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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Jamesgang: “Agree with every single word you wrote there pal”
Your growing reputation for perspicacity is well deserved 0:-)
JJ
Ally must stay his win rate is 72.58%
Pl 124
W 90
D 17
D 17
That’s a great record, the orcs don’t know a good thing when they see it HH
Jangle Jacksons piece on line record today has a few
snippets that suggest maybe things are coming to a head.
On the Bears historic soloution to bad results.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
It might just be the only business in the history of insolvency events to have allowed this spend-at-all-costs mentality to survive the catastrophe of liquidation.
It’s drilled down so deep into the club’s DNA that it has become the answer to almost every problem it encounters.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Finances
In fact, in order for an agm to be held before the year end as Stock Market rules dictate, Deloitte really ought to publish these latest numbers by no later than Friday of this week. The under-fire regime would then have a further three working weeks before being shoved out in front of shareholders just days before Christmas.
It is already a damning indictment of the state of the club’s financial affairs that Deloitte have so far failed to put their name to these accounts and the longer they dither the more reason there is for concern.
The truth is, Rangers are right back on the brink
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
On Super Ally
The single-minded McCoist, it must be said, will disagree entirely. Often over the past three years he has reacted angrily to any suggestion he is failing in his duties and I say that as someone who has felt his full wrath from the other end of a phone on many occasions.
But, at the risk of another fall-out, I’ll say it all again. When Rangers first reappeared from insolvency in the lowest tier of the Scottish game, McCoist wasted an opportunity to reinvent his team and introduce it to a contemporary, passing style of football – much like the template Swansea used on their journey up through the various English leagues.Instead, in true Rangers tradition, he spent mind-boggling amounts of money on the recruitment of players who had no place operating at such a lowly level and who often looked as if they had no great wish to be there.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
FFin’ documentary about Gretna:
“What crowd did they take that day [Scottish Cup Final]? Gretna is a village with just 2,500 folk in it.”
——
“14000 it said on the programme.”
——
“There mustn’t have been one person left in Gretna that day”
——
“Always thought they were the model we should have followed.”
——
“People romanticise about Gretna, who were funded by a businessman who ultimately couldn’t afford it”
——
“Brooks must have been using money he didn’t have
Bankrupt with £8m debts
Gretna owed £3.5m.
That’s like [Sevco] having £3billiondebt”
——
“Players getting a weekly wage and a brown envelope every other week”
SoT
I only saw a few minutes of the Milan derby so can’t comment but I did see Milan’s goal which was beautifully crafted with a cultured finish.
October Goal of the Month
@celticfc: WIN a signed Celtic strip in our #MagnersGOTM Competition. http://t.co/eMDmJ5Gp6R @MagnersUK (NM)
https://t.co/NcTw9aS01L
HH
I’m in a minority of one on here re Thomson. I think he did bottle the decisions re Miller & Boyd, both of them should indeed have walked. However he did give the first match changing decision, I think it deserved a red but I’ve seen similar type tackles get away with a yellow. Of the three tackles the first one was the least dangerous. If he went out there to blatantly favour Sevco he could have given yellow there. Incompetent yes but a cheat not proven for me.
Right, it’s been a crap day so far, so I’m going to cheer myself up with my favourite goal for today.
Today’s choice shows a masterclass in possession football in European competition, and if Celtic can play like this on Thursday night then we are in with a good shout of a win. The goal is first from a 2-0 win against Lyon at Paradise, scored by Liam Miller. Enjoy…
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/8619330/celtic_2_lyon_0/
(apologies if there is an advert at the start, but it is worth the wait)
New GB song? About 3.30 in ‘Praise You’
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Dpqr8YcNcuA
HH Likin it
pedrocaravanachio67
I work in Madrid every 3rd week. Go wrapped up it’s pretty cold. Head for the plaza de Sol – Everything hangs off there, shops, theatres, opera, bars etc. A few Irish bars but plastic in town.
I love the Museo de Jammon. Sort of a butchers with a bar! 3 gammon steaks, 2 fried eggs, chips and a grilled tomato washed down with a bear – 7 euro!
morning cqn
watched the highlights of the lowlifes last night..
they are a poor team in more ways than one.
the hundits afterwards are a disgrace..
condoning those tackles..
HH
PINTAGUINNESS
A BEAR !!
pintaguinness
;)))))
HH
pedrocaravanachio67
RE: Madrid short-stay.
