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Carlsberg don't do season run-ins...
... but if they did:
Thu 10 Apr UCQF Sporting Lisbon 0-2 Rangers
Sun 13 Apr SPL Motherwell 1-3 Celtic
Sun 13 Apr SCQFRep Partick Thistle 1-2 Rangers (AET)
Wed 16 Apr SPL Celtic 1-0 Rangers
Sat 19 Apr SPL Celtic 2-0 Aberdeen
Sun 20 Apr SCSF Rangers 0-0 St Johnstone
Thu 24 Apr UCSF PSV 1-1 Rangers
Sun 27 Apr SPL Celtic P-P Rangers
Postponed “for the good of Scottish football”, to
help Rangers’ bid to reach the UEFA Cup Final.
Thu 01 May UCSF Rangers 1-1 PSV (AET)
(PSV win 20-19 on penalties after 20 kicks each team)
Sat 03 May SPL Motherwell 2-4 Celtic
Sun 04 May SPL Hibs 1-1 Rangers
Tue 06 May SPL Celtic 1-0 Rangers (moved from 27th April)
Thu 08 May SPL Rangers 2-0 Motherwell (moved from Wed 7th May)
Sat 10 May SPL Rangers 2-0 Dundee Utd
Sun 11 May SPL Celtic 3-2 Hibs
Mon 12 May SPL St Mirren 1-2 Rangers (tbc)
Thu 15 May SPL Motherwell 1-1 Rangers (tbc)
SPL DAY OF RECKONING:
(sponsored by Sheffield Steel)
Sun 18 May SPL Dundee Utd 2-3 Celtic
(Hunt 90+6; De Vries 90+8)(Samaras 12; Hartley 37; Hinkel 56)
(Sent Off: Samaras 13; Hartley 38; Hinkel 57)
Sun 18 May SPL Aberdeen 0-6 Rangers
(Darcheville 3, 8; Thompson 45+4; Boyd 70; Novo 90+4, 90+6)
(Sent Off: Miller 27; Nicholson 49)
Wed 21 May SCSFRep Rangers 2-0 St Johnstone (AET)
Sat 24 May SCF Aberdeen 2-1 Rangers (AET)
FINAL SPL POSITIONS:
1. CHEATING AND DIVING F.C. P 38 W 28 D 5 L 5 F 87 A 29 Pts 89 GD +58
2. 9 YELLOWS IN A MATCH FC P 38 W 28 D 5 L 5 F 86 A 28 Pts 89 GD +58
NEWSFLASH: Dermot persuades Wattie to make the switch across the city!
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Walter Smith's problem has always been taking his team to the next level. At Rangers, Everton, and even the end of his short reign at Scotland he tended to struggle with the change in expectations (I know the last bit is a little harsh). After a while scraping wins on the counter attack isn't enough for fans and they end up expecting more quality. At the moment Rangers have a team in resurgence which gives their whole club a boost of confidence and generates momentum. There is a change in the kind of pressure between being the challenger to the champion which some players don't adapt well to plus teams can't rely on momentum forever as it is always temporary. Players who are playing with something to prove may struggle once they have proven themselves and when opposition learn to cope with their style is can be difficult to change. I think Walter has struggled to cope with these issues in the past and he has been guilty of standing by his favourites (more so than what Gordon is accused of) which has prohibited him from rebuilding his previous teams. It's alright at the moment as he is only just creating HIS SQUAD but when players form drops after a couple of seasons or when players get too old he struggles to phase them out and bring new guys in. Whether he has learned from his previous mistakes we're yet to find out. Walter is a good manager though and also one of the most experienced managers in Britain which people forget. We are up against a good team this season, if not spectacular, and yes they've looked unconvincing often but they get the wins and that's what matters. Plenty of big teams have struggled with them such as Lyon, Barcalona, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon, Stuttgart etc and to give them no credit does us a disservice. We have been disappointing but we have been up against a difficult challenge and we haven't coped well it's fair to say. If we lose the league this season as is expected then it will be interesting to see what happens next year when we are the wounded animal and they are the team having to cope with all the expectation. It will be interesting if Weir will be the key man in defence again and if they are able to keep Cuellar (who is wanted in England I believe) and if not how well do they do at replacing him. I certainly don't think we're a bad team just a bit short in some areas , if we can sort them out and get some self belief back I think we could have a really good team.
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Welcome Eric_Olthwaite.
Welcome also, macaroon bars n spearmint chewin gum, excellent name.
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Paul,
You're doing a great job churning out the articles. Any more news on the switch from the permanently broken Blogger?
The fixture position has now reached critical stage as you say. But is there any way the SPL will make them play 2 games in the week of a Euro semi final? But what alternative do they have?
Yet again our own failures are coming back to haunt us. In a closer race we would have had cause to object if even one game was to be moved beyond the scheduled last Sunday. But I can see the league moving the St Mirren game as it is unlikely to affect any final positions.
The Motherwell game is more difficult as it could affect 3rd place. Surely Hibs and Dundee Utd would object to this one being delayed as Motherwell could potentially go into it knowin exactly what they need for 3rd place.
Many of us opposed the postponement of the games before Lyon and the Scotland match. Talk about coming back to bite you on the bum!
I look forward to seeeing how the league squares this particular circle!
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posted on last article
Big Chips - I agree that Rangers aren't as bad as many Celtic fans make out - you definitely don't fluke your way to the semi finals of the Uefa Cup. The problem for me is by agreeing that Rangers are a good team doesn't take the pressure off Strachan.
Celtic were miles ahead of Rangers at the end of last season so strachan had a chance to build from a position of strength while Smith had to completely rebuild...Smith has built a better team than Strachan which leaves our man looking very limited. As for the question of whether he deserves another chance next season it depends on who we can realistically get to replace him...I wouldnt swap him for any of the SPL managers that are getting mentioned. In saying that, I am really really angry at Strachan this season and I think the only reason I've backed him until now is I don't have any time for the 2 groups that are always giving him a hard time: the Scottish football media and the Celtic minded brigade but I realise now that doesn't mean he hasn't cocked this entire season right up!
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Rangers are not a bad team by any stretch. They have players who know exactly what is expected of them and have a game-plan that has served them well.
We have a good basis in our squad of players but look to be very much a one trick pony. We also have a lot of dead wood that I hope will be moved on this close season.
There is still a chance and whilst that little light still flickers I'm quite happy to keep believing that the good guys can come back at the end of the movie!
On that point would you view Tony Soprano as a good guy or bad trying to do good?
Roll on Rollover Sunday
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Off Topic alert:
Hey Wise Guys, I’m only on series 4 of The Sopranos. Don’t be giving stuff away without warning
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When Celtic got to the UEFA Cup Final they had Hartson, Sutton, Thompson, Lennon & Bobo down the spine of the team. None of these were particularly spectacular footballers, but all were good hard professionals who wouldn't be bossed by the opposition. We had 2 or 3 class footballers alongside the brawn, who were thus afforded the protection needed to allow them to exercise their talents with the ball. And the net result was a successful, if not always attractive to watch, football team.
The current Rangers team has many parallels to that Celtic team. I just hope they are not as successful... after all, Cousin is no Henrik Larsson!
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Paul
As I have already said the decision has been made and is clear by Ian Blair's statement this week.
He said he always wanted the league season to finish before the Scottish Cup Final. Two things you can take from this statement.
1) The midweek after the last league game is now allocated for a league game for the huns. If it wasn't the Ian Blair would have said we always wanted to finish on the last league game day.
2) It is not a clear indication that no extention will be allowed and therefore if they are undecided it is only because they are waiting to see the outcome of last night's game and the Partick game. If they are waiting on the outcome then it must be that they are going to extend the season because if they weren't then they do not need to wait on these games. They would just say we are not extending. Waiting means agreement and the only way it will not be extended is if they got beat last night or against Partick (because it wouldn't need extending then). Or if they win the league at Celtic Park then no harm in giving them two league games midweek.
Kilmarnock have already been given the scenario this year of having to play 2 midweek games and only avoided it by winning the first of those league games and if Celtic were having Rangers' run in Europe we would not have been given the preference they are going to be given.
They are rotten to the core and if anyone believes the point about the hun ridden SFA secretly wanting the huns to fail in Europe to avoid the tough decision then they are deluded. They are praying for the huns to win the league quicker so that they avoid the tough decision.
tonybhoy
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lubo1977
Likewise, I also agree that Rangers are a better side than many care to admit. By extension almost, I don't think I agree with you, that we were miles ahead of Rangers at the end of last season. If you compare the two teams from the point that the Carmyle Cardigan took over, Rangers won more points than we did. Okay, at that point, we were already in a very strong position and maybe slackened off a bit but I do think that the mess at Ibrox when Paul Le Guen was there had a greater part to play in the gulf between the 2 teams around January 07 than the players he had at his disposal. In my view,there was not a huge gap at the start of the season.
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Hi All,
Infrequent poster – avid reader!! New member no 112445 of the long posters club
Been reading through a few of the posts and this article which seem to suggest that the extension is about to be granted. THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN!!.
Like most on here, I am unhappy at our failings this season and inability to transform our advantages into success on the park. There will be a time for a post mortem however with a very (very very) faint chance that we can perform a miracle, now is not that time.
I am a season ticket holder and go to all home games and a few (when able) away games. As a Celtic Supporter (not customer or fan). My investment is 100% emotional with the season ticket et al purely a vehicle to stand behind a social institution that represents me, where I come from and what I stand for - and against everything I believe is wrong in this bigoted little country of ours.
Everything that is asked of me by the club is given 100% and more. I continue to ensure I am an ambassador for all things Celtic when on my travels, I DO NOT indulge in tirades against the manager whilst he is undertaking his job and I steadfastly refuse to join in the baricking and abuse of players who have been considered good enough by CELTIC COACHING AND MANAGEMENT STAFF to do something that all of us on here would give their hide teeth to have done. BTW for those who do indulge in this, on behalf of the many who choose not to, we are capable of seeing when a player is struggling or not performing without the vitriol/bile to educate us.
This decision (if made) is right up there with the many that have been made to give the establishment club a lift up. We all know the many others. It is now time for the club to give something back to me and the many thousands like me (probably the majority of the Celtic Support) for the emotional investment we make.
FIGHT THIS ATTEMPT AT CHEATING ALL THE WAY!
It will not change the fact that the league is almost certainly a lost cause. It will set down a marker that this type of favouritism cannot be allowed. More is at stake than just this season.
