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.
1,095 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- ...
- 29
- »
great strike by pedro – but given too much space and time 1-1
Big Jimmy
I saw some of the first half of their game earlier. I thought the challenge with his elbow was worthy of a red card on its own. And yes that was after a lunge which was definitely deserving of a yellow. The fact that the Thistle player didn’t make a great deal of it probably got him off the hook.
Spurs robbed, 1-1.
Who do Celtic play at CP around Christmas ?
Expect Forrest will get the nod on the right tomorrow to combat the threat of Hayes. Paddy on the right? I’m not sure. Could shift Moussa out left and Griffiths up top.
I’ve got Chelsea scum to win 4-1 @ 28/1, although I hate them. Some goal by Pedro.
I see VPR is citing those reliable stalwarts the Daily Record & BBC Scotland as evidence of the PLC’s strategy.
Dearie me!
Whatever next?
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Beauty and the Beast
Cinderella
Sleeping Beauty
The Princess and the Pea
Peter Pan
Little Red Riding Hood
Pinocchio
Alice in Wonderland
Aladdin?
…or maybe the frank Q&A exclusive last week?
HH
Neg2
What do you think about our CL with just Sinky & Moussa playing against Barca the other night ?
I seem to recall you posting “where do people (not posters) like GFTB thinking this team will even make the group stages”
Enjoy the final the morra fellow Celtic fan
Big Jimmy……
Remember Saint Martin got loads of cash, in my opinion when you sign Neil Francis you win trophies :-)
Gordon
Lustig Erik Jozo Izzy
Brown Armstrong
Forrest Rogic Moussa
Griffiths
BIG JIMMY on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 6:10 PM
I went from this: https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTc2WDEwMjQ=/z/UF8AAOSwwpdW7oIp/$_86.JPG
to this: http://ic1.maxabout.us/autos/tw_india//D/2015/3/ducati-monster-821-dark-p.jpg
Simples!
KTF
CLOGHER CELT on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 6:21 PM
I was going to write a response then thought “why bother ……”
KTF
TTR
I have a feeling we’ll see McGregor in one of the wide positions tomorrow.
thetimreaper on 26th November 2016 6:21 pm
Expect Forrest will get the nod on the right tomorrow to combat the threat of Hayes. Paddy on the right? I’m not sure. Could shift Moussa out left and Griffiths up top.
—————————————–
Or Bitton will come in and Armstrong will shuffle left.
I’d like the Griff to start/play as I think he’ll score and I think we’ll struggle tomorrow so need goals in the team.
I’ve just checked Celtic’s fixture list.
The next Celtic home game that kicks off during the daytime is v Motherwell FEBRUARY 18th 2017, 3pm kick off !
Who compiled this list, every opposition manager ?
Our home league games before then are all 7.45 kick offs.
We also play Citeh on the Tuesday and then play Patrick on the Friday !
2-1 Chelsea Moses
VFR,
Maybe I should just call you Brando ?
The Wild One
HH
Yes!!!!! Chelsea …. !!!
What the hell…. I already sold my soul in LMS this week.. so I’m already going to hell.. I might as well get my 30 pieces of silver before I go. :)
BIG JIMMY
Or Easy Rider?
Relax,bud. He’s a cool dude who loves to roar his wheels down to Coia’s of an evening.
Me,I’m stuck behind the wheel of a van. Or changing one in the pishing rain!
GFTB,
I think Blessed Brendan will also get money, as he said himself this week that the Jan transfer window is very important in relation to signing players for CL qualifiers.
Sorry who is Neil Francis ?
HH
Spurs on the ropes
MIKEINTORONTO
May The Lord have mercy on your soul…
#PrayForMike
I know… I’m a lawyer, so it was probably going to happen anyways…
Figured I’d say it before one of you cheeky buggers did!
Any decent team wil pump
this Chelsea mob.
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 5:34 PM
ERNIE LYNCH on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 5:28 PM
So you think the CEO and the Chairman are out and out liars then?
###
If either of them has ever said
1. We didn’t know about the Five Way Agreement until it was a fait accompli
2. We couldn’t have stopped the Five Way Agreement in its tracks if we had wanted to.
3. We would prefer not to adopt the Old Firm model if it is available.
Then they are liars, out and out, or otherwise.
Even if neither of them have said any of those things, I suspect both of them will, at some time in their lives, have told lies of some description. I’m sorry if you find that upsetting.
BMCUPWP,
Or, the ” Easy Wild Rider” ?
Hope he’s no wan of thae BLUE Angels ? Lol.
HH
Pray?! I don’t even get a bleeding candle?! That’s it … I’m flouncing!
Change it Pochettino, sharpish.
Big Jimmy
Do we not have a game at Celtic Park on 17 Dec v Dundee?
Jimbo67
Jim P
We do.
Son, listen son, I don’t think you’re good enough son.
Hamiltontim 6:26
Hope your wrong HH
FRANNYB67 on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 6:55 PM
As do I mate.
Hamilton Tim
Thanks
9 games in December though. Great scheduling
Jimbo67
frannyb67 on 26th November 2016 6:55 pm
Hamiltontim 6:26
Hope your wrong HH
—-
You’d rather we play a striker out left than a left footed midfielder
Big Jimmy 6.42pm
Neil Lennon….
A fabulous signing and a magnificent servant to our great club, many, forget Neil left the EPL and dropped his earnings to live the dream
Never saw the Likns, my midfield dream team Lennon & McStay (Paul not wiilie or Raymond)
HAMILTON TIM ,
Your right about Garner.
J PAYNE, your right about home game v Dundee, but I probably won’t make that game ?
I find it very difficult to attend night games these days due to my health , and the problems I would have trying to get home with public transport .
Cheers Bhoys.
It’s not often I want Chelsea scum to win 4-1 v anybody…….we’ll probably Sevco !
HH
GFTB,
Sorry I didn’t know Lenny’s middle name.
OH