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Beaten and bruised but strategy is all that matters

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

Back in the 80s I had a soft spot for Porto.  Their 2-1 1987 European Cup final win over Bayern Munich, coming from behind in the last 15 minutes and scoring with a back-heel, against a vastly better resourced opponent, was something Celtic fans could relate to.

A decade later I followed Porto’s tribulations as they tried to recapture those heights in the Champions League with a new team.  They remained an engaging team but when it came to the big clubs there was always one who would wipe the floor with them.  Manchester United scored four without reply in the 1997 quarter finals.  The following season Real Madrid hit six over two games without conceding as Porto exited at the group stage.

It was a group stage exit the next season, before Bayern Munich took them in the 2000 quarter final.  Then what looked like a significant reversal as they failed to qualify for Europe’s top tournament, settling for Uefa Cup football instead in season 2000-01.  They eliminated Celtic from the group stage in 2001-02 but were taken home and away by Real Madrid in the last sixteen.

All this time they were fine-tuning player development and recruitment strategy; buying marginally better players and selling for ever-increasing money.   Real Madrid may have wiped the floor with them but Porto’s business model was fine-tuned by 2002.  Real won their last European trophy that season but the gap with Porto was closed in an instant.

Celtic are less than two years into their current strategy and we’re miles ahead of where we should be.  It will be extremely difficult to match this season’s on-field achievements next season, but the stage you exit the Champions League is only one yardstick available.  It took Porto years of slow and meandering progress to learn what it took to reach the highest level.  This is our task.

On Friday 1 March the Lisbon Lions will be at the Kerrydale Suite providing commentary and answering questions on their magnificent European Cup final win in 1967. This has never happened in 46 years since that game, to say it is a unique opportunity fails to tell the whole story.

The event is part of our 125 4 125 campaign – central to reinvigorating the charitable spirit which is part of the club we love. It will be a family occasions, tickets are available at £10 for adults and £5 for children. The night has been organised by several fans working in conjunction with the people at Celtic Charity, so please do your best to support this great occasion. Individual tickets or tables are available, details here.
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  1. Ntassoolla on

    That sounds good ACGR.

     

    I usually skip the specialist subjects and just watch the General Knowledge part.

     

    But I know a wee bit about Celtic and The Red Army.

  2. petec on

    I think Neil Lennon will DEFINITELY make Efe Ambrose Captain for the game against, the 2nd best team in Scotland and then give him a well deserved rest until Turin. ;)) unfinishedbusiness.csc

  3. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Lastsaloon, I doubt you have my looks but you are more than welcome to my hassle.

     

     

    e.g. I had sex last night with a older woman I’ve know for a long time, but this morning she acted like she didnt even know me. Its definitely the worst part about working in a nursing home.

  4. Ntassoolla on

    Is that good looks oota or just funny looks?

     

    Always good to hear your analysis.

     

    BTW I think we can go through to the last eight.

     

     

     

    I’m offski.

     

     

    Good night all.

  5. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Auldguy, I’ve got a big squad on the march to paradise on saturday. I’ve upgraded young acgr’s ticket for cloggybhoy, he’s coming over from cloggsville. Grendel, jaggytooth, and a few others are coming (remember roman moranie), he’s on.

     

     

    It’s a pity your still in englandshire or you could have joined us. Should be a good day out.

     

     

    Breakfast at Coias, what better way to start the day.

     

     

     

    HH Bruv.

  7. 16 roads - Neil Lennon walks on water. on

    Ntassoolla – No mate,you were at it.

     

     

    I was reading the conversation it at the time.

     

     

    All it was,was banter…banter between two Irishmen.

     

     

    For a start,you would need to understand how Irish people operate.You have county rivalry,say Cork and Kerry,neighbours,but sworn adversaries.Normally this intense rivalry would manifest itself on the field of play…and that means Gaelic football,or hurling.You get it in Ulster as well – Tyrone Vs Armagh for instance.Then within the counties,you have fierce competition between parishes,same county,different area.