If not, then all that will remain for me is a feeling of anger, resentment and shame towards Messers Desmond, Reid and Lawwell that when the custodians of our club were needed to stand up on our behalf, they were shown as a group of GUTLESS, IMPOTENT and PATHETIC individuals.
The P&L sheet is not the only barometer by which great Celtic men are measured.
HAIL HAIL
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At 11/04/08 11:38, Gordon_J said…
The Motherwell game is more difficult as it could affect 3rd place. Surely Hibs and Dundee Utd would object to this one being delayed as Motherwell could potentially go into it knowin exactly what they need for 3rd place.
Agreed, I don't think the SPL will schedule this match for after the season finishes in case Motherwell do need something from this match to qualify for UEFA cup. i don't think the SPL would care that it wouldn't be fair on Hibs or DU but that it would be a harder game for Rangers.
Why else do you think they are playing Aberdeen in their final(?) league game. I think the St.Mirren game will be played the midweek before the Scottish Cup Final.
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Cadizzy - fair point, you're right gap was closed after Jan 07 but I think that is even more damning against Strachan as "Walter" had even less resources at his disposal at that point.
I think all indications would be he has to go (as long as we are ambitious with his replacement) but I will obviously back the team and him until the season is over....3 in a row would be some send off for him. I thought it was over after that appalling Motherwell result but if the SPL play fair (aye right!) and make them play their games within the defined league season they could collapse.....Let's get the prayers in to St Jude immediately!
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BhoySean - I think the only level Wattie took Everton to was Down, then Further Down.
Although much was made in this country of the chairman allegedly selling players without his knowledge.
I remember reading a hilarious comment from Sally - "Notice that it's only disgruntled Everton fans who have a bad word to say about Walter".
Yes I'm sure fans of the other Premiership clubs were perfectly happy with Wattie's stewardship of the club.
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If the season is extended to help Rangers it will be the most disgusting act of blatant bias in Scottish football since the Jim Farry affair, and I hope Celtic will fight it all the way.
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What really worries me is GSs assertion that we should have won the last 5 games, it implies he thinks theres nothing to fix, I think apart from the enforced change we will see much the same team as last week
He is in denial!
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Would be an interesting debate if they do indeed try to do so.
Celtic can obviously oppose and as you say it would be an interesting puzzle for the Motherwll, HIbs and Dundee Utd chairmen.
Is there not a margin that need to agree to this for all the teams involved in the league (including those in the bottom 6)
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Call me cynical.
Rangers will NOT play 2 games a day apart.
The establishment will not allow it.
If i could bet on it - i'd put a large wedge down.
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Gordon J, there have been a couple of snags that have delayed things. Still not resolved.
Lobo1977, there was little to chose between Celtic and Rangers at the end of last season, if anything they were the stronger team.
The devil play…s, it was Peter Lawwell who first publicly invoked this debate and stated his views. Arguing against, or voting against if it came to that, is the only option I can see open to the club, not sure what else you have in mind?
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St Gris,
You got very belated mail,
Martin.
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A few thoughts.
Who is to say that we still wouldn´t be in the UC if we hadn´t FAILED to make it to the second phase of the CL.
I wasn´t in the least bit surprised to see Rangers get passed Sporting. Having witnessed how lucky they were against EPL relegation threatened Bolton second string team. How devalued is this tournament honestly ? not that I am belittling Rangers achievement far from it. I stated after Lyon lost 0.3 to Rangers that if they stick to Wattys pragmatic and only approach they could do very well. They have and they have.
Bayern are also very lucky to still be in the tournament. They are the Liverpool of the UC this season when it comes to fortuitous decisions. Uefa´s remit is to generate cash worldwide through football, never forget that. Fenerbahce and Rangers in the those finals is not what UEFA desire. Liverpool and Bayern yes ? money makes the world go round.
I really wish that we could shake off our obsession with Rangers. GOD 3 in a row even was because our focus is on bettering Rangers we all hope for a new dominating era... another 9 in a row. Which is fine if your one of Europes top teams but a poor return for a team such as Celtic and Rangers if your not making your mark in Europe.
Celtic and Rangers have both been improving in Europe recently as the coefficeint proves.As I have stated before the quality in the Bundesliga is not what it used to be. Its fair to say that Serie A is going through a lull as well and both Real and Barca are not what they used to be. Hence why I dismissed Bremens chances against Rangers. What was illuminating was seeing Schalke play 3 up front in the Nou camp and make a game of it. If you had asked me two months ago I would have said that we could take Schalke. Are there lessons to be learned there ?
I´d also like to touch on the comparisons being made between the 02/03 season and this one. Again our obsession raises its ugly head.
I would love to beat Rangers to the title on account of having scored more goals than them. As my priest used to say "it would be right and fitting". I would celebrate and enjoy more than any of you. I do fear however that it would allow our obvious deficiencies to be masked from those people that run our club.
If we compare the last 14 months then we have to question our lack of progress. We waited on Rangers to make a move last summer. Rangers did move and then by the time we started to move it was too late. Too busy counting the pennies. We took our eye of the ball and we simply cannot afford too. We are either going to have a summer of change and a radical rethink or the same old predictable Celtic.
If Rangers win a qaudruple or a treble and we spend little this summer then I fear for the early season mood of the support. We´re going to have to get the helmets and flak jackets on ...and that´s just amongst ourselves. The enhance and maintain mantra will be seen as the blatant lie that it is. God forbid that they come out as part of the Walter Smith fan club or that we cannot expect to win the SPL all the time. If they come out with that line having compared the clubs relative positions last summer. Then they need to go we cant have such incompetent uninspiring men running our club
I will want to hear reasons why we are peddling the support lies about "enhancing and maintaining" the quality of the squad. When we are not. Why our scouting networks are failing. Why our youth systems are failing. Its been 5 years since Seville. 5 years since our new prudent approach. Is it working? Have Rangers been poor for two years and have only came back from the ashes due to a 10m pound spend? 1m if you include the loss of Hutton please nobody come back and say well Hutton might only prove to have cost 7m ...its irrelavant
Why three years into our new direction we can be trumped by a 10m spend?
If there is not some frank and open admissions this summer and its a case of more of the same then we need to question seriously if we are in the proper hands and I´ll need to question if the money that I am spending in Celtic today is only extra money in the bank for the major shareholders tomorrow and do they really need it that much more than a continually improving Celtic? If they do then we are not supporter but just customer and you can write that in stone.
And if you know your history .... you´ll know that we never strengthen from a good position only a bad one. When is this historically damaging mindset going to stop and when are those that are in charge going to realise that?
answerthequestions&cutoottheflannelCSC
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sean south - 2 articles ago.
"Real Celtic fans" Jog on you total bafoon of a man.
If your going to Motherwell on Sunday perhaps we could meet up before the game and you could explain to me how Im not a "Real Celtic fan".
I defend the board, think they are doing a great job, I have defended Strachan.
Ergo im not a "Real Celtic fan".
If your not going to the game on Sunday, perhaps we could meet before the game against rangers on Wed and again, you can tell me how Im not a "Real Celtic fan" .
You have peeved me off more than any Celtic performance this season.
Your actually pathetic in your constant attacks on others. I happen to agree with some (just some mind, dont go getting all moist) of what you say, but the way you say it... Deary dear.
Away and catch yerself. If you want my seat details for discussing this further, please dont hesitate to ask.
Yours, just an ordinary Celtic fan, cant be a real one obviously, because I dont agree with ALL the crap that comes out of sean souths bahooky of a mouth, Bazzabhoy.
Hail hail
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Italiabhoy from previous thread.
Spot on regarding our underestimation of the enemy.
Paul67, I have refrained from butchering you as I have been so disgusted with what Celtic have offered this year, I just could not be bothered.
Thought you might be a bigger man and finally agree. Your wrong. The GOD is DANGEROUS. It's a first class ticket to complacency.
Walter's team shows we don't need a big name in charge to win the SPL. Hiddink is a pipe dream. Reality is we would struggle to tempt Mowbray if he goes to the EPL.
I agree with Kojo. It's got to be Celtic minded this time for the next 2 years. Would be interesting to see what Collins would do
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If we were in Rangers position I would want Celtic to play twice a day (OK on consecutive days) to prove a point.
It doesn't matter if the season is extended by a week or a day, they will be able to field fringe players and not worry about the results.
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If an extention to the SPL fixtures is arranged to allow a team, that postponed games earlier in the season in order to give themselves an advantage in domestic and European competitions, a further advantage in those compeitions, then the SPL is dead in the water.
It would be beyond farce.
I will never set foot inside another SPL ground if this were to happen.
To ensure the integrity of the league the powers that be at Celtic must threaten, in no uncertain terms, that they will walk from the league if it happens.
Anything less and they will have at least one less season ticket holder. Football will be as good as dead to me.
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Bienex 12.15
I happen to agree with Strachan that we `should ` have won the last five games. Had we taken an average amount of chances created , we would have one those games.No manager will ever think that matters cannot be improved so I disagree with your `implications`.
Devil plays etc. I liked your post and think that most of us would like to see a more agressive boardroom in matters concerning favouritism shown to Rangers in all aeas where it occurs.
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Lubo @ 11.40.
Agree totally with your post except that I really don't think we were so far in front of Rangers last season. Therein lies the problem. Too many - Gordon Strachan and probably more importantly the board thought we were so far in front we didn't have to worry about a Rangers resurgence perhaps for a couple more years.
I say Gordon Strachan thought this but I can't be sure. Gordon's "problem" - if that is the correct word is that he is a "board" man. He shares their policy of friscal prudence. He has been successful in getting the age of the team down, getting rid of the big earners - and winning two titles to boot. So the board love him. MON wasn't a borad man - hence his sticky relationship with Brian Quinn. His only concern was on the field and he was prepared to put players on huge contracts no matter the long term effect on the club. Hence Gordon Strachan's predicament when he took over.
Anyway . No matter who thought what the reality of the situation (Gerry Adams spake) is that we were in an advantageous situation last season. It was tenuous to say the least but nevertheless it was there. Lack of foresight, lack of forward planning, complacency, taking so many things for granted have led us to this most miserable of seasons. Anyone can take not winning. God knows I have esxperienced enough trophyless seasons in my time to be pragmatic about another. But thats not even close to the point. The point is. This season should not be happening. It could and should have been avoided.
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The most galling thing for me in all of this is that even after having a bad month in December had it not been for the points meekly surrendered at home to Motherwell and Dundee Utd recently we would be in a position to really put pressure on them, even after being beaten by them the other week.
