Optimism among the Celtic support is tangible right now. For much of last year the league title remained in the balance, but today, despite being promised a more taxing season, we’re miles ahead. You can get odds of over 40-1 on second favourites to win the title; the definition of No Contest.
As I noted yesterday, the transformation goes deeper than the heroics of Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele, neither of whom were material in the level of performance shown against Barcelona.
Achievements are often subject to reassessment at a later date and Celtic’s progress or otherwise over the last two years fall into this category.
A year ago, with a faltering Craig, Emilio, Efe, Dedryk, Stuart, Gary, James and others, we looked miles away from being a Champions League team. It turns out, we have a squad full of Champions League players.
Youth development hit the jackpot with Kieran Tierney, while John Park’s swansong signings, Erik Sviatchenko and Moussa Dembele, saw a return to form for our recently departed chief scout.
Money isn’t everything. Since 2004 it’s been clear on CQN that many Celtic fans have no interest in the game’s finances, all they are interested in is seeing an improving team on the park, but for the rest of us, the financial consequence of simply getting to the group stage this season is enormous. It makes accession to the same level next season so much more achievable.
None of that matters right now as we have the first cup final of the season coming up on Sunday. The litany of underachievement in this tournament stretches back to Jock Stein, who qualified for ever League Cup final during his 13 years in charge of Celtic, but after winning the first five, contrived to lose seven of the next eight.
I’ve seen a lot worse teams than Aberdeen knock us out of the League Cup, I hope nothing is taken for granted in the dressing room.
I’ve no idea what happened at the Newco AGM this morning but you’ll remember we discussed here the wisdom of launching a hostile takeover bid while a company is being driven into the sea by boycotts? More precisely, Newco was driven into the arms of the lender of last resort – Sports Direct. Sports Direct provided the cash that kept the lights on and picked up various rights and properties in compensation.
Offering a lender a shop at a rental of £1 per year for a decade seems harsh, but if the alternative is administration, there isn’t really an alternative. We didn’t know what the quid-pro-quo was for Ashley at the time, but we knew there had to be one.
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There were no decisions made to help them today. They won the game fairly. I’m as pissed off as anyone !
As for the Manky Mob’ s result, as the young would say CGAF.
I saw something the other day which definitely was an example of CGAF, watched a guy sauntering into the David Lloyd club with his training gear stuffed into an Asda Bag for Life. Respect to that man.
Look guys they won because they have better players.
The referee had a good game, suspicion the Miller fouled in the build up to the winner, but the reality is they should have had a penalty.
Four minutes injury time, who knows, but overall they won cause Thistle had lots of effort, not too much else, Sevco had more quality and that wee bit of luck for Do-do’s winner.
Starry no worries mate I went to Havana 2. Years ago to pay my respects.
Jobo
I feel dirty. Need to go to confession
But I’ll have 2000 quid …. so woo hoo
!
:)
Jobo ( and others).
Thanks.
JJ
Hot Smoked 2.14
I didn’t see the game but by all accounts Partick had a throw in in Sevcos half with 90secs left of injury time but instead of playing for a point they were chasing a winner, nobody is scared of the new tax evaders (just my opinion) am sure their cousins from the capital will give them a doing in Wednesday but who cares……
Roll on the morra, hope Brendan the squirrel likes the feel of silverware and hope he gets the chance to give a wee lap of honour the morra, still need to beat the 2nd best team in Scotland but hopefully we will
Good afternoon all
Sevco scraping results against bottom of the league teams because they are buying marginally better players while running at a loss, they are no threat to us and sheep
Just stumbled across the Scotland v Georgia rugby match on TV which is taking place in Rugby Park, noticed a lot of the crowd have pints in their hands watching the game. Thousands of Celtic supporters were at the same venue 2 weeks ago but none of our supported (or any other football supporters for that matter) are to be trusted with alcohol watching football. Surely in this day and age of equality ( I know!) clubs and supporters should challenge this blatant inequality how can alcohol be available or not simply depending on the type of sport you’re watching!
Mike –
Man City won 2-1 so there will be a Week 14, for you and Deccyrollercoaster at least. At least you can’t pick Rangers* again ;-)
Thistle lost the game by going for a winner with 90 seconds to go. Throw-in at the Sevco corner flag and they took a long throw to try and get a winner; they lost the ball, Sevco broke and scored.. A bit naive to be honest – they should have killed the game there and then.
KTF
Well done to anyone who spanked the bookies, you are only borrowing it back for a wee while anyway.
pork and butter bean cazuela now slowly simmering away. Morcilla with caramelised apples ready to go in later as is the chorizo with cider. Looking forward to it already, small glass of cider to help me relax now.
Shameless repost!
Hi lads, bit of a long shot but it’s my old man’s 70th birthday tomorrow and u assumed that he was going as he was at all the previous rounds but been told by my sister today that he never got one so I’m looking for 2 spare anyone has to take him for his birthday. Would be much appreciated! I’ll check back in but if someone can help could you email me at superhoopsman@gmail.com.
