-killers Spartans will now take their place in the last sixteen for the first time in their history.

Andrew Barrowman gave Morton a first half lead, but Spartans battled back and levelled through Willie Bremner in the second half. The tie seemed to be heading for a replay but Jack Beesley’s late late show secured a superb Spartans victory.

“The players in the second half were magnificent,” Samuel told BBC Scotland. “When we scored we were certainly going to go for the win – we weren’t playing for the replay, that’s for sure!”

Hibs successfully negotiated a tricky away tie at Alloa. Hibs fans may have feared the worst when Meggatt fired Alloa ahead in fifteen minutes – some Hibs teams of recent vintage would have wilted after going behind – but Alan Stubbs current side is seemingly made of sterner stuff and first half goals by Liam Craig and David Gray saw them safely through to Monday’s draw.

Now Hearts have the chance to make it a capital cup treble. All’s well with the world at Tynecastle these days: Mr Romanov is a distant memory, business is brisk and the team sits proudly at the top of the table, with the likes of Rangers and Hibs trailing in their wake.

Celtic are Scotland’s top team, but they’ve seldom fired on all cylinders this season and another European defeat in midweek exposed their frailties and showed they are far from the finished article.

Yes, Celtic should be too strong for Hearts this afternoon but all the pressure is on the Parkhead side – Hearts go into the game having comprehensively beaten their main title rivals Rangers last weekend and confidence is sky high. The Gorgie boys have nothing to lose by having a real go today. If Celtic do not perform, they will lose.

Both teams have injury worries ahead of this afternoon’s clash.

Hearts have Prince Bauben back in the squad but defender Kevin McHattie has been ruled out with medial ligament damage. Captain Danny Wilson and striker Osman Sow are also doubtful.

Celtic also have three injury concerns. Influential midfielder Charlie Mulgrew is struggling with a rib injury picked up during Thursday’s Europa League defeat by Salzburg and Jason Denayer is also unlikely to feature. Defender Mikael Lustig is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Four SPFL Scottish Premiership sides exited the tournament at the first attempt yesterday – Aberdeen, Motherwell,  Hamilton Academicals and Ross County have gone already. Will Celtic join them? 

Hibs: high hopes of ending Hampden hoodoo?

ScottishCup1Tick tock. Tick tock. As those jolly Jambo japesters are always only too keen to point out – 111 years and counting! The last time Hibs lifted the Scottish Cup there were trams on Edinburgh’s streets, for goodness sake! But maybe, just maybe, it’s time … 

On the face of it, Sunday’s cup final should be little more than a stroll for Celtic. After all, the Glasgow team won the SPL with plenty in hand, despite losing a surprising number of games – seven. Mind you, when you are so dominant it’s easy to take your eye off the ball.

Celtic coasted to league victory with such ease that it’s hard to call the SPL ‘title race’ a competition. Really, it was over as a contest as soon as ‘The Rangers’ disappeared into the depths of the lower leagues – the question was always going to be: who’ll finish second?

With the resources Celtic have at their disposal, perhaps that’s as it should be. Now a lone giant in a diddy wee league, over the course of a long, hard – okay, maybe not that hard – season they have by far the biggest squad with the greatest quality in Scotland. True, they’re not up against much, but that’s not their fault. All Celtic could do was win, and usually they did just that. Not always playing pretty, silky soccer – but then we are talking Scottish football.

And yet Celtic surprised many critics of the Scottish game – and there are plenty of them – with that memorable defeat of the mighty Barcelona in the Champions League. They may play in a poor league, but make no mistake: Celtic are a good team, and at the end of a steady and satisfactory if unspectacular season, a league and cup double would be a fair reflection of Celtic’s current domination of Scottish football – the icing on the cake.

Celtic should have too many players of real quality to suffer any shocks on Sunday, with potential match winners all over the park – including two ex-Hibees Scott Brown and Anthony Stokes. Celtic are well aware of Hibs’ strengths (one in particular!) and weaknesses – an inability to deal decisively with cross balls is one area that Celtic will surely try to exploit. If Celtic’s attitude is right, and they bring their ‘A’ game on the day, there’s not a team in Scotland to beat them.

And yet …

Hibs1Inconsistent is perhaps the most charitable way to describe Hibs’ season. Yes, there’s been the occasional fragile green shoot of recovery, the tantalising glimmer of hope that the team has turned the corner, but for much of the season Hibs form has been poor – that bottom six league position doesn’t lie. A hesitant defence that leaked goals, self-inflicited wounds, games lost or drawn that should have been won …

And yet … over the last few weeks, Hibs seem to have found their stride and have hit form at just the right time.

Maybe going three goals down to a First Division team in a Hampden semi-final was the collective wake-up call they so desperately needed: that remarkable fightback not only resurrected Hibs’ season but also perhaps exorcised some of the demons of last year’s Hampden horror show.

Perhaps it was the shared experience of that Falkirk fright, and the elation of the hard-fought victory, that lifted the spirits and galvanised the Easter Road men. They seem to have discovered a collective resolve, a fighting team spirit and self-belief that has been sadly lacking over what has been – Scottish Cup aside – a distinctly lacklustre season. Whatever the catalyst, there’s a quiet confidence and assurance creeping in at Easter Road – and at last, things are going the right way and Hibs have a team that is worthy of the name.

Young players of quality are coming through the youth setup once again. There’s real competition for places and manager Pat Fenlon has choices and decisions to make – it would be wrong to assume that Hibs are a one man team. The loss of captain James McPake, a natural leader, is a huge blow – his presence and experience will be sorely missed and it’s now up to other senior players to show that same level of commitment and leadership on Sunday. It’s a day for big performances.

And Hibs do have Leigh Griffiths. Whatever the young man’s off-field travails, Hibs seem to have unlocked Griffiths’ undoubted potential. With twenty-eight goals to his name, Leigh Griffiths has been the difference between relative success and abject failure at Easter Road this season, adding an impressive work rate to an unerring eye for goal. His attitude has been transformed and Griffiths has matured into a prodigious talent.

Whether Hibs can hang on to their talisman remains in doubt but Griffiths has at least one more game in a Hibs shirt – a game in which his name could go down in history as the man who brought the cup back to Easter Road after all those years. And for Hibs fan Griffiths what a great way to go, if go he must.

So Hibs fans in their thousands will head out west tomorrow more in hope than expectation. Yes it’s unlikely, but Hibs can win the Scottish Cup – although it would be very unwise to give Celtic the same three goal start they gifted Falkirk on their last Hampden visit.

Celtic, for all their qualities, are not invincible and this time round Hibs fans really have nothing to fear. Because, whatever tomorrow’s result, surely it could never feel anything like as bad as last year’s craven capitulation, that Hampden humiliation at the hands of Hearts?

The year of the underdog? Maybe. Perhaps it really is time. Tick tock …

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