Beaten and bruised but strategy is all that matters

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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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758 Comments

  1. The Big – Wigs prepared piece in Shortie ?

     

     

    :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

     

     

    …………..nice pufff piece, for the benefit of the ‘fans’, eh?

     

     

    Awwy, Chic????

     

     

    Aye.

  2. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    The longer the LNS judgement takes the more I believe they are using their combined legal intellect to find arguments to excuse the hun from the consequences of cheating. Remember this is the geezer who wrote a war and peace sized case study that gave us the tinkerbell ruling.

  3. Celtic_First

     

     

    Why would they change now, why would they allow the bampots more ammo, it’s not going to happen.

     

     

    The cabal is not just a few at the top who control everyday life, which they do, from the top of the government, the police, the judiciary and the like, but it permeates all the way down to the knuckledragers, who are the ones who carry out the threat of violence and intimidation.

     

     

    That is power they will not give up without a very dirty fight, trust me.

     

     

    Jurnos in scotland are in fear of telling the truth, that is a sad, sad state of affairs, I akined Celtic to playing in scotland, to a Jewish team playing in Nazi Germany in the 30s, a tad extreme, but, imo, not too far off the mark, we have a society come far since the 30s, but given a chance, they would have us back there in a flash.

     

     

    Just my humble opinion, I can only say it like I see it, and am well prepared to be ridiculed for it, but having seen how they work first hand, I am happy with my beliefs.

  4. For all of us wondering about the outcome of the LNS report, let’s just remember all the other unusual decisions/verdicts reached in connection with anything regarding Rangers (or anti-Celtic) in this country.

     

    Is this outcome going to be any different you think?

  5. Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire on

    C_F,

     

    no offence but I think you are being a bit naieve, most people still get their information from the MSM and that is wrapped up. As long as they have the majority believing their lies, that is job done.

     

    Most people with any interest in football around the world dont know anything about it and dont really care they are still rangers as far as the MSM and majority are concerned.

     

    I was talking to an Italian yesterday who did not even know they had been liquidated but thought they had been punished being put in the 3rd division, it took a bit of time explaining that what they had done was far worse then anything Juve done to Italian football, only difference being that, the media in Scotland and the UK were not as free press as he knows in Italy.

     

    I am slowly but surely educating each and everyone who asks about football in Scotland.

     

    My Tinkerbell analogy seens to work well.

  6. Headtheball

     

    Yes.

     

    Based on this country’s renowned history of honesty, transparency and justice.

     

    On the other hand it could be my medication :-)

  7. 67heaven … i am neil lennon..!!.. ibrox belongs to the creditors

     

     

    10:54 on 15 February, 2013

     

    pogmathonyahun aka laird of the smiles

     

    10:46 on

     

    15 February, 2013

     

    Pleased to report that I have never ever played any game on Xbox etc…..LOL

     

    ——————————————————————-

     

     

    Doesn’t make you a bad person my friend, just somebody who knows how to do something useful with their time, like blogging here :-)

  8. It took what ..2 or 3 days to consider 10 or so years of alleged dual contracts and how many weeks now to write up the verdict?

     

    I also believe they are trying hard to find a legal escape route for them. It’s all for the public good you know…keep the majority happy and all that.

     

     

    Hope I end up with egg all over my face.

  9. hail hail cqn

     

     

    have anyone got a complete timeline on the LNS from start to now ?

     

     

    Board meeting

     

    Scottish Football Association (SFA) rules state that all payments made to players in respect of their earnings from football must be declared on one contract. Clubs falling foul of those rules could face sanctions from the league.

     

     

    The SPL launched its investigation into Rangers’ use of the EBT scheme on 5 March.

     

     

    The probe covers the period stretching back to the SPL’s inception in 1998.

     

     

    In a statement, the SPL confirmed it had received documentation from Rangers in relation to the investigation into EBT payments.

     

     

    “The SPL’s legal team will now review and provide an update to the SPL board at the next SPL board meeting on 18 June,” it said.

