Do you remember the Green and Whitewash season? In 2003-04 Celtic dominated the league. After drawing their opening game away to Dunfermline they won their next 25 consecutive league games, beating every team in the league home and away. Across all competitions, they beat Rangers five times in four league and a Scottish Cup meeting.
This was as dominant as a team could get but there were vulnerabilities. Not only was Henrik Larsson out of contract, much of that team were in the twilight of their careers. Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon, Alan Thompson and Chris Sutton would never command the same on-field fear again.
The team that completed nine league wins in a row on Wednesday night could not be more different from the 03-04 vintage in one important aspect; only four are older than 23-years-old and none of them are veterans: Brown, 26, Samaras, 26, Mulgrew, 25 and Ledley, 24.
With an average age of just over 22 years this team will continue to improve for years; we can see evidence of progress. James Forrest has made a huge step up in form from last season. Victor Wanyama is almost unrecognisable from the player who arrived in the summer. Big Fraser, 23, still young for a keeper, inspires a lot more confidence than he did last season, and the baby of the team, Adam Matthews, is a scarcely believable 19-years-old. He’s so new to this environment you have to wonder if even the lad’s father knew he had a performance like Wednesday night’s in him.
Ki, 22, Stokes, 23, Izaguirre, 25, Kelvin Wilson, 26 and Mikael Lustig, 25 all fit the same profile. They are a squad full of improving players with the appetite you only get when your career is in front of you.
Rangers, and the rest, should be very afraid. Wednesday night might be as close as they get to the coattails of the young Celts.
914 Comments- Pages:
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 25
- »
Come on Celtic
big parkhead welcome to Mr Lustig.
And the radio said… The Crying Hun
One of the all time classics
Many happy returns TET, got your birthday present a couple of days early!
According to my computer the literal translation of Lustig from Swedish to English is “Funny” which means our Mikael obviously has a sense of humour. So film star looks and a sense of humour the total antithesis of a hun, obviously born to be a bhoy!
i’m sober…ish
brimmer
Its great to be a Tim (even waiting 60 minutes for a steak pie at Luptons didnt get my spirits down !!)
Lustig is the sort of athlete the club should be looking at getting onboard IMO. Big, strong, fast, versatile (position-wise), and an international player with a good national team. His skills are also good, but his physical attributes should mean that he can sllot into more than 1 position for Celtic, and should be able to command a high fee should the club look to cash in at some point. No more ‘talented but tiny’ types please Celtic – unless they are seriously talented!
Been on the lash since Wed and saw no reason to stop..
Well liver failure possibly.
Was wondering if any of you fine people would have a number I can contact to apply for tix for game V pars on Mon?
Thanks in advance
brimmer
top 10#????
Who’s the youngest manager in our league?
Are they still classed as a ‘Going Concern’
If not, what do the SFA do about it?
must be Neil.
KLV
Did i actually get a podium? Where are all the podium lurkers? I feel somewhat embarrased.
Paul67
In your opinion, will we manage to hold on to our young stars of the future ?
Lustig is squad no 23 not available for Mon Kayal out for up to 10 days
“Coattails of the young Celts”
I like it…..
Heres hoping Paul. I said yesterday our squad was probably worth about £40m and in 5 years the same players would be well over £100m
greenjedi from last night re: Hooper.
I thought Hooper worked as hard as anybody on Wednesday night.
I believe his problem wasn’t effort but decision-making.
From the first moment when he tried to control a Sammi knockdown in the 6 yard box with his right foot instead of poking it home with his left, to the crucial chance in the 2nd half when Samaras opened up his stride, left Clubfoot greetin’ with snot running down his top lip back at a Drongan bus-stop and hit the byline, only to see his cutback reach no hooped shirt a few yards out because Hooper had made a major error of judgement and scuttled to the far post behind Huns when he should have been slicing across McGregor et al and knocking it home at close range.
Just one of those nights for Gary, encapsulated in the wrong offside call when his timing had been spot-on and put him clear. He probably guessed then it was not to be his day. But to call him on effort? No.
Very positive article Mr Paul, no punches pulled. I like it.
KLV
Bawsman
They will live up to their name sweet f all.
Sandman Is Neil Lennon @ 11:48
Man, that’s poor comment. The contribution of burds to the Celtic finances, both directly and indirectly, should never be underestimated. Freddie sold approx 20 pairs of Tic Underpants in his short time here. FFS, get a grip. I also know for a fact that one extra seat was bought, paid for and utilised by a Swedish burd during the one game Freddie actually came on.
