 Saturday, April 05, 2008
Four heavy seasons end in failure for Celtic
My friends in Celtic, tonight, for the first time in some years, we must look failure in the eye.
In football, no plans come with a guarantee, and despite some early season promise and a Champions League campaign that will live long in the memory, our plans for this season have failed.
I had a moment of clarity when I heard Giorgios Samaras had been dropped. Right there and then I knew all hope was lost. The McDonald – Vennegoor of Hesselink partnership which had failed so consistently and predictably in recent months was served up one more time; a sense of foreboding overtook me.
And more; the persistently disappointing central midfield partnership of Brown and Donati were again deployed and performed as expected.
Our reenergising January transfer signings; Barry Robson, the in-form player in Scotland, and Samaras, who enables Celtic to hold the ball and build attacks, were left to watch until it was too late.
I believe that the best squad in Scotland will end the season without any medals.
Most of us have lived hand-in-glove with Gordon Strachan these last three years. For two years we enjoyed the greatest of times against all Scottish opposition. We were there at victories against Manchester United, Milan, Benfica and Shakhtar. We have watched Celtic in the latter stages of the Champions League. Twice.
Gordon Strachan has a proud place in our history; I have loved every minute of his thrilling time at the club.
I love the way he took the challenge of managing Celtic to the media, I love the affection he feels for the club and I love the way that defeat cuts him to the bone, but the shelf-life of a Celtic manager is finite, and it is now time for Gordon to move on.
In the Summer of 2006 Gordon crystallised many of our thoughts when he spoke of Team One performing beyond their resources by winning the championship so comfortably, and he looked forward to Team Two being able to build on his foundations and play the kind of football he aspired to.
But for the fourth consecutive end-of-season we have a considerable rebuilding exercise to undertake. Our successes have been won on merit, but no foundations have been established; each Autumn’s progress has recanted in the Spring.
It is easier to end a relationship with a winning manager that to recruit a new one, and if you know your history, you will know that recruiting a manager who will better two championships out of three is statistically unlikely, but this must now be contemplated.
I thought the Celtic support were absolutely magnificent today. As one or two unworthy profanities were aired towards the end of the game the fans rose in song to support Celtic.
It was a timely reminder that we remain a grand old team to play for.
270 Comments:
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Told you theres no g.o.d.
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Our manager has been exposed as the one dimentional statistic spouting soundbite spouting comic that he is.
He is out of his depth and the board must take more care with the next man.
Oh and no roy keane please that would be silly. We need experience of managing at the higher level of the game than a roy keane tony mowbray or davie moyes would bring.
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Posted at the end of the last article, among other worthy lengthy posts that deserve further reading.
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I'm hurting a lot after today, as I'm sure we all are.
I've felt pai every time we've not won the league in my time, and considering my formative years were in the 90s, that's a lot of hurt, not properly balanced with joy.
But I'm hurting most from this one.
Now before I go on, I concede that it's still mathematically possible for things to swing round in our favour. And I'll be there at Fir Park next week to roar the Bhoys on.
But I'm a little fragile and low on faith this evening.
Why am I hurting most this time.
Two words: Walter Smith.
He delivered so much hurt to us in the 90s. Particularly the latter years. Who can forget the season where Burns' Celtic played awesome football, lost just one league game, amassed a total of points bettering the winning total of Rankers in the previous season. Only to be outdone.
But we got a measure of success over him. We stopped him getting 10 in a row.
That felt amazing, given the misery of 9 years prior to it.
One league win to his 6 or 7 didn't stack up, but we stopped him making history.
In the intervening years, he took Everton into relegation trouble, then dumped from a high height on the national team. Even if you're not a Scotland fan as I am, you surely can see the treachery there when the mint came calling. Into the bargain he got an easy ride in the press for that.
I'm hurting so much because here he is about to inflict the last laugh on us, and stirring up all our supposedly laid to rest insecurities.
I will stop short of posting an opinion on the future of Mr Strachan, as I've been a proponent of stability, and my judgement is clouded by pain at the moment.
I'll address that one with a clearer head.
despondenthappyclapperCSC
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Nay, nay and thrice nay.
I do not think it is acceptable for people in the stadium to spout venom and hatred towards anyone who represents the Club.
By all means sound off on here, in the pub or on the phone ins (if you really must), but not at Celtic Park.
Some of the stuff coming out during the last five minutes really turned my stomach.
I think those who commit to a season book have an obligation to support or like me (sometimes), suffer in silence.
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i don't think i have loved anything about strachans reign
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Surely we are beyond contemplating a change, Paul? We have given away a title that was there to be won through our own inadequacies. We have failed to deliver a blow to the dark side and let them out of jail with our own profligacy.
I agtee with you totally on the team selection. I would have started with Samaras, Robson and Hartley today. And I would certainly have changed the formation when they went down to 10 men.
The lack of any tactical variation makes us an easy team to play against. Too many managers have figured out how we play and concequently how to stop us.
Gordon Strachan has given us some great memories during his tenure. But he can't take us any further and it's now time for someone else to take up the challenge.
