John Hartson. Celtic Legend?
The other morning I was in the Newsagents – are they still called newsagents, or are they all now general stores? – buying a packet of Refreshers, bottle of ginger and some ready salted for my breakfast, I noticed a national newspaper advertising their serialisation of John Hartson’s book: ‘Please Dont Go: Big John’s Journey Back To Life‘.
I’m glad the Big Man has a public persona and is still around to tell his story. It’s a story that needs to be told and will provide support, comfort and will inspire all that have been affected by Cancer.
The story carries the headline ‘Celtic Legend John Hartson‘. I wish the man all the best but he isn’t a Celtic Legend.
The term ‘legend’ seems now to be attached to anyone who spends more than 5 minutes at a club and achieves something to tell his children about. The term has been downgraded to suit those who claim to ‘love someone’ after meeting them for 5 minutes in the fresh food aisle at Tesco or send xxx on text messages – even though they are only texting their bank back.
The Celtic Fraternity are hanging onto the ‘Seville Team‘ and are squeezing every last bit of life out of them due to the decline we have seen since. There was only one Legend in that team.
The Tribute dinner for Chris Sutton wrongly has the Legend tag as well.Of course the club can’t call it ‘Lets fleece the kids of £75 dinner for a player who was quite good for us‘. Chris played a major part in Celtic’s folklore and he will be fondly remembered for his efforts like all of the Seville and MON team. I included Lennon in this as well.
Neil Lennon is not a Celtic Legend. He was the club captain and a credit to the club in his handling of the off field issues that playing for Celtic saw delivered to his and his families door. He was part of a successful time at the club and played a major role. He was a Celtic fan who lived the dream and did very well. That’s all.
Hartson deserves his place in Celtic folklore. 102 goals sees him in an exclusive club. His place in our history was guaranteed that night at Anfield in 2003 but with THAT goal doesn’t come legendary status.
Too think it could have been all so different if a medical gave a different result and he took the dirty cash.
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