A goal down in the second half, having not made a chance worthy of the name. But the Celtic story was going to be told. Hearts pushed, kicked and wasted every possible second of the opening 82 minutes of the Scottish Cup Final. Their game plan worked, for 10 minutes the outcome looked in doubt, until Odsonne Edouard out-witted Heats ‘keeper, Zlamal. Instead of shooting the Celtic striker knocked the ball forward. By this point Zlamal’s momentum was unstoppable, he cleared the Celtic striker off his feet. The penalty was inevitable and a consequence of the maturity of a 21-year-old.
Odsonne’s craft for the winning goal was better still. He was off like lightening after Mikael Lustig’s header put the ball beyond the Hearts back line. Watch Odsonn’e body shape, he opened his foot and drew his right shoulder back, as though to place the ball to Zlamal’s bottom left corner. The keeper followed the body language but Odsonne turned his foot at the last minute and chipped the ball into the opposite side of the net. It was delicious.
I did not think anything in domestic football could match the Invincible Treble, secured in such drama against Aberdeen in 2017, but as this journey of success has continued, the drama, the importance of each subsequent trophy, mounts.
Yesterday we retained the Scottish Cup for the ninth time in our history; the first time we won three-in-a-row and the first time in world football a Treble Treble has been completed. Whatever it is that we are living through right now, let it’s reign be long and glorious!
Condolences of the family and friends of Harry Hood, who we lost earlier. Harry was part of the successful Celtic team on the early 70s and was the last Celtic player to score a hat-trick against Oldco Rangers. On leaving football became a successful business man, running some of the best restaurants, hotels and pubs in Lanarkshire.
With the Treble Treble only minutes in the history books, Celtic wasted no time in confirming Neil Lennon would become permanent manager. We will pick this up later.
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https://twitter.com/i/status/1132556227844689921
SAINT STIVS on 26TH MAY 2019 7:43 PM
TT. spent a pleasant wee day over at argyll park, alexandria today wa\tchin the morton 2010s in a tournament hosted by Haldene fc.
*spent many a happy afternoon/evening there, crackin parks, they also have a Tim flavoured Bowling Club. Grew up in the Haldane, pretty much a non-sectarian place. The late lamented EDB grew up across the railway line fae the Argyle.
Hun behaviour is swallowing any old p@@h you are fed and never questioning whether that p@@h will be good for your club or not. Thank feck we have a diverse support who don’t just sit back and support the current custodians of our club unquestionably.
As most of us who are disappointed with the appointment of Lenny have said, he will get our 100% support as we really don’t have any choice in the matter.
Those that would rather we remain silent would use that same silence as proof that the board have made the right appointment. Time will tell but I guarantee you those giving the board an easy ride over this will be shouting just as loud if it goes pear shaped.
Still haven’t spoken to or know one single person outwith this blog who wanted Lenny as their first choice and no matter how much you all lie to yourselves that is the truth of his appointment.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D6l3dTyW4AAZm6V.jpg
Neil Lennon was a success at HIbs – ask Hibs fans.
He won them promotion back to tbhe SPFL in his first season.
His next season had Hibs finishing fourth & earning a place in Europe.
His departure was engineered by HRH Leanne D who made it a “him or me” choice for Petrie & Farmer.
Neil Lennon was mutually consented at Bolton when Dean Holdsworth’s consortium bought the club’s debt in March 2016. Players wages hadn’t been paid, the club were 173 million in debt & owed HMRC over 2 million. They had narrowly escaped a winding up order at that time but had had a transfer embargo imposed. Dean Holdsworth later left as joint owner but the club’s financial chaos continued. 3 weeks ago the club’s employees were using a food bank & on April 26 the Football League stopped a league game between Bolton & Brentford taking place until players wages were paid. They weren’t and the game was awarded to Brentford 1-0. Bolton finished 2nd bottom & were relegated to Div 1 & will start there next season minus 12 points.
NFL was in charge for 18 months & until the true extent of the financial mess became apparent was doing a decent job.
It speaks volumes that the club have been relegated twice since NFL left them.
Prior to Bolton, NFL won the first three titles of the current Celtic 8 in a row.
He also won the Scottish Cup twice.
I know most of you know this, but some things need repeating for all the right reasons.