For bars and eateries, you can’t go far wrong around Plaza de Santa Ana and between there and Puerta del Sol.
Also, if you’ve time, there are some outstanding day trips to be had to Segovia, Toledo and San Lorenzo de El Escorial. All of these are accessible by (very reasonably priced) train services: sub-urban trains to Segovia and El Escorial; or (more expensive but fast as fun – from the Atocha terminus – which is worth visiting of itself) intercity AVE service to Toledo.
If eating out of an evening be warned: many eateries don’t serve a full menu before about 9pm.
Also: getting around Madrid is a skoosh by the excellent (and cheap) underground Metro system. Buy a book of 10 tickets for about 12 euros.
FF
Sort of a Madrid Greggs, but licensed!
http://www.museodeljamon.es/madrid/museos/gran-via/fotos/?lang=en
BT,
Morning, yeah I saw that post. J Mcormick could try Gellions: a lot of Celtic men there, good Guinness, good smoking area plus Irish/Scottish music.
Margaret McGill
23:57 on 23 November, 2014
They show no remorse, no guilt, no shame.
They are violent and disgusting specimens of humanity.
Why would we Celtic supporters encourage it in any way shape or form?
especially through our club?
_______________________
Yeah, it’s a shame – the real shame – that so many deluded Celtic supporters don’t even realize that, the Celtic ‘Bored’ of Directors are digging tunnels behind the scenes, despite what Peter Liewwell claimed on Friday, to get the huns back up into the same league as us A.S.A.P.
Please anyone, don’t ask me to prove it coz, I can’t – just the same as you can’t, disprove it.
But, that dizny stop me knowing what types of characters are the ‘present’ custodians of the club.
The same characters who, on one hand…sent out Paul McBride QC(RIP) to, publicly fight the establishment with Neil Lennon.
Then, on the other hand, got the same QC to cook-up a OBA to criminalise Celtic fans. In other words…the geezers who told you on Friday that – “Integrity would prevent a deal or, manipulation of the rules to get Rangers back to the top league.”….also told you during all the honest-mistake-Neil Lennon carryon that…”we won’t be sitting at the back of the bus – anymore.”
Aye.
pintaguinness
I once rented in a flat on Calle Major in Madrid, up above the Museo del Jamon on that street (about 50 yards from Sol).
My favourite ‘meal’ at the Museo was their ‘Desayuno Numero Uno’ at 1.75 euro (although this was about 5 years ago) : freshly squeezed orange juice + excellent cup of java + toast and maramalade.
This little joy would costly ‘slightly more’ in Starbucks … !
FF
lymmbhoy
11:04 on 24 November, 2014
________________________
Yeah, the ole Green Brigade are some stuff ye know.
But, for me….Celtic Park without a Jungle-type of area
is exactly what Fergus McCann has made Celtic FC
a Celtic with a rebel-less soul which for me means
‘Plastic’ Celtic FC, sorry but thats the way that I feel.
Hail Hail
Depressed already, bye.
Folly Folly – Still there and still cheap. Only place to get a coffee in Madrid at 7 a.m. My company have a block booking for me at Hotel Opera so very handy for everything. Numero cinco is the gammon steak option !
Am sure Calle Major is at other end of square from me at Calle de San Jeronimo
kevjungle – walk-on in the jungle is magic, just magic
11:29 on 24 November, 2014
lymmbhoy
=========================================
I may be out on a limb here, but Celtic do and want to introduce a Safe Standing Area……This will attract people back to Celtic Park and dare I say will put bums on the remaining seats…..and if successful it would be extended across The LL lower.
HH
Numero cinco, eh?
I think I should be able to remember that …
Thanks
Guys,
something I meant to mention before.
Over on the cqnbookstore.com there are loads of things for sale beyond Caesar & The Assassin but can I give a quick mention to the Celtic Anthology Book.
This was a book that was put together a while back by a whole group of amateur writers and Celtic fans.
The book contains individual stories, poems, articles and so on which were all sifted and edited and then compiled into the book.
Some may remember a story I told about Joe Venglos going to sign Lubo Moravcik – well I updated it and added to it and inserted it into this book.
Others wrote some truly amazing stuff and it is all in there.
The book costs a tenner on the bookstore and there are only maybe about 10 or 15 left and there will never be another print run so this is a last chance to get one as we literally only have the remainder stock left.
