United States’ YellowCarded blogtalk radio presenter Stephen Brandt talks Celtic

Stephen Brandt is our Fan Of The Week on The Celtic Star…

Next up for our very popular feature on The Celtic Star is Stephen Brandt. Stephen runs YellowCarded Pod on blogtalk radio in the States. They talk the World Game. He’s been doing that for 5 years up to this point. He’s also written many history articles on the sport and a couple of really good Celtic ones. Stephen is also a Youth Coach in the States, where he coaches refugees in Buffalo NY.

You can follow Stephen on Twitter @StephenCBrandt – as always Scott Alcroft asks the questions for The Celtic Star…

What’s your first memory of Celtic?

The 2007 season. I was a groundskeeper, and we got to listen to the radio while working. I had Sirius, and they’d play Celtic matches on Saturday’s, and I’d get up just for them. I can’t tell you how many of the players I remember because, it was the just the fun of listening to matches.

What was the first game you went to?

There’s never been one, I’m Stateside, and it’s not easy to get over. I would love to get over for a match, could be a reserves. I’ve watched or listened to many. My favorite to listen to many times is the 1967 European Cup. It’s not in complete form, but we get many highlights online. Just fun to watch a club be a first.

Who are your top 3 favourite Celtic players and why?

Kenny Dalglish – I like smaller players who look like they were just normal people. The goals he scored were amazing.
Henrik – too good a player for the UK, the closet thing Celtic has had to a God on the field.
Scott Brown – I love hardmen. He should have been born years ago when there were hardmen. How he goes after that blue club is great.

Best game you’ve ever seen involving Celtic in your time?

Celtic 4 that club in Blue 0 Scottish Cup 15 April 2018.

Worst game you’ve ever seen involving Celtic in your time?

Any loss to that club that wears blue. I dislike them with such a passion that I don’t use any name they use. I don’t even follow people who talk about them who dislike them.

Pick your best ever Celtic X1?
Boruc
Craig
Gemmell
McNeill
Clark
Auld
Brown
Johnstone
Wallace
Lennox
Larsson

Give us a funny or surreal moment from your time supporting the Hoops?

I have a Lisbon Lions jersey, and Americans think it’s a Where’s Waldo shirt. Different colors, and you know Celtic is better than a hippie lost in books for kids.

Give us your assessment on how last season went?

Freaking amazing, a double treble. That’s almost Football Manager like (I’ve played as Celtic on every Football Manager there is). It shows that the Scottish game isn’t actually horrible. I’m a fan of the league, don’t know why, but it seems old, and what the sport should be.

If you could choose 3 players from our history that would benefit today’s side, who would they be and why?
Bobby Lennox, Billy McNeill and Danny McGrain.
I’ve read a lot on the Lisbon Lions, and the fact that Celtic is the first club on the Island to win Europe is fun. Danny McGrain is my favorite and was a player ahead of his times. Look at his game, and you see today’s
players.

Finally, explain to us what Celtic means to you?
Celtic is fun, the fans are amazing. Celtic means family. Some of the best fans, sorry supporters in the world.

Scotty says…

Stephen thanks for taking part. It’s supporters like yourself that show just how big Celtic really are with you coming all the way from America. I hope that you get to fulfill your dream of watching a game at Celtic Park in the flesh one day. It truly is a magical thing.
Your best X1 is made up mostly of our Lions and who could argue with that? Once again, thank you for coming on and we all at The Celtic Star hope to see you at Paradise soon for a game. HH

Interview for The Celtic Star by Scotty Alcroft
#FanOfTheWeek
@Scotty10IAR on Twitter

Meanwhile the latest podcast from the Football Blogging Awards Podcast of the Year for 2018 – The Celtic Star Podcast is out now. Paul John Dykes is joined by Jackie’s best mate, a player who won every domestic honour for Celtic in the 1990s – Simon Donnelly.

Simon discusses the season when Wim Jansen’s side stopped the ten; his friendship with Jackie McNamara; the brilliance of Paolo, Pierre and Henrik; his regret at not winning the league for Tommy Burns; and the meteoric rise of Andrew Robertson.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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