     

     

    got this from bbc site and thought it was a lot later that the enquiry started

     

    the 5 march 2012 is nearly a year ago

     

    and the 3day judgement started on 29jan 2013 and finished 31jan 2013

     

     

    over 2 weeks to come to a descision

     

    on paperwork that has been in their possesion for months

     

    they must be waiting till the spl is no more and all charges dropped or left in limbo

     

     

    jam67

  10. A year on since rangers went into administration. I haven’t heard or read one thing in from the MSM saying that if these EBT loans had been repaid then liquidation could have been avoided, and their “war chest” would have been bulging. Instead we get the usual tripe about who might be to blame, and what the fans of all other clubs did to them. I thought hindsight was 20/20.

  11. canamalar

     

     

    That is true. A number of people across Europe and beyond have no idea what actually went on in Scotland. Many people who meet me for the first time ask me why are they in Division 3?

     

     

    They are surprised that that has happened and have not bothered looking for the story but their curiosity is aroused when they know where I am from.

     

     

    It makes a mockery of the 500 Million world wide and their claims of being a big club. Only really people from the Islands or ex-pats have a clue about it.

     

     

    The bottom line is the rest of the world aren’t that interested BUT when you are asked where you come from and say Glasgow there really isn’t a whole lot non-UK and Ireland people know about Glasgow itself other than those two names.

     

     

    My friends knew all about it because I had them well informed and they took more of an interest in it because they know me. Many of them sadly were of the opinion that the league would be too boring without them as there is nothing better than beating your rivals but the facts of the matter are that real Celtic supporters want to see Celtic and when you see the web that has been spun into creating the myth of continuation and buying of history is it any wonder our fellow supporters were doing those conga lines at Inverness last year?

  12. Celtic_First

     

     

    I have watched it before. I’m sure it’s on BBC parliament sometimes over the weekend. May not be broadcast anymore.

     

    I will need to check the web and see if it’s on. Not backing up the BBC but they will show what they feel is most relevant on the first show. Scotland is not always top of their priorities although tax avoidance should be.

     

     

    LB

  13. THE EXILED TIM

     

     

    10:52 on 15 February, 2013

     

     

    Morning bhoys from a sunny hun free mountain valley.

     

     

    Well, well, well, so George G has been silenced re the huns and their tax dodges, what a surprise…not.

     

     

    I remember the first time I posted on RTC, and I said that I thought the masonic cabal would win out, and the huns would win the tax case.

     

     

    Oh how they laughed and mocked, I remember well who was doing the mocking, and even RTC himself asked me to give a reason for thinking that they would win.

     

     

    I couldn’t give a reason other than the cabal will do what’s they deem necessary, I reckon the next phase of the tenticals reach will be the LNS enquiry, or at least the dishing out of the punisment after the results are presented.

     

     

    They have stolen millions, shafted creditors to the tune of 60 odd millions, had an administration event like no other in history, where no body lost their jobs, where the admin men attempted to employ more people, I could go on, and on…..

     

     

    Tis a dirty fight, I know where I would wager my money as to who the victors will be.

     

    _________________________________________________________________

     

     

    You know I like a wee flutter and my Money is firmly on the Truth coming out.

     

     

    The Masonic cabal know their god is the Father of Lies so they can never fully trust that deity. There are lots of things happening around the Western World for the public consumption that gets me jittery.

     

     

    Some of the football Celtic played the other night was a joy to behold, next year we will be even better.

  14. LiviBhoy

     

     

    Thanks. But it’s interesting, I think, that George Galloway should say he’s never been edited on Question Time before, regardless of the shortness of time and the potential for a comment or a question deemed ‘less relevant’.

     

     

    Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I don’t think you would convince Mr Galloway of that this morning.

  15. I'm Neil Lennon (tamrabam) on

    Ally in the red tops claiming sevco or old deidco are victims fo something, he doesn’t specify what. I wonder why?

  16. petec

     

     

    On the football, I agree, we will get better, even with the loss of some of the squad, they will be replaced, hopefully with better players.

     

     

    As for the cabal, we are just going to have to agree to disagree.