Mark Twain’s phrase springs to mind ” A lie can get halfway round the world before truth has put its pants/shoes on”.
NFL may not be the most successful manager around, but he is certainly not a failed manager.
If folk don’t want him as manager then that’s one thing, but making stuff up to justify their position is unacceptable & plain wrong.
Expecting a “glamour” announcement was the stuff of fantasy & I sometimes think that many fans live in a fantasy world. Pre-season training starts in 3 weeks for some of our squad. We head to Austria for pre-season games in late June & play our last friendly on July 2. CL qualifiers 1st Rnd is on July 9.
Because of the chaos & void left by the annointed predecessor, Celtic were obliged to scramble to find someone to take over temporarily. Just as he did when Mowbray left, NFL stepped in to hold things together. Sacking a manager who secured you a league & cup double OR if you like – completed the only known treble treble in professional world football would be extreme in any circumstance.
Social media, halfwitted self serving bloggers, agents & bookies all contrived to glam up the possible candidates with gambling odds being discussed seriously as an indicator of who was to be appointed.
There is zero evidence that Celtic seriously consdered any other candidate.
What this club needs after the chaos & disruption caused by the Midnight Flit of our complete senior management team in February is stability & a safe pair of hands. What it doesn’t need is another prima donna who promises the earth while simultaneously engineering his own lucrative contract elsewhere. Knowing your place in the food chain is one thing, but knowingly & willingly accepting being someone else’s fodder is another.
My own preferences are irrelevant now. So are yours.
If you are a Celtic fan get behind the manager & the team.
I look forward to incoming & outgoing player business & in seeing NFL’s own choice of backroom staff being introduced.
HH
eddieinkirkmichael luv your posts pal straight from the heart.hh.
Lennon is a major mistake guys. Just admit it.
This does not end well no matter how the Bonus Thief tries to sugar coat it.
No CL ; sell an asset to meet his bonus kpis ( KT, McGregor, O.R. French Eddy ) ; he has 2 years max and is topping up his bonus before his exit. Corporate 101 behaviour. Happy clappers are oblivious while Saint Pedro laughs at you.
Lennon is the fall guy and it will be painful. A disillusioned support will turn against him big time with his almost certain CL failure.
Oh and by the way I predicted 2 1 to the tic yesterday at our table in the Nevis suite. Rather than collect my winnings I did the honourable thing and gave it to the young lady who was hosting our table.
My prediction for Lennon is a complete an utter failure.
Lucky Cody
You must be a blast at parties….
Cody Bhoy 8.18pm
I think Neil will be a resounding success… one game lost since February with another mans team
Neil Francis CSC
IGYINMILAN on 26TH MAY 2019 7:45 PM
FOOL TIME WHISTLE on 26TH MAY 2019 2:26 PM
Quotes the 50th Anniversary Book on the Lisbon Lions by Paul Cuddihy on one of my favourite players,
‘In it Charlie Gallagher speaks of how his wife would say to him “you’ve played football for Celtic for years and you’re just known for two corner kicks – the 1965 Final corner for Billy’s header to score AND the last minute corner for the same man to head the winner against Vojvodina in the European Cup quarter final 2nd leg at Celtic Park.”
There is more to Charlie than that. From January 1968, Celtic trailed (oldco) Rangers in the League Championship. They then went on an amazing run (unbeaten I think) and eventually won the League on the penultimate day (Tommy Gemmell vying to do a PC Lustig at the last-minute, winning goal against Morton). One key feature of this run was that Charlie Gallagher had replaced Bertie Auld and was outstanding in that run.
Well remembered for two penalties, delivering three-in-a-row and being an all-round great Celt.
*Still well loved down in Dumbarton, in season 1971/72 after 50 years out of the top division including a spell in the old Division C he single handily led them tae win the Second Division.
With their goals drying up especially fae Kenny Wilson who scored 43 that season and the wee dive bomber davie wilson who went missing Charlie scored 21 from the play maker position including 9 in the last 9 games.
Was actually running the midfield in a LC semi replay at hunden against us when Jock allegedly told the quiet assassin tae “dae” him.
He had a successful shop in the Petec’s part of the town the Republic of Bellsmyre and only gave it up due tae age and travel.
Rarely does anyone get two predictions right. No doubt that’ll disappoint you.