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The malcontents at the end of the match brought shame on the Celtic support and gave the media much to talk of in the coming days.
Celtic In Crisis anyone?
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paul67
hear hear re the support
it was tough to watch today but apart from a few guys going over the score the fans were supportive and got behind the team
a sad day ...but a watershed IMO
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Evening Paul,
Fair post. I think we can all see that the end is nigh for Strachan.
Can we take it that this post will echo favourably with Lawwell and Desmond? Is the club genuinely contemplating change tonight?
As for posters berating fans... get a grip. That's football at big clubs. Frankly Gordon Strachan deserved everything that was shouted at him today.
Sad but true.
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Paul
Great points in your article about the team selection. I shared your dismay.
You can argue that centre halfs and strikers are important partnerships.
But in my humble opinion, the centre mid partnership is the most important in a team. Those two guys barring injury/suspension should be first on the team sheet, and be charged with making the team tick.
We haven't had two guys this season. We've had too many changes, and no stability.
The choice up front today was lamentable too. The faith shown to VoH is baffling. I believe Killen would've scored as many this season with the same number of starts, and spurned as many too. (Not advocating Killen to play)
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previously,,,,,,,,,
I understand those who advocate that Strachan has earned another year despite this season`s debacle
IMO...it is the deficiencies in the management of our team that mitigates against it
he has purchased some awful players this season
he has failed to address problem postions
he continues to play his fav players regardless of the standard of their performance
he refuses to adjust his predictable tactics in games when it is required
he doesn`t know his best team
he changes the midfield weekly for no discernable reason
his substitutions are often too late and ineffective
his team lacks heart and application
for me considering the foregoing, the regression has been too severe and too damaging ....we are almost at pre MON years
therefore Strachan`s time`s up
and that`s before the dreadful results are considered
BTW..the huns are poor and they are running away with the league because of us not in spite of us ....we are in the midst of our own PLG season
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Hear hear pfayr, wise comments, that I agree with for the most part.
There's one guy in our squad that barely gets a look in.
When he has played, rarely, in the past, he hasn't put a foot wrong (when played in his preferred position).
I often see calls on this blog for Balde to be brought.
I give you Darren O'Dea.
Who could blame this lad if he leaves in the summer, he deserves to be playing football.
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I cant say I have loved every minute, I wont mention the moments but I know what you are meaning P67.
What gets me tonight is the fact I got myself convinced the League was still ours again this week.
As I write this Im starting to think the same again, but as someone else said earlier,its the winning games thats the problem.
What makes it realy hard is the thought of them coming to Celtic Park gloating, that is totally unacceptable.
The only way that can be delt with is by a 6-2esk performance or banning them.
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Well said Paul67.
The rendition of 'we are celtic supporters' was an excellent act of defiance that galvanised the few of us who were still in the stadium at that time. I am approaching 40 yrs old and have never heard the like of what was directed at the Celtic manager today. I was not surprised however, I personally have never, and will never boo at a Celtic team/manager although today I certainly wanted to.
I fear that if Gordon Strachan remains then we will soon be heading for another Generation of Domination by TFOD.
You are right to highlight the pitfalls of recruiting a new manager as theree are no guarantees of sucess, however it is time for the SSM to show what he is made of.
I hope they act now, before it is too late for next season.
Hail Hail
MF
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from previous thread
Like Paul one glance at the team sheet before the game gave me a depressing sense of what was to unfold. This was the same tired ineffective team who've been failing all season long.
Samaras was good at Ibrox, Hartley was decent at Ibrox but these two were dropped in favour of Donatti, who's shown no form since siging and McDonald who's hasnt been prolific for several months.
There are plenty of options for Celtic just now. Robson, Hrtley Samaras,Hutchison,Wilson,Mizuno,Balde,O'Dea and countles others in the reserves.
All these players can feel agrieved at not getting a game today while Gordons trusted team let him and us down again.
Gordon has kept faith in a few players they have shown him to the exit door and I hope messrs Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Brown, Donatti, Nakamura and JVofH are very proud tonight.
Gordon must go and now. Not at the end of the season so we can then indulge in several weeks of managerial limbo and leave the new incumbent with no time to plan for the new season leaving us already playing catch up.
Gordon should be sacked on Monday morning and let Lennon take the team for the last few games. Use this time to identify and recruit a replacement worthy of our great club.
No more cheap options.
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When was the last time we were heading into a home game against the fod, having failed to score in our last 3 home games, nevermind the last 4 games overall against them?
As I said above, I've been a supporter of stability.
But I note with interest that a certain manager down south has not yet signed an extension to his contract.
If you told me now that Davey Moyes would be in charge at the start of next season, I'd happily support it.
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If Gordon`s completely to blame,then he should resign.
However,if that`s the case,then no blame attaches to the other list of suspects recently accused.
To wit:The Scottish press,The Scottish League,the referees and the PLAYERS.
We can`t have it both ways.
Gordon deserves our loyalty.He`s earned it.
Forget the ...... in a row stuff.Today.That was Big Jock`s curse.
The curse of success produces .....
the curse of expectation,and a few expletives into the bargain.