There were only ever 500 copies in the first place.
It is well worth a read as you get to see what ordinary Celtic fans can do and think.
Cheers
BRTH
Monaghan 1900
“People romanticise about Gretna, who were funded by a businessman who ultimately couldn’t afford it”
———-
Classic!
pedrocaravanachio67
If you have time for a walk, an hour, or hours d a half maybe, then Retiro Park worth a visit too.
BBC coverage of FIFA Womens world cup is better than their Scottish football coverage.
We are well down the food chain in this country.
Bring back Scotsport!
LB
Just for you Cultsbhoy
The People’s Front of Edmiston
Started by Big Al II , Today, 10:56 AM
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#1 Big Al II
Gazza
True Blue
6,315 posts
Gender:Male
Location:Scotland
Posted Today, 10:56 AM
I think almost all but the staunchest of McCoist fans now agree it’s time for him to go. I don’t like the name calling but I share the sheer frustration.
I have faith that he would go if he knew the fans true feelings towards his tenure as manager.
Surely now we need to arrange a protest of sorts to let him know our feelings. It has gone on for long enough, the board will not sack him so all we can do is let him know his time is up and hope he does the honourable thing. I do not believe for a minute he would hang on for a pay off.
Alternatively we can continue to bitch on here instead.
A protest after 9 minutes on Sunday!
They dont half love their protests.Protestants eh.
The Peoples Front Of Edmiston !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Caught last 10 minutes of Milan derby and did what I used to do, count how long it would be before a foul stopped play – discounting hand ball, offside etc.Think there were 2 fouls in 10 minutes. Seria A is good in this respect -long periods of uninterrupted play, always much longer than here or England .Watched the ploughing match live on Sat. Stoppage every minute. Tabloid stats say foul count was 42, 23 by Sevco. I think those stats are not entirely accurate
Elbows alone probably scored 23 !
Tonight, worst scorers, Villa, v best defence. Southampton and the Wall.
Go for 0 \2.
HH
It’s 21.55 and 29 degs C as I sitting in Queen St in Brisbane contemplating the great questions and imponderables in our existence.
Scurrying across a small area to us but a veritable ponderosa to him/her is a wee cockroach doing a fair impersonation of a Jinkyesque insect as it dices with death with feet, roadsweepers and stomach projectiles.
Anyway as I people and roach watch, I scribbled this wee bit of rubbish doggerel….
There wis a wee cockroach
Scurrying the street
Trying take avoid
A thousand big feet
A dash tae the left
A swerve tae the right
He’d need some luck
To see aff the night.
But then he espied
A gap in a slab
Previously hid
By a chundered kebab
And so like a bullet
He shot fur that hole
Darkness his refuge
Safety his goal
At last he wis safe
Or so you wid think
When all of a sudden
There rose a great stink
He’d smelt it before
In a place just as dark
But even less clean
….well that’s Kinning park.
He searched fur the exit
But his way was barred
By evil blue roaches
All twisted and scarred
Then with one mighty bound
He scaled the puked meat
His chances were better
Wae yon muckle feet!
Hail hail
Estadio
new article posted.
The huns sure know how to organise a ‘protest!’
BUT…!
Then nobody turns up!
HH!!
@celticfc: Season ticket holders rewarded with free additional St Mirren ticket http://t.co/44xBQEwYCl (NM) @CelticFCTickets http://t.co/hC0YT9LqGH
HH
Pintaguinness
Folly folly
Som mes que un club
Thanks guys for the info, stuck it all on my notes on my phone..
Cheers
Jamesgang
The missus says thanks very much also ;-)
pedrocaravanachio67
El Mercado San Miguel next to Plaza Mayor is a great place to sample different tapas and wines.
Everything in the centre is walkable if you are fit.
At this time of year the Plaza Mayor has the Xmas fair. It’s a bit tacky but there’s lots of life. Sol will be packed with Xmas shoppers.
If you are into food Madrid now has several pricey Michelin star restaurants. The are also places with spectacular views like the new restaurant in El Corte Ingles in Callao.
Right now the weather is great, 16-20 degrees and sunny but it can get very cold suddenly.
If you are in Madrid this Thursday you can catch the game at Triskles in Calle San Vicente Ferrer, just off calle Fuencarral, 10 mins walk from Gran Via.
Sunsets are great at Templo Debod, the palace and las Vistillas, just over the bridge from the palace.