  17. …..let’s be hearing stories from the wee peepil, they stiffed for money……..

     

     

    Human interest?

     

     

    MSM……

     

     

    Do your job.

  18. Celtic_First

     

     

    I totally agree. GG would know better than us. He has appeared on the show many times. I have never attended in the audience. I suspect there are a lot of bits that the BBC class as drivel and therefore cut. People probably waffle on for ages about some things. I assume that GG got asked a direct question or made a remark related to Rangers when discussing tax and it was cut. If that is the case the BBC need to answer why.

     

    Incidentally the show is aired again on Sunday at 6pm on BBC parliament. May be worth a viewing to see if it is extended. It should be much longer than the alloted time in my view. Once a week for the time given is a disgrace. It’s a fantastic show where the people can actually ask politicians straight out in a forum with other commentators and panelists. I think Dimbleby chairs it well and usually gives everyone a fair crack of the whip.

     

     

    LB

  19. setting free the bears

     

     

    10:23 on 15 February, 2013

     

     

    KevJ

     

     

    A testimonial after 9 years service?? You sure? Did Murdo tell ye that excuse?

     

     

    And He and Danny were not given jobs for religious reasons??? What religion was Jock? What position were Danny and Murdo appointed to within the club, if not coaches? We did not give coaching jobs to Charlie Tully or Paul McStay either. What religion were they? We cannot continue to employ every ex-player unless they are proven quality in their job. Murdo has a poor record as a coach- that is why he is a shock jock pundit.

     

     

    And Paul McStay was obviously the subject of interest from other clubs but, when he retired from Celtic, he was unfit to continue playing for anyone, hence the “lack of interest”, as you call it.

     

     

    How do you reconcile calling for Celtic to buy Celtic minded men and then calling them out for religious discrimination?

     

    _________________________________________________________________

     

    I apologize for missing this post M8(got caught up in all the excitement)

     

    Yeah, Murdo was interviewed on – Scotland Today(I have it on DVD but don’t know how to post it) sorry – Murdo said that the board would let him have a testimonial in his 10th year with the cluc – Celtic’s Centenary year – strange that TB(RIP) and Davie Provan were given testimonials but, Murdo was told that there had been a change of mind by the board and that he wouldn’t be allowed to renew his contract or, get his promised testimonial. Murdo had a decent stock as a manager with – Dumbatron/P.Thistle/Hibs assistant to Alex Miller were they won the Skol Cup putting the huns out in the semi-final. Then Wim brought Murdo in as his sounding-board to stop the huns winning 10 iar. Wim was nobody’s mug and Fergus feared him ? Hmmmm…..Murdo got a coaching job while he was in his prime as a manager in the SPL. That proved to be a wise choice by Jansen. Danny McGrain was appointed a coach by NL after Thommo left ? Danny McGrain – a one town navvy – in terms of coaching – brought in at(what age is DM ?) 60 ? 70 ? 85 ? :o))) Naw but, really…what is that appointment all about ? You don’t all of a sudden have something to offer in coaching at DM’s age ? Surely ?NL/PL Hmmmm Cheapskates ?

     

    I didn’t call them out for – religious discrimination – DM did in his book.

     

    Charlie Tully and Paul McStay = World Class players but…maybe not too hot at coaching ?

     

    I tried my best

     

    Hopefully that covers it…if not

     

    I’ll catch ye the next time :o)

     

    Until then – Take Care – Sorry for missing ye.

     

    God Bless

     

    Off oot.

  20. …………If it was us…….

     

     

    ( I know, I know……….)

     

     

    …..Shortie and pals would be doorstepping every florist, caterer, builder and candlestick-maker…………….

     

     

    For the guid o’ scoddish foooooball,…..obviously.

  21. Bankiebhoy1,

     

     

    Maybe the stiffed creditors are too scare to speak out.

     

     

    Not like the shamed would ever conduct in any bullying/threats or the like.

     

     

    Aye its strange how we’ve never heard the ‘balanced’ viewpoint on that particular story.

     

     

    Oh I forgot, its never really been a story.

