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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HT – The Sheep will attempt to kick Celtic off the park.
Referee John Beaton is the only thing that can prevent a Celtic victory.
Oiche mhaith.
HH.
Big cup winner
So what about your fellow workers ?
JNP
It’s all about opinions my opinion Simon Lynch was pish, by the way I have known many players who made it and were pish
GFTB: Fans can turn up at many stadia in Europe outside of match days and enjoy many facilities including tours, stores and somewhere to rest your feet and take stock.
I envisage a cafe having a dual capacity: match day and non match day. Whether it be incorporated into the museum or not wouldn’t bother me. However, I do think they are being short sighted on this issue.
Build it and they will come.
HT
No problem ( Christy and Castro}
Really sad day today,A giant has left us
Mad year,people who live in trailer parks voting for nasty right wing billionaires who boast about groping women and not paying tax
You couldnt make it up
Anyway here is Christy singing about another hero of mine ( and yours maybe ?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRX33gX3nWQ
BCW.
Good stuff. I go for tea with T.
Yes, I agree, the last time they cut CSCS there was redundancies within 3 years. In my experience these things are not done randomly.
As I said earlier, it shouldn’t be a race to the bottom. Everyone should strive for better terms and conditions, not happily accept poorer conditions.
Good luck with the ticket search.
Hail Hail.
One player that really Deserves to be a winner Tomorrow is Emilio.
I’m sure he has stayed just to help Kieran T.
Two major stories competing for the front pages tomorrow. Life discovered on Mars and communication restored to deepest Lanarkshire.
VFR800
Just sent the number – thanks.
As I exit Last Man Standing may I congratulate Deccyrollercoaster and MikeinToronto on being the last…….eh……stauners.
Good luck to both of you.
HH
Almore
Your visits are through choice, if you think a cafe at Celtic Park will attract people during the 30+ weeks ….. Fair play , remember to build your cafe there has to be a profit and loss …..
Meanwhile back in the real world
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:38 PM
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.
—–
As a Catholic I was encouraged to believe that often the end does justify the means.
Goodness only knows what would have happened had Jesus not thrown out the capitalist tax collectors.
Cubans vote for their local councillors who choose the regional delegates, they are as free to vote for a capitalist as the USA are to vote for a communist.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:45 PM
Big cup winner
So what about your fellow workers ?
===================================
Gerry, think you should be addressing that question to a mirror ?
Been without tv and bb for 3 days
BCW & JNP
Never mind the newbies a song as we are ok :-)
Union……… Hopefully between the 2 of you dinosaurs you can spell it :-)
AllboutmeCSC
Just my opinion, there are no shite footballers playing professional football in Scotland. There are many players gifted, many hard working and many who are just not as good as many more.
Go and play with some ex pro’s and see what they can do with a football. It’s like me trying to lay bricks and then handing over to an experienced brickie. I know which wall I would sit upon.
MACJAY1 @ 10:18 PM,
“So why were Cubans drowning to get out of the place ?”
Do you think the American Federation Government was right to rescue and “home” the Cuban refugees?
Hail Hail
I dont get to many games but was at Martins first home game at Celtic Park and his first League Cup FinalI was at Brendans first home game and I am lucky enough to be going to the final tomorrow.Good omens I hope.
Mon the Treble.
HH lhgirfuy
Robertressell made a good point about Cuba earlier
They have education and health systems that are way beyond those available in Latin America and many other 3rd world countries and compare very favourably with those available in many western countries….but of course they cant buy the latest Iphone
Shocking
Consumerism is the new facism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeG2BK_J40I
Francos allies were the powerful and wealthy
Frank ryans men came from the other side
Good enough for me
Gerryfaethebrig.
Not sure why you think I’m a dinosaur, but there you go, maybe read back at my posts when youre sober
Disappointing that you have resorted to insulting me.
I have never lived me life with a philosophy all about me.
If name calling makes you feel good about yourself, so be it.
HAMILTONTIM on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:52 PM
Catholicism has changed since I learned the Catechism , but I would very much doubt the this particular tenet has changed.
The end never justifies the means.
If you know otherwise , I would be obliged if you could let me know.
I am sitting here drinking red wine and listening to red songs on youtube
God Bless Fidel
Going to give him a good send off
Right wing Trump lovin muppets can kiss my royal irish ass
GFTB: Barcelona and Real Madrid have fabulous stadium tours which are easily accessible and are open all year round. In each case, when you finish the tour you end up in the superstore. Fans and non fans flock to them.
I understand the need to be self financing. But Celtic needs to look beyond its own fan base. If Celtic had the appropriate facilities, visitors to Glasgow could easily be attracted.
J. McCormick/ Gastro Tim 10.57.
I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Hail Hail.
HT
We are all well, as I presume, you, H, and the bhoys are. Looking forward to our next meet at CP the next home game. HH
JNP
Thanks buddy for your concern, well appreciated. HH
Petec
How the hell are you keeping kiddo, hope to meet again at CP soon. HH
VirgIn sorted BTW
Glory O Glory O to the brave men who died in the cause of the downtrodden man
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXvt25IsIZ0
Up The Dubs
Hamiltontim on 26th November 2016 10:52 pm
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:38 PM
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.
—–
As a Catholic I was encouraged to believe that often the end does justify the means.
Goodness only knows what would have happened had Jesus not thrown out the capitalist tax collectors.
…………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………….
HT,
“As a Catholic I was encouraged to believe that often the end does justify the means.”
I really don’t understand that, Everyone makes mistakes and even posts things in error, perhaps because drink has been taken?
CHAIRBHOY on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 10:59 PM
MACJAY1 @ 10:18 PM,
“So why were Cubans drowning to get out of the place ?”
Do you think the American Federation Government was right to rescue and “home” the Cuban refugees?
Hail Hail
=========================================================
In as much as it “encouraged ” Cubans to risk their lives , I`m not so sure.
And , of course , Fidel used that policy to empty his prisons and send the criminals to Miami.
Cynicism personified.
That was the end of “decent” Jimmy Carter and the start of Ronny Reagan.
Fidel shot himself in the foot.
Oh Dear
Almore 11.07
Real Madrid & Barca are in fcuking Spain !
WITS 10-46 PM
Totally agree about Trump mhate ! BTW i loved the Joe McCann link suoerb !!!
Back in 2 hours or so, ma wee Bro has just came online.
HH EVERY CELT.
Almore
All joking aside
You are right about the Cafe….but I wouldn stop there…Hotel/Creche/Internet Cafe etc
Macjay
I’ll direct you to pretty much everything Francis has said.
Oh and Walfid’s statement regarding the reason for Celtic!
Always look to New York City.
From Trotsky to Castro.
Herbert Lioniel Matthews.
Communism, Marxism, Bolshevism -blah blah blah.
The ideology is being defeated once again.
Hopefully this time the party is over for good.
Slan.
KTF.
JUDE2005 IS NEIL LENNON \O/ on 26TH NOVEMBER 2016 11:08 PM
VirgIn sorted BTW?
Hope you got a good deal
Love