I have a nasty feeling about the way things are going to turn out this year. As I said last night on the previous blog at least they won't get a holiday out of it. A 3 hour bus ride down the M74/6 will be as exotic as it gets for them.
We really must win our next three games. By doing so we will be in a better position than they were in 2005. then they were 5 points behind with 4 to play. If we do what we are more than capable of, we will be 4 behind with 5 to play. If the players and management still believe it's possible I believe we can do it.
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Aw Naw:
Not trying to rain on your parade, not at all, your post was better than good and asks some awkward questions that deserve an answer. However, I won’t come back with 7 million I’ll come back with Enic. Rangers owe Enic – a lot more than 10 million too.
Don’t believe the One pound buy back the thirty million pound debt (or there abouts) that Rangers owed Enic.
And who owns Spurs. Dodgey dealings possibly. After all, the serious fraud squad do seem to be knocking up quite a bit of overtime these days.
If Hutton was worth 10 Million I’m worth 20.
Dodgy dealings in football… would never happen.
Still hoping and still standing up.
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St-Gris said "Rangers will NOT play 2 games a day apart."
roybainestache said "If we were in Rangers position I would want Celtic to play twice a day (OK on consecutive days) to prove a point."
Celtic did indeed once have to play two games in one day, and won them both, I believe.
And the way things are going for Rangers and Celtic at the moment, Rangers might ask the SPL if they can play both Celtic games on the same day. They'll fancy their chances of beating us twice. And it'll cut down on the travel expenses for the fans too!
Remember that game at Ibrox just before the 2003 UEFA Cup Final... all the Beach balls, sombreros, etc.? It won't be quite the same colourful spectacle at CP if all the Rangers fans turn up with umbrellas and inflatable Eccles cakes! And Manchester doesn't rhyme with "The Bill" either, thankfully!
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Jamie,
Jock Stein said that if was given the choice betwen two players of identical ability, one Protestant and one Catholic, he'd sign the Protestant because that would be 2 players that Rangers couldn't sign. He said this to highlight the ridiculous and obscene signing policy at Ibrox that ruled out for them a large part of the population (though as we know, they never found a Catholic good enough1)
Insisting on a "Celtic minded" manager moves us perilously close to that same model. It may not be as morally reprehensible and repugnant (though it is morally dubious to say the least) but it is just as daft since it limits our catchment area to a mere handful of candidates.
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I agree with Bieniex at 12.15. GS seems to be in denial, publicly anyway.
My buddy from Liverpool says rumours of DM for the offski are building.
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on the 'we should have won the last five games' claim
by gordon strachan, and the talk of all the chances celtic made i'd like to know what chances he is on about.
certainly if we look at the last game in particular celtic made very few if any clear cut chances against motherwell
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It's the last round; the referee is poised over the pole-axed champion, Beginning to count him out. All round the ring the Champ's anxious supporters are hushed- desperate for him to show a flicker of resistance; some sign that he will get back up off the floor and somehow start fighting again. Suddenly, from the back of the hall a chant begins that works its way round the Arena-
CHAMP- GET UP! STAND UP! DON'T GIVE UP THE FIGHT!
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dontbrattbackinanger - Adriaaaannnnnneeeeeee!
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We have liitle or no chance of winning all our outstanding games considering our current form.Therefore those seeking solace in the fact that the huns Euro run means more games for them and in turn this wiil enhance our chances of winning the league are kidding themselves on .
The reality is that the huns are making evermore money from this run and are racking up ranking points by the hatfull.They will be sustantially ahead of us in the seeding system,particularly if they win this league and get into th CL unchallenged .
An exit from the UC after being beaten twice is now a must for us .
Unless our manager wakes up and realises that we have been more than unlucky in the last five games we have no chance .We have been rank awful and the managers refusal/failure to see this is mystifying at best and intransigent myopia at worse .
Wake up Gordon we have a slim chance but changes must be made .
From the hun game lastnight they looked very vulnerable at crosses, this even considering that SL were not a big side.For sheer presence alone BB must play , as must MW , GS and PH..
hail hail
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Kit,
Of course I dont believe it. Murrays spin a go go.
The heart of the matter is this;
Murray who is 500million in the red can afford to throw another 10m at Rangers. His last throw of the dice and every man dog and farm fly knew except for our conceited back slapping bunch that those dice would be loaded. They thought they knew better and they didn´t. Considering how utter rank we were after Milan last year you have to ask yourself why?
What´s the difference between being 500m in the red or 510m in the red ? again its irrelevant as is Alan Hutton´s transfer
How much is DD in the red ? any chance of an interest free loan?for the love of Celtic?
Now for all the scaremongers that are going to mention Leeds all I will say is that they were mentioning Rangers along with Leeds last summer.
Scotland would give up its national identity before Rangers would be allowed to go to the wall.
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Paul - thanks for the reply.
if this is all about lobbying and vote gaining - maybe we will see Dr Reid start to earn his salary.
Remember the game postponed against Gretna had to come with their consent. They had a chance to take on a team prior to a major Champions League game on their own ground and decided to play ball in the cancellation.
I have no figures to hand, however I am sure that there are stats to suggest that teams are more likely to lose points before (resting players, players not focussed/pulling out of tackles) or after (tired/injured players) major European games. History suggests that in this country, teams will forego their own advantages to assist the establishment team. We are and always have been pilgrims in an unholy land.
My honest belief is that this decision is a foregone conclusion.
At the risk of the men in white coats being called to take away another paranoid delusional - consider this:
There are 2 possible ways which this decision falls down. 1) Celtic have contractual commitments which make it impossible to play beyond the 24/05 or 2) 55000 season ticket holders at Parkhead express concerns that they purchased tickets with a view of the season ending as published (yes games can be moved to accomodate TV etc WITHIN SEASON - BEYOND THE 24TH IS OUTWITH PUBLISHED SEASON). Many thousands may not be able to attend due to holidays etc and demand a refund as have not been able to attend all the games that they purchased - Celtic in turn have a claim against the SPL.
In regards to 1) Celtic have denied any arrangements and 2) that funny machine of the SPL contrived to have Celtic AWAY (despite having 66% of the remaining post split fixtures at Celtic Park).
We need Fergus McCann back!!
bringbackthebunnetcsc
HAIL HAIL
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Gordon has stated clearly that he believes we haven't been clinical enough and haven't defended well enough when it matters (ie keeping a clean sheet in tight games). When he says we've been unlucky he means that we have been overall the better team clearly in these games and that we have created enough chances to comfortably win these games which is fair enough. He's certainly not saying that everything is perfect.
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pfayr,
from WGS Riordhans and JVOH´s statements recently and "substitued in a cup final in his last game for Celtic" return that I reckon Strachan has already made his move.
Did Strachan recruit Neil Lennon?
From all three statement I thought that Deeks was the most honest and worthy assessment of the current situation.
A situation that we saw last season as well although we managed a double.
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If only Gordon had some influence on our recent run of performances.
He should speak to the manager.
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The devil plays 4-5-1,
Extending the league would not involve Celtic. Our games will be finished by then.
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Cant agree tic talk
Think we have been playing defficient football, we certainly did nt deserve to win the TFOD game
and if we cant beat well with 10 men and not see that something is up then i fear for us
watch that team sheet on sundy
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Jamie, John Collins is a name that is not mentioned too often, but has been.
I will support GS and the rest of the team until they no longer are with the Hoops. John Collins is not a bad choice if Gordon were to leave, aside from using the Celtic minded reference(which does not need to be used Cadizzy),he probably has a lot of contacts in France and England.
Cadizzy I do agree the perception of using the statement "Celtic minded", because we all know what we would think of if hearing the phrase "Rangers minded".
BF
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Jamie, Rangers took a risk and have done very well, indeed they are a whisker away from our great 2003 glories. I fail to see why Rangers doing well means anything more than Celtic have stiffer competition to face. If they had another ‘Le Guen’ season, we would have three in a row and a CL last 16 behind us, which would not make us a better team.
I don’t buy into the theory that we have a right to win every league and never have; in fact despite my (accurate) prediction that we will win most, I have always said we would lose some.
I also don’t buy into the theory that this is “the worst Rangers team in living memory”, as they are now the first Rangers team to reach a Euro semi final in 35 years, results indicate they are clearly one of the better Rangers teams in living memory. So if we are going to lose a league, it is likely to be now, when they are at the top of their game.
Don’t confuse the simple assertion that we now have a structural financial advantage over Rangers (which we have) with a complacent assumption that we would win every league. We won’t and I never told you we would.
I could go further and suggest that some of the anger that is being expressed because we are behind a Rangers team that has won all over Europe indicates some people complacency think the league is the private property of Celtic (see what a period of domination can do for you).
As I mentioned earlier in the week, I write about the G.o.D. around twice a year, however, someone always digs me up about it when we lose, or now it seems when Rangers win.
My assertion is two-fold and simple:
Money decides who wins most things in football.
Celtic have a structural financial advantage over Rangers and will therefore win more leagues.
If you disagree with either point let me know specifically where.
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does anyone know if there's any truth in the rumours that gordon and john park don't get on and gordon had little say in the january signings? is this just rubbish i've read or is there more to it?
celtic park is presented as a united front all working together seamlessly- is that really the case?
i hope it's all nonsense but i'd be interested to know how things are behind the scenes.
here's to 7 victories!
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Bhoysfour, I used the term "Celtic Minded" because I was responding to Jamie's post which called for a "Celtic Minded" manager. So in the context of my post, it did need to be used. It is not a term for which I have a great love because of what it has come to mean to some people(and not just our enemies). For me the term should mean inclusive because that is what Celtic is as a club....which is very much the backdrop to the Jock Stein story in my first paragraph).
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awe naw
a fair point
however what is he up to with the team selections and lack of substitutions at present ?
he has proven in the past ( Man Utd at home )that he can make tactically astute changes by way of substitution
his current performances on team selection and effective substitutions are awful
it is almost as if he is performing to his worst so that he will be sacked ...the recalcitrant employee
i am at a loss and football-wise at a very low ebb ....the huns continued good fortune is decimating such little optimism as i possess
miserable wretched me ..catullus
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bhoy sean
if you can`t score goals and can`t defend ...you don`t win games
WGS ....apart from not scoring and conceding poor goals we are playing ok and i can`t see why we`re haven`t won our games .....absolute guff...
otherwise
we would have won our games but we`re playing crap ....
not having a go at you BTW , but the manager really does spout some tosh at times
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On the subject of our coach and the often cited Celtic minded brigade.