EDDIEINKIRKMICHAEL on 26TH MAY 2019 8:05 PM
Alway been an admirere of your contribution – from a distance.
I think we need a disnstinction between folk saying that they disagree with the choice of manager and giving spurious justification for their opinion.
The first is an entirely legitimate part of being a Celtic fan while the second is not, in my opinion.
Silencing critics is usually wrong & unwelcome but challenging lies by critics is entirely correct, in my opinion. This is not a reference to you or any specific poster but if we cannot hold the facts in common then we are doomed & noen of thios matters at all.
There is an ancient & even time honoured disregard for the board of this club from many fans, but that doesn’t mean that everything the board does or says is wrong, or is to be condemned. Of course, the converse is also true, not everything the board does is fine & dandy just because they hold a position as director at the club.
Time will tell whether the board have made another Mowbray move or a Strachan move.
What we actually need are many voices, just as long as lies are nailed as lies from whatever source.
HH
‘Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths confirms he will be back for pre-season after being away from the squad since December last year.’
Anyone know if Gary Og is playing at the Brazen Head tonight?
Tontine Tim
Charlie certainly did have much more to offer & his service speaks to that.
I was referencing that passage from the book to paraphrase what his missus joked as being the main things he’d be remembered for.
SFTB had spoken of his youthful disregard for Charlie & Harry Hood as bottlers in the tackling department.
I include his original – it’s worth it.
………..
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 26TH MAY 2019 12:36 PM
I was just as happy about yesterday as it is possible to be, supporting Celtic but I cried briefly at the thought of those who had missed out on the moment.
The appointment of Neil as manager did not take any of the shine of this feeling for me, even though I may have preferred a different outcome. And I was pleasantly surprised to find this morning’s hangover less severe than I thought it might be.
But news of the death of another childhood “hero” brought back some feelings of shame for my callous views as a younger Celtic supporter.
Harry Hood, and Charlie Gallagher, were both called out, by my mates and myself, as effeminate types of players because they did not seem to relish the meaty challenges side of the game. Charlie was even dubbed with the name of Bridie Gallagher, an Irish singer of the time, but Harry was regularly called out as a coward, much like our current winger, Wee Jamesie, because he did not, it seemed to us, enter the 50:50 challenges with the same degree of determination that we were used to with the mighty Joe McBride, Steve Chalmers or Dixie Deans.
Despite the evidence of a regular supply of goals, we refused to change our opinion of him until I had the epiphany after the Athletico Madrid game of 1974. The papers, the next day, showed the bruising on the players legs, including Harry’s, who had faced up to the thuggery of that team. This was in the days before photoshopped pictures and the bruising really showed up in the pictures.
No coward earned that treatment. Just like Jimmy Johnstone, Harry had squared up those challenges again and again in an attempt to allow our superior skill to break through their violent defence.
I got the chance, on CQN many years ago, to tell this shameful story and present it as evidence that we are quick to form an erroneous picture of a player’s personality, based on our standing as observers of the game , or practitioners of a lower level of it.
Charlie Gallagher plied his trade on the muddy pitches of the 50s, 60s and early 70s. He was a skilful and intelligent player who glided across pitches. He did not fit our particular callous stereotype of what a footballer should be. Harry Hood beat men with skill and timing rather than hustle, bustle and muscle so he, too, fell short of our crude picture of a “real football man”.
I apologised to Harry Hood already and I apologise again to him and Charlie for our utter, utter, misjudgement on them as footballers and men. They faced down more challenges and adversity than I ever had to face and they came back for more.
I am glad that Harry lived long enough to see the Celtic Treble Treble and is now at peace from the ravages of that terrible disease.
I am glad that Charlie still lives amongst us and is healthy and is humbly able to have the last laugh on all of us, who in our callow youth, dared to mis-judge him.
If I can paraphrase e. e. Cummings
“Christ(of His mercy infinite)
i pray to see; and Harry, too
preponderatingly because,
unless statistics lie, he was
more brave than me: more blond than you.”
Harry Hood RIP
lucky cody on 26th May 2019 8:18 pm
Oh and by the way I predicted 2 1 to the tic yesterday at our table in the Nevis suite. Rather than collect my winnings I did the honourable thing and gave it to the young lady who was hosting our table.
My prediction for Lennon is a complete an utter failure.
