Cast your mind back to earlier this month. February ended with a 100% domestic record, qualification for the League Cup Final and two merit awards for performances against Inter Milan. We then walloped nearest challengers Aberdeen 4-0. A small matter of a game against St Johnstone lay ahead before the Scottish and League Cup double-header against Dundee United. Which we lost. At home.
If a team drops even a few percentage points below its optimum the actual drop in results achieved can be enormous. Celtic have answered all the big questions over the last seven weeks, despite the reversal in Milan; there will inevitably be a drop in adrenaline when normality returns, which is tomorrow, again against United.
We have a month to prepare for the Scottish Cup semi-final but another St Johnstone-type episode would cut the gap at the top to zero points, with Celtic having one game in hand.
I’m a great believer than a manager cannot and should not ask his players to climb the mountain every time. If he does, he loses that special intensity he’ll need for the truly big occasions. The players, from captain to novice, must carry the burden.
Niggles between players happen in every game. On most occasions it will be a couple of months before you face the same opponent again, so whatever happened last time will have been replaced in the mind’s gallery of items the player feels sore about.
Since Scottish football became the Celtic-Dundee United show that’s changed. A player who elbowed you last game will be running at you next time out. This is the stuff red cards are made of.
There is a chance that we’ve beaten United into submission and that they’ll turn up in body, not mind, tomorrow, but if Jackie McNamara manages to convince them they are victims of wanton Celtic player’s face-on-United player’s elbow action, you can expect more reds.
Keep your cool, Celtic. Nothing more than wanton hair ruffling.
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This is from McMurdo’s Blog – a Sevco supporting site. Sounds like the penny has finally dropped!
=========================================================
Last night’s dismal 2-2 draw with Alloa has left Rangers fans in no doubt that the fix of problems on the pitch is far from being a quick one.
Rangers were abysmal and if there is a McCall Factor that provides impetus and a forward thrust to this team, it has yet to kick in.
Off the field, matters are even worse.
Rangers forums abound with fans voicing their concerns that the new regime behind the scenes at Ibrox has not started any better than the new football manager.
And they are right to be concerned.
My understanding is that the cash situation at Ibrox is critical.
The word is that HMRC have not been paid for last month and there is not enough cash to pay wages at the end of this month.
Sports Direct will only advance money from the £5m facility if due diligence is satisfied. That will be a problem considering the short time scale. Besides which, it would be extremely embarrassing if the new board were to be seen going cap in hand to their opponent in the boardroom war.
If the directors cannot pay their bills and they are aware that no further cash is forthcoming then they are trading insolvently. Should liquidation follow, these directors are financially liable.
Not much of a prize for the incoming board members.
The new board appear to have counted on full houses at Ibrox . Even if that had happened there would have been a £200k deficit per month. Last night’s attendance (Rangers v Alloa) was 28,000. Many of these seats would not be paid for on the night. The monthly deficit is therefore much greater than £200k eg £300-£400k.
On top of this, four major staff are now on gardening leave – Ally McCoist £700k pa, Kenny McDowell £220k Derek Llambias £150k Barry leach £140K A total of £1,210,000.
With the product on the park hardly likely to inspire any kind of bounce effect, things look gloomy for the new regime.
We also still await the announcement of the new Nomad. Every day that goes by brings the threat of delisting much nearer.
My information is that at least one person has turned down the CEO job due to the dire state of funds.
You also have to wonder why the print media are not giving the incomers the same level of scrutiny as previous boards. Perhaps for them it’s job done and they have the board they wanted.
It’s all very well saying give the new lot time. The fact is, they got the gig because they told fans things were desperate. So if that is the case, why haven’t they hit the ground running with a raft of clearly laid out plans, strategies and objectives?
The irony here is that, having stoked the unease and suspicions of the fan base, this new regime must now endure the consequences of such trained on them. It is very easy to see that as every day goes by, the supporters are becoming increasingly worried and disconcerted at an apparent lack of forward progress. Dave King’s return to South Africa has not helped.
Sniping at the new board is to be expected from those who opposed them to begin with. But already these have been joined by people who were prepared to give Kingco a chance. The momentum is growing and unless it is halted, even ardent King supporters might turn.
The solution is very simple. Dave King and his cohorts must dig deep to find the finances required to turn things around.
The clock is ticking and this time Rangers’ very existence is at stake.
What is it with McNamara? They clearly think that hyping the game and playing like Huns will eventually get them a result.
Now McNamara us saying Ronny is cracking under pressure.
I would have thought they would have piped down after a 4 nothing hammering. Clearly they are indisciplined and feed from a manager who tells his players to go out and kick teams.
weet weet weet(GBWO)
08:26 on 21 March, 2015
Brilliant :-)
HT
Lubo / Naka
Tomato / Tomatoe
Noticed you put King Kenny in at the last minute, didn’t realise you were a lot older than me, I was only 7 when KD left so couldn’t pick him on just Liverpool form, as for naturally gifted players….. Di Canio ?
Right I am offski, nephew just offered me parent & kid ticket for today, if I can convince little Miss GFTB could be on my way to paradise today
Enjoy watching the champions in the sun, summer football would entice me back
Take care & Hail Hail
gerryfaethebrig
Putting Dalgleish in is me cheating a bit. The first time I actually remember him playing was on his return to Parkhead in Big Jock’s testimonial in 1978, I was 7. But I’ve been assured that I saw him several times in the Hoops….so he’s in :-)
Speaking of birthdays. It’s mine today, and my youngest daughter’s too :)
Happy Birthday wee KevinGhirl :)
Morning CQN, as I have slept in and missed joining Jobo for his park run , here is my late entry for HoopsXI
Boric
Mcgrain
Elliot
Aitken
Boyd
Naka
Mcstay
Lambert
Petrov
Kok
Dalglish. (Yes I am that old !!!)
quantum
My god! I think they’ve got it.