     

     

    One wonders why ?

  22. I’m more amazed that George Galloway hasn’t been edited before on QT than anything else. While tax avoidence is still a current story for the national press the amount at Ranger was insignificant compared to the big boys. So I’m not convinced his editing was at a conspiratorial rather than an editorial level.

  23. myboysnowatim

     

    12:02 on

     

    15 February, 2013

     

    Bankiebhoy1,

     

     

    Maybe the stiffed creditors are too scare to speak out.

     

     

    Not like the shamed would ever conduct in any bullying/threats or the like.

     

     

    Aye its strange how we’ve never heard the ‘balanced’ viewpoint on that particular story.

     

     

    Oh I forgot, its never really been a story.

     

     

    One wonders why ?

     

     

    __

     

     

    And had these ebt “loans” been paid back, then the creditors could have been paid in full, and HMRC would have nothing to pursue. Of course the dual contract issue might still be a problem, as not properly reported.

     

     

    As usual, while obfuscating and mis-directing, the MSM fail even now to get the point. Greed.

     

     

    I guess this don’t suit their current pet project.

  24. err……Greenmaestro……

     

     

    ……….spellin’………………..

     

     

    “currant” pet project.

     

     

    ;)

  25. THE EXILED TIM

     

     

    The Truth, Α Ω, so it is not exactly a bad bet to take.

     

     

    Time is a creation of God after all. ;))

     

     

    Patience really is a virtue.

     

     

    It was excellent to see us keep the ball from Juve, whilst trying to probe for openings, I cannae wait for the return leg in Turin. I have a feeling we will win over there and that will help us in the long term.

  26. weeminger

     

    12:04 on

     

    15 February, 2013

     

    I’m more amazed that George Galloway hasn’t been edited before on QT than anything else. While tax avoidence is still a current story for the national press the amount at Ranger was insignificant compared to the big boys. So I’m not convinced his editing was at a conspiratorial rather than an editorial level.

     

     

    ___

     

     

    Also it would be more likely to excite them if this is a question tax avoidance by a foreign company, than a UK company. Cause in business, as in all sports we have to keep up the veneer of fairness as a very british trait.

  27. bankiebhoy1

     

    12:10 on

     

    15 February, 2013

     

    err……Greenmaestro……

     

     

    ……….spellin’………………..

     

     

    “currant” pet project.

     

     

    ;)

     

     

    __

     

     

    Of course.

  28. I made the mistake of watching the repeat of QT……what a bunch of egoistic puffed up self-regarding pompous out of touch ninnnies. (I’ll except GW coz he , at least , put the verbal boot in on them)

     

    I really did notice that the question on tax evasion was completely excised.

     

    Censorship is alive and sick in The ConDemNation 2013.

  29. Maybe the Exiled Tim is right, there is some sort of Masonic cabal in operation (I must admit exiled I dont go in for conspiracy theories) What is it that is stopping at least prosecutions and outrage etc over every god damn disgraceful event that has thus far been uncovered with regards to that current/ex football club and all who run/support it ?

     

     

    Are the authorities that troubled by what the lunatics will do ?

     

     

    Nothing is really making sense over this whole affair.

     

     

    For gods sake the affair has gone far beyond mere trivial football matters.

  30. how much more has to be done before people realize that no matter how blatant things are regarding them they will not

     

    be held to account, i say this before lns verdict because is

     

    he going to go against himself? [the establishment] this has

     

    been set in motion a long time ago even before murray sold for a pound it was just legal requirement it was handed over to start the whole process, a clear plan had been put in motion

     

    via goverment,hmrc,duff and phelps and the vast majority of the media,also a compliant sfa,spl,and sfl,others are involved in someway or another, in all of this rule bending and breaking after the event no one and i mean no one in any other club at all especially the spl called for one single resignation and i

     

    include my club celtic,talk about smell the coffee sevco fans

     

    closer to home it also stinks.

  31. I see Roddy Forsyth is the latest to have a dig at Sevco.

     

     

    Hmmm… there is a definite change in attitude towards Chuckles.