I consider myself Celtic minded and purely for football reasons.
I can honestly say i am anti Strachan but also purely for football reasons.
His recent claims of deserving to win the last five games and surprise at those results are a reaffirmation as to why i don,t want him as coach of our club.
Surprised that we paralleled the second half of last season?
How many of the goalkeepers facing us in those games have had more than a few saves to make?The Motherwell goalie had only 2 decent saves to make on saturday,Donati first half and Samaras in the 90th min.How many saves did mcgregor have to make at ibrox,a few in first and one from a long range Hinkel effort in 2nd,
He is incapable of seeing that his tactics and selections don,t work and is now saying its bad luck when the truth is these have been fairly much the performances for most of his tenure.Except now the scraping of last gasp wins has dried up.
Have said all along that the defence backing up is the major problem of this team and again on saturday G Caldwell retreats from 15 yards inside his own half to his own penalty box before attempting to stop Motherwell player.Standard practice from our central defenders and aconstant problem that our coach doesn,t recognise.
We continually lumped diagonal balls into Motherwell box protected by 6 men and never once succeeded .It was crying out for someone out wide to get behind them and pull them out of position.Our coaches solution was to bring on Robson a left footer and play him on right forcing him to come inside and continue with the diagonal balls into box.
His system, tactics and baffling selections are the reason i don,t want him as Celtic,s coach.
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Paul67,
all rhetorical btw
have Rangers not just proven that having a "structural" financial advantage is not an advantage at all when running a football club but actually a disadvantage?
How does this structure dictate when profits (funds) will be spent and not?
Will Hibs out do us financially this year and if so will the Celtic board be jealous of Hibs structure?
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rangers on the road to oblivion.
Thats what we were led to believe.
They will out spend us again next year. Even though their alleged finances are in disarray. They will sell some of their best players for large profit but will replace them by spending on the right players.
They will upgrade their stadium , protect the interests of the fanbase locally as thats all they have.
We will not.
We do not have a structural financial advantage over rangers.
If we do , can someone provide proof?
We're sitting in the crux of a generational swing. Our board has led us to believe we're on solid foundations , in monetary terms and infrastructure , locally and in a fledgling business terms globally.
In reality , our stadium is becoming empty , lifeless , prices go up , we've a poor current squad of players , Scouting is at an all time low ebb , we lack direction and our stadium is lagging behind in its upgrades.
Fans are split , the football is dire , assets look as if they'll be sold with no re-investment and privately I cannot foresee any change on the pitch or off it. We'll strangle out summer transfers of average players , move in what we move out and still end up with a bunch of squad fillers and an unbalanced squad yet again.
Still , look on the bright side , we posted record profits last year and great profits this year. That cheers me up no end in this train wreck of a season.
For the first time Ever I predict a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Big Liam who is depressed.
Clinically.
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Z :- Firstly can I state I don't think the league season should be extended, I think it would be wrong.
Second can I point ut that Rangers asked for one game to be postponed, not games, the same number as Celtic asked to be postponed. I think the Celtic postponement was for a very good and undertandable reason, I was against the game Rangers asked for being postponed.
We have not piled up fixtures by asking for game after game to be postponed.
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'LUCK'
For all those who post about luck, Rangers lov-in with it and Celtic's lack thereof, I would like to explain something:
It doesn't relly exist.
'Luck' is where opportunity meets preparedness.
It took me a few weeks to get my head around it but once you do you will be enlightened and more effective.
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Aw Naw:
I know you don’t believe the spin that comes from south of the river. But a lot of other people, if not believe it, they want to believe it.
The transfer window is no more than an auction of men. Sporting men, but men none the less. Paradoxically though, quite often it is not the buyer who holds all the aces at auction, it is the player of their desire.
I have no doubt, and I mean that in all sincerity, that Celtic targeted certain players who would not only have enhanced our team it would almost have guaranteed progression. For whatever reasons those deals did not see the light of day. I’m sure it was not for the want of trying though.
Sometimes a manager is damned for what he does and sometimes a manager is damned for what others perceive he did not do. Same can be said for the board.
There is a lot more than Gordon Strachan and the board to answer why we are in the predicament we now find ourselves. Not that I am excluding them for any of the blame. Just saying, they alone, are not solely to blame.
A lot of the questions you ask are more than pertinent. They demand a quantifiable answer. If only to appease the legions.
I’m sure, that a lot more Celtic supporters would be a lot more tolerant of out situation if they at least knew that the powers to be at Parkhead were at least being aggressively proactive, and I cannot emphasise ‘aggressive’, enough.
Do something to reverse the decline and be seen to do it. Do not hide behind the curtain of commercial intent.
DD put more of his own money into the club?
Well that surely is one for him and him alone to ponder.
Murray’s gambles; Murray’s tribulations are his and his alone.
I would hope that DD played his game his way and Murray’s shenanigans had no influence on his (DD’s) decisions at all.
A wee interest free loan would be nice though as would our fair share of the global TV treasure chest.
I won’t subscribe to SKY (Fox) and I have written and told them why not. Eighteen months latter I still have not had a reply. But if 50,000 Celtic supporters were to say we are cancelling our subscription to SKY, I truly wonder what their reaction would be then.
Aw Naw – I’m with you all the way. I just do it my way and I watch you do it your way, and I silently concur.
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Hi,
Not posted in ages but want to write a few thoughts so here goes...
1) Why do so many Celtic fans say that the Board did not back GS? As far as I'm aware in the last 3 years he has spent more than that of the whole SPL combined... indeed this season whilst Rangers pushed the boat out we invested a similar amount in one player... It should surely be a case of who has spent wisely?
2) How can GS possibly be a good coach? By the evidence of my eyes the football has steadily declined for the 3 years he has been in charge. He has consistently played players out of position. How many players has he signed that played in some way and he's found a new role for them. Next question... How many look better as result??
3) How many lightweight midfielders does he want? How many players will he sign and then barely play? How many senior players will be moved on after not cutting it under his management? Will he ever sign a solid defender who can primarily tackle and header a ball??? How many players will get worse under his coaching skills? Who in their right mind would give him more cash to burn???
4) For me the only man that would truly galvanise this squad would be Keane. Don't know if he'd take the post but he'd not accept this showers underperformance that's for certain.
B
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Paul 67
I heard that Celtic were once made to play twice in one day (before my time). Can you confirm this giving me a link to the match reports of both games (or a general point in the right direction).
Also can u confirm if its true that Celtic had to play 4 games in 8 days during the Seville run?
Sorry to take up your time for a trivial argument with a mate but its one that I really really want to win all the same. :)
Anybody else able to help on the matter would be greatly appreciated
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Cadizzy,
spot on in everything you've said.
We are an all inclusive club and should always be(unlike our neighbours), I agree with what a lot of others have said regarding the thoughts of a number of supporters towards GS, and this is no reason to sack the manager, but there are those of have never given him a chance from day one!
BF
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Bromlybhoy - no one could argue with a lot of what you say.
Gordon Strachan has acheived something incredible - he has steadily taken a team backwards whilst winning things at the same time.
As for Keane - then you need to do a bit more research into his signings, the value and success of each. If he were to do the same here - you would be calling for him to.
Mark Hughes is the only clear answer - anything else would be a risk.
Our biggest problem is that we haven't replaced players with similar quality i.e. Sutton, Petrov, Lennon,Hartson, Maloney, Miller!!, I could go on.
The repalcements have been, without doubt, inferior in quality, spirit and determination. The overall effect is clear to see. No rocket science, just plain evidence.
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Guy's,
Trust me on this one the league will be extended to help Rangers. This is Scotland after all and we are talking about Scotland's team. My only hope is that as a club Celtic fight it all the way. My feeling on that is that we won't.
Hail Hail.
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Hi TT,
On Keane... I think his biggest mistake was on promotion getting given a big chequebook and wanting to spend it. Foolish.. he should have stood by the team that had served him proudly in the Championship and brought in a couple of quality players to enhance that squad.
However, when his team have really needed to win they have delivered and not just by Luck but by overall performance. That is something where GS's team constantly fails.
B
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Surely the league season can only be extended beyond the scheduled closing date with the agreement of all the member clubs? i.e. Including Celtic.
And Celtic should only agree if no more than one game is put back beyond the scheduled end date, and that said game is to be played on the weekend following the Cup Final, and that said game is Celtic v Rangers at Celtic Park, and that Celtic get to select the match officials, from the SPL registered list, and that Rangers get no tickets for the match (i.e. it is a 100% home crowd).
Unless the SPL agree to all these demands then the answer from Celtic should be a resounding "No extension!". And if they then try to ride rough-shod over Celtic, then Celtic must mount a legal challenge to have the 2007-8 SPL title declared void... unless we win it of course!
TrueTim, for me we either get Jose Mourinho or stand by GS for at least another season or two. I posted previously on the pitfalls of constantly changing the man at the helm... we did that in the 90s, and Rangers will be praying that we do the same again!
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Edward said, "Firstly can I state I don't think the league season should be extended, I think it would be wrong"
Again you have support an approach which may well be not in in the interests of your team. More power to you for being principled. In the interest of fairness, your second point should also be highlighted (Rangers only asked for one postponement). However, though you may think an extension is wrong, I truly believe that work is afoot right now to bring about that situation. I doubt that the SPL would seek to bring that about without being asked so I do believe that your club is in discussion, if not in collusion, with the SPL on this matter. If it does not happen, it won't be because the SPL didn't consider it. As someone else has said, if they were not going to extend the season, why have they not said they will not extend the season under any circimstances"
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So our defenders are not defending well? And our attackers are not scoring enough goals? That leaves the midfield and we all know how that area of the team is doing.
There have to be changes for Sunday. A good win is the only outcome that could at least bring a bit of pride back and instill a little confidence before next week's game.
I still think even 7 wins, which would be something of a miracle in itself, would be too little too late, but we can only go for it and see what happens.
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a good manager makes his team better than the sum of it`s parts
in this WGS has failed miserably IMO ...ergo not a good manger
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BCS
How about a winner takes all at CP after the cup final
think they would go for it
probably only if the Rev MC was the ref
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Paul67 This is brilliant.
Didier Drogba buys his own football shirts
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Chelsea player Didier Drogba has been buying dozens of his own football shirts to increase the club shop's sales and persuade team-mates of his popularity with fans.
