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.
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The Hat says:
30 December, 2011 at 23:30
Praecepta – I recall seeing the discussions on the content of the Land Certificate being debated on here years ago. It was being misread – they are the proprietor.
I admit my thoughts were based on memory but was sure there was some form of investor buffer (might have been a notation in previous accounts) – hence my belief they were sub-contractors.
Why I thought/ hoped the BRTH scenario might have had serious repercussions. :-(
fan-a-tic 23:13
Lafferty may not be bright but it was a smart move going to Rangers – only club in Europe where he can get away with his thuggery.
Just seen that Healy “tackle” on Forrest again, looks worse every time I see it.
Evening all,
No tv at the moment, sky’s on the blink. Watching the untouchables DVD. One thing I noticed, how angry a player was Gravesen? Totally nuts when he scored! Belter at ibroke, but selt the jerseys at old Trafford.
Big Jan goal scorer extordinaire.
Estadio
Wee Fergus he said the 3 amigos were chanciories !
Estadio
I just machine gunned some hot smelly air.
Will that do for noise?
Not hit the wife yet… Oh it has now.
MWD being sprayed with air freshener.
G64
Off out to a barbie about 11 ish, 3 spits as far as I gather, wild boar and goose, we will be the only brit speaking there, very much looking forward to it, they do like a wee fiesta here :>)
The wine will be to die for, I was given a bottle for Christmas from one of my neighbours, and am told the wine tomorrow will be the good stuff, if it’s better than I had I will be in heaven.
Ok let’s hope we all have great New Year.
Estadio says:
30 December, 2011 at 23:41
You have a few of my favourites in there. How about the Maestro’s 2-2 equaliser with a few minutes to go against the Jambo in the Centenary season
HH
TET
It’s a hard life.
Will be going to friends in Cambuslang for the 20th year running.
Watching Only an Excuse before the bells
then getting honking till early hours with some good music and song.
Have a good one pal.
That is better.
It’s a real sickener to think that Kayal is out for a month because of that hammer-throwing thug McCulloch.
If and when his red card appeal is thrown out, the SFA should rule that he misses the next games v Celtic and Motherwell, as these were the games he would have missed in the absence of an appeal.
Paul67
great article once again, thanyou !!
and i agree very much with your sentiment
3 comments….
1 – we aint won the league as yet, getting there but not over the line
2 – therefore, keep all our players til we do – i.e let’s not sell in January
3 – state media have started the campaign (again!) to tell Celtic that yes that’s it, it’s all over, congratualtions, you’ve done it, it’s finished, well played !! – so we must keep our guard against that – this is of course a CON designed to lure us into a false sense of victory in the hope, from them, that we fall down before the end of May – the state media here did the same last season
happy new year when it comes (tomorrow)
:)
G64
I will have to rely on you tube for Only an Excuse, we have an Irish sky card and can’t record additional channels, BBC Scotland is only on the extra channels.
I do believe this years one will be the best yet.
20 years, must be good then, enjoy mi amigo.
Jist before I go…..
I have given up on New Year resolutions because to be honest they never work. So as of this Hogmanay I will not be giving up drinking for ever until January 3rd.
Hail hail
Estadio
Estadio
On Wednesday the spontaneity and volume greeting the goal since the advent of the new stadium was arguably up there with Naka’s goal and Artur’s save against Man U, Jan Venegoor’s last minute winner against Rangers, Scott McDonald against AC Milan and Henrik versus Liverpool, Blackburn, Rangers and every one else.
that, sir, is 100% correct !!
i was in the front row of the JS and what a noise it was down there at that level – booming it was !!!
loved it !
Exiled T…
…sounds like you’re been entertained by Asterix the Gaul. Love it!
Don’t know how wild boar would go with Buckfast but has to beat a Blue Lagoon chippy eh?
Enjoy, eat and be merry my friend.
Me? I get shorthbread! Envious?????
HH
AoW
Happy New Year to all at CQN.
Estadio
I give up giving up on giving up on those who give up giving up on giving up.
MWD
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
30 December, 2011 at 20:37
I dont particularly want it to happen but I feel we could sell two players in the window if the moneys right.Mathews ( we have Wilson, Cha,and Lustig) for cover but we must take no less than 5 Million for him the other player I believe we can afford to sell is Ki as we have plenty of midfield cover but we should take no less than 8 Million for him.I also think Commons ,Rasmussen,Loovens,McGinn,Odea and Murphy could all be sold and some of the money used to bring in a quality striker and a quality centre back that Lennie wants.H.H.
—————————————————————————————
The difference is that we can do what we want, the LL have been discussing the sale of Hooper, Forrest, Adams, Ki and Wanyama. If Celtic get decent offers and they want to go why stop them? What’s been proved at CP is that if you want to progress then you’re in a brilliant shop window. That’s football today, even a club as rich as Arsenal are basically a feeder for Man City, Real, chelsea and Barca.
players should be asking themselves why should I stay at Celtic? If they can’t see that a couple of years of quality coaching, a support second to none and CL football (EL at the very least), then they don’t deserve to wear the Hoops!
Aly’s cry was ‘two furra pound!!’
Dennis Law with a trans-Atlantic accent.
A toothy Frank McAvennie saying “Where’s the burdz?”
Graeme Sounnes – “Can I just say something here?”
Tommy Burns – “Well eh, aye you know eh, well . . .”
Chick Young screeching “Aw he he!”
Archie McPherson – “Woof!”
Oops. Sorry to spoil the surprise for everyone.
Maybe they’ll throw in a couple of British Leyland and Arthur Scargill gags just for good measure, with a guest appearance from Jimmy Tarbuck.