Morning all….
Some good teams this morning but none could live with…
Gordon
McGrain – McNiell – Gemmell
— Brown —
Johnstone – McStay – Lubo
Dalglish – Larrson – Lennox
Think Dundee United have been punished Enuff
Celtic 2 : 0 Dundee United
I’m sitting here thinking :)
I wonder if Paton or butcher will be aiming the dirty stuff at Stuart Armstrong today .. Or Mcgowan / Dixon intend doing GMS
kevinbhoy
Many happy returns to you and your daughter, have a great day.
Can anyone tell me, is the London Road CSC open on a 1st come 1st in basis. Contemplating heading there for a wee libation before the game
here’s to another 4-0 win
Hoops xi
Boric
Boyd
Elliot
Aitkin
Mc Grain
McStay
Lennon
Lubo
Burns
Sutton
Larsson
In Dublin airport, heading fir Glasgow…..meeting a mate and heading to Embra for my yearly pals re-union around the rugby.
Missing the Celtic game
Forgive me CQN for I have sinned.
What is my penance?
Best / most accurate Mafia movie –
The Hundred Steps.
Those that get a wee thrill from those psychopathic fascist ***** should visit Scampia in Napoli .See the reality .
Morning all.
Glorious day weather-wise down here. Pity it wasn’t like this for the eclipse yesterday.
Let’s hope we totally eclipse DU today.
exslaemuirbhoy
Don’t know mate but it’ll be busy. The GB meet there before walking to the ground and the CT AGM is on there this morning.
67Heaven
Think last post by 65 year old wanting to be
conquering Europe “again” before he dies must
be expecting to be joining the Guiness book
of records under longevity
67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar / Neil Lennon.. Ipox belongs to the creditors
08:14 on
21 March, 2015
Interesting, and read the associated posts also, for a real giggle….
http://www.ibroxnoise.co.uk/2015/03/daves-revolution-on-hold-at-ibrox.html
Geo, our CQN photographer who those of you at CQN 11 last week will have met, is doing the zip slide at Celtic park next weekend and is looking for some CQN support. He does a great job for us so hopefully he can reach his target for a very worthy cause.
https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/vagelisgeo
coneybhoy
A Sevco season ticket :-)
Good,morning.
Happy Birthday to all Bhoys and Ghirls who are celebrating today.
My best team I have had the pleasure of witnessing ,
Simpson McGrain Rieper Connolly Gemmell Hay Murdoch Auld Johnstone Larsson Dalglish
HH
Coneybhoy
09:31 on
21 March, 2015
In Dublin airport, heading fir Glasgow…..meeting a mate and heading to Embra for my yearly pals re-union around the rugby.
Missing the Celtic game
Forgive me CQN for I have sinned.
What is my penance?
—————–
Take as much bevvy as possible so as yiv a right sore heid in morning ,my son.
Always works for me.hh
Hamiltontim
thanks for the info bud, may just go to the Tollbooth or Wee Mans then. In the mood for a wee session, not often we get to enjoy a Saturday properly
HT
Do Sevco still do season tickets? Well there’s optimism for ya.
Best XI seen.
Gordon
Mcgrain
McNeill
Connelly
Gemmell
Johnstone
Murdoch
Moravcik
Lennox
Dalglish
Larsson
I gather folk have been choosing the best Celtic XI they have actually seen.
That would take some thought. I think adding Danny McGrain, George Connelly, Kenny Dalglish and Joe McBride to the Lions team would just about do it. But who to drop?
I realise that the likes of Paul McStay and Henrik don’t get a mention but it’s only my opinion.
HT
Will you be at the corner today ? need to give you the zip slide donation for H when she is giving you the big push -))
Turkeybhoy
Turkeybhoy
22.47
Awe Petal did you think I was talking about you, I was talking about Cifti from Utd but you feel free to indulge your insecurities on me…
theglasgowcelticway
09:41 on 21 March, 2015
HT
Do Sevco still do season tickets? Well there’s optimism for ya.
——
Every other football supporter refers to it as a match ticket!!
Ohits
Should make it sir. Glad you’re up and about.
Morning all, beautiful day for some more Arab skelping. Quick wee quiz for anyone who can be bothered. What players had the following nicknames ?
1. Pop
2. Psycho
3. Little Bird
4. Girvan Shitehouse
5. Jaws ( not the hun imposter)
6. The Cat
7. The Ghost (for you older lot)
A very quick tour of the sevco trophy room for first one to get all seven
HH
I love the smell of tangerine in the morning!
Time to chew this bunch up and spit em back out again.
Apologies to anyone still at brekky!
When we were voting for greatest ever Celtic player I voted on t’internet.
Remember thinking at the time, because of all the youngsters voting on the internet and because he’s a current favourite – Larsson is going to get it, instead of my favourite Jinky.
Thinking back – as he went onwards and upwards Henrik would not have been a bad chice.
Just-a-thot
1.Robson
2.Pearce
3.Garrincha
4.McCloy
5.?
6.Bonnetti
7.Whyte
HH
21-5-79
3 Garincha
4 McCloy
Jaws was that not Forsythe
5 Was it Lee Makel
ok read the question