     

     

    Now here me out here,please…there is war,bragging,mainly about the conflicts with England – Which county had the best fighters – Cork,Tipp etc.Even in modern times,it’s regional boasting – Who were the best at fighting the English? South Armagh,East Tyrone,South Derry…then you have Belfast,the Lower Falls were the elite,Ballymurphy would claim to be the best,Ardoyne,blah,blah,blah.

     

     

    corkcelt was trying to wind up a Dubliner,and he posted the words of a song,about the 3rd West Cork Brigade.

     

     

    Then you put the mix in,and be a man,admit that.

     

     

    “What has that got to do with Celtic?”

     

     

    What has anything got to do with Celtic?

     

     

    I read about Tories,Che Guevara,Mickey Mouse on here,everyday of the week.

     

     

    It’s a blog – What does the weather have to do with Celtic sure?

     

     

    Ntassoolla – I read posters say very cutting things about Irish folk on here,and it is allowed,but i say nothing,despite the insulting nature of it.

     

     

    Do you want me to start telling you a few home truths about “Scotland”,and “Scottish” history.

     

     

    Treacherous it is,you don’t wanna know.

  8. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Petec, I hope you’re wrong on the Efe captaincy point. He’s not our captain. There’s no room for sentiment here. Scott Brown is our captain and he played like one on Tuesday.

     

     

    Lets keep it real.

     

     

    I agree with many though who said commons should have kept his gub shut in his criticism of his team mate. I’ve no issue with commons having an issue, I just don’t want to see our team publicly denouncing our team.

     

     

    FFS, and he sounds like a very intelligent young bloke too. I hope Neil Lennon has had a quite word in his wee lug.

  10. 16 roads - Neil Lennon walks on water. on

    petec – I apologise about this carry on mate,it’s not my form.

     

     

    But sometimes ya have to call a spade a spade.That was embarrassing earlier,and it was sneaky the way it was done.

     

     

    Three things i want to do chief,before i leave:

     

     

    1.Donate a few bob to the Wee Oscar appeal.

     

     

    2.Compete to the end of the naps competition.

     

     

    3.Have a drink with yerself,BMCUWP & AGCR.

     

     

    Then i am finished with CQN.

     

     

    Commercialism is a curse.

  11. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    16 roads, great post to last saloon and one he should answer. I try not to get too heavy with anyone on here but I’ve had my share of abuse. Neil Canamaler has a particular beef with L S and with the help of others drew me into the bullshit a few months back.

     

     

    I really dont care for some of the hunnish behavior on here but if I know a poster from a previous blog or forum I’ll not be bullied into giving up posting because some ubercelt on here instructs me to do so.

     

     

    I’ll leave you to sort out your difference with LS., you both seem more than capable of intelligent conversation.

     

     

     

    Hail Hail brothers

  12. 16 roads - Neil Lennon walks on water. on

    A Ceiler Gonof Rust – It’s over and done with as far as i am concerned.

     

     

    I would appreciate if you could get me squared up with some of your quality whiskey chief,i don’t mind paying the extra money for the good stuff.

     

     

    :)

  13. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    16 roads, I’ll gladly have a bevy with you……………………………..as long as petec is paying:-)

     

     

    I’ve met BobM in real life (celtic park stylee), I’ve met his aiuld faither too. A lot of stuff gets said on blogs that can be sorted out better with a quick face to face.

     

     

    Dont stop posting dude, I enjoy your stuff regardless of mutual ardversaries / friends.

     

     

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

     

    acgr

  14. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    16 roads get my email and contacts from p67 / bobM / PedroC67……. Lets have a chat buddy.

     

     

    Remember reardless of the shite and bickering we’re all sons of Celtic and Neil Lennon does indeed walk on water.

     

     

     

    KTF Bruv

  15. 16 roads - Neil Lennon walks on water. on

    A Ceiler Gonof Rust

     

     

    You are a gentleman Sir.

