I got my haircut today. Sitting, waiting in line, usual habits were cast aside and I picked up a newspaper; what an alarming read. Neil Lennon was quoted as saying, “I’m not big on tactics. It’s about the players and they have to go out onto the pitch and apply that.”
I couldn’t disagree more. It’s all about the tactics. Players need to be sufficiently fit, fast and fearless but all the talent in the world can be ripped asunder if it’s not tactically well organised. I had been watching Celtic tactics closely for 20 years before Martin O’Neill arrived. Back in 2000, watching Celtic was like going to school. My eyes were opened to how a defence is organised, how to stage an attack that fits your strikers and how to buy with a playing strategy in mind.
We had seen plenty great players since our last great team: McStay, McClair, McGrain, McAvennie, Burns, Nicholas. We’d seen courage and directness: the Bear, MacLeod and Provan, and cameos from Moravcik and Larsson, but we were forever found out, a plucky team who would flatter to deceive. Celtic would regularly dominate Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen – who understood too well the importance of tactics – and lose 1-0, and we went 30 years without beating a team from a major European league.
Martin O’Neill clearly demonstrated that successful football teams are all about tactics, not the players, nor courage, not even an aggregate ocean of skill.
>90% of football games are won and lost before kick-off.
As for the on-going orgy that is dominating front pages (good grief). Get used to it. As I’ve said many times, positions are absolutely entrenched when it comes to the songs debate. Neil Lennon and Ian Bankier are in for a disappointment if they think they, or any of the rest of us, can “self-police” those who object to being inhibited from singing about the IRA. I’ve encouraged this so often I’m not going to waste my your time with it anymore.
Celtic are set for an extended period when its reputation will suffer, there is no avoiding this. Unfortunately, not everyone listens. My great sympathies go to the £X per hour Celtic stewards who have to put themselves in the front line of this confrontation.
If I can offer any advice on a related subject… Songs and banners affect individuals, who will often be selected randomly for exclusion. Lateral movement in the stands, which happened last weekend, will get an entire section of the stadium closed by Health & Safety. If this creeps back into Celtic Park there is a real risk of council action. I’m pretty sure Michael Davitt didn’t place the sod on Celtic Park before bouncing left to right and back again. It’s not a key part of our heritage, don’t pick fights you’re going to lose.
CQN Magazine, issue 5, will be out soon. After 4 issues online and shipping single copies from Magcloud in the US, we’ve ordered a print run locally. You can order now with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £5 by clicking on the link below.
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Re the honest mistakes .
IMO their need is more now than in the TM season so expect more of the same plus some
hail hail
Thanks Jobo…mmmm thats a big ask but might get some shopping done with mrs M and avoid phones etc..HH
Anyone got a link to the honest mistakes yesterday ,I saw the Jellylegs one and it was a stonewaller ain’t seen the rest
hail hail
ulysses mcghee says:
18 December, 2011 at 12:14
Brilliant, I love Celtic humour..
By the way it was either the bad Guinness or the Lamb Jalfreezi.
Let’s not forget the penalty given against us last week ,but for big FF we would be further off the pace .I watched it over and over again and it still did not look conclusive ,yet it was given .
hail hail
When does John Fleming, the guy Phil Mac said we should trust, start his job in charge of referees?
Oh wait, he has been there for months
The commentator at the barca santos game just mentioned how close Celtic were to being world champions in 67. Its wee things like that which make me dead proud. I can also picture the huns turning over to the man u game
hh
RRC: Kano 1000 & Counting! says:
18 December, 2011 at 12:22
As the old saying goes
TRUST GOD THE REST PAY CASH
hail hail
Is it still illegal to go on firstrow sports and watch the game?The wife still watches at the window for me,in case im caught..Did some landlady not win her case in court about this..See the pubs now openly advertising the games,even being printed in the papers..
Squeeze me,Virginia !
That Jordan Rhodes is a right handful,weighing in with another four cracking goals yesterday..including two headers.
He has scored a hat-trick of headers previously.
With the big English clubs sniffing around him now,it seems unlikely that we could lure him to Parkhead.
Howeva….Man Utd are reported to be interested in both him and Kayal.
So we let Man Utd sign Kayal for £6M,on the proviso that they sign Rhodes and loan him out to us for two seasons.
Preserves Lawwells ‘trading’ bonus.
Maks sense tae me .
FSTB
Spot On!!
Jobo- the game is on al jazeera, NOT on Sky or ESPN mate.
Bada – is that a mixed pub at Stewartfield?
What were the honest mistakes yesterday,anybody?
We had horrendous refereeing last week due to the SFA appointing a Hearts supporter to take charge of a game involving his own team
Expect more of the same today and next week, prior to the game against the Tax Dodgers XI
We will need a blistering start and to get as many goals as possible to cancel out the ‘honest mistakes’
Expect Lomas to re-instate Sandaza, Morris + Sheridan after their miraculous recovery from injury after ‘missing’ the Aberdeen game in midweek
Yes indeed our game is on bbc Alba at 530 so not live but good enough!