The 29-year-old, originally from the Ivory Coast, has reportedly spent thousands of pounds on replica shirts in a bid to try and convince his team-mates he is just as much of a crowd favourite as they are.
The £24 million striker, who was named Premier League top goal scorer for 2006-2007, has had less success in shirt sales compared to John Terry and Frank Lampard who reportedly taunt him about it on the training ground.
One Chelsea insider claimed Drogba visits the club shop up to 10 times a week and on one occasion walked out of the store with 40 shirts priced at approximately £45 each, setting him back £1,800.
The first-team regular could easily get shirts free of charge but the £70,000-a-week centre forward is paying like any other customer to improve his shirt sale statistics.
A Stamford Bridge source revealed: "Dids is never out of the club shop. He is spending a fortune.
"He is on first name terms with the staff and is easily their best customer.
"The competition to be the most popular is massive and Didier hates losing.
"He has been buying loads of copies of his number 11 shirt and must be up there with the club's top sellers by now.
"Dids has been sending all his replica shirts to his mates back home."
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too much Latin on here for Edward to swallow.
Let's not talk ourselves into a G.O.D. for the enemy. If they win the league and, God forbid, the Uefa cup, it will be an achievement but one with no long lasting consequences ala Greece 2004 Euro Championships.
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I'd settle for one win just now, or even a goal.
Anything to derail the possibility that the Horribles could win the League at CP.
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Hooptastic, you are correct.It was a discussion point in (oh dear!) BB's on Saturday. We won both games (6-0 and 3-1???) so having more wins in one day than we have had in the past several weeks
Jinkyredstar, where is that wee book of yours
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PFAYR said
"How about a winner takes all at CP after the cup final"
It follows the same principle as "next goal the winner"
In fact didn't Foreigngerlund rugby have something like that?...where the top 2 teams played a cup final type winner take all game. Also the play offs are not too far away from that either.
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malceye
if the huns win the UC then the current sycophantic media would go into overdrive
it would make England 1966 seem like a matter of little moment
i for one couldn`t stomach it..... what`s the criminal bar like in Aussie ??
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BromleyBhoy - managing Celtic means winning almost every game you play in. Roy Keane could be an excellent manager in time but he would be a risk at present. Mr Smith has highlited the advantages of experience all too well.
Furthermore, I doubt very much he would leave Sunderland this summer. He will keep them up and then continue to build.
BigChipsUk - Morinho has stated that his next job will be in Spain or Italy and he will be competing in the CL next season, We are a long way off that tournament at the moment.
Changing the manager should be a decision made in it's own right. If there are a group of players disilusioned with the manager then maybe best a new man comes in.
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BromleyBhoy ,
I'd like to try to give my views on your questions.
1. You have to look at the Net Spend. GS was handcuffed on budgets from day one. This is the type of manager he is and thats why the board like him. He has spend maybe 2-3 million maximum each year of Celtic's own money , along with cash we bring in from transfers. In effect the books balanced after every 2nd window. This is why in my opinion our problem areas in the team are never redressed. Small pieces of the puzzle are added every window but the jigsaw is never compete as other pieces are removed and the main pieces remain missing.
2. The manager is a good coach. Not so good as a manager. To rest the decline solely on his shoulders is the easy option whilst others escape criticism. No doubt though his time has run its course. Thank you and goodbye.
3. The lighter midfielders add more craft and style to the team (in theory) and I don't want a team of cluggers. Its no great shock to find we have progressed in Europe with the more technical player. Celtic's problem is we don't have the money to buy the best athletic , fast , technical footballers in the game but we can buy players with some of these attributes , like Nakamura for example. Its coping with the SPL physicality and diabolical playing surfaces that is the problem. The rangers players (k.broadfoot) from last night were praising the playing surface in Portugal , stating its perfection helped them win!!! Defensively he has been to loyal to the defenders who haven't did it for him in return. This has led to his ultimate downfall.
4. Roy Keane is a clown of the highest order. Get this , he doesn't like Glasgow , he isn't even a Celtic supporter. Talk about erratic coaching , Roy Keane lined up his squad after training and read out 4 names , stating after he viewed their training performances he said they didn't show the proper application he expected and they would receive discipline. One of the players he named , Chopra , spoke up and reminded Keane he could not have underperformed.
He was in the treatment room at the time of training as he was injured and was doing physio work. Keane turned and walked off. Clown or what.
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Just back from a lunchtime stroll and observed that the Evening Times hoardings are suggesting that the huns are set to earn £25m from this UEFA Cup run.
Hmmmm.... After our run in '03 conventional wisdom was thatwe would have to get to the UEFA Cup final again just to match the amount earned by qualifying for the FIRST ROUND of the CL.
£25million eh? Wel it's in a Scottish "news"paper so it must be true...
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Awe Naw, as I said above, a financial advantage does not mean you will win every game, league or cup, but it means you will win more than those you hold the advantage over.
This is not true for all instances in football history, but for the most part money dictates success.
McLeish left after creating a £14.7m transfer profit, money Rangers are still spending. Last year they gave Smith circa £10m (over two windows), a net investment they cannot afford every year but one that was always going to give them a solid chance.
They last spent big in the late 90s and spent several years as net sellers to balance the books. This would not be my chosen plan.
Like every other club in Scotland, their income must match their expenditure, any overspend will need to be recouped. They must now compete with Celtic without retail rights for the next 8 years and a smaller season ticket base.
Hooptastic, that is correct. We also played three games in four days in the 70s.
Gweedore, deleted, language.
Brenlox, surely not?
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For the record ghuys, here is the low-down on two games in one day. (Scroll right to the bottom of the page, left hand side.)
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Been lurking but was to down to really bother posting as this season has got to me as our deficiencies seemed to obvious but yet again we did not consolidate from a position of strength.
I only got enough motivation to post from two things the creeping revisionism to try and build a case for Strachan to be given another year and the ludicrous and delusional statements of our soon to be punted manager.
Firstly lets be frank it’s a poor rangers team by historical standards but we have a poor league by historical standards. As much as I hate the Huns, I have to admit now they are the better team.
A team is made up of many things not just natural ability. A desire to win and be successful and an ability to cover for some of the weaker elements and a strong leader make rangers a better team than Celtic.
We are more naturally gifted and that’s that.
Secondly, I thought it was perhaps the BBC being a bit disingenuous and mischief making when I read Strachans comments about not deserving to lose the last five games. then I read it in the Celtic view and I despaired. has this man learnt anything. We have been rank rotten the last five games. Poor tactical choices, faint hearts, sub standard players and opposition who want it more have been the norm.
Mr Strachan you are the only person in timdom who could say such a thing and believe it.
We need to get this man out the door ASAP and get in David Moyes or Roy Keane
This celtic minded tosh needs to stop as well
We don’t like him because of what he done not because he is not a knight of St Columba get over it.
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Cadizzy
"next goal the winner "...we`d be donald ducked ....we huv nae scored fur weeks :¬)
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paul 67
Unbelievable since when is that bad language
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gweedore
didnae think you`d get away with that profanity
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Paul 67...
i assume the overiding and possibly only consideration for the SPL is to ensure the integrity of the competition....that must surely be their remit, possibly enshrined in their articles of association...any decision to extend the season destroys that integrity as you have pointed out consistently
did the postponment of the gretna v rangers game earlier this year, require the SPL's approval...or did it merely require the agreement of both clubs....
if we were in Rangers position , i would hope we would be requesting an extension to the season...my expectation of such a request being granted however would be beyond highly unlikely....
on the issue of DD lobbing us an interest free loan...even if he did it's still a loan, and the capital would have to be paid back from revenues or reserves at some point....that would seem a pointless exercise....for him to inject money in via a gift, and why should he, or via a new shares issue , would be of immensly more benefit....
i suspect he is comfortable with the current spread of ownership...i suspect he see's our club as one where the body of ordinary supporters should have a significant ownership %..
he could effectively price the rest of the shareholders out of ownership any time he wanted by underwriting a new share issue at a huge premium to the current price....
if we want to have a lot more cash at our disposal then the only way in the short term is for DD to move from his current ownership position to one beyond 76%, and given our PLC staus, he would have to offer to buy everyone out....it's a dilemma ,even for someone with his resources....i suspect he would have no issue with investing significant sums in Celtic, but he may have a problem with the club then becoming under one man's ownership...at least the current model provides an element of long term protection...
...who knows what would happen to Rangers if Murray had a serious or terminal illness....do his son's have a desire to deal with the issues? could his business overall survice without his personal relationships with the banks? would the beneficiaries of his estate be prepared to finace the real debt accrueing on Rangers, both inside Rangers and within MIH...
Our current model precludes us from having to worry about these issues....i wouldn't be in a hurry to move away from it
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please please please let there be no more talk of John Collins (was his depature any worse than Liam Miller's - how's that for Celtic Minded?) he is no where near experienced enough. I don't think Lambert is experiences enough and I'd have him any day of the week ahead of Collins. No more talk of John Hughes either, he does not have the experience (or quality) as a coach to go into the CL. I'll actually cry if I hear Craig levein mentioned again - boring 4-5-1 anyone?
Hiddink may be a pipe dream but give him a call anyway. Then Hitzfeld, Daum, Topmoller, Del Bosque....then have Lennon or Peter Grant as his assistant. I don't think it's a lack of heart that has been our downfall..the team due genuinely seem to want to score but they just don't look like they have a clue how to go about it! That's tactical acumen...and it's severely lacking in our current coach. Let's get a tactically savvy European coach to blow Walter's Assaulters out the water.
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pfayr
What Mr Strachan!
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pfayr
In football, results do not tell the complete picture. If you're building up around 60% possession, having at least 4 or 5 chances a game and limiting your opposition to 1 chance then it would suggest that overall you are doing relatively well. I believe if we took our chances in these recent games then we would be commenting on how well we have been playing rather than how guff we are. We have deserved much better results and that's not denying there are any problems.
On the flip side, did Rangers play well in their last two games against Dundee United even though they were handed goals on the plate from two awful pass backs when on the verge of losing? Sometimes luck is needed in football, the games between Celtic and Rangers often come down to who scores first especially if the home team are the ones to get the goal. If Scott Brown was given a penalty as he should have then we would likely have won or at least have drawn.
It’s not to say that things have been all out of our control, if our players (not just the strikers) put the ball in the net and made the right decisions when the openings come then we would have won these games comfortably. I’m just saying that overall the football has been alright with the exception of the end touch which gets the results. It doesn't mean that I think we can't improve.