This new fella has been signed for a better reason though – cos Lenny wanted him: young, strong, physical and for a change, good in the air. Case for the defence rests.
All,
What players do you think are likely to leave in January? Not that I wish to see anyone leave but having a fiscally prudent board I would suggest that NL will have to look at moving 1 or 2 players out before bringing in any additions to the 1st team squad.
Kittoch says:
Grant from Perth:
Found this lads but I’ll keep looking.
I have found this happening aswel but although it doesnt show itself to be tallying up the points it does, my point being after 33 games i was 1 point behind celtic, after 38 games in which i wont th last 5 games, includin beatin celtic, although the league table did update i was still recognised as league champions
Aye but Rangers have goat young uns as well!
There’s wonderkid Flecko, what’shisname, and that other yin.
And Kyle Lafferty plays like a big wean so we should count him too
Anyone have or already discussed how many offside rulings (right or wrong) we’ve had against us this season. must be double figures. seems every home game this season we have getting offisdes against us even if they arnt and with regards to collum as a ref, ive not posted since the game. But my 2 pence is on thing, Jelly fouled at 6/7 times and got booked and Stokes fouled 1 and got booked, if he’s not biased he needs glasses.
KLV
Fortunes Favour Mibbes says:
30 December, 2011 at 12:21
I can remember young Stan causing quite a bit of a stir with the ghirls, even recall a couple of young lassies with Mrs Petrov on the back of their shirts. Are womens’ tops still available to buy?
Paul67 –
A young hungry squad who have visibly grown through our Europa League experience this season – the way we ran down the clock in injury-time in midweek was another example of how the team are learning all the time.
There were many people on here (although several of them are notably absent lately) who chucked in the towel after the defeat at Ibrox, and while there is still much work to be done in order to claim back the title – the future is certainly looking brighter.
67Heaven … I am Neil Lennon..!! Tick Tock !! says:
30 December, 2011 at 12:02
Robert Tressell………when did we start worrying about we are perceived by the media etc in Scotland……….if we were to win the Champions League, they would find a negative spin to put on it ….. the sooner the better on the 10 points scenario…….
—————————————————————————————————————
Not the least bit worried about perception of others – I just prefer Celtic to win things the Celtic way – overcoming the odds, beating the cheats. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather they had no excuses and that we win it the hard way (which I think we already have to be honest!)
Sandman
I got to disagree, I’m not talking about what he was doing when we hsad the ball. It what he didn’t do when they had. No closing down, tracking back etc. At a few points in the second half Kayal was giving him dogs abuse for not closing down their CBs when they had the ball
I dont imagine the hoops selling anyone in this windows judging by Neil’s comments. seems the team are all here for the long term. I would also like to add SB has been standing up as captain more and more in the OF games, could be coming good as el capitan. Finally. All coming from him keeping his temper more.
KLV
setting free the bears:
The unprecedented Murray Park Conveyor belt…
Andy Dowie: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: 1999-2004
Current Club: Dunfermline Athletic – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Dunfermline – Scottish First Division Champions (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Robert Malcolm: Defensive Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 1997-2006
Current Club: Unattached – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (2), Scottish Cup (1), League Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Jimmy Gibson: Centre Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 1996-2003
Current Club: Retired – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Tom Brighton: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2001-2005
Current Club: Queen of the South – League: Scottish First Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Chris Burke: Winger – Time at Rangers: 2000-2009
Current Club: Birmingham City – League: English Championship
Full International Caps: 2
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), League Cup (1), Scotland – Kirin Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Mark Brown: Defensive Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2000-2003
Current Club: Alloa Athletic – League: Scottish Third Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Allan McGregor: Goalkeeper – Time at Rangers: 2001-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 18
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (3), Scottish Cup (3), League Cup (5)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Steven MacLean: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2002-2004
Current Club: Yeovil Town – League: English League One
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Cup (1), Sheffield Wednesday – League One Play Off Winners (1), Cardiff City – FA Cup Runners Up (1)
Transfer fee received by club: £125,000
Alan Hutton: Right Back – Time at Rangers: 2002-2008
Current Club: Aston Villa – League: English Premier League
Full International Caps: 21
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), Tottenham Hotspur – Carling Cup (1), Barclay’s Asia Trophy (1), Vodacom Challenge (1)
Transfer fee received by club: £9,000,000
Stephen Dobbie: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2000-2003
Current Club: Swansea City / Blackpool (loan) – League: English Premier League / English Championship
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Hibernian – League Cup Runners Up (1), QOTS – Scottish Cup Runners Up (1), Blackpool – Football League Championship Play Off Final Winners (1), Swansea City – Football League Championship Play Off Final Winners (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Marc Twaddle: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2001-2003