!!Bada Bing!! –
now hoovering and dusting in the hope of a mid afternoon pass….
Likely to have my mini Baldiette with me – she’ll be drinking I’ll be the chauffeur.
I’ll try to remember to wear my CQN badge ;-)
Jobo
Just wakened??? Good luck to the Bhoys today.
blantyre /hamilton bhoys
game live in craigs pub (old original-opposite st josephs )
hail hail
todays bets
Celtic -2 goals,4/1
Stokes hat trick 33/1
Dan(penalty taker) 1st goal 25/1
Good afternoon from the ice rink of Twinbrook.
There have been numerous colder nights and days than this – yet the solid sheet of ice on the roads has chosen today to grace us.
I hope all is ok across in SweatysockLand so the game will go ahead..!?
Ray Wilkins is difficult to listen to – he really does think he is a combination of a messiah and a prophet.
What do I reckon from today? Well id always prefer it if I thought our manager was setting the team up to play in a particular way to exploit certain weaknesses – but if Lenny said what he is quoted as in Pauls article we know thats not happening.
So I hope the players do as they are told to – go out and win the game.
At this rate CQN might be a bit quiet this afternoon.
Who’s staying behind to provide the ‘live updates…’?
Jobo
Jobo- Kittoch and myself will be at the top end of the bar mate.HH.
I just lip read Platini chant Fe*k the SFA as he handed over the world club trophy to Puyol
Ten Men Won The League says:
18 December, 2011 at 12:31
Friend of mine works with a 1st cousin of said referee (in the north of Ireland) and female cousin is a regular visitor not to the wee huns, but their big brother..
Where’s everyone gone? hello is there anybody out there
Turn the lights aff when you leave Celtic Dawn- its just you left
I see Ali Russell making the case today for why Newco rangers should stay in SPL.
I detest the ‘Old Firm’ tag. x
!!Bada Bing!!
I understand Legends have it too and that might be the better option for me. But if I get to The Farm I’ll look out for you.
Jobo
ASonOfDan says:
18 December, 2011 at 12:52
I see Ali Russell making the case today for why Newco rangers should stay in SPL.
I detest the ‘Old Firm’ tag. x
share
Don’t get me on another rant lol.
No way our support will allow this if we can.
ASonOfDan says:
18 December, 2011 at 12:52
you could not give that lot a red neck with a blow torch
Ali russel? what rag does he scribble for
fergus slayed the blues says: 17 December, 2011 at 22:10
Mick says: 17 December, 2011 at 21:51
Are you a regular poster on here ,if not I can only assume you are here to play up the Dallas appearance at I brokes today ,an appearance I considered to be part of a trap to be played out till 28th
fergus slayed the blues says: 17 December, 2011 at 22:10
Mick says: 17 December, 2011 at 21:51
Are you a regular poster on here ,if noy I can only assume you are here to play up the Mallas appearance at I brokes today ,an appearance I considered to be part of a trap to be played out till 28fh
What do you think bhoys . Ready to be shot down
hail hail
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hail hail
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FSTB
Just replying to your post.
Regular poster, Actually no I’m not, I’d consider myself a lurker have been since the inception of CQN (or there about’s) I recognise your name from your postings,you obviously don’t recognise mine. Hey that’s no problem,I do post infrequently though when I post I’m usually ignored…BUT thank’s for responding ;-)
I don’t know if your inferring that I’m some sort of hun?
Had a look in the mirror.. yes I’ve two eyes, two eyebrows, and a spine, and a season ticket, and a share holder AND devilishly hansom ;-~
Regarding Dallas appearance at the bigot fc,well I think that’s more evidence what we’re up against. Do you think Mr Dullass would attend a game at Celtic Park in his official capacity? or would he scurry about in the background trying to blacken Celtic AND the fans name?
About your last sentence “What do you think bhoys, Ready to be shot down”
Sam Brown (you can buy them from Ebay) holstered, AK at the ready (but not aye)…that’s a joke for any really huns, and journalists (or is that the same thing) Kingy,Waddely, etc
3 points that’s all that counts.
Arrrrgh,thought it was a lunchtime ko .
Way back to my scratcher for a couple of hours!
There are two king of kings ……….
http://yfrog.com/z/h0mqs5j
Lubo.
macan
me too got up from my pit specially early, also thought it would be televised. Crap start to the day.
Been reading back and pleased to note that we are all starting to agree that nothing has changed thid season…….they are all ensuring rankers ‘get the required result’……(too late now though….Tick Tock) ……….. it’s sometimes minor ‘incidents’ that finally convince you ‘they are at it’………for me, it was where a foull ws given for Artur “carrying the ball outside the area” (when he obviously didn’t)….. I could not believe it…….you see goalie’s actually carrying the ball over the 18 yard line all the time, and referrees just ignore it (they are actually running back up the park, with their back to the goalie, but not that MIB)……..we are still up against it….!!!
I don’t know if your inferring that I’m some sort of hun?
Had a look in the mirror.. yes I’ve two eyes, two eyebrows, and a spine, and a season ticket, and a share holder AND devilishly hansom ;-~
LoL