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Assessing achievements in rear view mirror

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  3. Philbhoy on

    GREENINBINGLEYINOSLO

     

     

    Sorry to read of your friends passing.

     

     

    Prayers said for those who remain.

     

     

    RIP

  4. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Greenbingley

     

     

    That post was meant to say hope the good memories will get you all through this sad time…

     

     

    Macjay

     

     

    I had “disengaged” the other day for work, only read your post today, am sure your looking forward to Sunday and just maybe Brendan getting a piece of silverware, am not usually that fussed with the league cup (especially under Neil when Morton put us out but we were still in with a shot of the CL knockout stages) think Neil played some Australian that night TR….. Wonder what happened to that bhoy :-)

     

     

    But like everybody we can all change our mind, roll on Sunday, Brendan unbeaten at hampden so it’s not the hoodoo the media will try and spin

  7. Park Road 67 on

    FAIRHILL BHOY

     

    Enjoy Vegas mhate glad you made it ok ! Paradise Towers sounds like an omen right enough ! Early start for you on Sunday ! HH !

  10. fairhill bhoy on

    PARK ROAD 67-thanks mate,7am Vegas time kick, getting pulled round the north outlets just now shopping.will put the brownie points in the bank for sun:-))))

  12. macjay1 for Neil Lennon on

    JOBO BALDIE on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 8:34 PM

     

     

    THE EXILED TIM on 25TH NOVEMBER 2016 8:35 PM

     

     

    Thanks , boys.

     

     

    Unintentional faux pas.

     

     

    The individual in question understands.

  13. jmccormick on

    Green Bingley.

     

    You will know me from the old E Tims days. Your missus sounds like she has the right idea. Remember the good times and enjoy the ‘Dam.

     

    Hail! Hail!

  15. Jobo Baldie on

    GIven that there have been only 5 posts since 9pm may I just assume that most of you took heed of my earlier advice to watch the ‘Graceland’ programme on BBC 4 at 9. Fantastical entertainment!

  16. Auldheid on

    Jobo Balde

     

     

    Good shout on The Missing. I was looking for something new to catch up on.

     

     

    Episode 2 now on.

     

     

    Good cast.

  18. Gerryfaethebrig on

    Jobo

     

     

    Since it’s quiet and I know you like a wee 10p Yankee, my bet tonight both teams to score and win Leipzig 4-1, Forest 5-2, Eibar 3-1 (jmccormicks team) and Legia Warsaw 3-0….. Although not the last game it’s still a boot in the nether regions when their opponents miss a penalty in 79mins…..

     

     

    Ah well what you never have you’ll never miss

  20. jc2 on

    Did your hear them on SSB saying Super Leigh kept his ELF

     

    outfit from new advert on and drove home to Edinburgh in it

     

    to show his weans.

     

     

     

    SUPER Leigh in more ways than one

  22. Jobo Baldie on

    And now from the sublime to the ridiculous, Paul – shift along a bit, Ant and Dec, the TV is yours….

  23. jimbob71 on

    Evening all.

     

     

    sorry to hear about your friend Green in Bingley.

     

    get to Amsterdam and raise a toast or 2.

  24. jimbob71 on

    jobo

     

     

    Mrs and i watched The Missing episode 7 tonight as it was on during our game on Wednesday.

     

    We love it, fantastic tv.

     

    Keeley Hawes is brilliant in everything she does.

  36. thetimreaper on

    Looking ahead to Sunday, I still posit that Griffiths is a better striker than Moussa. Moussa is starting to level out a bit in terms of his scoring and performances. We shouldn’t forget how good Griffiths was before he got injured. His performance at home to Beer Sheva was world class. The wee man will be back in starting line up soon I think.

  40. Saint Stivs says SACK THE BOARD on

    The Murdoch picture.

     

     

    That’s next seasons and this Scottish cup final strip right there

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