Estadio says @ 23.41
The sound of silence when dixie deans missed the penalty against milan. Wished we had a cat as i took a size 9 up the erchie. The loudest sound was — ya b@@@@@d!!!!
hh tae ye lbb
Exiled Tim
Many happy returns mate, although i reckon your birthday came early.
Still celebrating Wedensday night,while fightin the man flu.Ayrshire is wonderful when the good guys are top..
PS. May your profits be large in the fight against the bookmakers.HH
MM,
Could you put your posts in morse code?
After putting it through enigma, I agree – Kayals injury does seem like news management, although why not come out and use the robust challenge was to blame card? Lee McCulloch shouldnt have played but managed to injure £xk per week and take away some potential points from Celtic. Thought at the time it was a striaght leg challnge of the kind that folk down south wince at.
Over all, the last 20 mins reminded me of recent el classico. Barca got kicked off the park and didn’t react. I like that reaction but I also like the punch the in the face reaction as well. Mick McCarthy new how to deal with trouble makers, a nice gentlemanly straight punch in the face. Might get you sent off but it does tend to disarm cowards.
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
31 December, 2011 at 00:12
Estadio
I give up giving up on giving up on those who give up giving up on giving up.
MWD
Don’t give up giving up, that’d make you a quitter!
BankieBhoy,
your hiding your talents under a bushel,
this is magic
its magic, its magic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8twqRKtlzSk&feature=related
AoW
Envious no me :>)
I come from the NE of Scotland, Stonehaven to be precise, and I sort of miss the fireballs, last time I participated was early 90s, very enjoyable so it was, had to stay soberish which looking back was a good thing.
No wories about staying sober the morra night :>)
Anyways, I have converted my Spanish amigos to the Celtic cause, had about 15 up the other night night to watch the hun game, even the Real supporters were agast at the refereeing, the Barca men understood.
Enjoy your Bloo Lagooooon chippie, can’t says that I miss them btw:>)))))
Have a good wan.
HH
KTF
Top Corner
I was in the main stand for the first time since 1993,prior to the hampden year. Got an offer for a ticket last Monday
which meant my ticket season in the North stand went to my son.I loved the South/main stand on Wed night.My first time
watching the rest of the stadium (form that view point) was priceless,also the feeling of nostalgia of being in the oldest
part of the ground had an effect on me.I loved it.Believe me lads the tide has now turned.HH
davythelotion says:
31 December, 2011 at 00:19
Don’t give up giving up, that’d make you a quitter!
Talking of quitting, does anyone have anything worth quitting in the New Year?
After fags, bevvy and loose woman i have decided that i have no other vices.
I support Celtic, drink n the Smiddy and the last time a saw a loose woman in the Smid was when i met the missus! oops, game over…she saw the last line!!!!
23.5 hrs till transfer window opens
Pity kayal injured as I would have sold Ki in a 2nd for 5m
Giving Neil about 1m to spend
Rest going to bank to keep zero debt and keep PL salary high
Expect another shambles of a window
angelgabriel
Thanks
Has been a good couple of months in the betting stakes, I have had 3 seriously good bets up, Barca against Real, us the other night and Cheltenham tonight, I have lost a fair bit as well mind you, but overall well up, and she is still not getting a new car.
Have a prosperous new year, and I extend that to all Tims out there.
St Stivs, Ya lucky bassa, not only do you survive the dubby,
But get a phone call off Vmham for a free ticket for the match.
HH mate and Hope you and yours have a hoopy new year.
Palacio
Exiled Tim,
An honour and a privilege mate. Your line ..
..the Barca men understood. Was classic.
15 Spaniards to watch the Tic??????? So you’re a slow worker then?
Donde esta su casa? (weren’t strong at Spanish at my school)
Wishing you and yours an amazing year!
HH
AoW
regards auchenhowie (spelling).
i seem to remember something about a small group of investers.
they put the money up for the building and running costs.
in return if rangers got first pick of the best players, they also had to buy them from murray park ,which i found to be a strange set up.
also the land that it is built on belongs to the guy who owns parks of hamilton busses.
thats what my hazy recollections are of it.
SydneyTim
If PL gets a decent offer for Ki he will be gone, we have enough cover.
I think Bada posted a rumour earlier about Ki to Villa for 8 mil + Barry Bannon, bollix obviously but good stuff.
Right def for my scratcher……
But here id a 5 or so second clip of disgusting chanting under the old jingle as we exited on Wewdnesday night,
You will be affronted, ashamed and probably heartbroken at the loss of standards in today’s generation.
We really do have to root out this cancer ……….of singing in b flat…
And don’t join in!
Hail Hail
Estadio
A bit random……..but I happened to cross paths with Derek Whyte yesterday and it got me thinking (dangerous)…..we got 900K for Derek in 1992, does that make him the 2nd most expensive central defender we have ever sold (behind big Elliot to Chelsea for 1.25M – also 1992 I think)?
Furthermore, who the hell did we bring in with that 2M+
HH
No No No ET
we need to keep our 1st teamers and and indeed improve,
rangers have won the last 3 titles and we’ve suffered from the boards and ous expectations of the huns demise.
NO NO NO….. we should sell the fringe players and ADD to the 1st team players.
NOTHINGS WON
Don’t let it happen again!
Vinny
HH
angelgabriel says:
31 December, 2011 at 00:25
all hail to you bud
great story !!
here’s one for you
finished a wee shift at 10pm tonight and as usual, drove home by the quickest and most direct route which just so happens to be up Drumoyne Road and round the wee roundabout next to the Broomloan Road stand, in pitch dark
so as usual, again, i gave a wee salute to my friends there, haha, a few blows of the old horn, beep beep – about 37 times to be precise
roon yeez !!
haha
always a pleasure, never a chore
(wee rangers club ever included)
not a soul about the place, mind