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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!!BADA BING!! on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:55 PM,
We were in the Celtic Club in Harrison, New Jersey.
Satellite was crap.
AULDHEID on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:15 PM
If only Protestant expectants could but live by the teachings of their selected bible….
BMCUWP,
How are you mate ? I enjoyed the wee chat the other day , cheers for phoning.
1967 Scottish Cup Final Celts 2-0 , a certain William ” Wispy” Wallace with both goals v Dons.
I remember being at two league cup finals in the same year ….1969.
I think we beat Hibs in the first one, and we beat St Johnstone 1-0 in the August that year with Bertie scoring .
If I remember correctly , the reason for two league finals being played in the same year was cause of building work at Hampden, and I think the first one (against Hibs ?), had been postponed earlier because of that work ?
Oops I better not mention building work etc, case KITALBA has another GI at me for talking white ?
Hail Hail mate.
KITALBA
Tell you what? Why not try a crash-course in manners or diplomacy?
I have worked with and socialised with more than a few who have a professional handle on this subject. What would you have me do? Name and shame them? Leave them open to ‘Glasgow’ trolling?
The Safety Certificate is about – as is!
The devil is in the detail (of the S.89):
* what has to be put in place in order to inspect?
* what happens when you open the patient?
* can you close-up the wound without major surgery?
Despite the fact that you often come across as a ‘crass and vindictive’ poster – I did you the courtesy of replying in a polite manner. The subject matter is ‘live’ – I endeavoured to hint that was the case without betraying confidences.
Please feel free to reply and if we should meet again in the BV – do both of us a favour and just ignore me.
AULDHEID on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:45 PM
I’ve stopped paying until I see signs things are changing.
_______________________________________
I’m sorry to read that. Let’s hope there is more positive news on re-construction of the administration of the game.
If not thanks for exposing the truth, that’s probably worth more than cosmetic changes anyway.
HH
VFR800
You could be right. Maybe that’s why the MSM have made this big push for regime change at the SFA. Current lot out to be replaced by RRM who might have selected blindness!
Celtic v Aberdeen cup finals?…
We beat them in the 1954 Scottish Cup final at Hampden and in the St Mungo Cup final, also at Hampden, in1951.
We did lose the 1971 Dryburgh final to them although it was played at Pittodrie.
I’ll define my definition of i Kit.
I hate no one apart from one who has since long past, one called Margaret Thatcher.
I did hate her with a passion.
As fo the Huns, it’s just pure unadulterated pitty. Even for the thug of a hun who stabbed me.
I would still love it though if that club died tomorrow and all the hate that grows from it slowly over the following years began to reverse itself.
Simples.
MWD
PREACEPTA 3.11,
Well said young man !
I for one look forward to meeting you and many others in the BV, for a few beers and natter.
PS. I do hope the BV roof is safe , cos if it ain’t and part of the roof falls into my beer then I would be plastered! LOL.
HH
Big Jimmy at 3:10…
The 1968 League Cup final was re-scheduled to 1969 due to a fire in the main stand at Hampden. I seem to recall that there was also a fire in the main stand at Celtic Park around the same time.
We beat Aberdeen in the 1954 Final….a Double Year.
PRAECEPTA:
What a coward. Don’t transfer your neglect to ,me . If you know of illegal activities report them.
I have copies of their signed off safety certificates on my desktop here in Australia.
If you have any concerns that those certificates are not legitimate then the onus is on you to raise your concerns with the appropriate authorities.
I personally think Ibrox is safe. Drinking water coming through the church Celtic State Aide.
If I was a dog i would be begging to be put down.
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:03 PM
I might be talkin p… but thought D Utd lost money last year ?.
Anyway, that aside I know what you are getting at.
HH
Six curious statements from the Rangers AGM
JOEL SKED
The eagerly anticipated Rangers AGM was more positive than previous years’ editions. After all this was staged in the Clyde Armadillo in the centre of Glasgow rather than in a tee-pee on the Ibrox pitch. The key item of the AGM surrounded Resolution 11 which, if passed, would allow for a new share issue. It requires 75 per cent support to pass, a figure that wasn’t reached last year. However, it is designed to diminish the influence of Mike Ashley and the Easdale brothers, while opening up avenues for further external investment. Results are not expected until next week. Yet there were plenty of other snippets to come out of the meeting, attended by some 700 fans, including mentions of Joey Barton, recruitment, spend, Leicester City and a team in the East End of Glasgow.