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Paul,
Dropping Hartley and Samaras - two of our best performers at Ibrox - in favour of Donati and a JVOH/McDonald partnership summed up Gordon Strachan's failings this season.
A moment of clarity - and despair.
Curious that he repeatedly fails to drop poor performers???
The core of the team has been flawed most of the season (with the exception of McDonald, until very recently):
Caldwell & McManus
Donati & Brown
JVOH & McDonald
Incredibly, these players have been selected despite shocking performances and despite there being better players - in-form players - available.
Bobo Balde.
Paul Hartley.
Barry Robson.
Giorgios Samaras.
I heard the team on the way to the game and any hope I harboured of winning the required 8 remaining games evapourated.
Surely if you and I could see he hadn't picked the best team available - yet again - so can Peter Lawwell, John Reid and Dermot Desmond.
God forbid another season like this one.
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The only question is, who next?
We would all love a Jose Mourinho or Slaven Bilic, who can motivate and who can get the team playing attacking football, but this would normally be outwith our capabilities.
Do we then go for a motivator or a tactician?
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Paul67,
A sad article to have to post in the first week of April, the same week in the last 2 seasons we have wrapped up the league. I cannot however disagree with your conclusion.
The one constant over the last 3 seasons, and my continual gripe with Strachan, has been our poor structure and organisation. Strachan likes to portray that he is a student of the game and understands the finer technical points the ordinary fan (with or without their devil dog and kestrel) doesn't see. He talks about "one or two wee things" he is keen to rectify back on the training ground or "knows what the problem is" and will fix it, i.e. after Benfica in Lisbon last season. The reality is that he either doesn't understand what he sees or is incapable of conveying this to the players. I suspect it is a combination of the two.
Week in week out we play 4-4-2 regardless of opposition or circumstances during the game. Today was yet another example when we did nothing, even when playing against 10 men.
Probably the most damming evidence of the coaching has been our defence - an utter shambles throughout his tenure. The current central pairing would make a pairing of Mark McNally and Derek Whyte appear like Baresi and Maldini.
I agree we have the best squad. Unfortunately our current manager has failed to get the best out of them. At the end of the game, it was clear a number of those fans that had bothered to attend were on the brink of a revolt (the number of empty seats must be also be a concern around season ticket renewal time).
With the league all but gone, the sooner the board take decisive action, the sooner we can move on and look forward.
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o1bhoy - from previous article
lubomir was part of mon's squad, he wasn't always in his first eleven, i was trying to make a point as to the number of 1st choice players that Gordon Strachan inherited as opposed to those Martin inherited.
Artmedia was not Martin O'Neill's fault, in the same way as Martin does not get the credit for the easier draws Gordon Strachan has benefitted from in Europe
DIfferent league. Strachan must go, not fit for purpose.
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I dont normally post, I just read. Today however I feel the need to say something, which will probably disappear into space with all the other comments.
Kojo, I too am please that you have changed your writing style, which I assume is to engage others in conversation regarding you opinion on our manager.
To absolve him from blame is beyond belief and could only be the opinion of someone IMO who was not present at the ground today.
Prior to the kick-off I had read in various place that Lee Naylor had tried his manager's patience beyond it's limits and was to be dropped. This I viewed as good news.
I also read that Bobo Balde may return to the starting line-up, again I was pleased.
It was also suggested that Giorgios Samaras would start and there was a possibility that Ben Hutchison might also get a run out. More good news.
I fully expected the midfield to have both Barry Robson & Paul Hartley.
Prior to kick off and despite the result last Saturday I was very confident that the league would still be won.
Then the starting line-up was read out.
Gordon Strachan bottled it when we needed him to show this more than ever. To give us the starting line-up that he did suggested that he was satisfied with what had happened over the last few weeks, he must be the only one who was.
The reasons for him being to blame have been covered earlier in a more eloquent manner than I currently am capable due to my anger, however to summarise:
4-4-2 and an utter inability to alter from this regardless of how the opposition play or even how many of them there are. This has infuriated me for months and to continue with this for almost 40 minutes against 10 men is ludicrous
The unwillingness to alter the line-up at half time when almost to a man everyone else in the stadium can see that it is necessary, at half time I was asked if I thought there would be any changes, I replied "No that doesn't happen until the 60th minute. The first substitute came on after 60 minutes and 5 seconds. It is like watching Groundhog Day.
There are many complaints about the quality of his signings. I didn't hear these when these guys were signed. It is not IMO the quality of the players that is questionable it is the management of their performances. If they were not acting exactly as per instruction I am sure thay would be substituted without delay.
The decision to make Stephen McManus captain makes it impossible to drop him and was I believe the biggest mistake that the manager has made.
The requirement to show endless diagrams to every sustitue who is about to come on means that it takes for ever to get them on the park. This was summed up perfectly last week when Thomson was down injured for over 3 minutes and we still did nopt manage to get Scott McDonald on the pitch until the ball went out of play the next time.
The decision to play what could bestbe described as his favourites must have an adverse affect on others in the squad who have to sit week after week watching another inept performance.
Kojo these are several reasons why he is responsible and must accept the blame for our current situation. It is not onkly the players who are to blame.