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Reading through the blog there is a lot of references to the board not building from a position of strength. Crap, its because we have a numptie of a manager who thinks tactics is a wee sweet you suck. MON would have walked the league with the same playing staff. i have been saying it for ages. Strachan is a poor manager and would be found out when his luck runs out.
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Cadizzy, we could do something like the rugby league play-offs, where the team that finishes top of the league doesn't necessarily win the league. Then we could still do it, even if we don't win our remaining seven games!
Conversely, if Rangers win both games at CP, they will only need to win one of their other seven games in order to clinch the title... and if Celtic don't win their other five games then two wins at CP for Rangers could be enough on their own!
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bhoy sean
a balanced reply ...most of which i agree with
however i don`t think our football has been "alright" of late
IMO apart from the first half at Ipox i think we have been ordinary at best and worse than ordinary most of the time
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Paul,
We all know the league season will be extended, as the establishment club, it's going to happen. I think it's interesting that even the "pro-Celtic" media are now saying it should happen. (Peter Martin if you are reading this, and I know you do, shame on you, all those years in the Carfin CSC and you have now taken the queens shilling, (re-run your view on Artur Boruc expressing his religeon before the Copland Rd stand). The guys in the pictures on the wall of the Hibs club will be spinning in their graves). Paul, how do you think Celtic will react, quietly or will be finally get a spine? [for what it's worth I don't think it makes the slightest bit of difference to our season as we are not good enough to win the games we need to anyway]
I also note Paul, that you have not commented on Mr Murrays pronouncements last week about the financial health of Rangers and Wattie having £10m to spend. Any thoughts?
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merde!
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I just realised, if Celtic beat Motherwell at the weekend we will be guaranteed entry to the Champions League qualifying rounds. Any Scottish club from outside of Glasgow, and a fair few from the Glasgow area, would consider such an achievement as the culmination to an overwhelmingly successful season.
But not us.
Such are the expectations our players have to live with.
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Cadizzy,
I think you misinterpret my meaning of Celtic minded. I just mean someone who has previous experience of working with the club before. In other words, someone like Keegan at Newc. He understands the support and what they want.
P67,
I get frustrated at your financial emphasis on football. We are proof that the manager is responsible for success, not money.
We still have to get the right man for the job, otherwise our financial superiority counts for zilch. I have sat on the fence regarding GS. I have stated this was the season to judge.
He has been weighed. He has been measured... and he has been found wanting.
Your argument assumes that the man in charge is unimportant. I realise I am contradicting a previous post of mine her too!
GS has achieved what he was brought ifor. Bridge the gap, reduce the wage bill, coach and identify good footballer's. I would love to retain his services as a coach as I think he is good. Unfortunately he is too high profile media wise to accept this role. Unlike TB who is Celtic Minded (sorry cadizzy!)
Incidently p67, who would you like to see as manager next, assuming you too want to see a new appointment.
Also, especially for Martin42
I apologise for causing offense by my question the other month. I see my clique comment is still rippling through the waters now!!
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Re John Collins - He's followed the well worn path trodden by messrs Walker and Burley.
I rememebr him being on punditry duty when we lost to Rangers lite in the CIS cup.
Commenting on some alleged "stonewall" penalty they should have had he said "but these are the kind of big decisions that opposing teams just never seem to get at Celtic Park".
Did this guy actually play for Celtic for 6 years???
Not even a customary "against the Old Firm" like we know it would have been if referring to the huns.
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The other thing which has gone completely out the window this year has been abandonment of any kind of youth development policy, which givenour recent poor record in the transfer market is almost unforgiveable and certainly something which the new manager should address.
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Aw Naw:
I know the sun ain’t down yet but I know you like your music.
Mr Celtic
Rod Stewart/Jeff Beck
Rod Stewart spreading the gospel in the temple of the ‘Lost’
Jimmy Jonstone at Twickenham
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I note that we are falling further behind Rangers as far as UEFA coefficients are concerned, with Celtic (should they qualify for the CL group stages) likely being a 4th seed, and Rangers on the brink of being a 2nd seed, dependent upon exactly who qualifies come the end of the season.
While Celtic successfully negotiated their way to a later stage of the Champions League than Rangers, they have already outscored our coeff by almost 50%. Even Benfica, who finished below Celtic in our CL group, have amassed more coeff points than Celtic this season.
I have said all along that we aould be far better off finishing 3rd in our CL group, and dropping into the UEFA Cup. This way we get the money and prestige of CL participation, and the additional prospect of an extended run in the UEFA Cup, with the extra money and coefficient points that go with it.
But can you envisage the day when a team goes into it's final CL group game with the chance to qualify for the CL last 16, but guaranteed at worst 3rd place in the group, and plays to lose in order to get into the UEFA Cup?...
Rangers 0 Lyon 3 anyone!
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Jamie, my apologies for picking you up wrongly. Someone who knows the club may have a good "leg up" but that is not guaranteed to give him greater success than someone without previous club experience (Macari as opposed to O'Neill for example) It is also the case that making previous club experience a prerequisite still leaves us with too small a pool of candidates. It may be that we will be unable to attract anyone from outside the group comprising Mowbray, Hughes, Collins etc. but we should at least try...that is,if we do need to hire a new manager for next season.
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BigChipSuk
I like your thinking but I fear you are giving them too much credit.
In a hypothetical world, if the league positions remain the same but celtic had "qualified" for UEFA instead of CL Last 16 and Rangers had done likewise and both teams in opposite Semi-finals, would there still be the same pressure of Gordon Strachan?
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BCUK- that was definitely the correct way to go this season, not least because we clearly didn't have the team to do anything in the Big Cup but make up the numbers.
We used to give Bert Kassie a lot of attantion on here but now he almost never gets a mention. It's about the only thing that's more depressing than the League table.
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malceye
you about ??
may have some work for you ...civil court stuff
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A sobering thought mort, for the inhabitants of Manchester at least... Just imagine a Celtic v Rangers UEFA Cup Final!
(It would be a pretty easy commute home from work in Glasgow that evening, I suspect.)
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Hi, all
Off topic, however.
When I arrived at work today I discovered this in my inbox.
A response to my complaint regarding " Voodoo - No Worky" banner at Ibrox.
I only recieved one response from 10 or so emails sent
Robert
Thank you for your comments which I confirm have been passed to the Secretary for his attention.
You may wish to note that your comments will be reviewed alongside reports, if any, from the Police Match Commander, the Referee and / or his Assistants, the SPL Match Delegate and the Clubs involved in the League Match in question. In the event that this review leads to the opinion that there has been a failure by either Club to discharge their respective requirements under SPL Rules H7.5 and H7.6 then the SPL Board may initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Either the SPL Board or a committee of the SPL Board or a Commission appointed by the SPL Board would determine, following a hearing, whether there has in fact been any breach of or failure to fulfil the SPL Rules. Any Commission so appointed shall comprise at least three members and, in the event of an allegation of a breach of SPL Rules H7.5 or H7.6, the chairman of the Commission shall be an advocate or solicitor of not less than 10 years standing.
In the event that the relevant body above determines that there has indeed been a breach of or failure to fulfil the SPL Rules then it might apply any of a wide range of sanctions. Any Club so sanctioned has the right of appeal to the Scottish Football Association.
Yours sincerely
David Ogilvie
Guess that will be the end of that
C'Mon The Hoops
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BigchipsuK - was part of that plan to score a late scrappy goal in greece and for the bremen keeper to throw the ball in his own net
thats the kind of planninh celtic need - forget a new manager.
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malceye
got it you can delete now if you wish
contact you in a bit
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truetim
twice ...Bremen keeper
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7 is regarded by many as a lucky number, and we are indeed lucky to have been blessed by a Magnificent 7 on more than one occasion... Jinky and Henke spring immediately to mind.
However, I am going off 7 nowadays.
We are 7 points behind Rangers with 7 games left, having won just one of our last 7 games...
On another matter, we should learn as much as we can about Fiorentina, when they play Rangers in the UEFA Cup semi final. We could actually be playing them at the end of July in the CL 2nd qualifying round!
(However, if Fiorentina beat Rangers they too will likely be seede in the CL 3QR, so we couldn't then be drawn against them.)
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Edward
The case for an extension to the league is being presented as if Rangers are victims of circumsctances outwith their control.
They are not. They chose not to play games postponed (at theirs and the SFA's request) before Christmas when they had the oppotunity to do so. Thus gaining an advantage on their rivals.
Celtic dropped points in the SPL by not asking for a postponement and playing the game earlier postponed by the SFA.
Why should Rangers now be granted an advantage for their decsion to put off playing postponed games until such time as it suits them?
The other issue related to Scottish Cup replays. Why should Rangers be granted an extention for failing to beat opponents at the first attempt.
I think also the poor quality of the playing surface at Ibrox has been an issue in this connection.
If Rangers are struggling to compete in 3 competitions (was 4), then maybe they should consider withdrawing from one or more.
What they should not do is expect their rivals and competitors to tear up the rules when they are very much responsible for the mess they now find themsleves in.
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The Herald this morning - Darryl Bentfoot at his finest
(Darcheville) 'The Frenchman would later instigate and execute the game's defining moment and salute his audience with matador majesty.'
'The goalscorers were not alone in breaking Sporting's will. Thomson blunted the hosts' midfield craft with his most accomplished display of a blossoming Rangers career.'
'Carlos Cuellar enhanced his already stellar claim for personal distinction with a quiet strangulation of Sporting's game plan.'
Self-parody - ye cannae whack it!
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Which therefore makes it different from self-abuse...
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At 11/04/08 14:36, BigChipSuk said…
I just realised, if Celtic beat Motherwell at the weekend we will be guaranteed entry to the Champions League qualifying rounds. Any Scottish club from outside of Glasgow, and a fair few from the Glasgow area, would consider such an achievement as the culmination to an overwhelmingly successful season.
But not us.
Such are the expectations our players have to live with.
Not a truer word was spoken. Trying to think of a succint way of expressing that exact view but you've saved me the job
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Paul67
I think that advantage in season ticket base is 'soft' and will be significantly eroded by the start of next season.
It may even disappear entirely if Gordon Strachan remains in charge.
Frank
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charlie
i don`t know of many Celtic fans who consider S McM as deserving an automatic starting place at this time
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Jamie, of course the manager, the players and even the fans are important, but over time, good managers and players tend towards the wealthier teams.
This is a football reality, not a complacent comment.
