Innes O'Donnell on a Celtic Great - and His Dad's All-Time Hero - Jimmy Johnstone

Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone some say is the greatest Celtic player of time along with players like Henrik Larsson. Jinky’s balance, dribbling skills and  athleticism that he managed to play at the highest level for over 12 years without suffering a serious injury make him stand out as one of Celtic's best ever. At just 5ft 4in and nine-and-a-half stones, he was picked on by tough, but insecure opposition defenders. Johnstone started his career in 1961 aged 17 having a terrible debut against Kilmarnock losing 6-0 away.  His second game was a 4-3 defeat against Hearts although that was the game where he scored his first senor goal. Despite the defeats, Johnstone’s performances earned him a place in the Celtic starting eleven. His second season he helped Celtic reach the semi-finals of the European Cup scoring in the first round against Basel FC in a 5-0 win at Parkhead.  In 1965 when Jock Stein arrived as manager he doubted Johnstone as a player but later he won him over with his skill and won his first winners medal on the 23^rd of October 1965 when he played against Rangers in a 2-1 victory in the Scottish League Cup Final.

 

Jimmy Johnstone celebrates a goal against Old Firm rivals Rangers

 

 

Jimmy was of Celtic’s famous “Lisbon Lions”, the team which won the 1967 European Cup against Inter Milan.  In an early tie against Nantes Johnstone was named by the French media “The flying flea” because of his trickery on the right wing.  That year he finished third in the European footballer of the year award.  Two weeks later after the 2-1 win against Inter in the European Cup Final Johnstone played in a testimonial match at the Bernabéu in a game where the Great Alfredo Di Stefano played.  In front of 100,000 fans Johnstone dazzled the “Los Blanco’s” fans with the chant “Olé!” ringing out around stadium. Johnstone capped his outstanding performance by playing a pass to Bobby Lennox for the only goal of the game.

 

 

Johnstone had a fear of flying which meant manager Jock Stein had to replace him in certain matches abroad. Ahead of the first leg of a European tie against Red Star Belgrade at Parkhead in November 1968, Stein told Johnstone that if Celtic won by three goals he wouldn't have to travel to Yugoslavia for the second leg. Johnstone went on to produce an outstanding performance on the night at Parkhead, scoring twice and providing assists for the other three goals in a 5-1 win.

 

 

Johnstone was capped 23 times for Scotland.  He made his international debut on the 3^rd of October 1964 in a British Home Championship match against Wales.  It was a 3-2 loss for Scotland against Wales but Johnstone did get involved with Scotland's second goal.  His second game for Scotland was against Finland where the scots won 3-1 at Hampden.  However Johnstone performance in that game was very poor and he didn’t get another game till 1966. That was a game where he scored his first and second goal for Scotland in another loss to rivals England. Days before the match against England in 1974 before the world cup Johnstone was involved in an embarrassing moment where he took part in a drinking session.  In the early hours that day Johnstone decided to go in out in a Rowing boat and he found himself being taken out by the tide.  A coast guard had to save Jimmy and after that incident he was in the headlines of many newspapers.  Despite the embarrassing headlines Johnstone went on to have an outstanding performance helping Scotland to a 2-0 win.

 

Johnstone was one of Scotland's finest players and should have had far more than his 23 caps

 

Johnstone died in March 2006.   Thousands of Celtic fans, and fans of many other clubs, including those of arch-rivals Rangers paid tribute to his memory outside Celtic Park on St Patrick's Day, the day of his funeral.  There was also a minute silence between before the Celtic vs. Dunfermline game.  The Celtic players also wore number 7 shorts in respect to Johnstone.  In 2011 John McKenna a sculptor made a bronze life sized statue of Johnstone at Viewpark memorial garden.

 

John McKenna's statue of Jimmy Johnstone can be found in Glasgow's Viewpark Garden

 

For Celtic fans Johnstone remains a club legend one of the finest Lisbon Lions and arguably the greatest Celtic player of all time.

 

 

 

 

by

Innes O'Donnell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fraser and Erin Report From the Falkirk Schools' Gymnastics Competition

The Falkirk Schools gymnastics competition is held annually at the Hallogen Sports Centre. Larbert were going in with a strong team put together by Miss Norrie and were hopeful of a strong result.

The day started with all the teams warming-up. Miss Norrie made the team do lots of stretches in order to be ready for the competition. In this competition, there was 3 levels; level 1, 2 and 3, level 3 being the highest performance level. Floor routines and vaulting was included.

Larbert's Gymnasts get ready for the day's events

First of all Larbert High School started off with floor work. Romy Phillips from S2 at LHS was first to start of the competition and performed a great routine for the judges. The 2^nd competitor was Millie McAuslan from S1, she performed an amazing routine that pleased the judge. She told us in her interview that it went really well and she has enjoyed competing. The 3^rd competitor was Eilidh Brown who did a great routine including handstands and walkovers. The 4^th competitor was Erin Shaw; she performed a good routine including a cartwheel that progressed into a head spring.