Rant Over.
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evening all..
what to say about today??well pf ayr @18.48 pretty much hits the nail on the head for me...
was prepared to give the manager the benefit of the doubt for last week but his inability to fire up the team for a must win game means that as far Im concerned he must be "mutually consented" and the door shouldnt hit the proverbial on the way out...
walked into the ground saw donati plays,samaras dropped feared the worst..the substitutions which beggered belief and the total failure to grasp that game had to be won..
as for the atmosphere..thought it was awful upwhere I was in 443..the support fighting amongst themselves that is the ones who could be bothered as apathy has long set it..at times you could hear the sweetie wrappers..time for a change..both on and off the park
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From the previous article:
Newsletter, thanks for your kind words.
Kilbowie Kelt, Derbyshirebhoy and Kingdo (comic irony), excellent posts, thanks.
Benny Cake, this season the central mid-partnership has certainly been key.
Gordon J, if we don’t contemplate it, we don’t do anything about it.
Italiabhoy, I tell is as I see it today, yesterday and tomorrow, irrespective of what the board’s view is, I am sure this post will not echo favourably with them. Three years ago I opposed Gordon’s appointment and have now called for the end of his term.
But yes, I expect change.
Michael Fagan, if Celtic are to remain different, Celtic fans who know and love the club will always have to work to make them so.
P.S., Ardoch, I only refer to G.o.D twice a year although it is thrown back at me a lot more, but at times like this we have to roll with the punches.
And yes, I'm still a believer.
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Paul
this nis the best CFC webiste in the world but no way were the fans magnificenr.
3 chances in the first 10 mins should havebrought the house down but didnt
Shocked to hear
Donati was playing
hartley wasnt
Samaras wasnt
Robson wasnt - has his only start been v Barca
god, Im trying hard to be positive but I need a hand here
Off to the fridge for some more Staropramen
HAIL HAIL
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Just back from the game via the pub and realised that today was a watershed for me - I posted after the ict game that we lost the league that afternoon but I allowed myself to dream this week that "if we can win the last 8 games we can do it". The sobering fact is that we couldnt even win the first of those 8 games, at home, against 10 men for half an hour...... the lack of quality was astonishing.
The level of abuse being dished out in the north stand lower was incredible - the vitriol and bile being spouted at the players, the manager and at other supporters who dared to disagree with sacking wgs was sickening - I gave up with 10 minutes to go as I was fed up listening to the rantings of half cut nutcases wanting given / duff / dunne / keane / insert any Irish player playing in the EPL here / and how the cowards in the team could gtf.
I've seen some weird stuff in the past 35 years at Celtic - Ajax getting stuffed, the Centenary season, Neuchatel, Partizan, Raith Rovers, Fergus, Wim the Tim, KoK, MON, Seville..... etc etc but today was different - I realised I'm a different generation from most of the guys who were going mental today - I cant say I blame them, I'm just not sure what needs to or what will happen.
Apologies for a pointless and rambling post. At least I feel better now.
Paul67 - thanks for the site - it keeps me sane.
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Naw, Italiabhoy, I think it is you who shoud catch a grip.
You really have no idea what is required to be a top call professional athlete.
The fact that thes guys have put themselves in a position to pull on or manage the Hoops means they they have an ability, talent and dedication you could only dream about.
The fact you fell it justified to abuse such people only highlights your own sad, underachieving life.
Sure they've come up short. And for that they will pay the price.
But to spit venom and hatred towards them?
They've achieved more than you ever will.
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I was ashamed to hear some around me chanting, "Strachan, Strachan, get tae f888. When the cry of, "We're Celtic supporters..." rang out I was proud of the majority.
that was a horrible game and it panned out just as many of us thought it would.
But the team weren't bad. We just couldn't get the bloody ball into the net.
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the hat/any ex pro
why were Sammy and Hartly dropped
has Donati ever done anything to justify his inclusion
was our managers performance as ineffective as it appeared ie what was the game plan
i am completely bemused/confused and baffled
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a guy near me was singing the Strachan profanity song; seconds later the SAME guy was singing Over & Over - 6thi may have ben replicated throughout the ground
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Can't disagree with your view that it's time for GS to move on, Paul, but I was less enamoured of our "support" than you.
I'm sure that I wasn't alone in having a tear in my eye as "We are Celtic supporters" rang out (with this singer singing through a lump in his throat) in the 92nd minute. But the fact is that the majority of the customers had left by then. Also, from our seats in block 203, North Stand, the "Strachan Strachan GTF" song emanating from the Jock Stein stand was clearly audible and being sung by more than a few. Fortunately it was immediately booed down by the majority of the minority still in the stadium (I know, I know, but it's been a long day).
And just a thought: today was not quite the worst day in my Celtic supporting life - that was also against Motherwell but with a different Celtic manager.....
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know ayn tipyst?
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Evenin all.
Just home from the game, via the pub. I have not read anyone else's post and quite frankly, I am about to go off on one, so feel free to scroll on by.
Today I did something I have never done before. I left before the final whistle. The reason I did this was because I was in danger of gettin the jail for my abusive rantings towards Gordon Strachan. I lost it. His starting eleven selection was unbelievable.