Here are six things which didn’t quite add up, leading to some head-scratching.
1) “There’s always scope for a Leicester,” said Dave King. This phrase has become ubiquitous in football. It is only a matter of time before it is added to the football clichés lexicon, that’s if it hasn’t already been added. The reason Leicester’s success is revered and mentioned by so many across the footballing world is because it rarely happens. To compare Rangers to Leicester is nonsensical. Especially when Mark Warburton followed up those comments later with his view that Rangers are the biggest club in the country. There is not the level of financial disparity between Rangers and their rivals as there is between Leicester and the competition they saw off. It wouldn’t be a miracle for Rangers to win the league, it would be simply be a fine achievement. At the moment Rangers are third. They have the second highest budget in the country.
2) “The need to strike the balance between financial prudence and deficit funding,” explained King. “The board is on record as stating deficit funding to meet operating shortfalls was and remains necessary but we have also committed that the use to debt funding will be prudently managed.” The club, admirably, wants to ensure they do not abandon financial prudence even if it means resisting supporter pressure to spend. Later in the meeting . . .“We have to spend more than we currently make for a number of years to get club back to where it belongs,” said King. Erm, wasn’t that one of the problems which led to four years out of the top-flight? Yes, yes it was. It is understandable that the club need to show ambition to try and bridge the gap with Celtic. The fans will demand nothing else. But it is a fine line between bravery and stupidity. King did not help himself with previous comments regarding a certain £30 million.
3) “The operating deficit we are running is a necessary compensation for under spending in prior years,” said King. Indeed. After all Rangers WERE very prudent as they made their way through the leagues. They did NOT spend unnecessary funds on players like Kevin Kyle, Fran Sandaza, Emilson Cribari. Wait . . .
4) Now for Mark Warburton . . . “The number of fisherman is getting bigger and the number of fish is getting smaller.” That’s the result of limiting yourself to a small pond of lower-league English players and reserve Premiership players. It is clear Warburton has a reluctance to pursue targets from abroad because they take longer to settle, according to the Rangers boss. Unsurprisingly a question was asked from the floor about this issue. Warburton was asked if the club do have scouts abroad or simply rely on Frank McParland’s contacts. “Days have changed,” explained Warburton. “We no longer have an army of scouts but we have contacts abroad who we trust.” Expect Warburton to continue slinging his bait into the ponds and lochs of Britain.
5) “This remains the biggest club in the country,” stated Warburton. I refer readers back to the comparison with Leicester. The statement is one which curries favour with fans. But it is a debatable point at that. There is no arguing that Rangers and Celtic are behemoths, but currently Rangers are having to progress in the shadow of their rivals.
6) Warburton spoke of Championship and League One clubs in England being able to offer better or equally competitive salaries. He said: “They can afford to make mistakes down south, we cannot afford to do that.” . . . Joey Barton?
Oh if we are really going to move on being Celtic Mindend post the gollum slime 5 way agreement, could any decent articulate Celtic S
Oh if we are really going to move on being Celtic Mindend post the gollum slime 5 way agreement, could any decent articulate Celtic Supporter please tell me ifI am welcome at parkhead or whether my presence smells like a bog fed nobdoy.
GORDON 3.23
Cheers mate I knew that the 1968 league Cup Final had been held over, couldn’t quite remember the reason .
I’ve just remembered the league Cup Final was v Hibs, and it ended 6-2 to the Celts !
It was amongst the top 5 Jinky performances that I ever witnessed, the wee man was superb that day.
Bobby Lennox hat trick and even Jim Craig scored !
I was in probably the highest stand that day opposite the main stand with my dad, and I can still remember a fight broke out in that wee stand ( it was above what later became the Jock Stein enclosure ) ? I think my dad told me that it was some Hibee infiltrators who were fighting ?