After the floor competition we moved onto the valut where Larbert were particularly strong. Everyone managed to complete the vault brilliantly.

After we watched all the amazing floor routines and vaults at Level 2, we then watched Level 1 pupils on the floor including 2 Larbert High School pupils. Both Charlotte Kirkwood and Lia Cowie had brilliant routines that pleased the judges. Included in Charlotte’s routine was the splits on her right leg which looked great.

Mr Milar taught Charoltte how to do the splits like that..!!

Whilst the other schools still had to complete their routines, pupils from LHS were killing time by showing off their tricks and skills to the other competitors.

Waiting on the results was a slow process as we were desperate to find out all about how Larbert had done. Primary level 1; both 1^st and 2^nd place was achieved by Madiston Primary School. For secondary level 1 pupils; Braes High School walked away with 1^st and 3^rd place, leaving Larbert High School 2^nd place. Again, secondary pupils’ level 2 placed, Denny High School 1^st, Larbert High 2^nd and Braes High School 3^rd.  As a team, Larbert High School was extremely happy to have walked away with 2, 2^nd place medals.

 

Larbert's super-talented gymnasts show off their medals

 

Well done to all the Larbert High Gymnasts, it was a great event and a great day all round!

 

 

 

 

 

by Fraser and Erin

Erin Kerr Tells Us Why Famous Ballet Choreographer Tchaikovsky Is So Important

Today, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake remain hits for ballet companies around the world. Each has been carefully written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Tchaikovsky, pictured here getting ready to bust a move at any moment

 

The Nutcracker is a ballet for a certain time of year. It has charmed Christmas audiences over the years with its range of gorgeous music and historic moves, but the performances and interpretations have changed hugely.

Sadly, Tchaikovsky didn’t live long enough to see his ballet become an international success. He died in 1893 (aged 53.) Years following his death ‘The Nutcracker’ was performed in Russia and the rest of Europe.

It was first performed in the United States in 1940 when the ballet created a shorter version of it in New York City. The first full version of it was performed in the USA in 1944 by the San Francisco Ballet. Over the years this successful ballet has got better over the years becoming more and more popular every year round.

In the years between Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky's musical abilities definitely grew, in this time he wrote another ballet, The Sleeping Beauty, whose score is just as inventive as The Nutcracker. He used the unique colours of the woodwind instruments that he continues using in The Nutcracker. To compare Swan Lake to The Sleeping Beauty, Sleeping Beauty is more musical in space making greater use of the full orchestra.

Swan lake is one of the most influential and important ballets of all time

 

‘Swan Lake’ in particular has caught the eyes of many.  It has been enjoyed by over 500,000 people and has enlightened audiences worldwide.

Tchaikovsky remains one of the most influential and important choreographers ever to have lived.





by Erin Kerr

 

 

Steven Fray's Premiership Round-Up

Liverpool vs Southampton

1-1

 

 

 

 

The home side dominated the first half and most of second. A great cross from James Milner set up Christian Benteke perfectly for a belter of a headed goal in the 77th minute. Benteke’s goal should have been enough to ensure Liverpool Jurgen Klopp's  first win for Liverpool.

 

Liverpool though were denied their win in the dying minutes of the game as Sadio Mane managed to score a goal to earn Southampton a draw. After scoring Mane was shown a second yellow card which meant he was sent off in the dying minutes of the game.

The draw means Southampton are 8th and Liverpool and one place behind in 9th. Both teams have 14 points each and are separated by goal difference.

 

 

Newcastle vs Sunderland

0-3

Adam Johnston’s successful penalty just before half time gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. Newcastle captain Coloccini was controversially red-carded while challenging Fletcher which gave Sunderland the penalty from which they scored.

 

It went from bad to worse for Newcastle as Jones short range goal and Fletcher’s half volley goal sealed Sunderland’s victory

 

 

 

 

Tottenham 3 vs Aston Villa 1 

With high hopes for Aston Villa’s new manager Remi Garde it ended badly as he had to watch his team beaten comfortably from the stands.

 

 

In the second minute of the match Dembele went unchallenged in the box and hit the ball past Aston Villa goalkeeper Guzan and into the back of the net. Just before the half time whistle Alli’s shot on goal from 18 yards out whistled into the net to make the game 2-0 at half time.

 

In the 78^th minute Jordan Awey for Aston villa scored but Harry Kane restored the advantage in the 90^th minute when he scored to make the final result 3-1.

 

 

 

Watford 2 vs West Ham United 0

 

 

 

After an even first 39 minutes Ighalo robbed Andy Carol of possession inside his own box and hammered the ball home. Then, just 3 minutes after the break Ighalo got his 7^th goal of the season to seal the points for Watford.

