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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Moonbeams 13.20
I think it was the fourth official,very strange indeed,especially the lengthly conversation between Bodgera and him.Slan
bobby murdoch
re big tony mowbray, imo the league was lost by the time we signed keane
the team that lost the league under BTM was effectively the same side as the previous season with the addition of fortune, who failed to deliver
bankie
ha – stone cold sober, but high as a kite and posting from the top of the league.
:)
Yep me too, on anti biotics since Christmas Eve…..Bah Hunbug!
I’m enjoying the view too myself, mind we’ll need to keep the ole mince pies peeled for further hun chicanery tho’.
Thems aint finished yet.
HH
Aye….Some character they auld buildings had….Eh!
http://urbanglasgow.co.uk/ftopic1236-0-asc-0.php
TAL
NostalgiaCSC
TAMRABAM
Fortune was a head-scratching signing,though he did score in the Ne’erday derby.
Remember that one?
And you are 100% right about the league being lost by the time Keane signed.
It was lost the minute the Masonic distress signals went out to ALL in the fraternity.
Swiss top flight club FC Sion have been docked an astonishing 36 points by the country’s FA over a row that dates back to the club’s expulsion from the Europa League.
The SFV’s decision ruins any slim hopes Manchester United had of reinstatement to the Champions League.
It comes a fortnight after FIFA threatened to suspend Switzerland if Sion were not punished for fielding six ineligable
Commiserations to CHE who punted a certain horse on Monday as his CQN nap.
Which duly got royally GUBBED.
And won at 7/2 today.
FeelyerpainCSC
Sandman,
You make a good point regarding Gary Hooper’s decision making. I remember reading an article about Gary Lineker. His favourite tactic was to hold his position on the opposite side of the box from his attacking winger. At the last possible moment he ran diagonally to attack the front post. Of course, this requires teamwork and understanding for this to work.
Too often Hoops waits for the ball to be played to his feet in the box. He would improve his game if he worked on his mobility. And decision making, as you say.
Eurochamps67. Good to hear you managed to see the game in Egypt. Are you golfing.?
I’m in the States and read about you meeting one of my pals via CQN. The Celtic family worldwide, don’t ya love it!
bankie
Agree, they’ll retreat and regroup, and so will their now ‘officially employed’ Media.
All conquering Celtic sides are rare, and has been mentioned despite Ragers troubles they will not drop points, to other SPL sides meaning it will
be tight, to the wire.
I’m not waiting on them to implode any time soon, but a Celtic 17 point swing, is a remarkable accomplishment by NL and our men.
Oglach
So the gangsters have got to the swiss FA- who sell out Sion to allow Basle to continue in the Champions league. Money talks Eh!
TAL
Teuchter ár lá
Nice linkmore Gorbals in here
The mibbery has already had a significant effect on the league positions this season. Crucial decisions for them and against us giving them at least three points they wouldnt have on a level playing field.
bournesouprecipe: 30 December, 2011 at 14:37
“All conquering Celtic sides are rare, and has been mentioned despite Ragers troubles they will not drop points, to other SPL sides meaning it will
be tight, to the wire.
“I’m not waiting on them to implode any time soon, but a Celtic 17 point swing, is a remarkable accomplishment by NL and our men.”
I know where you are coming from. And while I agree the Huns are unlikely to totally collapse, they will definitely drop more points.
They are a very ordinary team who have peaked as a squad and they have a rookie manager who will make many more mistakes in the second half of the season.
Our biggest game of the campaign is now at East End Park – we have to build on Wednesday’s win and keep winning throughout January.
That will have a major (negative) impact on them as well if there is no glimmer of hope on offer.
BSR
Thanks mate enjoyed that link too….
Aye!…The ole nostalgia’s not what it used to be…sigh.
TAL
The High Chaparral…………update
Blue just shot the Gunslinger, then cried.
Rubicon says:
30 December, 2011 at 14:36
Did that car get you to the supporters club in Tampa??
Its definately Panto season – every time I hear the word Rangers – someone says “There behind you”
Paul67’s note today suggests we should dominate this year and beyond
IMO this should have been the case from the start of the season
Have fun my friend x for G
67ECW
Being too young to have seen the Old Gorbals (but not by much mind!) and looking at those old pictures I imagine it was simultaneously an eye catching place and a fairly intimidating one for anyone not familiar with the area. I would also think that had it been properly renovated and looked after it would probably be a pretty decent place to live.