I have an open mind at the moment with more people in the “no thank you” camp than genuine candidates, but I would also prefer not to speculate on this when there is still a league to be won, and a man in place.
Frank, I’ve heard of some innovative plans afoot to energise ticket sales, sworn to secrecy but I expect numbers to be strong.
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pfayr, especially alongside Samaras up front. And I would never play Scott McDonald in the centre of defence either!
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So let me get this right some of you believe that:
1. This is the worst Rangers team in recent memory but;
2. That our 'Seville' players would have wiped the floor with them.
If Uncle Walter gets his team to the UEFA FInal will you be admitting then that Walter is a better manager than MON. Since he'll have done better than MON with a team that's far worse.
For the record I don't think that WS is a better manager, I'm merely trying to follow the logic.
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Charlie, sorry mate but re your team selection, I can only agree on 5 of them 0-)
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As i entered celtic park last week all I could hear were voices of dismay discussing the same thing
"Have you heard the team for today"
On sunday the wgs team selection will be under the severest scrutiny
and will be the biggest indication of how he intends to approach the final games.
Ghord help him if he gets it wrong
It would be interesting to see some posters forward a team selection that they think can carry us over the line
g'wan g'wan g'wan
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Evening Fellow Tims
Weather Alert for Fir park as it is chucking down Hail Hail Rain Snow and more Hail.
John Ketley csc
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wee minger
logic has no place on a football
forum
sad but true
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mickybhoy
boruc
hinkel
balde
o`dea
wilson
naka
robson
hartley
aiden
samaras
mcdonald
switch brown for naka if he is not suspended
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anyone care to help me with a puzzle I'm trying to work out...Barry Ferguson manages to get himself booked 2 games in a row in Europe but not booked at all over 30 odd games in SPL...while playing his usual comabative midfield role.
I've thought about it and the only difference I can see is the country of origin of the referees..not really sure how this could affect the issue?
Sarcasticlubo CSC
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WeeMinger, aye, what a thought.
The Sevillle team didn’t wipe the floor with a Rangers team who went out of Europe when I was still on my summer holiday.
I think its’ time to offer credit where it’s due.
Spirit of Artur, good point.
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Press statement from the SPL
"Bad weather today in Motherwell has given the referee for the Motherwell v Celtic on Sunday (i.e not today or the next day) no option but to call the game off. Due to fixture congestion caused by this postponement, the SPL has decided that the only course of action is to extend the season until after the Scottish Cup Final. To ensure fairness, the SPL will allow this extension to apply to other teams in the league who may be experiencing fixture congestion with the proviso that all games are concluded before the Chief Executive of the SFA sets off for his annual mid July holiday in Northeren Ireland.
The decision to postpone the game has been taken now to avoid unnecessary travelling by Celtic fans and to guard against the possibility of the weather clearing up"
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Clinching second place is hardly an achievement for us. It may well have been a great achievement for other clubs, but so what? Yes, there are high expectations at Celtic but they have to be judged against the opposition we face in the league. I don't know anyone who would consider second any sort of achievement at all.
And if Gretna had made 11th place that would have been a great achievement for them. Should we really not expect more??
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lubo1977
i am bound to say that that fact crossed my mind as he was booked last night
it`s only scottish refs who will put up with his petulant abuse, assaults on other players and regular fouling
mind you they`re preoccupied keeping that animal McGeady in check
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Not sure who made the point earlier but is it not a sad endightment on our youth setup when not 1 player from this setup could offer competition to a team who are mostly off form.
I personally feel a bt of youthful energy and enthusiasm would have freshened things up a bit ni the later part of this season.
Most other SPL teams seem to do it without a problem. Gordon?
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Cadizzy
ya steward ...you almost had me there ...nice one
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malceye
you got mail
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pfayr
4-1-3-2
boruc
hinkel,balde, mcmanus,naylor/wilson
caldwell
mcgeady,hartley,robson,
samaras,mcdonald/jvoh
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mickybhoy
caldwell cannae pass water and is as slow as a week in the jail ...which is very slow so i`m told
if you want to play that formation what about Frosty the Sno man
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Nothing that has happened over the last 24 hours has convinced me that the darnel are no longer mince. Lucky mince at that.
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Arthur Lee -
cheers (you know what for - kebabmeat roll £1.50 a whip, Tandoori Mahal CSC)
WG
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The team on Sunday will be:
THG, Hinkel, Mcmanus[C], Caldwell, Naylor, Nakamura, Donati, Sno, Mcgeady, Mcdonald, JVH.
The only change is enforced by Brown's suspension. The Ginger Helmsman's response to any criticism, warranted or not, will be to become more stubborn and thrawn.
There will be no selectorial nor tactical innovation, no deviation from the Colouring Book.
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dontbratt -
are we meeting in The Lud ?
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WG- either there or the Teser.
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Or both
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PS Lucky mince? That has the makings of a brilliant marketing opporchancity.
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Aye, akin to that American cereal, Lucky Charms, which comes wi green marshmallow shamrocks and leprechaun hats.
The darnelist Lucky Mince can come wi doughballs (plenty for them to choose from), carrots (natural hue) and white potato horses
WG
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dbbia
you are probably correct and that will be the final nail in his wooden overcoat especially if he puts out that line up versus fod
thrawn, good scottish word
howa about a good scottish midfield
elephant-daisy-tail-mountain csc
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From the BBC
"A nude photograph of France's first lady, Carla Bruni, has been auctioned for $91,000 (£46,098) - more than 20 times the expected price.
The image was taken by photographer Michel Comte in 1993, when Ms Bruni was a highly sought-after model.
The picture was bought by an anonymous bidder on behalf of a collector, said Christie's auction house in New York, which sold the image.
The office of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has declined to comment."
There is nothing in the report to suggest that the anonymous bidder lives in the Borders and has a Solway Star fetish
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Cad -is this the jolie jeune fille in question?
This came up OTLT. Try and keep up- folk have been thrown out the Klique for less.
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c'est la meme jeune fille but it's a different photie. So my news is new news and my place dans le clique is safe!
Sorry for the delay in replying. I had to look again (and again) just to make sure.
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Ah'd walk a million feet
Tae see ye git beat
Oh Ra-a-anjurs
laters amigos
WG
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DontBrat...The other thing which has gone completely out the window this year has been abandonment of any kind of youth development policy...
The abandonment of any kind of youth development has gone oot the window. So we've ditched abandoning the youth development.
I suppose you mean we have abandoned any kind of youth development. When did this happen?
Any talk of a new manager at this point in the season is frankly ridiculous.
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Larkin- the youth policy has been abandoned by being thrown out the window; sort of like throwing out the Bhabies with the bathwater.
In his first season the manager made a lot of bringing in players who had been on the fringes with M O'N into his starting XI, esp Aiden and our captain. In his second year he introduced Darren O'dea, played him with great effect in the San Siro, but then seems not to have given him the opportunities this year that our central defensive frailties might have merited.
So far this season our youth policy has produced a brief glimpse of Paul Caddis, but only when our fullback problems were in extremis. Not much has been seen of him since, perhaps due to injury. Young Bjarnasson, rated as a real prospect by those who have seen him, is sold.
Have I missed anyone?
We need a new manager; or the current incumbent to change his style.
The Club is going backwards, having drifted for too long.
If we don't talk about the future of the Club now, then when?
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Meez back from holibags and I bear a cyber stick of rock with I HATE MOFFAT all the way through for each and every one of you.
Caravans are cold this time of year - very very cold. Pre watershed but the cold instills a pre-emptive interruptus physiologically and mentally now I think on it.
I see that's Rangers magic now. Wow. As in big wow.
7 games left.
I was in Moffat today stocking up on liquorice torpedoes and sugared almonds and I walked past a bakers and therein stood this young girl with the hoops on. And she made me beam a smile and I was proud for her and proud for me. Why change the record now? Faithful through and through - as my man of faith would say.
7 games left.
chimone da oops! (I'm down with the street) (And the kids)
Word!
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Uly- were you staying chez Pablo?
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DontBrat
I understand Youth Policy to be the develoment of youth within the club with a view to their future participation in reserves/first team. As far as I am aware this is still in place and as strong as ever.
Future of club always up for discussion but talking of what THE new manager needs to do whilst we still HAVE one is not doing us any favours.
In terms of GS and player development there have been more than one who came through the ranks who think he has developed them as players.
For the record can I join the manager and say that I think we have been unlucky in the last 5 ganes and should have won them all. In only one of these games (Aberdeen cup) we didnae hit woodwork, so some chances must have been created.
When you look at the table and see the difference between us and them. We've lost one and drawn 4 at home whilst only losing 4 goals.
In anyone's books this must equate some bad luck.
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I am stuck in work for a wee while longer and am so bored that I looked up the Jethro Tull website!
Should I see someone about it?
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DBBIA - No, at the caravan park there - Baltic weather and lovely views of the Glasgow/London train line.
But I did see a red squirrel and that, for me, is a wonderful thing.
School breaks should be govt funded.
The Wii is officially 'Weh cool!' - quote Cara Miller (6) April 2008.
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The SPL has to be extended now - the integrity of the League would clearly be impinged if Rangers were made to play two days before a UEFA Cup Semi-final or two games in one mid-week. If Celtic were to win the League in such fashion it would be the most meaningless title ever won.
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Larkin, but in those 5 home games, we have only scored 2. Added to that are two cup games were we failed to score and conceded 3. There is something wrong (more than bad luck) for results like this at a place that was recently referred to as Fortress Parkhead.
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Lark- 5 games in a row is an awful lot of bad luck! Before this run we had our ejection rom the Diddy Cup at home, again without scoring. Motherwell, not Mee-lan, played most of the second half with 10 men.
To go back to youths, and I agree completely with your definition - then why have we not seen more of O'dea this season?
Is future participation in the senior team 'still in place and as strong as ever'?
Really? Will young Sheridan feature on Sunday?
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Cad...agree it's more than bad luck but a lot of it is down to such fine margins as the width of a post.
We should see some of the Fortress Parkhead atmosphere against THEM on Wed night.
Can we all agree that getting behind the team is THE most important thing for now until the season IS over?
glasshalffullCSC
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Anyone own an Nikon D50 or similar and have a clue how to use it - unlike meesel?
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Paul
collie says:
The G.A. are doing rather well,
Although, we'd prefer it, if they Fell!
Alas, Alack, looks like they'll go on, and win the League,
In spite of our Spells and Prayers,
They could succeed!