 

 

 

 

by

 

Steven Fray

 

 



 

 

 

Fraser Gardiner's Premiership Round-Up

 

 

Fraser Gardiner gives us a unique round up of some of the biggest moments in the English Premier League.....

A quick start from Scotland International Mat Ritchie wasn't enough to save Bournemouth from a Tottenham onslaught

The premier league is the most exciting in the world, especialy when two of it's biggest team's face off...???

A brilliant Kone hatrick saw Everton romp home after Sunderland got themselves back in the game after 50 minutes

Jurgen Klopp piles more pressure on the 'Not-So-Special-One'

Innes O'Donnell Gives us a Run-Down of Last Weekend's german Bundesliga Matches

Bayern Munich 4 - Cologne 0

Bayern Munich made it 10 out of 10 as they thrashed Cologne 4-0.  Arjen Robben came back from injury to score his 3^rd goal in this Bundesliga season. Just 5 minutes later Arturo Vidal scored and in the second half Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller both scored scored to make it 4-0.  Bayern Munich had 74% possession and 26 shots made it clear that Bayern Munich are one of the most difficult sides in Europe to play against with players such as Robert Lewandowski terrifying opposition defences.

 

Bayern have been, quite litterally, invincible so far this season

 

Broussia Dortmund 4 - Augsberg 1

Borussia Dortmund were winners over the weekend as well as they destroyed Augsburg 5-1.  Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat trick and German international Marco Reus scored the other 2 goals.  Dortmund earned their 7^th  win this season but they remain in 2^nd  place still 7 points adrift of unbeaten leaders Bayern Munich.

 

Aubameyang was Dortmund's hatrick hero keeping them in second place

 

Monchengladbach 3 - Schalke 1

3^rd place Schalke Lost to Borussia Monchengladbach with goals from Lars Stind , Raffael, Julian Korb.  An own goal from Broussia's young Danish superstar Andreas Christensen gave Schalke a consolation goal.

 

Wolfsburg 2 - Darmstadt 0

Wolfsburg also won against promoted Darmstadt 98.  Daniel Caligiuri came off the bench in the 75^th minute to score the opener and again 3 minutes later in the 78^th minute. Wolfsburg now move into 4^th place, 1 point ahead of Hertha Berlin.

 

Leverkusen snatch victory in the dying minutes of an enthralling game against Stuttgart

 

Bayern Leverkusen 4 - Stuttgart 3

4-3 was the final score from the Bayer Leverkusen vs. Stuttgart game.  All of the goals were scored in the second half with Admir Mehmedi's late goal in the 89^th minute giving Leverkusen all 3 points.

 

 

 

 

by Innes O'Donnell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larbert U-14's are OUt-Muscled by a Strong Grangemouth Side

Wednesday 28th October U-14's.

 

Grangemouth 6-2 Larbert

(Stefan Morrison 2)

A chilly and windy day saw the home side out-muscled by a strong Grangemouth in a 6-2 hammering for Larbert. Larbert now have drawn 2 and lost 1 in the league.

 

Larbert High U-14 Team 2015/16

 

Larbert started poorly by conceding an early goal, it was a pass back to Evan Taylor who fumbled the ball straight to the Grangemouth striker who didn’t disappoint. After the goal Larbert started to press the ball and their confidence started to build.

 

Larbert grabbed an equaliser 7 minutes before half time after a foul from Grangemouth. Ryan Dewar played the ball quickly and Stefan Morrison found himself through on goal finishing nicely when one on one with the keeper and grabbing his first goal of the day.

 

5 minutes before the break Larbert should have had 2 or 3 more goals with Cameron Donnan on form and Ryan Dewar looking sharp after an injury scare. Larbert were gelling together as a team and before they it was half time, unwelcome after finishing the half so strongly.

 

Mr Sheild's tries to inspire his players to victory in his half time team talk

 

Half time 1-1

The 2^nd half was looking good from a Larbert perspective, they started as strongly as they had finished in the 1^st half. However a free kick within 25 yards of the goals saw Grangemouth player Eli Allan score a stunner into the bottom corner which Evan Taylor couldn’t keep out. For the rest of the half it was one-way traffic with Grangemouth scoring regularly. However Larbert did score with a good goal by Stefan Morrison after a powerful shot into the bottom corner with the score at 6-1 Grangemouth. But I wasn’t to be and the final score was 6-2 to Grangemouth.

Larbert’s stand out performer was goal scorer Stefan Morrison with Grangemouth player Eli Allan bagging the man of the match award thanks to his well taken free kick. The U-14’s tough start to the season continues as they look forward to a Scottish cup match against St Pauls high school.

 

 

 

 

 

by

Calum Grant