Celtic FC Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2014/15 Mod Warning post #6011

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Sorry for changing topic, but is Keith not around these days and did he ever pay that bet he lost?

Paul McBride QC Memorial scholarship

By: Newsroom Staff on 15 Sep, 2012 00:11

A SCHOLARSHIP in memory of Scottish lawyer and QC, Paul McBride, is being set up to support students at the University of Strathclyde’s Law School. The scholarship, sponsored by Celtic Charity Fund, will enable a talented student from a deserving background to study on the UK’s first Master’s degree in Advocacy.

Paul was a graduate of the University and was the youngest QC ever appointed in the UK. He had planned to return to the University to teach on the new course before his tragic death in March this year.

George McBride, Paul’s father, said: “We are very moved by this fitting tribute and honour to our son’s memory. Paul was to teach on the Master’s degree course at the University where he studied, and he would have approved of these scholarships aimed at giving those with real ability but little funds the opportunity to study the subject that was his life’s work.”

The scholarship has been funded by Celtic Charity Fund and will enable a student for a fixed term of one year to study major aspects of the discipline, including forensic advocacy in criminal and civil law, mediation, and the fundamentals of persuasion and negotiation.

Paul’s mother, Mary, said: “Paul had represented Celtic on a number of occasions and was a great supporter of the football team. Celtic Charity Fund’s support will encourage the next generation of advocates to develop their skills irrespective of any financial difficulties they may face.”

Celtic Manager Neil Lennon commented: “Paul was a very fine man, a great friend of mine and a great friend of Celtic and he is, of course, still sadly missed by us all. He was a passionate supporter of the Club and it is magnificent that the Club is now able to establish this scholarship in Paul’s name.

“Through his ability and spirit, Paul offered and achieved so much in his life - it is very pleasing that this scholarship will now allow others to follow in his footsteps. This is a most fitting tribute to Paul and all that he achieved, and one which Celtic is delighted to support.”

Paul dedicated his life to legal work from an early age, and left school at 16 to begin a law degree at the University of Strathclyde. He graduated at 19 and was called to the Scottish bar at the age of 22, taking silk at 35. He defied suggestions that he was too young and inexperienced, and became one of the most sought-after QCs in the country.

Scotland’s former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini QC, who developed and leads the new LLM course, said: “Paul was a superb advocate who cared passionately about ensuring that the most able progressed, irrespective of their means or background.

"He was a very generous man and I know he gave advice and financial support to a number of junior colleagues or those thinking about law as a career but who were struggling to find funds.

“This scholarship in his memory will provide the funds to allow outstanding candidates to flourish.”

Paul’s partner, Gary, said: “I am extremely proud of this honour being bestowed in memory of my partner, Paul. I would hope that the students who receive this scholarship do not take it lightly and work very hard to gain their degree just as Paul did when he graduated at only 19-years-old.

"I would like to thank everyone involved. Paul would have been delighted yet humbled by this.”

Derek Ogg QC, added: “Paul McBride was a dear friend and much admired colleague. His excellent and uncompromising academic mind made him a ferocious and brave advocate for justice wherever he found it wanting.

"His generosity of spirit and decency of heart made this prodigious talent tolerable to us lesser beings.

“Many, many people have cause to remember individual acts of kindness from Paul. He helped others to get a hand up. Irrespective of station in life, Paul could never resist a plea for help.

"He would be thrilled that in his memory these funds have been set up to help others. That they marry together academia and access to justice is the perfect tribute to such a decent and much missed Scot.”

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19612214

Celtic manager Neil Lennon criticises players' attitude

One thing that stuck out at me reading his comments after the game

I'm not going to answer any more questions on Champions League games before SPL games because I just think it's festering into the players and they look like they took their eye off the ball.

Lennon needs to do more than tweak how his press conferences go! He could be doing more to control the media talking to players and continually asking questions about UCL games when there is a league match to be played first. The onus is on him and the coaching staff to address the attitude and mindset in training. If he says he cant spot a problem in training then he aint looking hard enough!

What I detected was a listlessness, we looked leggy at times and there was no real urgency about our play.

"We did create some chances but we weren't sharp enough to finish them off and defensively, at times, we looked poor; not committed enough to challenges, letting people run off us.

He cant say that this sort of thing cannot be sorted on the training ground, ultimately he's responsible for their attitude and all the mistakes he saw out there today. The Hibs game should have been warning enough for him.

Dempsey wrote: »

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19612214

Celtic manager Neil Lennon criticises players' attitude

One thing that stuck out at me reading his comments after the game



Lennon needs to do more than tweak how his press conferences go! He could be doing more to control the media talking to players and continually asking questions about UCL games when there is a league match to be played first. The onus is on him and the coaching staff to address the attitude and mindset in training. If he says he cant spot a problem in training then he aint looking hard enough!



He cant say that this sort of thing cannot be sorted on the training ground, ultimately he's responsible for their attitude and all the mistakes he saw out there today. The Hibs game should have been warning enough for him.