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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Preparing for tomorrow made sure tickets in wallet, then noticed they are for F2, thought I booked F3. Never won a game in there Ross C, Killie well there’s always a first :0)
Big Cup
Apologies for my ignorance…… Easy option don’t read…… I don’t read yours so not sure how ignorant you are…. Open To All
Better life expectancy and literacy rates in Cuba than in most of the USA.
Free health care. Leading producer of organic produce in the world.
Hard to get a Car or an iPhone though.
I’m completely confused about ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’ – Jailing and assassinating those pesky dissidents of course is a commie thing. I suppose dr kelly, mlk, Asange, snowden and manning may beg to differ.
Fidel was a good guy. He had to do some bad things. Anyone whose father or grandfather fought in Ww2 might understand that concept…
VFR.
A shout out for Big Cup Winners.
He did say earlier that he was looking for a ticket and would try and get one outside the ground but probably end up in the international.
I don’t know him, but I know someone who does. Good Celtic man.
BCW.
The guy who knows you worked beside you a while back, he lurks, also a,season ticket holder in North stand. Initials T.D.
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:01 PM
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.
==================================================
I would have condemned a Celtic player who indulged in that kind of irresponsible provocative action.
Never mind Provan.
Macjay.
Do you mean like Jim Melrose, who also done that sort of things to Celtic fans,whilst playing for us. :-)
HT 10.04
If the Franny you speak of, I have a feeling he might know GerryFTB…… A good Celtic bhoy but sometimes you might grow up in a different scheme :-)
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:59 PM
Mac jay
Hail Hail
===================================
Hello there , mate.
Watched the Maryhill Magyars earlier on.
The hun just scraping through again.
Roll on New Years eve.
:-)
Butsybhoy was on earlier in the week looking for a ticket for tomorrow’s match. Don’t know if he is sorted.
Disappointed with Celtic PLC’s response to café and museum. The Superstore and the Kerrydale are
proof positive that if you build/provide them fans will support them. Relying on the chuck wagons is disrespectful to fans imho.
Katie Taylor (Olympic gold medalist at boxing for Ireland) just won her professional debut. I met her a few years ago when she was promoting the charity I raise funds for in school. She gave me a pair of autographed boxing gloves which I duly gave to one of the students who did a lot of work for the charity – Trócaire/Caritas, a development aid agency
JIMMYNOTPAUL on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:11 PM
Macjay.
Do you mean like Jim Melrose, who also done that sort of things to Celtic fans,whilst playing for us. :-)
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I was antipodeeing at the time so can`t really comment.
But they probably deserved it.
:-)
ROBERTTRESSELL on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:07 PM
Better life expectancy and literacy rates in Cuba than in most of the USA.
===============================================
So why were Cubans drowning to get out of the place ?
VFR, only seeing your message now mate. I’m almost sure I’m sorted with another ticket for my mate – I’m neeting a ghuy from Tyrone near Hampden tomorrow so I should be sorted then but thanks a mill for thinking of me.
Is there any Celtic friendly bars withing walking distance from Hampden?
HH
Macjay
With respect I wouldn’t trust the source from which you gleaned your opinion on Castro.
Predictably they’ll no doubt be the same who lauded Thatcher lunching with Pinochet.
Almore
How are things
JNP
Simon lynch, fair play for finding Buddha or whoever….. He was shite at football, and am sure Andy knew that also, but on the work front ….. Is it so wrong for an employer to want you to work when they are busy ???? My job is to try and help punters not,when I want to decide to be in an office
No reply needed
I don’t even attempt to agree with the governments policy I just go to work
Gerryfaethebrig
I doubt it G. The guy I know has lived in Manchester for about 40 years!
BCW email me your mobile number to vfr@girfuy.co.uk
KTF
Almore.
I agree, build it and they will come.
To say that a couple of Chuck wagons sell food is insulting, in my opinion.
We are not stuck in the 70s, we are looking for better facilities and a better experience. To say we can buy a greasy burger, I didn’t think was an impressive answer.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG
I meant ignorant as I’m one of the dinosaurs you insult……….by the way that’ll be your work colleagues, TU comrades, the same guys having their conditions whittled away, working longer for less and with the imposition of the reduced CSCS , well when the redundancies come, well you just you can feel happy cause their all “Huns” that’ll make it alright eh ?
I suppose the point that the max of salary has been held back for the last 2,3 or 4 years as we all migrate to the “one” salary for the grade, will be lost on you ?
“Dinosaurs”, “Huns” and “newbies” eh ? United we stand ……..and all that…….or maybe not.
