CELTIC have won FORTY-ONE trophies in the 21st Century.
It’s a phenomenal achievement in a stupendously successful 24 years for the club and the supporters. The sequence of extraordinary ascendancy is comprised of 18 titles, 12 Scottish Cups and 11 League Cups.
The club made world history by achieving an eighth domestic clean sweep in season 2022/23. Six of that meritorious series have come since the bells chimed to usher in a new millennium.
I’ve been priviliged to reach this stage in life and be able to reflect on bygone years when Celtic were out of any championship race around about the time the final whistle shrilled on the annual New Year’s Day encounter. Back then, Rangers routinely beat anything that was put in front of them, at Ibrox or Parkhead.
Following the inevitable derby day defeat, the Hoops followers were subjected to five months of a painful procession to the completion of another ineffectual and wretched campaign. A title was as accessible as the Holy Grail.
MAKE MINE A DOUBLE…chairman Peter Lawwell, chief executive Michael Nicholson, chief financial officer Chris McKay and director Tom Allison at Hampden on May 25 2024 before Celtic beat Rangers 1-0 to lift their 42nd Scottish Cup to place beside the 54th title.
Celtic, with Jimmy McGrory as manager, won the flag in 1954 and then had to wait until 1966 when the team, with Jock Stein in charge, lifted the trophy again.
In the intervening years, Rangers (six), Hearts (two), Aberdeen, Dundee and Kilmarnock all enjoyed completing the season at the country’s top-flight pinnacle. Celtic, invariably, had been cast among the also-rans and the no-hopers.
Changed days, dear reader.
So, everything is fine and dandy, hunky dory and tickety-boo in Paradise as Celtic prepare for another silverware assault to add to the landslide of honours? A fourth successive crown is in our sights, a thirteenth flag in fourteen exceptional years and also the club’s fifty-fifth championship in a glorious history.
No problems, then? Let’s get the party started?
Sadly, no. Without a ball completing a solitary revolution in competitive action, we already have the doomsday brigade sounding off with their usual dismal diatribe of discontent.
Everyone has the inalienable right to his or her opinion. You and I can be thankful for that. The clamour, though, to air views on any forum becomes fairly tedious when it’s obvious the thoughts of some citizens are uniquely their own and out of sync with the right-thinking people of the planet.
‘Loose lips sink ships’ was an oft-expressed idiom during the dark days of World War 11. The message was stark and simple: Watch what you are saying.
PARKHEAD POWERBROKERS…Peter Lawwell and majority shareholder Dermot Desmond.
That old phrase would come in handy these days if some individuals thought twice before venting their spleen.
Mistakenly, they believe the populus is ready to hang onto every syllable of their half-baked utterances. Does no-one check the veracity of these folk?
It’s similar to offering a platform for Coco The Clown to deliver his opinion on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Look, I understand the frustration of many at the lack of new faces at Parkhead with the Premiership due to kick off again in just under three weeks’ time when we get things moving against Kilmarnock on Flag Day in the east end of Glasgow, an extremely enjoyable event that is becoming a welcome annual occurrence.
I’m not in the habit of pressing panic buttons and if I do feel the need to profer criticism, I make sure it’s in the right direction and aimed at the person responsible for provoking my ire.
Peter Lawwell appears to have become an obsessive topic for some misguided souls. As we are all aware, most obsessions are unhealthy. I’ve already stated in this column I am an acquaintance of the Celtic chairman. I’ve known him since we were both asked to come on board for Mike Galloway’s Benefit Committee in January 1996.
With the late Len Murray QC in control of proceedings, a few of us worked to put together a game for the unfortunate Galloway whose career had so cruelly ended in a car crash in August the previous year while he had been on loan at Leicester City.
I was impressed by Peter’s diligence, commitment to the cause – the match was played in March and raised funds higher than anticipated for Mike – and I have never seen any reason to alter that outlook although his career path most certainly took me by surprise.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Peter Lawwell congratulates Scott Brown after Celtic’s title success in season 2017/18.
First and foremost, Peter Lawwell is a Celtic supporter who has always wanted the best for the club. I am well aware of things he has done for those among the Celtic family.
I know he has gone out of his way to assist former players, for instance, but he would not thank me if I ever went into print about these deeds. They were done in his own time away from the glare of publicity. He never solicited applause for these endeavours.
I now anticipate the comments along the lines that I am in Peter’s pocket and would never deem to criticise a friend. I’ve heard it all before.
It was a similar situation when Billy McNeill was manager of Celtic and I was the sports editor at the Sunday Mail, selling one million copies and by far the highest circulation of any newspaper in the country.
I never attempted to hide the fact I enjoyed spending time in Billy’s company. Who wouldn’t? He was a bright, intelligent and witty individual whose intellect allowed him to discuss a wide range of topics.
Anyone thinking it was always a cosy relationship between us would be wrong, but those tales can keep for another day.
To prevent any finger-pointing, I’ll merely state facts while I am discussing the merits of Peter Lawwell.
At the weekend, one character sounded off by saying the former chief executive’s “hand was on the tiller” as he criticised the lack of incoming transfers at the club.
FACT: Lawwell has absolutely NOTHING to do with the day-to-day running of the club.
FACT: Lawwell has NO involvement at all in the recruitment of players.
FACT: Lawwell is NOT denying Brendan Rodgers funds to strengthen his squad.
FACT: Lawwell has been at Celtic in some capacity as the club have won 36 of the 41 trophies this century.
FACT: Lawwell has presided over the steady rise of the financial and commercial health of the club.
I think I’ll leave that there. If they say a week is a long time in politics, then you better believe a lot can happen in three weeks in football.
Criticism is unavoidable as some folk get a trifle tense and tetchy as another season approaches.
By all means have your say. But do us all a favour.
Just check the facts before you reach for the megaphone.
ALEX GORDON