****
So your prediction for ‘Lennon’ presumably didn’t start until after the cup was won.
Why do I get the impression that you’re not playing with a full deck?
Ernie 8.46pm
(No hidden agenda at all)
What is your gut feeling about Neil’s appointment … if he accepts :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHmOKYThxYk
Really fine footage from yesterday.
Some great moments captured.
When the winner goes in, Lustig & brown look around for someone..I think a HMFC player who’d been digging them both up. Lustig runs off towards the bench area, then Brown joins him.
Best moment is NFL falling to his knees at the Fool Time Whistle (couldn’t resist it).
Enjoy it again & again & again….
HH
lucky cody on 26th May 2019 8:15 pm
Lennon is the fall guy and it will be painful. A disillusioned support will turn against him big time with his almost certain CL failure.
=======
Not this time mo chara. Failure in the CL is something we are used to now. Lack of investment in players by the board, BR, allegedly, working his ticket and the Belgian throwing his toys oot of the pram cost us against AEK probably the worst team to qualify for the group stages this season. But the board have now run out of excuses and backed themselves into a cul de sac . They have to back Lenny significantly in the transfer market and spend a lot of the money they keep telling us we have so much of and allow Lenny to build his own team. Then and only then will PL and Co have an excuse. Does anyone here believe they will actually sanction the kind of spending that would allow us a decent chance of qualifying for the CL group stages?
No this time if the appointment of Lenny fails the support will not blame NFL (who is one of us) it will be very much laid at PLs door. Fail to win the SPFL and end the quest for 10iar the blame will lay firmly with the board. Yes Fraudgers left us in the lurch but this wasn’t unexpected. The board had no plan B apart from appointing Lenny they have had months to speak to other coaches who may or may not have been interested in taking on the role of manager. They failed to do this. This time the buck stops with them.
https://mobile.twitter.com/BMRVCSC/status/1132418824349868032
Thought our crew were a bit quiet yesterday .hh
We are residing in terrific Celtic times I think even reading my posts I sound like a board lover … I do not give one jot about any board member fae Fergus to Peter… that’s not my Celtic
Celtic for me is Tommy Burns, Tommy Boyd, (Tommy Johnson) Gordon Strachan, big Billy (centenary centurion) Martin O’Neill, Brendan Rodgers, but mainly Neil Lennon .. in my lifetime (born 1970) Neil has and is a massive part of my Celtic life … one day we might not win the league, one day we might even lose a domestic cup game … not happened for a few years … until that day Neil (or whoever was appointed) will always have my support ….
Unhappy Celtic fans … there will be a time when all of us are unhappy thankfully it’s not now :-)
Oglach,
The buck stops with the board. However who will Teflon Lawwell offer up for sacrifice.
His favourite media sources online and mainstream will point the finger of blame at Lennon. The fans will do the rest and Lennon will be history. Only then will we appoint a proper manager. It’s the Deila / Rodgers story again.
The sooner it’s happens the better and maybe the season can be saved.
I’ve been off social media for the past day and a half. To drunk, hungover, drunk again and revelling in our success to do otherwise.
Loved it when the 1st post I read tonight was this one…..
LUCKY CODY on 26TH MAY 2019 6:55 PM
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha… ye ragin mate? Asking for a friend….
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ????????????????????⚽️
Gordon64 from the Sentinel
Big Packy (attention seeker)
I had already apologised by text to BCUWP for the senile comment and wish Bobby all the very best and would prefer him on here …
The back slapping and digs at this blog are pretty disgusting
And if I am P67s poodle … well that comment is as inane as that particular poster
Apologies to P67’s dug whether it’s a poodle or a mongrel
And Big Packy … you were correct and Coatbridge Paper Bhoy phoned me to tell me I was incorrect … that doesn’t alter the fact you are an attention seeker who probably has never witnessed Celtic in the flesh … remember liars need to have good memories :-)
Again … had to have a wee lurk … keep your friends close but the enemies defo need a watching ?
Over the years I’ve seen many prophets of doom take over the site. Ghuys knew for certain that the Huns would be fast tracked into the Premiership etc etc. Pages of worry & angst and you know what it never happened. Did the prophets admit they were wrong no chance they were busy stirring up another shit storm about something that was never going to happen either.