Myopia is a condition; stupidity a way of life it seems.
Is Almore still going on about that bloody Cafe
Its far from Capu bleedin chinos and pan feckin een ees you were reared
Up the workers
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:19 PM
Macjay
Change of subject , pal ?
Not surprised.
:-)
Cubans don`t have the vote.
I dont need a source to state a fact.
Unjustifiable.
Surely ?
Gerryfaethebrig.
No footballer makes it to a professional level by being shite at football.
It’s all about levels. Simon lived the dream, wore the hoops and scored too.
Most of us dream about that when we are young boys, some still dream when they are in their 40s.
I hope everyone looking for a ticket is successful and are able to cheer on a Celtic victory.
Night all.
Enjoy.
If Cuba had lets say oil, gold, any precious metal or stones under it’s soil the americans would have blow it to smithereens long ago, just like they did to Libya for daring to ditch the $ as a way to buy oil, they did the same to Sadam for wanting to switch to euros, the nerve of these folks, eh, so they just blow them to bits, nations where the people were educated, most had jobs, all had free health care, in Libya’s case bank loans to buy houses and cars were interest free and in some cases free.
Aye they were bad bassas, but on balance the people were doing alright, I wonder if you asked them today if they would rather got back to life under Sadam or The Colnel or what they are having to endure today, I wonder what their answer would be……
But never fear, life under the americans is wonderful, much better to be bombed by and american bomb than one of those nasty Russian or Muslim ones.
Just dropped in to say, B/B and landline back on after 2 weeks following a RTC which brought down a telegraph pole. I hope everyone is well. HH
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:26 PM
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:19 PM
Macjay
Change of subject , pal ?
Not surprised.
:-)
Cubans don`t have the vote.
I dont need a source to state a fact.
Unjustifiable.
—–
The Irish didn’t have a vote macjay I’ve yet to see you championing their rights J.
Interesting because you’ve posted on here repeatedly that facts are only based on personal perception.
Almore
18 home games season (not all Saturday’s) so what do Celtic do with this my”cafe” the other 34 weeks, maybe the local residents will like a wee coffe during the week…..
Not sure what’s you teach but do the ,ATMs
Weefra
Hope you’re well Frank.
Wits
I’ve waited all day to see if anyone would post Christy’s tribute to Castro. Thank you.
Weefrathetim.
I’ve already said goodnight to all but when I saw your post, I thought I would come back on and say Hail Hail.
I hope you and your loved ones are in good health. Is the tup still ruling the roost?
I loved the Cuban Missile Crisis at school
Modernstudiescsc
WITS: I’m fine thanks but was hoping the foundations might have been in place for the the fans’ café beside the Superstore when we visit on the 17th.
Jimmynotpaul: Cheers. In modern football more is done to accommodate the corporate crowd than the average industrial wage fan.
Anyway, I hope those looking for tickets tomorrow get sorted and I am also confident the Brendan juggernaut will roll on victoriously against the sheep.
SOAL
I got taught that in history x
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:31 PM
Thatcher. Pinochet .Ireland.
Anything but Castro.
No problem .
BTW.
As a Catholic , I believe that the end NEVER justifies the means.
An article of Faith.
Gerryfaethebrig.
Stadium tours and conferences take place too, on a regular basis.
I’m with Almore, I think a cafe would be a big success.
When I done the tour, there was people from USA, Ireland and Poland, they were all asking where do I find Almores Cafe?.
Cubans don’t have malnutrition unjustifiable eh
JIMMYNOTPAUL
Thanks, yeah I know Big T. Seen him just the other week. Know quite a few others in your place too.
Can’t believe some of the stuff that’s happening to us in the work just now. You are aware they just imposed a change in the redundancy terms last week ? The TU are still balloting !
But they ain’t dusting that particular book down for nowt, eh ?
They are getting away with murder right now, the lack of any united opposition, simply must encourage them further. The pension scheme, is something that will be under real scrutiny, hopefully being the right side of 50, It’ll not affect myself as much, but it’s the newer staff who are going to miss out.
Some don’t even seem to realise what they are losing. Find it so sad.
ALMORE unfortunately a cafe will need to be economical to be permanently there I’m afraid. Maybe the footfall when the museum is in place will make a difference.
KTF
WeefratheTim on 26th November 2016 10:30 pm
Just dropped in to say, B/B and landline back on after 2 weeks following a RTC which brought down a telegraph pole. I hope everyone is well. HH
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HH Frank.
I hope you enjoy a Brilliant Celtic day Tomorrow.