I have always been a fan of his, but quite frankly, today, he exposed his limited managerial abilities for all to see. If he left tonight I would not be unhappy.
Gordon, your time is up. Go. Not tomorrow, or at the end of the season, but now. Go.
At the first sign of a (half hearted) challenge you have been found wanting. Your substitutions today were shocking. Why you waited until three minutes to go (when I walked out) to introduce your final substitution, is something only you will know. Why you took Scott McDonald off, in yet another like for like substitution, and allowed Naka to complete the 90 minutes, only you will understand. Quite why you failed to adjust the system at 55 minutes, to deal with a defensive, 10 man Motherwell side is inexplicable.
Sorry Gordon, today, you were found out.
Bye-bye.
True,the players have to take responsibilty also, but the buck stops at the manager. He signed the players, he picks the players, he decides the tactics.
Taxi for Strachan.
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Paul67
If ou dont mind me asking. Who be top of your wishlist to replace WGS.
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Now that the party line seems to be let's fire the manager, who, realistically are we looking at? A few thoughts...
1. MON. Wonderful servant, de facto living legend. Family situation unclear however, and he seems to have done a good job at Villa, working with a rich easy-going owner.
Likelihood: Not impossible, but unlikely
2. MOYES. The pick of the non-MON EPL candidates, former player and Sir Awex heir apparent. Demonstrated ability to work on tight (ish) budget, has threatened Big Four domination in Englandshire. Might feel that he has taken Everton as far as possible, and needs some medals in his cabinet if he is to be a realistic successor to Ferg the Merciless. On the other hand, might sniff at the prospect of the SPHell.
Likelihood: Ambitious and expensive appointment. Therefore unlikely.
3. KEANE. Mad-Irishman-in-waiting- number 2. Excellent track record at Sunderland, despite signing Ross Wallace. But developing reputation as a chequebook manager, so parsimony of Paradise a possible turn-off. Would also need to avoid the temptation to physically assault all our midfielders for tame displays. However, like Moyes might see us as a route to Manure job.
Likelihood: Definite possibility.
4. MARK HUGHES. Middling EPL manager. Going nowhere fast. Hit glass ceiling. Celtic offers medals and Euro kudos.
Likelihood: Strong. He would be barking to turn us down.
5. MCGHEE. Shaky reputation in England redeemed by making Motherwell not a bad football team. Lacks experience however, has less under his belt than GS did when he was appointed.
Likelihood: Would be bad choice, but lack of bargaining power on money etc makes him strong candidate.
6. LEVEIN. Same as McGhee, only not "Celtic-Minded".
Likelihood: High. Unfortunately.
7. LOUIS VAN GAAL. Legend of the 90s, has been relatively quiet in Holland for some time. Pluses: vast Euro experience and respect. Minuses: has Dutch tendency to start a fight in an empty room, creating more factions than a meeting of the Revolutionary Communist Party.
Likelihood: Would nned cash. Outside bet.
8. SLAVEN BILIC. Current Croatian manager, cocky, assured, likes attacking football. Might not be too expensive. However, if Croatia do well this summer, he will have no shortage of admirers.
Likelihood: Smart money outside bet if Croatia flop at Euro 08.
9. NEIL LENNON. Legendary Hoop and new first team coach. Has he been appointed with Strachan firing in mind..?
Likelihood: Possibility, but surely a huge gamble.
10. MOURINHO. Wonderful manager and MON nemesis. Genuine winner, tactically inventive, brilliant organiser and motivator. Arguably Europe's most sought-after boss.
Likelihood: Slim to non-existant. But if we have ambitions to match our big-club talk...
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italiabhoy...
11...John Hughes
Outsider, but good each way bet.
He'll be on the shopping list rather than the wish list. Don't count him out.
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How about
12: Paul Lambert with Lenny.
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deckchairs in the jungle
not pointless
not rambling
eloquent.
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On reading some of the posts, I have to say that the atmosphere was indeed horrible today. There were teenage ar*es behind me who sang a vile song which mingled the IRA with the wish that Nacho Novo would die in his sleep. These people just humiliate us all.
They were vociferous at the end with the "Go away Strachan" chants.
I turned and looked at them a few times , but am ashamed to admit that I said nothing.
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13/ronald koeman..no doubt soon to be sacked by valencia and both psv and ajax out of reach sacked by one walked out on the other..perfect command of english language and maybe worth a shout
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I've read the bizarre arguments of fan v supporter here the last few days.
It's not that I'm not clear on the differences that some have espoused, it's that I don't really accept there is a difference. Semantics indeed.
However, May67, you've hit upon it. Too many of the occupiers of hallowed seats are neither, they are customers.
Customers in general, in this heady service-led age we know now, have become more demanding, more unreasonable, more lazy, more inconsiderate, ruder, more offensive, and unprecedentedly, more prone to hissy fits.
On the best of days, I have to stand up, or shift my knees to let these guys out, earlier and earlier in games.
This is not a time time to be tearing into eachother. The media will do that for us.
