The most difficult period of the league campaign came in February. We came from behind to secure a draw at Aberdeen. That was followed by a bizarre game at Easter Road. An early Adam Idah penalty put Celtic in control before we conceded an equaliser on the hour and were then shredded by Hibernian until a second Idah penalty kick in added time secured the win.
Next league game was home to Kilmarnock, when the visitors left with a point after a 92nd minute equaliser. For me, that was the darkest moment. The seven-point cushion we had built up earlier in the season was gone, replaced by what would be a two-point deficit when Newco played their game in hand.
You want to believe Celtic will win the league, but I left Celtic Park that day with a feeling of dread. This was not ‘the 10’, defined by history, but it was a league title which would have significant impact on the future, and our trajectory was dreadful. I prepared myself for what felt like the inevitable.
That was 14 games ago. A defeat at Tynecastle under controversial circumstances, a penalty kick progression in the Scottish Cup semi-final, and a drew at Ibrox were the only blemishes on an impeccable record since.
If Kilmarnock at home was the nadir, the draw at Ibrox was the pivotal determinant in the outcome of the title. Newco went into the game with the hopes of winning and moving five points ahead.
Celtic dominated the first half but were ahead courtesy of two bizarre goals. Daizen Maeda blocked a clearance 25 yards from goal which whizzed in the net, then Connor Goldson conceded a penalty for hitting the ball with his arm – bizarre, as Connor is never penalised for that!
We were ahead, but not through methods which we could replicate. 10 minutes into the second half Newco briefly thought they had drawn level, before VAR intervened for a foul on Tomoki Iwata 70 yards from goal. Celtic were rattled and had that goal stood, the outcome of the season may have been different. VAR, for all its problems, is necessary for these moments.
Celtic left Ibrox with the draw they needed to keep the title in their own hands. Newco celebrated a late equaliser as though it was a winner, seemingly not understanding their best chance to take the title had just slipped through their fingers.
The remainder of our league campaign was more comfortable than you are likely to remember. Dundee gave us a challenging 15 minutes. Newco did the same for a similar period, but neither was able to test Joe Hart, never mind beat him during these periods, as Celtic defended a narrow lead. Those games aside, we scored 11 goals without conceding before the title was secured at Rugby Park on Wednesday.
Looking back, this title was closer than it could or should have been. Newco were so poor at one stage, they sacked their manager, yet we were drawn back into a battle after it appeared to be won.
There was a really telling point about where we are as a club after fulltime on Saturday. Historically, the presentation stage was setup facing the South Stand. This time, we had two stages and a second trophy lift for those in the North Stand.
When you win so often, you get to fine-tune everything about the process. You know what winning looks like, you prepare for it confidently and you look for marginal improvements. Celtic is a league winning machine, from going to Ibrox and getting the result, to giving all fans a chance to see the trophy being lifted and a thousand actions in between.
That is why we are champions today; that is what the challengers are up against. They spent more on player wages than us to compensate for the deficit in professionalism in all areas. Their plans for the season could have worked out, but it fell short, which will have harsh consequences. More on that another time.
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And its good night from me!!
Good morning all from a beautiful, dry 9 degree, sunny morning in the Garngad.
4 more sleeps to we see the bhoys play the Celtic way, I have a feeling we will not let Huns off the HOOK on Saturday, 3 or 4 goals incoming for us to their 1 and that will probably be a pen.
HH
D. :)
Here’s a challenge – Celtic Bar in Sicily, east coast preferably??
Celtic Bars showing nothing but looks a bit wonky?
Any info???
M17
CALL ME GERRY…
Congrats to you and your good lady on the birth of your New Grandson.
I trust Mother and Baby are doing well ?
Happy Wedding Anniversary on Friday also.
HH Mate.
My favourite FEMALE Singers ( Off the Top of ma heid)…LOL.
1) Doris Day.
2) Aretha Franklin.
3) Adele.
What a Midfield those Three could make ?
HH
SUPERBRU…
Well done to ALL of those who won some CASH and well done to SFTB for all his time and trouble in organising Superbru.
I will certainly have a go at the SUPERBRU EURO 2024 competition if it happens ?
Well done to ALL yet again.
HH.
Good morning from a dry North Staffs
Moisey – with 500 million fans there’s bound to be a Huns watering hole in Sicily, just don’t cheer to loud when we win
My favourite FEMALE Singers ( Off the Top of ma heid)…LOL.
1) Doris Day.
2) Aretha Franklin.
3) Adele.
—-
Dusty number 1 for me!
BACK TO BASICS – GLASS HALF FULL on 20TH MAY 2024 11:59 PM
https://youtu.be/yuPWW3mpA9E?feature=shared
And this one never gets old.
Goodnight CQN.
………….
Brilliant Mate.
i can also remember when SWEDEN beat England 2 – 1, just before Johann Myalby joined Celtic. Johann scored that day also IF memory serves ?
HH Mate.
Good morning all from Govanhill.
Folks , did South of Tunis live on Sicily ?
Moisey17 , if yes , and if you find a Celtic pub in the south , maybe you can ask about .