Lenny wouldn’t have been my first choice, but he is an experienced Manager, he did supervise our win over Barcelona, he will certainly put his heart & soul into the job and in my opinion with Clarke moving to Scottish job he is still probably the best Manager in the SPFL,
We currently have clearly the best squad in the League, we are the best resourced Club and if the Board invests in strengthening the team why should we be fearful of the future under Lenny.
The key thing now is for the Board to get the cheque book out and that should be our focus.
GERRY I was watching celtic when you were a babe in arms walking up muiryhall st, I don’t like to be called an attention seeker from a drunk.gfam.
??oh there’s only One King Lhenny, that’s oor Nheil…..??
??oh there’s only One King Lhenny that’s oor Nhiel…. ??
?? oh there’s only one King Lhenny, only one King Lhenny, only one King Lhenny, that’s oor Nheil???
??????????????????
Had a quick scroll back and can’t believe the acquiescent nonsense i read on here. This used to be the go to Celtic site. Sad stuff. You deserve each other. HH
CorkCelt
Fully respect your opinion but some guys, myself included, are worried about this appointment. Not for the sake of it. Not because we didn’t get some glamorous name. Not for some hatred of Neil but some nagging feeling the board have fecked up. I’ve done the reasons why to death so will sound obsessed if I troop them out again.
We face a big summer ahead. On a human level I hope Neil gets backed and kicks on. The MSM nonsense next year will be off the richter scale. The pressure will be intense and some in our support are waiting for the Euro knockout or the cup defeat. I think Neil signals a modest level of support from the board if past experience is anything to go by.
I saw a poster earlier say that if Atalanta and Milan won it was good news for our Pot 3 hopes.
Well both teams won but the League positions suggest Inter have beaten AC to the 4th spot for CL with Milan going to the Europa.
Does this mean we are Pot 3 or Pot 4, in the event that we manage next season’s difficult qualifying process?
BP1
G64
Good to see you on
Not sure why as all you (that’s plural) is run this place down
Jim … drunk ? :-) :-) :-)
Read your own posts … am happy with mine (no lies)
Doc
Looks like no sleeping tonight :-)
Gotham starting in 8mins so might be back around 11pm
Neil is our manager
Loving it …. can understand the measured responses but the downsizing brigade can do one … as for the board “puppet” this is why Neil hasn’t accepted the job … yet .. he has Peter & Dermot by the short n curliest
As for the unhappy Celts …. moan moan moan … one day they will actually have something to whinge about them they will be dumbstruck
I hear you Big Wavy and like yourself my first reaction on hearing the news was disappointment and a feeling we could and should have done better.
I think our expectations were raised by all the media stories mentioning, Jose, Rafa & AVB. That was never going to happen, we probably punched above our weight getting Rodgers & the fact that he was a Celtic Supporter was out of work and we provided an excellent stepping stone for him to revive his career , made that one happen. Personally I fancied Clarke but he fancied the Scottish job.
All appointments carry a risk, including Lenny but there is no need for panic.
Already Lenny has managed us 14 times in this stint, 10 wins, 3 draws & 1 loss.
We have KT, Christie, Arzani, The Griff, Bayo & Kouassi to come back, we have Shved signed & ready to go.
The only players leaving that I feel we will miss are Boyata & Benkovic. & neither of them have had much game time recently.
We are well set up as I said no need to panic.
SFTB
Tonight’s final round of fixtures in Italy will decide it. If either Atalanta or Milan finish in the top 4 then Celtic would be Pot 3.
Saw that quote online, assume it means we are in pot 3 as Atalanta won.
The reality of the next chapter in our history is about to begin. Who knows what that will entail. What we do know is that we will all be there on the same journey with Lenny and the team. All our misgivings about Lenny’s appointment will be put to one side as we urge the players to reach heights that enable the team to progress and bring the Thunder back to Celtic Park.
We will go to sleep while dreaming that Celtic defies all odds and wins the CL. But dreams are dream and reality is that if we qualify for group stages of CL, that will probably be the highlight of our season.
We need to come together as a support and Neil has to reach out to us doubters and assure us that he has the 100% backing of the board to recruit, at whatever cost, as this is not the time to be prudent in the transfer market.
This could prove to be an inspired appointment but it needs an inspired leader to deliver, will that person step forward?