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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bournesouprecipe: 30 December, 2011 at 15:04
“Don’t disagree, maybe I could have worded it better.
“But haven’t they won it, by being ordinary before?”
They certainly have. But every squad has a shelf-life and they have peaked – which is a major worry if you are a Hun that actually likes football.
Look at our squad that strolled to the league in 2004 then huffed and puffed the following year until Fir Park. We all knew watching the team that season that they were dead on their feet, and all the Huns I know who go to the games have been telling me all season they have been desperate and devoid of any creativity – even when their full synchronising team was available to them.
Look at their bench the other night. Healy? Saddam Hussein was still on the batter when he last scored a goal. They have nothing – and if Davis ends up injured or leaving they are in serious trouble.
Kittoch
While he showed he still had gas in his tank in the friendly – I would rather live this life out with all those great memories inside of me.
TAL
STV to bring back Who Wants To Be A Billionaire….
Rumours are usually the property of WGS,from a good source Ki to Aston Villa for £8 mil + Barry Bannon.
BSR
I’ll think of that each morning when the fast train arrives and I make my way up from the lower level to catch my connection to PGS.
Beyonce also stayed in the Central Hotel – with me ;-)
hh
Ah, the old Generation of Domination.
Let’s be absolutely clear about this before we start believing the airbrushed version of events our media would like us to stick to.
Celtic would have been heading for 9 in a row under Gordon Strachan if it were not for two last day, last gasp titles in 2003 and 2005 that were lost by the smallest of margins to a club who stand accused during that era of diverting money to attract players instead of paying the tax they were due.
If Rangers lose the Big Tax case, there will be no media support for retrospective relinquishing of those titles, but if sporting integrity were valued above the support for their club, the free press would be driving the demand for those titles to be retrospectively relinquished. Losing the Tax Case would confirm that R*ngers financed players they couldn’t afford by using taxpayer’s money, while their opponents complied with tax regulations, irrespective of the limits it put on their ability to acquire players.
If those two titles were romped home by 15 or 20 points there may be an argument that the tax issue wouldn’t necessarily have been the deciding factor, but the fact those titles were scraped by the smallest of margins leaves us in no doubt that the advantage gained was most certainly the difference between winning the title and coming second.
The Generation of Domination may have been a foxes paw on Paul’s part with regard to the last 3 years, but the preceding years of domination were interrupted as the result of a financial advantage gained by our opponents. The coming weeks and months will formally confirm the legitimacy or otherwise of that financial advantage.
It’s then that the integrity question can be truly addressed. A question that can be asked of many, not just our footballing authorities.
Teuchter ár lá says:
30 December, 2011 at 15:31
Kittoch
While he showed he still had gas in his tank in the friendly – I would rather live this life out with all those great memories inside of me
*************
Tend to agree, just came to me when I heard the Arsenal news.
Bada bing you not in the pub?
Kittoch -be up at tea time,you?
bada bing
building up a thirst as we speak
craigenconnor:
Welcome and you’ve already been asked, so I wont bother asking again…
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Have to say Paul67, Whilst I think your article is good I think it is a bit premature. I suppose I am a bit of a pessimist but I think I will wait till we have actually won something before I celebrate. I know we have just won a massive game and I don’t want to spoil the mood of celebration on here but we are only 2 points ahead with a number of games to go. lets just keep our heads, no brash statements in the press and batter on through the next two months and then take stock.
Misserableoldsod.csc
Some interesting words on our new bhoy from Johan…..
“He’s sees himself as a right-back and that’s probably where we see him as well,” Mjallby added.
“But we like to have competition in the squad and he can’t just expect to slot straight into the team. He needs to fight for his place.
“But he gives us options at the back. We could go with a back three and maybe he can play up one as well.”
Mac
Sabre67
Agree!…If Platini is indeed serious about fair play and financial doping , I would hope that he is seriously monitoring the situation and is awaiting the SFA’s response to the integrity issues surrounding these “tainted “titles.
TAL
sorry if this has been asked and answered: has the SFA been given the information requested of the dodgers about finances and accounts?
▓▒░W░e░l░c░o▒m▒e▓▒░M░i░k░a░e░l░▒█▓▒░L░u░s░t░i░g░▒█
Robert Tressell@2.56pm
The Gorbals.I lived there for around 18 years until the mid 60s.Indeed my parents flat ( on Crown Street ) appears in one of the photos some of us have been viewing today.
