Brendan juxtaposition, but for the grace of God

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You will have noticed minds elsewhere have recently turned to the most difficult question in Scottish football, how will Celtic’s inextricable domination of Scottish football be stopped? If you have been reading CQN for as long as I’ve been writing it, you’ll know the information you should consult on this question is the financial fundamentals.

Celtic’s domination was assured since well before it was predicted here (in 2004). Our only opponent worthy of the name was indulging in an orgy of irresponsibility. While the eventual outcome was more delightful than any of us dared hope, the consequences for the Scottish title were always going to end up the same way.

Celtic just needed to stave off the desire to join the lemmings, keep to a responsible budget, and their long-term outcome was assured.

But this is not the issue most commentators ponder when considering how Celtic will be clawed back into the pack, all they can see is a manager with the apparent Midas touch. While Brendan is here, the story goes, it’s not even worthwhile discussing Celtic’s domination.

I agree with this point, although I could add that Ronny won two leagues more than comfortably, Neil won three, and when Brendan eventually reties due to old age, we’ll be very capable of recruiting an effective talent.

There’s been a fascinating juxtaposition this week on the subject of Brendan as he secured his first title as Celtic manager. 11 months ago, when Ronny announced he was leaving, Peter Lawwell drew up his targets. Two names were at the top of the list, Brendan, and now-Sunderland manager, Davie Moyes. Both were interviewed and both knew each other was under consideration. I’m pretty sure Celtic were prepared to sign up the first one who would commit.

11 months on and, from 100 miles away, life seems to be disentangling for Davie Moyes. The jocular threat to slap a female reporter is systematic of a man who is losing control. After a promising honeymoon period at Sunderland, his team is destined for relegation, most probably as bottom of the division.

There is a haunting realisation in the North East that, like a struggling swimmer who has bobbed below the waterline a few times, the next time they are under could be a great deal more consequential.  Moyes’ reputation has taken more than a slap.

I remember Davie as a player (splay-footed and unconvincing), and wanted his as Celtic manager when Gordon Strachan resigned. His decade at Everton provides ample evidence of his genuine talent. These are the things my mind turns to when his name is mentioned.

When Brendan hears Davie’s name, what chance he thinks, “There but for the grace of God………”

We’ve got a great manager, but he knows he’s got a great job.

Celtic Disabled Supporters Association
Dinner Dance
Kerrydale Suite, Friday 21 April

The Disabled Supporters Association invite you to addend their annual Dinner Dance later this month.  Tickets are a mere £25 per head, which includes a three course meal, live entertainment from The Foggy Dew, and a Q&A with Jim Craig, Bertie Auld and Tom Boyd.

The trophies will be there for photos and there will be lots of additional entertainment.  All are welcome.

For tickets, contact events@celticdsa.co.uk or 07514-059870 (office hours).

Coolest T-shirt on the planet in remarkable book offer, shipping later this month:

Enjoy your weekend.
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  1. Tenor Nivernais in the 5:15 Aintree

     

     

    For me Good Luck to all

     

     

    Hail Hail

  2. 16 roads - Celtic über alles... on

    Gweedore Celt – Brilliant! :)

     

     

    WWW – Robbed blind fs.

     

     

    VP – Ya couldn’t write the script mo chara lol

     

     

    GFTB – Thought your horse was gonna win it from two out, unlucky chief.

     

     

    “Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people.” W.C. Fields.

     

     

    Hail Hail.

  3. Kimberly Lewis on

    I quiet my office job and now I am getting paid 127 Dollars hourly. How? I work-over internet! My old work was making me miserable,so I was forced to try-something different. 4 years after. ..I can say my life is changed completely for the better!

     

     

     

    Check it out what i do…..>>>> NetJob90.com

  4. CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 35 results (Apr 8th)

     

     

    WINNERS:

     

     

    Gweedore Celt (One for Arthur) @14/1 !!!

     

    Onemalloy (Clubs are Trumps) @8/1

     

    Bull67 (Finians Oscar) @3/1

     

    Rockon (Finians Oscar) @3/1

     

     

    Losers:

     

     

    16 roads (So Celebre)

     

    21-5-79 (Cause of Causes)

     

    BMCUWP (Measureofmydreams)

     

    Cathal (No Selection)

     

    Cosy Corner Bhoy (No Selection)

     

    Dim Sam (Blaklion)

     

    Fastbhoy (Cause of Causes)

     

    Fin 15 (No Hassle Hoff)

     

    fleagle1888 (Ucello Conti)

     

    Gerryfaethebrig (Blaklion)

     

    Graffitionthewall (Raz de Maree)

     

    green T (Blaklion)

     

    hashadenough (No Selection)

     

    leftclicktic (Ucello Conti)

     

    Nye Bevans RS (Firey Speech)

     

    ohits (No Selection)

     

    Som mes que un club (Perfect Candidate)

     

    TheBarcaMole (Tenor Nivernais)

     

    twists n turns (Measureofmydreams)

     

    voguepunter (Vicente)

     

    WWW(GBWO) (Mr Scaramanga)

     

    Zihuatanejo (Tenor Nivernais)

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

  5. CQN Saturday Naps Competition : WEEK 35 Standings (Apr 8th)

     

     

    A fantastic Grand National winning selection from Gweedore Celt – One for Arthur @14/1 – who now scoots clear at the top of the CQN Naps table.

     

     

    As always, the Grand National is full of hard luck stories – isn’t that right, VP? – and I’m personally feeling a little robbed as Ucello Conti was travelling brilliantly on the inside rail until Saint Are jumps across of him at Bechers Brook (2nd time)…

     

     

    :(

     

     

    Well done to our other winning napsters who all avoided the Grand National, but found a winner elsewhere, namely … Onemalloy, Bull67, Rockon

     

     

     

    WEEK 35 – NAPS TABLE

     

     

    +24.00 > Gweedore Celt (6)

     

    +15.00 > Nye Bevans RS (9)

     

    +12.68 > Bull67 (9)

     

    +7.58 > WWW(GBWO) (14)

     

    +6.50 > twists n turns (5)

     

    +4.00 > Cosy Corner Bhoy (8)

     

    +2.50 > 16 roads (8)

     

    +1.13 > BMCUWP (5)

     

    +0.75 > Fin 15 (4)

     

     

    -5.00 > TheBarcaMole (3)

     

    -5.08 > Dim Sam (8)

     

    -7.68 > fleagle1888 (7)

     

    -12.00 > Cathal (2)

     

    -12.75 > Fastbhoy (4)

     

    -13.00 > leftclicktic (6)

     

    -14.38 > Onemalloy (4)

     

    -18.50 > Som mes que un club (3)

     

    -19.67 > 21-5-79 (2)

     

    -20.25 > Zihuatanejo (3)

     

    -20.50 > hashadenough (3)

     

    -22.50 > green T (4)

     

    -22.50 > Rockon (3)

     

    -25.50 > Graffitionthewall (2)

     

    -26.25 > ohits (2)

     

    -35.00 > Gerryfaethebrig (0)

     

    -35.00 > voguepunter (0)

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

  6. Lads,

     

     

    FYI – there will be SEVEN more weeks in the CQN Naps competition – Week 42 is on May 27th, the weekend of the Scottish Cup Final (and hopefully, treble celebrations)…

     

     

    Cheers, fleagle1888

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