That said I suspect big families living in single ends and the like would have been glad to get out of them at the time. Anyone have any first hand experience of living in tenements and being relocated to the new flats or indeed the ‘New Towns’? What was the prevailing feeling at the time among the residents?
Teuchter – modern nostalgia is rubbish………………….
BSR
Funny that…I just watched a game where one of our gunslingers shot down the Blues….and laughed:)
TAL
deafening
Ramie,
E Mail sent to Martin & family.
Jellyfish non story is starting again
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16364405.stm
Steinreigned
Don’t disagree, maybe I could have worded it better.
But haven’t they won it, by being ordinary before?.
They will drop points, perhaps when we least expect it but i’d imagine they’ll start over again by beating Motherwell, and
as you say all that matters is us away to Dunfermline.
As a long time lurker-there is a first time for everything, especially after wednesdays result.
All the best for theseason to all on CQN-
however while I can see where Paul is coming from in his leader-I would not wish to tempt fate regarding anyone being very afraid.
There are many of us who have had to endure some domination by the unmentionables-with the reasons for this very well documented now-lets just enjoy the recent victory rather than thinking that generations of domination may have begun.
However enjoy the moment for what it is worth.
Craigenconnor.
paul 67
Great article and i agree with most of it. However i am under no illusions that the detestables will be given every assistance from every mib, meedja junkie and sfa half wit to keep them on our coattails as you say. This young team will need to be at their best in each game to stay ahead of them.
The most important aspect of this transfer window is that we don`t lose any of the current crop of upcoming youngsters though there are a few squad players who should leave. Lenny is building a special young team and should be allowed to enhance it with perhaps two slightly more experienced players to help when things will inevitably get tough.
Good big centre forward would be ideal but i would be surprised if lawell shells out 3 plus million on diawara. If a centre half comes in it must be to partner rogne,who, if he remains fit must be first choice. This young team are going places but they lack experience and as i said will face tough times ahead.
Mr Lawell put your hands in your pocket and back our young manager. We have been here before so do not fail us this time with penny pinching. They are on the ropes and its time to deliver once and for all the knockout blow.Give the man what he wants. Strike now and we will be dominant for years to come .
hh lbb
What was the old saying?
‘No Honour among thieves’?
Jack Warner, the former Fifa vice-president, has claimed that he acquired the World Cup television rights for Trinidad & Tobago for as little as $1 in 1998 after helping Sepp Blatter get elected as president of football’s world governing body, according to reports.
Warner, who resigned from Fifa in June when he was being investigated for alleged bribery by the organisation, claimed he acquired the rights via a Mexican company for the 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014 editions, AP reported last night.
Warner also claimed that he refused to endorse Blatter in last June’s presidential election despite being offered the rights to the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, again for a nominal fee. He further alleged that he was offered other “inducements” to develop football in the Caribbean. Warner claims he used the revenue from selling on the rights to develop football in the Caribbean, which is part of Concacaf, of which he was president before he and another Fifa vice-president, Mohamed bin Hamman, resigned.
Each was accused of giving Caribbean officials $40,000 in cash to gain support for Bin Hammam’s presidential campaign against Blatter last summer. Warner denied any wrongdoing and said then that he’d been “hung out to dry” following 30 years at Fifa.
According to Bloomberg, the governing body said in an email that “it will look into” Warner’s comments, while its spokesman Brian Alexander declined to make any immediate response.
Fifa normally sells World Cup TV rights directly to broadcasters or sub-contracts companies to negotiate sales.
In September the BBC reported that Fifa rescinded an agreement with International Media Content Ltd’s SportsMax cable channel to broadcast the 2014 World Cup in the Caribbean after “only recently” becoming aware that a company owned by Warner negotiated the sale on behalf of the regional soccer association.
Huns will play the percentages, they gamble better than we do. They know natuarally that a certain amount of the game is stacked in their favour.
If they do sell Jelly they’ll get the likes of Sandaza, Boydie or Goodwillie in.
This will still allow them to beat all around them, generally, leaving us as the standout competition.
That’s when Hugh’s men come into play.
Unless we can strenghthen the squad with guaranteed points winners we remain as susceptible to Thems as before.
HH
RobertTressell
Having moved from a room and kitchen in a Possilpark tenement in 1958 to a brand new 3 apartment in the brave new world which was Easterhouse, it was like night and day. Like being in the middle of the countryside! Not as photogenic as the buildings, back courts and residents of places like the Gorbals though.
