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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THE HUDDLE, he needs 2.
RAYMAC go to the App Store and download Ad Blocker and Never Ads. Install both and restart the browser after you turn them on in Settings.
KTF
Tomorrow is going to be a hard game to win. I am very hopeful we will win, hopefully with plenty of style.
Aiberdeen have proven to be a decent team over the last few years but have nothing tangible to show for their efforts.
Celtic have had a hard schedule since Brendan joined….. Like most of the modern Celtic Managers.
Winning this Cup is Incredibly important, IMO.
JNP, he needs 2 – old fella is 70 and I believe.
However, if it’s only 1, it’s his.
KTF
VFR
I’ll email Big Pierre just now.
RAYMAC on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:19 PM
As VFR…posted download Neverads and adblockplus from App Store, worked for me on the iPad.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
SFTB
youll find Lord Lucan before you’ll get the truth from that mob.
Right that me hame, hiv a missed anything :-)
Hail Hail
Thanks HT.
KTF
Gerryfaethebrig.
Public sector.
Possibly all depends where you have worked in the public sector. I’m guessing you’ve never had a face to face public sector job.
Try working in a jobcentre, or any face to face public sector role. Certainly not easy.
Female staff, in particular, worried about using public transport as people they have interviewed are waiting on same transport. Staff physically attacked, no anominity in a face to face role. Easily identified wherever they go. Members of public chapping their doors.
I had worked in private and public sector. Both have disadvantages and advantages.
Cumbernauld Tim you are one if the best :-)
All kidding àside, you could probably get me tickets for Miss GFTB’s communion, even though you will be in Lisbon ….. C one of the beat, keep doing what you are doing much appreciated by many
MIT.
Thank you for kind comment.
It’s always nice when you receive positive feedback.
Gerryfaethebrig
Communion you say? How many you looking for?! :-)
Not at all mate, there are no promises but if I can help with guys looking for tickets I will.
JNP 9.33
I would prefer face to face stuff…..
Not sure if you have worked in the private sector but trust me (I don’t tell lies) the public sector might not be great under Tory or labour governments but it’s a whole lot easier than the private sector stuff…….. As I posted I walked out of a job and thankfully I could……..my sisters and my good lady knew it was bad……. Some folk don’t have the option
Something new! The secret of scouting for success!
https://theclumpany.wordpress.com/2016/11/26/scouting-for-success/
VFR
Big Pierre needs two together. How long can you keep a hold of the one you’ve got?
Fidel Castro – Net worth estimated to be in the region of $900million.
A lover of the poor.
Indeed.
Shame on those Donald Trump supporters who were dancing in the streets of Little Havana after the sad news of his untimely demise was announced.
Fidel Castro was no brutal, tyrannical dictator.
May God have mercy on his soul.
HH.
TTR
To be fair I cover more ground than you at 5s despite being 15 years older!
Sftb
David Provan showed up in the Labour Club Castlemilk, early 80s (predominantly Celtic) for some charity do . My old man met him that night and just last week mentioned what a gentleman he was, raving about the wee man who gave him a torrid time.
R. I. P.
HT I can keep it till first thing tomorrow if you need me to.
16 Roads
Under Castro, Cuba was was the largest exporter of Doctors to the developing world on this earth.
Not a bad legacy.
Good to see you back J.
VFR
If I sent you my number can you give me a quick call. Sorry but can only go so far back using my phone.
Guys sorry to ask, but if the single ticket is no use to Big Pierre, I’d be delighted to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60C-RjGkuOo&list=RDePP9AHrncjQ&index=21
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:22 PM
Mmmmm
After the Kai Johansen goal at the Rangers end against Celtic at Ibrox , Provan raced upfield to join in the celebration .
On his way back to his left back position facing the Celtic support , he treated us Tims to prolonged double handed V signs.
Didn`t like him before that.
Disliked him intensely after that.
On the other hand , wee Bertie described him to me as a very nice guy.
I saw a different side.
HT 9.39pm
The family I have even you couldn’t get a ticket, I might put one behind the pulpit for the Minx as that Ghirl has made you :-) and I still remember her shouting at me and you talking rubbish at cqn11 when Grace was on
Enjoy girl day the morra……mi know you even git a ticket for MacJay who I love, I don’t car about his politics, loads of time for MacJay…….but I love you getting tickets for wee Big George , love it
:-)
GERRYFAETHEBRIG @ 9:48
That has to be one of the most ignorant post I’ve read on here.
COWIEBHOY on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:32 PM
Whit is that you just getting hamecfro last night…!
Seriously thank you for the magical mystery tour last night…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Mac jay
Hail Hail
No worries HT.
Hopefully Celtic win easily enough the mara.
Blitz the Sheep from the start.
5-0, or 5-1 would be great.
HH.
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:44 PM
TTR
To be fair I cover more ground than you at 5s despite being 15 years older!
—–
15? I thought it was 25.
HT email sent.
Gerryfaethebrig.
I feel strongly that everyone,where you work, should receive the same wage for doing the same duties.
It was a nonsense that people where earning thousands less than others.
However, remember the dinosaurs have had a huge pay cut in real terms in the past ten years. They have also been shafted, as you have,by having to pay much more towards their pensions contributions for less pension and receiving it later.
I’m not sure why they think the union let them down though. Surely everyone thinks you all should be paid the same for the same duties. No?
Anyway what about my post to you about Simon Lynch about 45 minutes ago. You said you pride yourself in replying to posts.
Hail Hail.
Macjay
I would not judge a man on taking delight at his own team’s win or giving it out to rival fans who have been giving him stick.
Like all Rangers men of that era he has to answer for his silence in the face of their employment policy but I will take the word of various Lions who have described Jim Baxter, Willie Henderson and Davie Provan as not being of the Davie Cooper, Jimmy Bell or Alex McDonald shade of hunnery.
HT
Havana is one of my favourite places. So near, distance wise, but so different in many ways. Glad I was able to experience it when I did, as I think it is going to change a lot, and quickly.
Not as much begging as in Toronto, but if the average wealth in Toronto is 5/10, in Havana it was maybe 2/10. more equal. But nobody has much. In one of the big stores, they were selling half a pack of saltines, that someone had presumably picked up in one of the hotels.
Everyone tries to sell you something. And some are a bit pushy. If you get mad at them, they recoil in fear. Got the sense that they were terrified of getting in trouble … I think the government really wanted tourist money, and can be ruthless to locals who do something that might cause any problems for tourists.
So any interesting place… but not without its problems. But what place doesn’t?
Gerryfaethebrig
Wee Franny (who’s my ticket guy) will get you tickets in the tabernacle ! :-)
16 Roads
I fancy us by at least two tomorrow. We’re too strong in the attacking areas even with Sinclair missing. I think Roberts may set his name in lights.
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:48 PM
Mate.
Do you believe in basic human rights ?
Of course you do.
Castro has denied basic human rights to the Cuban people since 1959 .
Just as Batista before him had done.
That is not opinion , mate.
It is fact.
The anti apartheid cry in the `50s and `60s was ” One man one vote .”
The Cuban people are still denied that basic human right by Fidel and now brother of Fidel , Raul.
Nepotism writ large.
Unjustifiable. Surely ?
BTW.
Castro was furious that Khrushchev ” backed down ” and withdrew missiles from Cuba.
Reckless doesn`t begin to describe him.
BIG-CUP-WINNERS on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:52 PM
I’ll let you know as soon as I can.
KTF
TTR
You’d think 25 with the vision and game knowledge.