I now have a house in Granada,Spain and by Marble Arch in London but by a country mile the happiest years of my life were spent in the Gorbals.Unfortunately the idea of redevelopment/refurbishment came too late to save many fine buildings ans community.The Gorbals was a bedrock of Celtic support and that experience has lived with me ever since.
Some of us have previously commented on here that Celtic beating Dunfermline in the 1965 Scottish Cup Final was perhaps the pivotal moment in our club’s illustrious history because from that a young Celtic team grew in confidence and for a few shining years simply dominated European if not World football.
Neil Lennon is cut from the same fabric so I look forward with enormous optimism to a period of real Celtic success.
STV have just announced a surprising tie up with the Ulster Scots Ass. of Northern Ireland
Spokesperson Billy Doig-Mathieson said he wuz rite gled o ‘ it, so he wiz.
It is thought (thocht?) that veteran broadcaster (sprechter?) Billy Kay will (wull?) anchor a specially convened nightly show at 5.30 (or 16.90 for the traditionalists)
Mair noos wen it’s riddy an’ no afore!
STV = Spend The Vat.
paul
Caution should be the watch word, steady as she goes.A few weeks ago you warned us to get used to fighting Motherwell for third place.
This team have still to prove themselves as winners, MON’s team at that time were untouchable.
No complacency from anyway at Celtic Park, lets hand out the cigars at the end of the season
re the lead article
in 2003-2004 we won 25 conseq league games, won the title of course and beat the huns 6 out of 6
but if my ever failing memory serves me right we also beat the huns in the first glasgow derby the following season
an all time low record for the huns and big eck
it was rumoured that the previous hun owner of the 6 consequetive defeats jumped aff a bridge, bug eck headed to the epl instead
THOSE were the days- and one of the reasons for that was that for about 4 years Glasgow Celtic stopped selling their best players, in financial terms of course we were spending more than we were earning, but by ghod it was fun
One game at a time Celtic, then when we win the league and the two cups we can crow all we want, but the players will know that the one game at a
time mantra is what got them to where they will hopefully be, so that next season they’ll adopt the same model cos they know that it works.
If all goes to plan and we acquire a striker and a CB to accompany Lustig, alongwith whomsoever in the summer, i believe we’ll be a match for the big
boys in Europe once again. Exciting times ahead if we can keep the focus and gain the confidence that being a treble winner brings.
HH
TAL
you will of course have a longer wait than platini
there will be no retro challenge to the huns 3 in a row
One night in Sharkeys – a Lurker’s story (with a special guest appearance from ….Kayleigh …Glasgow does indeed have talent
its good to be back at the top and at last getting a good run of victories strung together
Although we didnt win the title last season i think we all saw enough to think that we had a foundation for going forward
unfortunately we started very poorly, and probably still havent hit the standards we set in spell of the the second half of last year
i would like to thank hugh keevins and his scottish media cohorts for their attempts to demonise and to undermine the celtic manager
im sure that we wouldnt have rallied around him so much if these guys in the media and the huns in general had not launched attack after attack on him
im not sure if lennie would have had this opportunity if they hadnt galvanised us so much
Tam
Possibly , But it will bring a load of potentially damaging questions to our beloved SFA , who may even be accomplices.
TAL
Or how about Estadio fallin’ over at the Killie game
Hail Hail
Estadio
THE EXILED TIM, In my opinion, we will have a challenge to hold onto all our talented young players but we can hope.
Greenjedi, too true.
Kevinlasvegas, it’s a good time to invest some hope in the future.
Steinreignedsupreme, agree.
Ulster-Celt, agree.
LuxCelt, domination in Scottish football tends to swing in generational leaps, and our domination should have – really should have – been well established by now. It’s not my fault it wasn’t!
Parkheadcumsalford, you’re not the first to suggest to me that this crop are similar to the Kelly Kids. Hmmmm.
Danny Boyle, Blaser Brown, I hear you but big Dan was supposed to bring the experience to the defence…
Stringer Bell, Celtic have never signed a player the manager didn’t have final say in, not since Jock Stein arrived, anyway. We have scouts for a reason, John Park and his team will have done the leg work on this one but there is no way JP will have authority to sign a player.
Petec, I sure hope you are correct.
aldersyde avenue, totally disagree. If we cannot lay out strengths out at a time like this there is no point to anything we say. See above about the G.o.D.