Ramie:
E-mail to Martin sent.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS says:
30 December, 2011 at 14:19
Tony Mowbray was NOT the architect of his own downfall. Others are responsible for that….
________________________________
You could make that self same argument for Liam Brady, Lou Macari, John Barnes, Kenny Dalglish, Jozef Venglos etc. But – whether you like them as individuals or not – they all failed.
Welcome Craigenconnor
Some comments about Lustig from the Rosenberg fans, not the happiest bunch, probably as Rosenberg finished 3rd in the league.
Good riddance!
Part Swede is gone!
Posted by: Hans Hansen – 30/12/11 – 2:44 p.m.
Jess!
Then get rid of someone we do not like. I hope the management of RBK can continue to get rid of the team:)
Posted by: Hugo Boss – 12/30/11 – 2:32 p.m.
To go as Bosman
…. Asshole gestures from a egospiller. Applies to all Bosman players from all clubs who refuse contracts to skim most of the cream itself.Such players do not give something back to a club that has given them opportunities to come out in Europe is incredibly unsympathetic and history solve. Players who refuse contracts to earn extra confidence that Bosman should benches immediately and sit in the stands last season of the contract. If both VIF after an unsuccessful Celtic stay :-) VIF is unsuccessful Exporters rescuer, or garbage disposal.
Posted by: Arnt Furunes – 30.12.11 – 15:28
Bosman ruling, …
… did football players able to determine far more than their own job situation, something you would put a far better price if it was your own work is concerned.
Of course, it is sin for Liverpool that we do not earn anything on his transition, but to demonize Michael Lustig, because he chooses to proceed, is completely wrong.
In that time he has been here, Micke Lustig was an accomplished player, almost onto the team and with some good goals. In particular, he emerged sympathetically to meet with supporters.
I have appreciated Michael Lustig and wish him continued success at Celtic, and now I can look forward to what we are able to replace him.
Indio
craigenconoor
sorry meant to ask “Are you a Hun”
craigenconnor
welcome….I’m not asking:)
TAL
With Henry going back to Arsenal
Do you think we could tempt Henrik back for a party?
Glasgow is a city steeped in history and nowhere more so than its main connection to the rest of the UK, Central station. As the largest station outside London, over 38 million people enter and exit the station each year and enigmatic Welshman Nigel Buckland spent the day investigating its hidden history.
“If a city is a living organism then its railway line is its hypodermic needle shooting white blood cells of humans directly into its metabolism and keeping it alive,” he said.
“Commuter drones rarely have the time or inclination to look around them and acknowledge their surroundings but this is the biggest station in Scotland, over 2.3 miles squared, and is still in the Guinness Book of World Records.”
The station is built in the centre of Glasgow, immediately next to the river that the city was built around – the Clyde. In its roof are 48,000 panes of glass painted black to hide it from World War II bombers and the great many girders that support it were made in Parkhead forge, where conditions were reportedly so harsh that the workers sustained themselves on alcohol.
Numerous celebrities have walked its platforms over the past hundred years. When an American battleship was sunk off the west coast of Ireland, a 17-year-old American officer addressed the surviving crew members within the station. This was US President John F. Kennedy’s first ever public address.
On platform one, Laurel and Hardy once drew a crowd of 40,000 people as they disembarked from their train and it was here that Hitler’s secretary, Rudolph Hess, was given one last cigarette before being sent back to Germany.
Built adjoining the station, the recently refurbished Grand Central Hotel was built as a cathedral to the worship of the “iron horse”. Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Roy Rogers and the Queen have all stayed in this hotel over the years and in 1927 the first ever televisual signal was sent by John Logie Baird to this hotel.
All of this only adds to the majesty of this great station, the throbbing heart of Glasgow. Reflecting on his day there, Nigel said: “There’s something wonderfully romantic, something evocative, and wonderfully timeless about a station as you wait, endorphins pumping, to travel forth, venturing outward to pastures new.”
If any of you would like a signed copy of John Hartson’s autobiography (please dont go), you can get in touch with @1GOODYBOY on twitter.
Every penny received goes to the John Hartson foundation
If you are not a twitter tim you can email me on lubo dot moravcic at ntlworld dot com and I will send you details of how to get one.
I’ve bought one for myself for my birthday, which is today.
Go on and treat yourself.
Lubo.