An outside chance I know 🫤
DAVID66 on 21ST MAY 2024 6:06 AM
Good morning all from a beautiful, dry 9 degree, sunny morning in the Garngad.
4 more sleeps to we see the bhoys play the Celtic way, I have a feeling we will not let Huns off the HOOK on Saturday, 3 or 4 goals incoming for us to their 1 and that will probably be a pen.
………….
I think that we owe that Hun Mob a ” REAL DOING”….although I will take any kind of Celtic win obviously…even an AFFSIDE PENALTY KICK to win 1 – 0 ?
I can also only assume that on Saturday the Weather will be rather ” HOT” ? I would suggest that the Players on the Celtic Bench will also play a part ?
KYOGO and DAIZEN to run them ragged for 60 minutes or so…and then Adam Idah to finish the Huns off and ” RAG DOLLING” the Hun defence for the last 30 minutes ?
Just win EVERY Ball Celtic !
LOL
HH Mate.
FAO BRRB…
Welcome Hame auld Yin.
HH mate.
EVERY Feckin Ball Celtic….Thats NOT too much to ask…is it ?
LOL
HH.
Big Jimmy –
I wonder if Mick is in this video 🤪https://youtu.be/7Gf5XRurx8E?feature=shared
LETS ALL DO THE HUDDLE on 21ST MAY 2024 7:57 AM
My favourite FEMALE Singers ( Off the Top of ma heid)…LOL.
1) Doris Day.
2) Aretha Franklin.
3) Adele.
—-
Dusty number 1 for me!
……………………………………………
Dusty for me, too!
Also Connie Francis – her voice pulls at your heart.
Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin for me. 👍
Login
And Big Mama Thornton. No relation to Willie, thankfully.
Dusty, Judith Durham and Aretha for me.
Definitely not the shouty wee hun from Denistoun.
BIGRAILROADBLUES on 21ST MAY 2024 9:01 AM
Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin for me.
………..
You MISSED out the Small Doll and her version of ” A Merry Ploughboy” ?
LOL
HH.
Great FEMALE Singers…
I haven’t forgotten Karen Carpenter, Annie Lennox, Eva Cassidy and several others.
HH.
GARYGILLESPIESHAMSTRING on 21ST MAY 2024 9:26 AM
……….
Yes mate…JUDITH DURHAM is defo in my Top Ten.
HH.
PETULA CLARK was also FAB !
Ive Posted before about Petula singing the Song ” THIS IS MY SONG”…..Great voice and a great song that was written by CHARLIE CHAPLIN.
HH
SFTB et al,
Many thanks for your time and effort re Superbru. It is much appreciated.
Re femail singers: Debbie Harry.. Beautiful and extremely talented .A vanguard in New Wave. Done it all. Reggie, rap, punk, disco pop.
Closely followed by a very underrated and stunning singer who has aged beautifully :Kim Wilde.( Booked to see her March 25 )
HH.
Petula Clark told the story of her and her good friend ” Karen Carpenter” going to an Elvis concert in the early 1970’s.
Elvis was made aware of Petula and Karen being in the audience that night, and he invited BOTH ladies back stage, and latterly his Hotel room.
Both Girls were very excited to meet Elvis Presley and agreed to go with him to his Hotel Room.
Petula spoke about the nice conversation they had for a wee while, UNTIL the ” nice conversation” took a sinister turn. Petula claimed that Elvis was making several ” HINTS” of a sexual nature, and it became obvious to the more mature Petula, that Presley was hinting at a ” THREESOME ” !
Petula also spoke of ” How NIAVE” Karen Carpenter was at that time, but Petula had become rather alarmed at the ” hints” Presley was making. Petula claimed that she had to persuade Karen that they should BOTH get out of that Hotel room very quickly, before something really unpleasant happened ?
Karen was at first reluctant to leave…NOT realising the situation, but eventually Petula got both outta that Hotel room.
Petula Clark claimed that she really feared for herself and Karen whilst in the company of Presley that night.
I cant remember IF Petula advised Karen about her fears sometime later ?
Needless to say, Elvis Presley was NOT a favourite of Petula Clark after that episode…and possibly also with Karen Carpenter ?
HH.
Great tunes Clunks
Reminds me of a certain Pablo
Big Jimmy @9.52
Was that an example of heartbreak hotel?
Maria Callas for me.
Looks like Tony Mowbray may have called it a day as he resigns from being Birmingham coach.
A decent man who was cheated rotten by the SFA referees.
Thanks for the Huddle and hope you make a full recovery – take it easy
HOT SMOKED on 21ST MAY 2024 10:11 AM
Maria Callas for me.
…………………………………
Yes!
Barbra Streisand
Karen Carpenter, Aretha and our very own Susan Boyle
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/new-flights-glasgow-donegal-launched-29204440?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar
Direct flights to Donegal, Loganair usually expensive though….
back in the room
Bada Bing 10.47
Fanad lighthouse well worth a visit ☘️
https://www.thecelticwiki.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/2003-05-21-Celtic-2-3-Porto-UEFA-Cup-Pictures-200-2048×1159.jpg