Current Club: Rochdale – League: English League One
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Darryl Duffy: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2001-2004
Current Club: Cheltenham Town – League: English League Two
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Alex Walker: Defensive Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2001-2005
Current Club: Unattached – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Greenock Morton – Scottish Second Division (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Charlie Adam: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2000-2009
Current Club: Liverpool – League: English Premier League
Full International Caps: 15
Major Honours: St Mirren – Scottish First Division (1), Scottish Challenge Cup (1), Blackpool – Play off Promotion Place (1)
Transfer fee received by club: £500,000 (£1,000,000 after sell on fee)
Gary MacKenzie – Time at Rangers: 2002-2006
Current Club: Milton Keynes Dons – League: English League One
Full International Caps: 0 (Called up to Scotland squad for Cyprus match)
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Robert Davidson: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2002-2007
Current Club: Unattached – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Ross McCormack: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2002-2006
Current Club: Leeds Utd – League: English Championship
Full International Caps: 7
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Bajram Fetai: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2004-2006
Current Club: Lyngby – League: Danish Superliga
Full International Caps: 2
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Billy Gibson: Defensive Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 1999-2004
Current Club: Alloa Athletic – League: Scottish Third Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Peter Leven: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2000-2004
Current Club: Oxford United – League: English League Two
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Paul McHale: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 1998-2004
Current Club: Stenhousemuir – League: Scottish Second Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Steven Smith: Left Back – Time at Rangers: 2002-2010
Current Club: Preston North End – League: English League One
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), League Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Graeme Smith: Goalkeeper – Time at Rangers: 1999-2005
Current Club: Gabala – League: Azerbaijan Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – League Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: None
Brian McLean: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2000-2006
Current Club: Preston North End – League: English League One
Full International Caps: 1
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Alan Lowing: Right Back – Time at Rangers: 2004-2010
Current Club: Fram Reykjavik – League: Icelandic Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Steven Lennon: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2005-2010
Current Club: Fram Reykjavik – League: Icelandic Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Andrew Shinnie: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2005-2011
Current Club: Inverness Caledonian Thistle – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Craig Frizzel: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: Exact period unknown
Current Club: Elgin City – League: Scottish Third Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Jason Crooks: Striker – Time at Rangers: Exact period unknown
Current Club: Elgin City – League: Scottish Third Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Brian Gilmour: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2003-2007
Current Club: Knattspyrnnufelag Akureyrar – League: Icelandic Second Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Paul Emslie: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2005-2010
Current Club: Cove Rangers – League: Highland Football League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
John Fleck: Attacking Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2006-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (2), Scottish Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Scott Hadden: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: Exact period unknown
Current Club: Whitehills AFC – League: Paisley & District AFL
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Steven Campbell: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: 2004-2007
Current Club: East Fife – League: Scottish Second Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Joe Sagar: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2003-2007
Current Club: Unknown (last seen in the Welsh lower leagues) – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Lee Robinson: Goalkeeper – Time at Rangers: 2004-2009
Current Club: Queen of the South – League: Scottish First Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Lacine Cherif: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2007-2008
Current Club: Unknown (last seen at Kilmarnock) – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Michael Donald: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: Exact period unknown
Current Club: Unknown – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Calum Reidford: Goalkeeper – Time at Rangers: 2005-2008
Current Club: Stirling Albion – League: Scottish Second Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Chris Smith: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2006-2008
Current Club: Ayr United – League: Scottish First Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Steven Kinniburgh: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2006-2010
Current Club: Oxford Utd (Cambridge Utd Loan) – League: English League Two (Conference National)
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