SydneyTim, while I have you… I emailed you a few weeks back regarding a comment you made about me here but didn’t receive a reply. You suggested you were told background to a source I had for an article which was completely inaccurate and reflected badly on me. I’d appreciate if you would respond, really keen to know who has been telling you stories about me.
theweegreenman, best wishes and all the best.
PeteTheBeat, aye, and plenty have written off Celtic prematurely. Would rather not be on that side of the street.
WG, aye. Indeed.
leebozbhoy, cheers.
celtic dawn, well let’s wait and see then.
Notthebus, lots still to do but while we are competing with Motherwell for second place I’ll say to, when we are aiming higher it’s equally proper to report it.
League table for Calender year 2011
Even though we played 2 games fewer than the tax dodgers in 2011, we are at the top this table.
Lubo.
Good afternoon to the Celtic Family from a very wet Cental Scotland. Paul 67 I would just like to advise having a wee bit caution, I remember getting carried away with your 10 years of domination and it never happened.Neil Lennon is building a fine squad but he can be undermined by having to sell some of his better players to balance the books of course we hope that doesnt happen and that we actualy strengthen the side.So lets take one game at a time starting with Dunfermilne next Monday.H.H.
Ramie
Just got wind of your message from Martin.
Composing one of my wee concise buckets of Glaswegian Keech which will be flapping its wings heading for Perth as we speak.
When I met him, he made me realise the true meaning of a smiling soul and laughing eyes. It is an abiding image that I throw in the faces of the devils that sometimes haunt all of us.
Hail Hail
Estadio
Garcia Lorca 15.52
We lived in the Gorbals.Kidston Street, until 25 May 1967 if that rings a bell. I went to St Francis and then Holyrood SS – you the same? We were in a single end but I was an only child – all that space.
Lubo Happy Birthday mate. Was with John and young Martin in the Lounge on Wednesday night . Good time was had by all, hope v to see you soon. Hail Hail Hebcelt.
assetmanager says:
30 December, 2011 at 16:18
Garcia Lorca 15.52
We lived in the Gorbals.Kidston Street, until 25 May 1967 if that rings a bell. I went to St Francis and then Holyrood SS – you the same? We were in a single end but I was an only child – all that space.
…….
Where Mrs McLaughlin and Miss Duffy two of your Teachers? I was born in a single end in McKinlay St then moved to Benthall St and St Francis a few months after starting St Johns in 74.
Teuchter,
I am wth you on this one – although there is no chance that trophies will be wiped from the record book the question should still be asked – officially!!!
The International Olympic Committee have set a precedent for disqualifying gold medal winners years after the event if doping etc. is historically verified.
So whats the difference between doping and financial doping?
And lets face it, the IOC make our corrupt league and SFA look like amateurs in chicanery – so if even they can revise the results, then why shouldnt we ask the Court of Arbitration for Sport?
Perhaps an approach by Celtic shareholders rather than fans would exort maximum legitimacy and embarassment for our corrupt opponent and league.
Was just wondering if anybody came up with a definitive answer as to wtf the huns sweetie wrapper display was supposed to be about?
Fat Allies’ band are on the run, yes be very afraid. Good article Paul
Hail! Hail!
Whilst we do have an impressive young squad there is a long way to go in this title race and we must retain the consistency shown in recent weeks.
Unfortunately, if this run continues we will do well to hold on to these young players. I think given the signing of Lustig that Mathews could be the first to depart.
Finally, after beating them at ibrox last season we drew our next game at bottom of table Hamilton Accies, our next game will be a huge test and we must not take our eye of the prize.
Hail Hail
ps I believe many posters on here enjoy a pint or two in Babbity Bowsers…….had a very enjoyable pre match in the place on Wednesday, born and bred in Glasgow but my first time through the doors and wont be the last
I’m only human, I’m just a man/woman
Help me believe in what I could be
And all that I am
Show me the stairway I have to climb
Lord for my sake, help me to take
One GAME at a time
One GAME at a time sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m askin’ of you
Just give me the strength
To do every day what I have to do
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord, help me today, show me the way
One GAME at a time
Do you remember when you walked among men
Well Jesus you know
If you’re lookin’ below, it’s worse now than then
Pushin’ and shovin’ and crowdin’ my mind
So for my sake, teach me to take
One GAME at a time
One GAME at a time sweet Jesus
That’s all I’m askin’ of you
Just give me the strength
To do every day what I have to do
Yesterday’s gone sweet Jesus
And tomorrow may never be mine
Lord, help me today, show me the way
One GAME at a time