HH
Financial prudence?
Errr – what happened to “whatever it takes”…..?
KITALBA 1.10,
” bleating out of work nannies” ?
So you also have a problem with Celtic fans who may be ” out of work” ?
Pity your parents never taught you any manners or respect for others who may not have been as carefully ” nannied” like you obviously were .
Now for Mark Warburton . . . “The number of fisherman is getting bigger and the number of fish is getting smaller.”
——–
Channeling his inner Eric Cantona?
https://twitter.com/Arsene_Parcelie/status/802080428857393152?s=01
Brilliant
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 2:49 PM
As I understood it, if more than 25% of shareholders don’t vote for the share issue, its a no go…
They need the 75% vote…
quite brilliant, – the 67 mobile phone other night, bloody incredible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4Z2wayuLUM
TBB and AULDHEID….
Going solely from memory here, haven’t done any swatting….
Uefa’s FPP started off as requiring a self funding operation. Basically saying that operating costs must be met by revenues over a cycle (3 years, I think). man City breached this and were fined. they appealed (surprise). Uefa relented and changed their rules to suit City’s model. Surprise again…)
I think the FPP now allows for big dollops of money to be ‘invested’ in a club, as ‘capital’. there are2 ways to do this. Sell shares up front, then deplete that capital by running at an operating loss……oe run at an operating loss and take care of this by continually selling shares after the fact.
I THINK that Uefa permits the former, but not the latter….but I haven’t verified this.
I think that it is clear that the SFA (and some/many) other clubs don’t want sevco to go the way of their forefathers and get liquidated. The plan seems to be one of turning a blind eye 9at best) until they get their act together….then proceed with a Scottish FPP.
Astonishing when you think that ‘Armageddon’ would have made this a priority, ensuring that such a thing never happened again.
You’d think……
We lost the 1970 Scottish cup final to the sheep, due to some of the most outrageous refereeing decisions ever, could have been Gordon, not sure though.
Ianbhoy
Think it was the infamous Bobby Davidson from Airdrie that refereed that game.
is MIKE IN TORONTO about.
Can you share this with Dan from Milan
Celtic Soul – roadtrip from Montreal to Celtic Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbBCifp5VUI
Ianbhoy. Bobby Davidson who made Thomson look competent
Emeraldbee
Thanks for that, he certainly was a Hun.
St. Stivs
Your timing is perfect. I”m Just back in mate.
How ya doing?
Its my bday this week, so my big bro. is taking me to see the film on Sunday! Looking forward to it.
Dan and Waheeda couldn’t make it, as they had other plans, but I am going to the TFC game with them on Wednesday. Waheeda says her first love is still the Raptors, but, I think we will convert her to foootball and Celtic!
KT and I had lunch with Danny and Waheeda …. They spent hours showing KT the photos of their trip. They are still raving about Celtic park and you guys! So, she has got the bug ….. we just have to nurture it a bit!
:)
St. Stivs …
although I should tell you that Waheeda confessed that (i) she couldn’t understand a word of what you guys were saying, and (ii) she thinks Celtic fans are crazy (but in a good way!)
IANBHOY929,
I was at that game too. From my old memory, the Bhoys didn’t play to their usual standard and it was a great disappointment. This was back in the days when you could have a few pints before the game and then drink your carry-out during the game.
HH
Yogi
i am good, most amazing skyline over the west of renfrewshire just now as the sun disappeared.
just packing up after a not too tough day, so a beer awaits.
back on laters, maybe.
hoping for a friday night is music night
Wee Jay does mastermind –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fpUC_Cgh5Q
mastermind part 2 – brilliant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGMN3Mh580Q
oh, and happy birfday
If anyone answered my previous query re Scott Sinclair`s injury, I didn`t see it so, what is the situation and where has it been reported?
JJ
A wee short trip tonight to st Josephs church hall tonight for anyone but Celtic( since u bhoys brought up refs)
A couple of Cqn bhoys will be in attendance but it should still be a good night.
HOT SMOKED
http://www.celticfc.net/news/11689