William McLachlan: Defensive Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2007-2009Current Club: On trial at Ayr United – League: Scottish First Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Jordan McMillan: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2005-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Ross Harvey: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: 2006-2009
Current Club: Unattached (last see on trial with St Mirren) – League: N/A
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Andy Little: Defender / Striker – Time at Rangers: 2006-Present
Current Club: Rangers (Port Vale loan) – League: Scottish Premier League (English League Two)
Full International Caps: 7
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Danny Wilson: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: 2006-2010
Current Club: Liverpool – League: English Premiership
Full International Caps: 5
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), Scottish Cup (1), League Cup (1), SPFA Young POTY (1), SFWA Young POTY (1)
Transfer fee received by club: £2,000,000 (potentially rising to £5,000,000)
Gregg Wylde: Winger – Time at Rangers: 2005-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), League Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Chris Craig: Attacking Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2006-2009
Current Club: Drumchapel Amateurs – League: Scottish Amateur League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Ross Perry: Centre Back – Time at Rangers: 2006-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Thomas Miller: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2008-2010
Current Club: Newport County – League: Conference National
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Jamie Ness: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2007-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Kyle Hutton: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2007-Present
Current Club: Rangers (Partick Thistle loan) – League: Scottish Premier League (Scottish First Division)
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: Rangers – Scottish Premier League (1), League Cup (1)
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Darren Cole: Right Back – Time at Rangers: 2008-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Scott Durie: Defender – Time at Rangers: 2008-2010
Current Club: East Fife – League: Scottish Second Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Archie Campbell: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2004-2011
Current Club: Greenock Morton – League: Scottish First Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Kane Hemmings: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2008-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Stephen Stirling: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2007-2011
Current Club: Stranraer – League: Scottish Third Division
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: None
Dylan McGeough: Midfielder – Time at Rangers: 2008-2011
Current Club: Celtic – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: Potential compensation
Grant Adam: Goalkeeper – Time at Rangers: 2008-Present
Current Club: Rangers – League: Scottish Premier League
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Kal Naismith: Striker – Time at Rangers: 2007-Present
Current Club: Rangers (Cowdenbeath loan) – League: Scottish Premier League (Scottish Second Division)
Full International Caps: 0
Major Honours: None
Transfer fee received by club: N/A
Cultsbhoy
Nicely done.
Of course, we could look at your post more closely for debate sake, (now that I’m up and showered) and ask why the ‘cash rich’ EPL clubs didn’t take
Adam Matthews in the first instance, you could even be forgiven for wondering why nobody at Cardiff had the gumption to offer him, or Joe Ledley a ‘decent’ contract?
Maybe they are not as good as we think, and there is an Adam Matthews around every corner, of Cardiff et all.
Why did they miss an arguably even better Bosman in Charlie Mulgrew?
Now that Adam Matthews has played a handful of good games for Celtic, it won’t make ‘EPL Superstars’ suddenly jump up and want to pay x millions, for somebody they missed out on, costing nothing, don’t get caught up with Daily Record style coverage, of Wanyama, Izzaguirre, Kayal, Hooper who are all leaving any minute as well 24/7, – aren’t they?
You need to look no further than Henrik Larsson on a question of who played where, for how much and for how long.
It’s a Celtic thing.
We now have amongst our defensive selection 50% of the current Swedish back four headed for Euro 2012…they have..Club Broadfoot..hh
paul67
“Rangers, and the rest, should be very afraid”
This is where we are people. Get used to it.
UC
Whatever happened to Jamie Ness?
Hen1rik,
Sadly, the SPL split just seems to be too much for EA Sports to handle – the exact same fault was in FIFA 2010 also so no great hope that fixing it is high on their list of priorities.
FIFA 2011 is the real reason why the SPL should scrap the split. If it wasnt for this nonsense, me and the boy would have Celtic already on 25 in a row and counting….
Vmhan
If you are still lurking, yes, from earlier, I was mistaken about Wanyama and the 3-3 draw at Killie. Mind you, that was an odd sort of day. I was at a Jehova’s wedding in Ayr, and as we entered the Kingdom Hall, we were 3 down. My twins had the phones on silent (disrespectful I accept) and were keeping me updated. 3-1, 3-2, 3-3. The Jehovah’s must have wondered why we kept whispering and nudging each other.
Anyhow, I may be converted. 3 down when we entered the house of Jehovah and we came out at 3-3. Was there divine intervention??
oglach UFB @ 12:24
I got a snog in Bairds from a burd who reckoned I looked like Annoni. I didnae disagree with her, just said “Aye, me reekin anaw noo”. To be fair it was a big day and we were both plastered. She still won’t return my calls.
Lubo has sold some Celtic Klein underpants to the burds as well as far as I know.
It’s not to be scoffed at. These are the briefs that are paying for damaged suspended toilet ceilings twice a year.