Last season when they nearly overtook us at the Pass,
It Proved to me, Mr.Smith's a Manager, with Nous and Class.
We must face the facts,once and for all,
In spite of Mr.Strachan being iron clad of ball,
He's lost the Confidence of the Fans,
And his Team is proving to be an Also- Ran.
He must leave, while showing Dudgeon, high or low,
For his Team NEVER DID DELIVER... that Killer Blow!
We need a man, who is a member of our Favourite Denomination,
If we wish to attempt a Decade of DOMINATION!
A Man who really understands our plight...
A man who knows that we are in a fight,
We have so many enemies, lurking in the woods,
Who hate our guts,and are up to no good!
The Press, The Establishment... and even the Queen...
They ALL wish that, we should have never been,
We are a Thorn that annoys them ever so,
It is their wish ...
that we should go!
So our new Man he must know the Score,.
When first he walks right through our Door!
He must not be an Anglo or a Continental...
To pick one of those,would be Dumb and Crazy,Nuts,and Mental!
No, my friend we must fight Fire with Fire,
It must be one of OUR OWN PERSUASION... that we should Hire!
collie.
Tail's Awaggin', Awaggin'
.................
Love to you and yours,
Mabel.
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Mabel.
Is collie inferring our next boss man should be an Irish Setter?
Well there's no chance of it being a Kerry Blue...
My best to that wee dug.
U.
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Larkin
Totally agree, we have dominated the first part of the last 5 games.Just didnt get that first goal.
If we had our season would have been so different.
On such fine margins..
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Madel,
'It must be one of OUR OWN PERSUASION'
Ex player or Celtic fan that's in management.......the list is endless.
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Smelltheglove - you only play football to score. So to say we 'just' didnt get that first goal is like saying that a tennis player dominated a game but just didnt get the winning shots.
Who is the better tennis player?
Its about putting the ball in the back of the net.
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Mabel/Kojo/Colie et al
Will anyone outline for the hard of thinking, such as myself, what the defining characters of our denomination are?
Does he need to be Scottish?
Does he need to be Irish?
Does he need to have played for Celtic?
Does he need to be a mad mental tim?
Does he need to be a practising catholic?
Does he need to score at the top percentile on the Winning Gemmell Paranoia Scales?
Does he need to be a he?
On the exclusion front.
Do we turn Hiddink down because
a) He's too expensive
b) He knows not our ways
c) His hair is vaguely gingerish
d) Too long an association with the colour orange.
Not sure I want to be a member of this particular clique csc
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And what's the deal with Clique as in Flick?
I thought clique as in leek...
Po Tay Toes - boil em mash put em in a stew.
Name that film...
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Well maybe not endless......
here's a few that played with us...
Tony Mowbary
Mark Magee
Roy Keane
Davie Moyes
Mick McCarthy
Celtic fans.....
Craig Levein
Mark Huges (some say he's a fan)
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Gordon Strachan’s time is up regardless, the bhoys have had enough.
The next manager, as always will determine our potential success over the next few years, so where are the Ferguson’s/Wenger’s etc? It would be easy to appoint a Celtic man, a man with the club at heart, a good Tim, but would he be the next Stein, doubt it. The league is almost certainly gone, so why don’t the board appoint a football expert to identify the next Ferguson/Wenger. Out there, there is a young coach with the expectations of a Jock Stein and the ability to take Europe by storm with remarkable coaching and football knowledge, the bottle to take on a Celtic. If we are to reach the heights of Lisbon again it will take a board of directors willing to gamble on potential talent. Go on take a chance.
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gerry-
so really the list is quite limited
notinspiredcsc
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syllawhowasmince....
aye...:-)
When you take the compo into consideration some teams teams will want for their manager, it comes down even further.
I'll have to look for unemployed ones...:-)
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I think Collie's couched point is -a manager who can go toe to toe with Wattie and his gang. And someone who can intimate the level of application expected from any player who dons the hoops to any player who dons the hoops.
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Ulysses...
LOTR - The Two Towers
Sam to The wee baldy chap!
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Uly- Lord of the rings, part 3.
After your squirrel comment I expect P67 is poised with his Finger of Doom above the delete key in case any reprobate should post that the beaver is also a wonderful sight but no one here would be so tiresome..
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On 5Live just now, a discussion about Arsenal. Under investment with £69M in the bank?
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Uly
Why "couch" the comment if that's what it means? That's hardly a controversial qualification. In fact, it's hardly worth mentioning cos who would ever want the converse of that?
I'm worried we're using coded words because we're ashamed to spell out what we want.
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LOTR Pt TWO
Well done Mike
u.
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The only way Gordon Strachan WON'T be manager next season is if we lose both OF games.
We'll win next Wed.
We have no other option.
Strachan starts next August.
For better or worse.
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Uly
re the squirrel
Just as well you got there before The Fall
shooting a squirrel
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SFTB
I meant it only in as much that yon dug never actually states his case in the plain and simple English we all use. Obfuscation almost. And akin to Dali's melted clocks.
Anyway SFTB - I'd take Hiddink in a minute.
And now dear cyber friends I'm off to eat, drink and be merry with my wife - for I am still on holiday.
Cheers all
u.
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truetim
no matter how bad our luck is
we are not like most other spl teams
strange logic
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Z :- As I said earlier, when it comes to extending the league you are preaching to the converted. I honestly can't say about the decision before xmas not to play a postponed game but would appreciate any info or a link to info about it.
However we did only ask for one game to be postponed, a decision that I slated at the time. While we may have added to the fixture pile up by drawing with P.T we did not cause it by asking for games to be postponed.
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this king carlos pish
he certainly wasnt the king of lyon
the diffed header partly to blame for them gettin papped out of europe
wattie standing shaking his head
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lurgan
Strachan has lost the fans he will walk or many will not renew
The board may be stuborn but not commercially mad
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PFAyr
You have mail.
cheers
malceye
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True Tim
I accept the point, if not the analogy.
Of course football is about scoring. That’s how every team is judged. Its when the goals don’t go in that you look a bit deeper. Is the ability there, is the work rate there, is the attitude right, are we creating chances, etx
Its my view that the answer to these questions has been yes…..up to a point.
So I think it is fair comment to note that luck has deserted us of late.
No excuses, just an observation
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Mr Strachan will be on his way at the end of the season, no doubt about that. However, at present, the focus of everyone must be on winning each game that we have left. This begins with Murderwell on Sunday. I believe that one bright spot in the present doom, is that the fans and the team will be right up for the game standing the fall-out there has been following the last 2 matches.
One game at a time sweet Jesus.
LenaMartellCSC
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gweedhorebhoy
i dont know who you are, what your favourite takeaway is or your taste in music is - but - every tim i know - and thats mainly guys from the north of glasgow who like a laugh, are proud of their irish, like a beer and a puff - whthere they actually like wgs or not - agrees that celtic have been the "better team" in the past 5 matches over the course of the entire 90 mins - my point is this - what kind of people disagree with this - now i know that goals win prizes and so does wgs but wgs is simply stating what is perfectly obvious to all and sundry - despite not being brazil 70 celtic have been the better team in these games - they have not taken their chances and the defenders have played like completed mantovannis -
looks like we live in a different timdom
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spikeyauldman
I have been at the last five games and disagree just my opinion from the lower north stand
We have not been the better team.
Aberdeen deserved it
Dundee unt wanted it more
Rangers played us like a violin
We had the wrong team against motherwell
My point is strachan is talking himself out of a job spouting stats when we all know the problems.
Motherwell may be interesting as if he plays caldwell, naylor mcmanus jvoh or that complete waste of space donatie then i think he wants the sack.
We should have
Boruc
Hinkel balde odea wilson
Robson hartley naka Mcgeady
Samaras Mcdonald
We must beat motherwell however they are in the driving seat for the uefa cup place and will be up for it.
Also fir park is a mud heap and may level the teams
We have to score first as we seem to lack the fight to come back from a set back now.
I think we are in the same timdom just looking at it from a different angle.
All i can say is the tide has turned and its time for strachan to ship out.
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alan at 18.04...
the most meaningless title ever won was the andy davis title...but none the less well done on providing the press with the "even the celtic fans accept an extension is inevitable" argument.....
you are a celtic fan aren't you ??
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gweedore
i will be suprised to see aiden and naka in the same midfield on sunday.
Naka,I am afraid, has been very much a passanger now for some time.
Neat and tidy, but contributes next to nothing.
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gweedorebhoy/spikeys
I don't think invoking luck as a concept gets you anywhere. It does not explain what happened, it only explains it away.
We were not unlucky to get the past 5 results. It's ok to feel that on another day we might have scored but that has to be balanced by observing there were other days when we got goals that we might not have (e.g. Love Street)
Conversely, we were not lucky when we won 2 titles and reached the last 16 twice.
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The next Celtic manager will be neither scottish, Irish, welsh or english. It will be a Wim or a good Doctor. If you think about it Celtic have made some of the most imaginative signings for managers. From the sublime to the ridiculuous. Strachan is in the slightly sublime camp for me although his recent track record is puzzling. To say we were the better team in the last five matches is poppycock. THAT worries me. Strachan not realising that we are on the ropes and we have to come out fighting.
Talking of fighting, will Rangers be able to outfox and outmuscle the Masters of the win at all cost mobs? And no I am not talking about Partick Thistle.
I support Strachan 100% mind you.
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smell the glove
I tend to agree but who else have we?
Donatie must not be allowed anywhere near a celtic jersey again.
Brown is suspended
Is it a game were sno can get a game the first mistake and it may be carnage. Not fair i know but nerves are frayed.
i do agree when brown is free from suspension then naka gets dropped.
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what about a 5 5 3 formation?
hater of huns
hinkel balde caldwell mcmanus wilson
hartley robson sno
mcgeady naka
jvoh skippy sammy
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I have known Craig Levein and his brother Sandy since they were 12 year old ,and played with Dalgety Bay boys Club under 13's.
He has never once declared at any time that he is a Celtic fan.
I think he is doing a great job at DU after failing at Leicester City.
I think that he would do just as good a job as Mr Strachan is doing.
His team has actually beaten Rangers this season and in the last two games scored 5 Goals against them.
He hasn't had a 10th of the budget that WGS has had to spend either.
But if it comes about that he says he is a Celtic fan ,then he has hidden it well for 45 years.
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honest question
is anyone confident that if by some terrible calamity strachan stayed we can trust him to buy the players we need given his track record.
If so why?
