Today, Setting Free The Bears reviews Caesar & the Assassin, the story of Billy McNeill and Davie Hay’s periods as Celtic manager, in their own words, published by Celtic Quick News.
We’ve published a few books so far, telling some stories of our great players, or great events, but this book deals with the most important subject we’ve touched so far – how Celtic was run, from a manager’s perspective.
The personal thoughts of Billy and Davie, shedding light on the inside story of Celtic, is fascinating, especially for those familiar with the excitement and glories of the period.
Here’s what SFTBs had to say:
“Setting Free the Bears reviews CQN’s new book, Caesar & The Assassin – Managing Celtic after Jock Stein. Billy McNeill & Davie Hay with Alex Gordon…
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of our lost golden youth, it was the age of boardroom mismanagement, it was the epoch of honest mistakes, it was the epoch of incredulity at the honest mistakes, it contained seasons of light, it produced seasons of darkness, it was the spring of our hope of getting back to European prominence, it was the winter of our despair as the light of hope was extinguished by counter attacking foreign teams, we had everything before us, we had nothing much to look forward to, we were all going direct to Paradise, we were all going to Ibrox – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that this noisy authoritative book insists on it being received, for good or evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.
It was the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy eight and if Charles Dickens had written this latest CQN book he could never have conjured up a plot of such last minute twists, Machiavellian back-stabbing, outrageous coincidences, and triumphs grasped from the gaping jaws of despair, as are present in this history of Celtic during our long lost youth.
There are a few CQN readers who are ancient enough to recall the pre-Lions era and the Lions themselves with admirable clarity, even in their dotage but for most of the CQN demographic, this book covers the period wherein the chains and shackles of Celtic-ness were firmly placed upon us. We remember them now with the rose tinted nostalgia of longing for our younger selves and we sometimes remember them as better than they were. These were our halcyon days and they are presented to us with more accuracy and honesty than we are often capable of when recalling them.
Alex Gordon has raided the memory banks and past publications of two of our finest servants, Billy McNeill and David Hay, to provide a more reliable pen picture of our glory days. Mark Twain said that “When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it happened or not.” This book gives us a chance to compare the contemporary account with what happened in real time in the order it really occurred.
These 32 chapters of history in the McNeill-Hay- McNeill management era, August 78 to May 91, when Liam Brady took over will set you straight. It was not a time of constant glorious victory by which we can denigrate the modern players and team in comparison. Billy’s first spell up to May 83 saw a win percentage of 64.2% (3 titles, 1SC and 1LC), Davie Hay from 83 to 87 managed 51.8% (1 League and 1 SC) and Billy’s last spell was 54.8% (1 league and 2 SCs). The 3 managers (including Frank Connor) that followed, however, won nothing and it would be 1995 with a Scottish Cup win under Tommy Burns before we celebrated again and 1998 before the League was ours.
The format of the book is to give 2 chapters to each season covering roughly August to December and January to May respectively with an additional chapter to recount our Cup runs that year. Occasionally a chapter is devoted to an important European event, the 1980 quarter final against Real, the Amsterdam win against Cruyff’s Ajax or the horrors of the Rapid Vienna battles. Some domestic events such as 10 men won the League, the Miracle of Love Street and the Centenary Cup Final are given full and separate coverage too.
It is a partisan account, representing forcibly the disappointments and occasional bitter memories of how these two legends felt they were not supported in their desires to maintain Celtic at the levels to which Jock Stein had propelled us in the mid-60s. Desmond White and Jack McGinn are not always fondly recalled in this account but it is a story told with love and affection which triumphs over any traces of anger or regret that remain today. These are Celtic men who can have arguments with temporary Celtic custodians but who could not remain estranged from the Celtic family because of this.
There are tales which are familiar and tales which will surprise. There are telling details provided which add to the prosaic presentation of individual game facts and who scored the goals. There are a lot of familiar themes relevant to the present day. The task that Davie and Billy faced, on our behalf, of competing with the inflated expenditure of the Souness period at Ibrox is relevant to our most recent 15 years.
The balance to be struck between a harmonious board-manager relationship and a warring outlook about teams that always need strengthening, is well depicted. The two managers can look back with more sympathy for the Directors than they felt at the time but both remain adamant that they could have done so much more if purse strings had been loosened.
The handover from Hay to McNeill’s second spell is particularly poignant. Where Davie had been starved of cash to deal with the imminent departures of Johnston, McClair, McInally and McLeod, Billy was given cash, albeit much below the Souness spend levels, as a one-off never-to-be-repeated deal so that we could enjoy a Centenary Year of triumph before we were back to old clothes and porridge. It is made crystal clear that this was an era which was pre-Bosman, pre-EPL wage inflation, and pre-Champions League high finance where Celtic were better placed to maintain a grip on European competitiveness than we managed to do.
