With Paul Hartley away to Bristol, I'm struggling to find someone, ANYONE, at Celtic even half as hot as Paul Hartley.

Hartley at Bristol, sadly without the beard scruff too

As previously mentioned, I liked Paul Hartley because he looked nothing like an arrogant football player but instead, resembled a sensitive bohemian intellectual. And, I suppose, he was a good midfielder but honestly, who am I kidding?! I'm Canadian - I like hockey - what do I really know about football!?

Nevertheless, in my quest to further my interest in football, I need an emotional investment in it. Or rather, I need a dude to crush on now that Paul Hartley is, sadly, somewhere in England. Sure, there is Darren O'Dea, who is, what I would term "cute" but necessarily "hot", mainly because he is only 22 and it just feels wrong to crush on someone so...young?

However, all hope is not lost. I give you Paddy McCourt (originally from Derry and 26)!


Dude does not look like a footballer - more like a drummer. Or maybe a bass player in an indie band. He looks like he rocks out to Led Zeppelin and hard too.

As you can see, I have a "type" and I'm the first to admit it (dark hair; dark eyes; half-way intelligent; looks like they rolled out of a dumpster; scruffy). Unlike some of my Scottish counterparts, however, I'm not really hung up on height, weight, or income.

After mourning Hartley's premature departure from Celtic, I told my boyfriend about McCourt, my new Celtic crush. To which he replied, "shame he isn't very good!" Hey, like I said, I'm Canadian. Besides, who cares!? McCourt looks more like the kinda guy who would go snowboarding with me, listen to Dinosaur Jr. and drive a beat up Volvo and as far as I'm concerned, that's hot!

Why Mo Johnston still stirs emotions across Glasgow

Mo Johnston's decision to snub Celtic and join Rangers 20 years ago caused uproar and the wounds have still yet to heal

Mo Johnston scores for Rangers during his successful spell at Ibrox. The former Celtic player's move caused uproar in Glasgow. Photograph: EMP.

The most striking aspect of any glance back towards the day Maurice Johnston first pulled on the blue of Rangers following his transfer in July 1989 is that some of the comments made by the club's followers would have seemed more apt 200, not merely 20, years ago.

"It's a sad day for Rangers," insisted one. "There will be a lot of people handing back their season tickets. I don't want to see a Roman Catholic at Ibrox. Rangers have always stood for one thing and the majority of the support have been brought up with the idea of a true blue Rangers team."

Read more from the Guardian article

This is also why whenever Paul and I are back in Toronto, we're not allowed to go see Toronto FC (Mo Johnston is the Toronto FC Manager and former Head Coach). Frankly, I don't care - I just want to attend a football game and be able to drink beer!

Poppy, on his boat (Joy II), which he designed and built himself, c. 1973

Recently I was back in Canada, on a last minute 10 day trip to see family. Specifically my Poppy (Grandfather), who was in hospital, and to stay with my Nanny and keep her company. I returned back to Glasgow on Sunday morning. Sadly, two days later, my Poppy died. Today is his funeral.

I'll always remember my Poppy, the only Grandfather I ever had, as a kind and gentle man. It may sound trite, as people often say that about those who have passed away, but my Poppy was genuinely a soft-spoken and generous soul. He was both a successful business man and talented artist.

I will always cherish my memories of Poppy: Poppy taking my Mom, brother and I to Walt Disney World in 1988; (begrudgingly) watching The Lawrence Welk Show after dinner; going to dinner at Swiss Chalet; dancing with him to the soundtrack of the Cabbage Patch Kids; his love of sugar on tomatoes (yelch!)

You will always be remembered.

Garnold Dean Peacock - Peacefully at Kingston General Hospital on July 21, 2009, in his 84th year. Beloved husband of Shirley (nee Neely) of Belleville and loving father of Joy Peacock, and her husband Don Edwards, of Kingston. Predeceased by his daughter Linda. Cherished grandfather of Jason ***** of Toronto and Jennifer *****. Also a beloved family member to Cyril and Isabel Shaw of Eldorado, John and Joan Neely of Sarnia, and Vicki and Tony TerHaar of Belleville. Special uncle to Scott and Stephen TerHaar, Diane Meade, Sherry Erick and Scott Shaw.

Garn was born on the family farm in Foxboro, Ontario in 1925. In 1959, Garn and Shirley moved to Belleville, where he first established Peacock Drywall. Over 40 years, his business expanded and flourished on Newberry Street as Peacock Fasteners and Building Specialties. In 1999, Garn sold the business and it continues to operate in its original location. Garn will be always remembered by his family, friends and business associates as a truly kind and gentle man. In both his personal and business life, he was known and respected for his honesty, generosity, integrity and professionalism. At home with Shirley, Garn was admired by all for his exceptionally green and healthy lawns, and for the care and attention he gave to their beloved companion animals, most recently Smokey and Hershey.

Although Garn loved flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society in his memory. Arrangements entrusted to the JOHN R. BUSH FUNERAL HOME, 80 Highland Ave. Belleville. A memorial service for Garn Peacock will be held Friday, July 24th, at 2 p.m. at Hastings Park Bible Church, 36 Harder Drive, Belleville. In advance of the service there will be a visitation at the church beginning at 1 p.m. Friday. Following the service, there will be a reception, also at the church. Interment at Belleville Cemetery. Online condolences www.quintefuneralcentres.com .

Danny Bhoy's Visitor's Guide to Scotland - SO funny, you NEED to watch

I arrived in Toronto yesterday (very last minute trip to see family) and arrived to this: Toronto's three week old garbage strike! A normally clean and sterile city, Toronto now resembles New York City in the 1970s.

Photo from here

Paul Hartley Watch

Gutted.

Paul Hartley is going to Bristol City. I don't even know where Bristol is (what? I'm Canadian and live in Scotland), but it looks like I'm going to be a part-time Bristol City fan, in addition to Celtic. My interest in Celtic has taken a hit; who else am I going to watch on the pitch while feigning interest in Celtic!?

I adore Paul Hartley - I think he's a great player who gave his all for Celtic. More importantly, however, I think he's hot.

To me, he's hot because he doesn't look anything like a footballer. Rather, when he lets his beard scruff grow (*swoon*), he looks like a sensitive and dishevelled artist/musician/ bohemian babe and what cultured lady doesn't love that homeless artsy look?! Seriously, the more it looks like he rolled out of a dumpster, the hotter Hartley is!

Better get that number 11 Celtic jersey before it's too late.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

A new manager at Celtic and already I don't like him. How could you let Hartley go, Mowbray?!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

Try to forget the little factual error in the chorus - "Brits have got the monarchy". Unfortunately, so does Canada; that old goat is head of state in Canada too. FTQ! (as my brother likes to say!)