     

     

    Goodnight and Godbless.

  21. Mea Culpa on

    A few prayers for the Jags.

     

     

    I am not a Jags fan but God help them : Ian Ferguson is keen on the job vacated by Jackie Mac.

     

     

    If he gets the job, they can look forward to meeting Sevco very soon.

  22. Summa of Sammi.... on

    .

     

     

    Moonbeams..

     

     

    Your only a Real Insomniac if You can’t get to Sleep when the Alarm goes off for Work..;-(

     

     

    InSomnia of Sammi

     

     

    Ps.. It’s Just a Mind over Mattress thing..

  23. Vmhan on

    Morning Celts

     

     

    Googybhoy/ Zbyszek

     

    As you’ve found out, there’s strength in friendship and you have it aplenty on CQN.

     

     

    I’m travelling over to Ireland tomorrow to mark the laying of my fathers ashes in Derry, Ireland where he was born.

     

    It’s been a while since my fathers passing and I can say that time is indeed a healer.

     

     

    I hope you both find some peace and strength over the next few weeks.

     

     

    My thoughts are with you both.

     

    Vinny

  24. Zbyszek on

    Good Morning, Vmhan.

     

     

    You are right, Sir.

     

    Wish you safe journey. I hope the journey brings you many good memories about your Dad. Don’t forget to smile for your good man. He will be happy there to see you smiling.

     

    ………

     

    Last night I mentioned my sister-in-law. When we where there to see her for the last time she gave my wife recipe for her best cake. I got recipe for steak. She told us to prepare it in May and smile for her.

     

    Take care.

  30. Tallybhoy on

    Morning all!

     

     

    To all those who have lost loved ones recently – thoughts and prayers are with you.

     

     

    YNWA!

     

     

    HH!!

  32. Tallybhoy on

    Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. Champions. C’mon Wee Oscar.

     

    06:48 on

     

    15 February, 2013

     

    Meteor explodes over Russia. How cool is this?

     

     

    mobile.news.com.au/travel/news/meteor-shower-explodes-in-central-russis-and-urals-injuring-people/story-e6frfq80-1226578976770

     

     

    Maybe our friendly asteroid passing at 17000 miles today is going to bring some debris with it,

     

     

    MWD

     

     

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………

     

     

    Hope it is indeed friendly and does not decide to pay us a visit! Keep on moving!

     

     

    HH!!

  33. Vmhan on

    Just a reminder that there’s a Bhoy on mastermind tonight answering questions about the best football club on the planet, apologies Zbyszek but Legia are a close second :>)

     

    V

  35. Stairheedrammy on

    A wee plea for Saturday- I need to go to Uni on Saturday morning so might be running late- is there any way you could hold the game back 10 minutes just to make sure I get there for the start

     

     

    many thanks

  38. Vmhan on

    roberttressell

     

     

    I think around 8pm ish and beeb 1 or 2.

     

     

    Derry will be good, if a sad time. I’ll be with family and good friends and as planned having my first alcoholic drink of 2013 to toast my father. A pint of Guinness in Tracy’s, can’t be bad eh!

     

    ✊

  40. Vmhan on

    Ps

     

    I’ll be back on the KANO 125 dryathon on my return, Ireland’s not a place to be dry :>)

     

    Speaking of which I better start work….. After a wee cuppa

     

    ☕

     

    V

  41. ASonOfDan on

    Morning,

     

     

    Interesting wee Tweet

     

     

     

    George Galloway

     

    @ georgegalloway

     

    Nothing I have ever said @bbcqt has been edited out. EVER. Why was Rangers tax dodge censored? And by whom?

  42. ASonOfDan on

    Interesting how our hero has burst upon the scene again. One year on and obviously wanting his money.

     

     

    Sky Sports News

     

    @ SkySportsNews

     

    Plus there’s more from our exclusive interview with former Rangers owner Craig Whyte on his controversial tenure

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