But for the love of all that is holy, please be a fan/supporter, and not a customer.
Stop talking about your rights, and get singing, and stay put till the MIB tells ye you can go, and lend a wee cheer while you're there.
[To be clear, I'm not having a go at different view points on here, I'm talking stadium behaviour]
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Sorry Paul not meant as a personal dig. Knew I should not have added the dots.
I'm with newsletter, you have done a great job of rallying the troops over the season. This is the best Celtic fan site out there. Wouldn't do my moaning anywhere else ;o)
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WizardofOz, yes agree.
JohnH, also a real possibility I think.
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MAY67
Hope you are still on.
Re.punctuationgate a few days ago.
Have got to say that you were RIGHT,which means that ,by a process of elimination,your present interlocutor[Sir Humphrey squirming ]
was WRONG.
Cheers,mate.
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inchturebhoy@22.36 - loved every word!!
The stage was set for us today to grasp the nettle and to do something different and "go for it" -but no -what we got was more of the same and in the end we reaped what we sowed.
Time for change!!
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And what was the point of booing the team at half time?
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The Hat, agree. The structure has been wrong for a long time.
Danny Gall, May67, we’ve had better days, but all things considered we came through well.
Deckchairs, you still have some sanity? How do you manage that?
Michael Collins, that is a v tough question. I can only think of reasons not to want several ‘candidates’. I have given no thoughts whatsoever to the matter.
Ardoch, no worries at all.
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Felt like greetin today; at the supine performance and the 'over and over' at the end. From our faithful fans we can take heart.
The hardest part of the last few months has been the hope, even today I felt that if we got a result and DU do well tomorrow, well you never know.
Well, we know now.
I like Gordon Strachan, I think he's a professional and dedicated man. He can certainly be of worth to a football team somewhere.
He has been of worth to us, but sadly no longer. It all comes down to decisions, all decisions have to be of benefit, some may benefit ourselves, others some greater group or organisation. But some of the decisions this season have been bizarre and not benefited anyone. He has done everything he can to make us successful and has always acted in the interests of our club, but it's over.
Oh god I wish this pain would stop.
patnmick
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Dennis 47,
3 posts in a row having a go at the fans today. I think we get your point.
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Is there any CQNer online who believes Team 3 is better than either Team 2 or Team 1?
Is there any CQNer online who would have picked the team Gordon Strachan picked today?
Is there any CQNer online who would have made the substitutions Gordon Strachan made today at the times he made them?
Did those of you who believed we would win the remaining 8 games believe Gordon would have picked the right players?
Is there any CQNer online who STILL believes Gordon is the right man for the job?
If we manage to win 10 of our remaining 7 games we still have a chance.
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Strachan bottled it today with his team choice and his choices of subs baffled me. I have been a see-saw fan of WGS for the last 3 years, but he has let us down badly this year.
His luck has run out. You just cannot just keep scoring 2 goals in the last 5 mins. The last 3-4 weeks has shown this. We (He) have carried the luck on this at the start of the season and this has masked his poor performance as a manager and our performances as a team.
Thanks Gordon for the last 16, but time to go. A decent manager next year will put Smith and McCoist in their place
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Hi there,
I Know that most comments made by the unhappy fans "quite rightly" never reach the ears of the Manager .... But I'd be Gutted if Gordon listened to those fans Who've played 1 too many games of football-manager & if Their ceaseless prattle forced Him to reconsider & walk away ....
Gordon's taken Us from the despair We felt after Our last minute capitulation to Motherwell several seasons ago, to winning the league twice in a row & getting Us into the last 16 twice in a row & winning 2 cups along the way ....
He did this with the Players HE chose & brought in, whilst reducing the wages bill & getting rid of the old war-horses & lowering the over-all average age by 10 years ....
Gordon, Peter & co have gathered together the Finest Young Talent in the Entire Country, which bodes Incredibly well for many seasons to come, whilst leading the Club to a record stable financial footing .... He won 2 leagues against 3 rangers managers in a row .... (4 if You include the rangers manager who stood in for the 1 day they got gubbed against St. Johnstone ....)
Perhaps beating 3 rangers managers in a row in only 2 Years isn't enough for Some all-too-Vocal & thankless people, but it's good enough for Me & it's Still Possible to win This League too !!!!
The very Vocal so-called "Supporters" have lost All touch with Reality & Their "Gratitude" for what the wee Man has "Done" for Us ....
I believe that unfair disgruntlement has put an untold pressure on the reigning Champs & Our Manager & the fans Only really have "Themselves" to blame if that's worked it's way through to the player's equilibrium & composure in front of formations which are 10-0-0 most of the time, which They trot out on the other side of the City week in week out so often it's being Booed on & off the park ....
Mo Camara saw His last game for the club when He was held responsible for Us being unable to beat Dunfermline Who left Their 18 yard box Once in the full 90 minutes to beat Us 1-0 at home .... But I didn't blame Him ....
We play "The Celtic Way" & if You don't get LUCK then very often a BRICK WALL defence of 11 chancers CAN last for an hour & a half & frustrate even the Best of teams .... I'd like to see a CLOCK start a count-down of 30 seconds when any more than 6 defenders are in Their box .... If They Refuse to budge then a penalty should be awarded to the ATTACKING team ....