If I have one criticism of the book, it is that we learn little of the detail behind the Board’s argument for parsimony at the time. There is a quote on p.353 which says:-
“Yes, Desmond (White) had his critics, but I know he would have been better equipped to assist me when Graeme Souness arrived at Ibrox and was given what appeared to be a blank cheque book,’ said Hay. ‘Desmond was careful with money, as we were all aware, but, importantly, he understood what Celtic were all about.’ No elaboration was required from Hay”
Well, maybe you had to be there to understand why elaboration was unnecessary but I would welcome some elaboration and context. What were Celtic finances like at that time? Did the managers know if we were on sound footing or in financial difficulty? We were to experience a near bankruptcy event in the following decade so it would be nice to hear the argument in favour of prudent finance.
The Board voice does not feature and Billy and Davie have good reason to be disinclined to voice it for them. That caveat aside, we do learn a lot about the part that personality clashes can play in a management team and the dirty tricks employed to make a manager seem unwanted.
This book serves the requirements of two types of reader. For the stats and detail buff who is keen to test your memory and collect facts, you can read every word in order and recall each game whether it was an important or a dull one. If you want to read a good sports story and the scandal behind the facts, you can race through the match and goals descriptions to get to the nuggets where the main events are retold and the background fleshed out. Author, Alex Gordon has done a fine job in ensuring that both types of reader will find satisfaction within these pages.
There are surprises to be found in learning which players might have ended up at Celtic Park. There are telling insights into signing coups and signing disasters. Some good Celtic men were not treated well by this club and some good Celtic men did not treat the club well.
There are Celtic legends like Burns, Provan, McStay, McGrain and McAvennie whose careers are recounted well and there are lesser known names like McGugan, McCarrison, and Halpin who appear. Two of my contemporary school-mates are mentioned, Frank Welsh and Frank Gray.
There are surprising facts which will form good quiz questions. Apart from learning how Billy’s nickname changed from Cesar to Caesar over time, my favourite would be- “Why was Bruce Cleland an important contributor to our Scottish Cup success in the Centenary Year?” I’ll let you find that out for yourself as I have tried to avoid spoilers in this review.
The book takes us up to Billy leaving the manager’s chair for the second time on 22nd May 1991. There is a wee taste of the daunting events facing the Parkhead faithful at the end of this era. The downsizing from Nicholas and McAvennie to Walker and Coyne, then to Cascarino and Hayes foretells the coming horrors of the 90s.
The CQN publishing team behind the book are hinting that this will be the period covered in their next big book. The memories invoked there may not be a pleasant as those covered by this splendid book. I may have to look out my Leonard Cohen box set to cheer me up.
Buy this book! Relive your lost past and feel young again! It was good when it happened and it remains good in having the memories re-awakened. I want to express my appreciation of the efforts of these two legends in nurturing my club and I hope their tales sell and sell and sell some more. For them, it is richly deserved.”
My thanks to Setting Free The Bears. As you can imagine, it’s been an absolute joy working on this book. Hearing the managers’ perspective on events we knew only as fans offers a precious insight into our joys and despairs. We are so fortunate to have these great heroes living in our community; opportunities to have these times set down on record will be rare going forward.
The book’s available here on CQN Books. It’s now in stock and shipping. If you pre-ordered, you’ll be getting a FREE DVD to thank you for your patience. All aspects of these projects cannot be controlled, unfortunately.
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Mags
Did you visit your uncle and get involved in the fitba 20 a sides that Kirkton was famous for. Sometimes it went up to 30 a side playing a game that could last for 5 hours. :)
There you go guys, a few improvements since then…….
@YardOfGrass: Celtic Park, late nineteenth century. http://t.co/3ENzSQ96FG
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Eddie
I see that as part of the all seated stadium problem too.
In the old terracing you could tell these eejits to shut up and a wee debate would ensue..
You or them could then leave before the polis came. .
eddieinkirkmichael
21:58 on 23 November, 2014
No its not growing..its just that many good Tims have seen right through the PCL and left for more constructive things to do with their time thus leaving a higher ratio of diddies giving this impression. cant you tell?
EDDIEINKIRKMICHAEL
Back in the day,Sportscene,MOTD,etc,only showed highlights of one game each week.
Now,in the same length of time,we get to see them all.
As a result,a higher proportion of attacks lead to goals. On the telly at least. And it has led to unrealistic expectation.
Eddiekirkmichael
I said yesterday to our CQN gathering that the mark of champs is to win while playing badly but if that’s a regular occurrence then you should be concerned. That’s how the other mob used to with leagues btw!
mags,
You post some strange things…funny though :))
WEEFRATHETIM
Great photie,mate. Did you take that yourself?
Delaneys Dunky
22:00 on 23 November, 2014
Yes I did. I think it happened only like 3 or 4 times. Opportunity/circumstance etc.