Thanks bhoys
ERNIE LYNCH on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:12 PM
I’ll point you to an excerpt from a post I made at 12:45 PM in response to AULDHEID on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 12:33 PM regarding Res12:
“However, the problem is you are asking some people to put aside their myopic agenda and look at the issues in a constructive manner.
I think that it doesn’t suit some agendas to have success with
Res12the “Old Firm issue” because that takes away their negative agenda!I’ve modified it slightly, but it is apposite in light of your comments.
KTF
Unionist Lynch 2, 12
Nope it only highlights your psychological addiction to a dead club.
Huns love you no doubt
Always associating success in a hostile market against a team symbolic of your union.Cheats and frauds
HH
Any wee CQN gatherings for a pre-match fluid intake tomorrow? Or am I the only one that’s going to the final?
Jmcc
Sounds good! What time should we be there for dinner?
Big Pierre
I hope someone can help out
Well done Deccyrollercoaster (at least one of the family know their football :-)
injury time awarding bias works again – bhoy oh bhoy they are poor
Jobo
I’ll be heading over to try and get a ticket, probably end up in the International bar.
MIKE IN TORONTO
About 11pm your time, will I set you a place?
AN TEARMANN on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:49 PM
I appreciate you’re maybe not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but surely you can understand that if I criticise the Celtic Board for perpetuating The Old Firm model, it kind of implies that I am opposed to that model.
I am looking for a quick getaway from Hampden tomorrow. My lhad is on the 7.10 to Heathrow from Glasgow so we don’t want any extra time.
I am looking for best suggestions for parking? My first thoughts are get in early, get on Kings Park Road and run back after full time.
Any better suggestions welcome.
Ernie
How’s the bathwater ?
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:47 PM
We’ll just have to agree to disagree.
I think the Celtic Board, for sound business reasons, want to re establish The Old Firm model.
I’d rather they didn’t.
The nature of Mary Shelleys’ “Rangers” wins in their last two games, with injury time winners, is disturbingly reminiscent of the way the previous team that used to play at Ibrox, used to win games.
Don’t like their fans either.
What is it about that place?
JMCCORMICK
Depends what stand you’re in if it’s the North Stand, then Polmadie rd is close to the M-way and is a good option if you are looking to get to the GAP, or to Lanarkshire (that’s were you reside ?).
Need to be early mind.
ERNIE LYNCH on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 3:02 PM
So your take on it is that the CEO and Chairman are lying to the Press and the fans quite openly? That despite continually stating that the have a stand-alone model not reliant on any other club that they are secretly colluding with Dave King et al to perpetuate a symbiotic model that benefits Sevco?
So call it what it is Ernie; stop obfuscating and lay out you suspicion/perception/opinion clearly. You appear to be an intelligent individual so a clear statement of what you think and mean shouldn’t be too challenging!
Not that your intelligence lifts you above patronising and insulting other posters right enough!
KTF
Jmcc
Awfully tempted mate!
But not sure I’d make it back in time too see the Celtic film tomorrow, so will have to take a rain cheque
:)
onenightinlisbon – i feel your pain- this season new rangers have been awarded significantly more injury time in games they are drawing or losing than in games they are winning – simple bias shown by the numbers
Good luck to Brendan tomorrow.
Luck has been in short supply (well luck of the good variety) on many of our previous visits to Hundump. Especially in the League Cup.
So here’s hoping Brendan can turn the tide.
It was a current that was too strong for Ronny and Lenny.
BIG CUP WINNERS
We’re in South Stand , that’s why I was thinking Kings Park are.
VFR800
Intelligent ?
Ernie has contrived some of the most banal reasoning on here, ever. Seldom posts about the Celtic, on the pitch mind. He’s good entertainment value in fairness and taken some of the biggest doings on here, legendary status stuff and funny as…….
Don’t know if you posted before but the action man/bath episode a couple of years back still makes me laugh.
VFR
I don’t think anyone is unaware of Ernie’s thoughts on the matter.
They concur with those of many on here. That our board were more than happy to see a continuance of Rangers,and that they should not have done so in the opinion of most Celtic supporters.
He’s stated that clearly enough on here,as have many others.
JMCCORMICK
I’m from the North of the city and seldom over that way. Ain’t Kings Park Rd a little to close to the stadium though ?
HUNDERBIRDSAREGONE
I’ve hated the League Cup for about thirtyfive years now.
Four seasons watching my team without a single defeat,then my first Cup Final.
Ouch!
I was Celtic Bhoy in The Celtic View anaw,bummer.
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
in the opinion of most Celtic supporters……..
Far from correct mate.
Quite a few regulars missing ?
Eddie in Kirkmichael, Sipsini……….Delaney’s Dunky
BMCUW
The only League Cup game I can remember enjoying there, was when we beat the dead team 2-1 in the final. It was a dark day and hooking it down and we were drookit.
1982?
Other than that, loads of Semi-final beatings is all I can remember.