You can't win Them all & to BE a Supporter You MUST Support The Bhoys Win lose or draw .... NOT Whine & turn Your back on Men Who've Done so much in so little time for You .... With the restrictions that have been put on Gordon it's Gob-smacking that He's managed to do so much so quickly ....
Hindsight is 20-20 & We can now See that dear Gordon should've rested Our top striker against the likes of St. Mirren etc to keep McDonald hungry & raring to go .... But then the fans would've complained about not playing Him .... So when You can't win with the fans off the park, then it's no surprise to me When We stop winning on it ....
We've got a Great Team & can hold Our Own with the best in Europe, We've faltered too much domestically this season, whilst Our nearest rivals have been getting an easy time of it, but there's All Still to Play for & We CAN Still Win this League ....
The Moral of this tale is, to be a Successful manager You MUST ignore the fans .... And I for 1 am indebted to Gordon for everything He's achieved Here in this short period & I also LOVE IT when He treats the media the way They DESERVE to be treated ....
God Bless Gordon Strachan & co, the Bhoys & All the Lisbon Lions still Gracing Us with Their presence ....
P.S. I've Said since the start of the season that the corrupt Iain Blair's "secret" computer which "fixes" the fixtures should be Out in the Open, the way the draw for the Scottish Cup is .... Alas Celtic's fixtures have been tinkered & tampered with all season to Our detriment & rangers favour .... Believe it or not !!!!
Lenny's "Home" & Here's to THREE in a Row ....
HAIL HAIL !!!!
CHAMPIONEES !!!! CHAMPIONEES !!!!
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May67 - cheers - you've made an old man (I feel a darn site older than when I set out for the game) happy
Paul67 - I can only blame my restoration of sanity on the healing powers of cold guiness in the black bull..........
Dennis47 - I did exactly the same - I looked, I may even have scowled, but I said nothing. And skulked out at 80 minutes feeling ashamed of myself at saying nothing even though it's my club too
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macjay
What a gent! At last, after seven sleepless nights, I can log off!
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I can't see Moyes leaving Everton yet, and I'm sure he would see the spl as a backward step.
M Hughes. Keane, McGhee, Levein, J Hughes, Lambert, Lennon, Mowbray? Frankly what do any of them have on their CV?
Who we appoint as manager says a great deal about where we expect to be as a club, If we simply appoint an spl calibre manager we are setting out sights too low. Surely we must be going for someone with a European pedigree? A track record of winning trophies?
Frank Rikkard may be looking for a job in the summer. Don't think Martin Jol is working. What's Hitzfelt doing these days?
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Italiaboy - all round good summary of the candidates. To be petty, McGhee was been managing in England since 91 as player manager at Reading so actually has slightly more experience than GS did. Left Leicester for Wolves in 95 leaving the way open for... MON. Of the "budget" candidates I think he is the strongest. Seems to be knowledgable about the game and has been at the club before so knows what its all about. I get the impression that WGS was totally unprepared for the sheeite flung at him by the laptop loyal. After all he'd probably have expected an easy ride from tham listening to Sir Awex's Old Firm bias siege mentality guff in the 80s.
Levein can gtf. Ideally Moyes, Hughes or MON. For Moyes we would have to rely on an emotional pull but Everton will fight to keep him and I can't see DD paying a million in compensation to get a manager. Whether he should or not is another matter. Someone observed that our 2nd most successful manager arrived after we pished the boat out.Hughes might consider it but again Blackburn won't be keen to let him go. I think these are both long shots.
You may have guessed I now feel WGS has to go. His intransigience has been the rope that's hanged him. Someone said that we want to avoid a period of limbo eating into pre-season which I think is a good point.
We should however try to refrain from launching abuse at games difficult as this may be. It is manna from heaven for our enemies and will only further undermine the players. I understand the pays yer money argument but we profess to be a special club and 'Strachan GTF' chants besmirch that name.
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Jim Kerr said,
& the fans Only really have "Themselves" to blame if that's worked it's way through to the player's equilibrium & composure in front of formations which are 10-0-0
Well I've heard it all now.
Is this the first season you've ever watched Celtic?!? WE have always had to contend with teams coming to Celtic Park and playing 10 men behind the ball.
I don't what else you wrote in your post because I stopped reading after that comment.
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as a rule i dont leave early.
today i wanted to and left with seconds
remaining.
the reason...
the abuse was building and i didnt
want to hear it. im not saying he
doesnt deserve to hear a few harsh
words because he certainly does.
the amount of scuffles breaking
out as i left were off the scale.
people rightly unhappy with 50% of
who were left singing "strachan strachan
g.t.f." felt actions were better than words.
the backing was there at appropriate times.
naylor, mcmanus, caldwell, donati, jvoh, naka
(never thought id say that) are imposters. thro'
in the journeymen that are left and we are looking
shabby...and thats the way we play. boruc, mcgeady and
samaras are our only quality players and none will be
here next season. business is business and it'll be
"money in the bank".
time to smell the coffee boardmen. because the support
can smell something else. after today and some of the , no
in fact, half of what was left of the 10000 at the end
makes me want to chuck it.
and heres the crunch... if GS stays...i will.
im 38 and been a season ticket holder for 20 years.
the greatest support in the world, but sometimes you have to
take a step back and ask yourself
WHAT THE HECK ARE THEY PLAYING AT
the team sheet said it all about the stubborn wee man
we have in charge and his reaction to the question about the
supports reaction was a so what im the boss...well wee man, not
for long.
i got picked up at 14.10 by my brother in law his father and my dad. there was grumbling going on when i got in the car.