Right guys and ghals, Sportscene starting in 25 mins on beeb and this ipad aboot to run out of battery, so, Night Night Timland. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
BMCUW
That’s the one I told you about a couple of weeks ago. NAW it wiznae me that took it, it wiz ma son. Hahaha. Usual the mo. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra
Plug it into the mains
Bit of luck. If WEEFRATHETIM is offski for the night,I might have got away with that…
Nae luck!
Aye,bud. Usual time.
With all that’s going on in the world right now, the best BBC1 news can do is ten minutes on F1. Second most important thing that’s happened in the world today
Eddie
The lady who confronted the eejit screaming “Youse are f***ing useless” to every Celtic player throughout the game. Was my lady of the match. :)
Prestonpans
Nane next to ma chair, kitchen only. If you think I’m gonnae ge……. You get the picture. Hehehehehe. How you doin’ kiddo, huvnae spoke for a while. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
blantyretim is praying for the knox family
21:55 on 23 November, 2014
I am good friends with Paul’s Bros. On the day he died I received a text, Lennybhoy (but was my Sunday name) can you do me a favour and get me a Programme tonight, for my Bros. who died this morning. I immediately phoned him, he was on his way to be with the Family, I thought it may have been another Bros. I then phoned and gave the sad news to P67 who had not heard the sad news. One phone conversation I wish I never had to have with P67.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Eddie,
I wouldn’t call it Hunnish tendencies.
I mind listening to sourpous when we were in the doldrums and how they would kick us while we’re down…his words…
Now we have the upperhand on them and the smsm, why not keep it that way…rather than getting your back scratched.
When a dob is down… Kick it….
BMCUW
You Should listen to acgr,he’ll tell you I go off the blog in instalments. :)) Away this time. Usuals.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Mags
If you are near my age 49? We maybe played together in Kirkton?
Wee far
No bad, this is first year with this rescue dug, first xmas! Doesn’t like 5 nov that’s for sure would be about this time last year he ended up in Edinburgh cat and dog home
Eddie you echo what I’ve been sayin for yrs. Used to say that we used to always with a feel of superiority talk bout rangers fans an entitlement to win games but felt we only needed small amount of success start of this century to have big section of our support be just as bad. We are expected to have all the possession all the shots all the goals an if any team have the temerity to have some possession or god forbid shot on goal then the howls of derision. Now don’t mean bein disappointed, mean outrage that this cud happen. Following Celtic not as enjoyable for me as it was an this is almost entirely down to the supporters round about me who have ruined the spectacle of watching the glorious hoops with their sense of entitlement. Still love the team but you’ve struck a chord with me tonite
Delaneys Dunky
Remember the “get aff yer arse” comment lol
charles kickham
22:11 on 23 November, 2014
Yup the first is Iran right?
If I were a true Iranian patriot I’d be developing nuclear weapons pronto.
Lets see:
The USA has invaded and laid waste to both countries that border my east and west to such an extent that they are now the 2 most unstable countries in the world. The 3rd (Pakistan) is a failed state for 40 years (another American ally).
To the north I have states that are as oil rich as me and are heavily influenced by Russia (Now theyre talking about another cold war)
To the south are a bunch of oil caliphates with an eye to my vast oil resources.
Then of course just nearby is Israel who just want to kill me.
what would you do?
You could watch F1 I suppose
eddieinkirkmichael
yip
I feel some of our fans do not hope to see an emphatic win now or even a great performance……it is expected and if it does not come…..somebody gets it.
Nothing wrong with wanting us to do well……i think we all would like to see that but it is not always the way of it.
Hard fought away wins are now viewed as being rubbish performances and even games won when not playing well…….that at 1 time would have been viewed as the sign of champions are not as appreciated.
It is great that the bar has been raised with our expectation levels though…..somebody must be doing something right at our club :)
CQN Celtic supporters are, in the main , excellent. Celtic supporters, in general, are just as ignorant as the supporters of any other team,
Good night,
JJ
Delaneys Dunky
22:17 on 23 November, 2014
Yes! definitely possible.
Now which one of the 30 was you? :)
Eddie
Hahaha Aye. How can you get aff your arse when you are lying face down? He was just a negative eejit.
Margaret McGill
22:23 on 23 November, 2014
First thing I’d do is ask you what you’re talking about ?
You beat me to the punchline. :-)
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Wooooffft big Judith on.the weather, yahoo! But wearing a dress that can only be described as hunnish blue. Now I’m seriously conflicted.
Mags
The handsome curly haired guy in the hoops, answering to the name of Dunky. :)
So wee Lewis is ‘British’ – flag waving – lump in the throat, Prince Harry’s pal. Wonder if HMRC have his address in Monaco. Paying for Hospitals and Schcools Lewis?
Thunder Road,
Hello A. Just about to go to bed so no chatting from me tonight. really enjoyed your company yesterday. It`s a smashing pub, would you agree?
Goodnight again
JJ
charles kickham
22:27 on 23 November, 2014
First thing I’d do is ask you what you’re talking about ?
With all that’s going on in the world right now…just trying to help you out mate…what is “your world”?