"come on we have to sho fight today guys"
reply
"youve not heard the team news then"
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Famously, in 1968 the much-respected American news anchorman Walter Cronkite made a programme critical of the Vietnam War. President Lyndon Johnson said "If I've lost Cronkite, I've lost middle America".
If Gordon Strachan's lost Paul 67 and CQN, and he seems to have, he's lost the Celtic support.
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Hi Mrs Strachan
"Once upon and time" that would be a great post, but don't by shy and hide under a false name like Jim Kerr!! I feel our team is "ghost dancing", whilst you need to "sanctify yourself"
Yes we can still win the league (Promised you a miracle)
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It would be best for all if Gordon left now.
Hanging around till the end of the season may result in more ugly scenes involving the fans. This is something we really do not need at this time.
It will also let us begin the selection process for our new manager and allow him to hit the ground running in the summer.
Decisive action required on Monday morning.
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Jim Kerr....
You were not at the match today, were you?
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he should have left last weekend...he has been a lucky manager...milan...shak...man u....all lucky - also against a dreadful huns - he has embarassed us - admit it!!!
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"Jim Kerr" is a currant bun.
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it might just be the absinthe taking hold but if the uniteds of dundee were to beat tfod then we were to beat them twice we might just have a sneaky wee cha.......
damn - the wee green fella sitting on my keyboard doing the typing just disappeared......
still, stranger things have happened.
addledbydrinkandclutchingatstrawsCSC
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Paul a measured response and rightly so. Thanks for the opportunity since Black Sunday for me to read some great posters and supporters here.
From the previous thread so feel free to scroll on by.
Well I wasn't going to but here goes. I have probably knew in my heart of hearts over the last few months that we might not win this league but defended the manager to the hilt with friends (who never liked Strachan) because it was the right thing to do. I still had hope that things would turn around and I could be proved right with my faith. I am still unsure if he needs to go.
Yesterday I wanted to post my concern with Lenny's return but with work and family committments did not get the chance. Please believe me when I say that I am not trying to be wise after the event.
I welcome Neil's return and indeed thought we would get the desired lift today and win fairly comfortably, but my sceptical side thought his return was a clear sign that the management (and I include them all here) were incapable of motivating/coaching the team. It smacked of desperation and was also an admission that the club thought the horribles had got it right this year with Wattie and Fattie.
Sorry for the long rant and I would like to emphasise that I am in no way trying to disrespect Neil or trivilatise TB's illness. This result has nothing to do with my thoughts on this move. I hope Neil and TB go from strength to strength for the club and on a personal level respectively.
I just think that this move epitomised our club's policy this year i.e. we didn't have one and this is too little too late.
Slán
Ard Macha
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On Wednesday I watched as Gordon defended zone marking at corners on Sky TV.
As much as the sight and sound of Souness still irks, I had to agree with his viewpoint. Football is a simple game, on the whole played by uncomplicated people. You complicate the game at your pearl. Too much information is a recipe for disaster. As I watched, it reinforced what I already suspected Gordon is a footballing theorist. However, his worst failing is not his mistakes but his apparent inability to learn or to admit his mistakes. We all make mistakes but you must have the sense and humility to learn from these. Gordon has been successful over the last 3 years but I see no evidence that he will take the team forward. However, I do object to such clichés as “he has lost the dressing room”. I’m sorry but how many managers have you had that you can truly say was worthy of the position or the respect? To look for a manager to inspire you is the sign of a victim. You know the type, everything is crap, they are hard done to, blah, blah! This is where these players come in. If they are not the type of people who have the self respect and pride to give their all despite the manager, then they are not fit to wear the Celtic jersey.
So in summary this group of players are either simply not good enough or not made of the fibre required to be a successful Celtic player. However, as with any team that fails the ultimate responsibility lies with the manager.
We are all part of the Celtic family. As with any family we can have our differences but ultimately we are all linked. We all suffer the lows and enjoy the highs together. They say “football is only a game” and I was reminded of this last Saturday as I left for afternoon visiting at the Royal Infirmary to see my old man after a major operation with my face tripping me. However, despite his condition, one look at his face told me what was hurting him most. Not the 40 staples in his legs, not the 12 inch wound on his chest but the fact that we had lost to “them” and the ward was “full of Huns, apart from wee Benny over there”. It made me smile. He taught me the Celtic way. It is his fault that I feel the pain tonight and it is his fault that I feel the elation when we win. It may be “only a game” but supporting Celtic is more than being a supporter. |
