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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All, I just want to come on and thank Paul, Winning Captains and BRTH on behalf of the CSA in Greenock for their efforts on Friday night. They brought along the author Alex Gordon and former players Joe Miller and Willie McStay to our club for a Q&A which also kicked off our charity drive for the local food bank. Between the event and the collection in the club yesterday we raised over £1000 and filled over 14 crates of food for this worthwhile cause.
I cant thank everyone involved enough for their support … God bless
GL2…
Delaney’s, thanks for the compliment. I have a real struggle writing my name lol.
A few guys i work with were wanting the scarf but by the time i got there, they were sold out.
There was an older guy along from me yesterday wearing one of the scarves, it looked even better.
The picture of broonie wearing the burtons t shirt shows how stupid the ff dafties are as dylan mcgeouch is in the photo also and he is on loan at hibs the now.
blantyretim.
What time are you going for a meal, Why don’t you and your good lady come to the La Lanterna. But we’re going to start around 1.00pm.If you can make it,your welcome.
The bold bhoy ….. Mr Ambrose.
embramike
17:21 on
23 November, 2014
South of Tunis / Turkeybhoy
Agree with your observations. Salzburg are no mug team and have dangerous individuals who can take a chance.
Indeed.Soriano has been doing it for them regularly.Makes you wonder where Park has been looking for strikers.Of course,a guy that did not rate Finboggason,I have no faith in at all.In the striker department I mean.Seems to be his blind spot.Most other areas,very good.
Soriano,is only as good as the service he gets.Our midfield have to be really on the ball.
Anyone post the pic of Broony,with the supposed T-shirt please.Funny.
** LAST MAN STANDING COMPETITION **
Well, well. Not a single wrong choice this week and so there are 15 still standing. And so the competition rolls on to Week 8 with the choice of fixtures being from the Scottish Cup. Please choose from the following ties and submit your choice by Noon on Saturday 29th November. My own pick for this week is St Johnstone. No one else is obliged to be so public with their pick..
If you haven’t submitted your pick by the deadline you will be allocated what is fast becoming the default pick of The Zombies who are away to Kilmarnock on the Sunday.
Saturday 29 November
Dundee v Aberdeen (12.15)
Motherwell v Dundee Utd
Partick Thistle v Hamilton
St Johnstone v Ross County
St Mirren v Inverness
Sunday 30 November
Hearts v Celtic (3.15)
Who’s already picked who…
Here’s a full list of the teams that have been picked so far –
Lennybhoy, Kelvin Bhoy, !!Bada Bing!!, Ticgaz and Celtic Rose – Celtic and Dundee Utd
Penfold and Praecepta – Celtic
Jobo Baldie – Celtic and Aberdeen
Paulo’s Boots – Celtic, Aberdeen and Inverness
Saint Stivs – Celtic and Inverness
Minx1888 – Celtic and St Johnstone
The Token Tim, GG and Black Cat – Hamilton
Jamabhoy – Inverness
Good luck!
https://twitter.com/VictorWanyama/status/536567947385651200
Saltires, that’s a pity you won’t have time to see the pinner tims. Greay guys particularly big gerry broon.
I was working in london a couple ot times in the early nineties and the pinner posse were brilliant with me especially bliff who put me up. Bliff is still one my favourite tims and a brilliant guy.
Great comment about the milky ways.
Wullie r worked for the scottish office and really loathed michael forsyth which is perfectly understandable.
I missed this
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/four-face-court-over-rangers-sale-30746868.html
has he been found ?
Talk of Marseille looking to buy Guidetti have to put in the light of latest news.
Ligue 1 FC Marseille President Vincent Labrune and club members were detained on suspicion of committing transfer fraud.
Read more: http://www.sbcnews.co.uk/featurednews/2014/11/21/french-football-in-shock-following-senior-match-fixing-allegations/#ixzz3Juvavz2F
Houl yer wheest
18:01 on
23 November, 2014
From FF The next Manager for the world’s most successful club!
View Poll Results: Based on the replies, how about a poll – who would you go for?
Stuart McCall 34 11.89%
Derek McInnes 43 15.03%
Jimmy Calderwood 19 6.64%
Walter Smith 14 4.90%
Billy Davies 35 12.24%
Steve McLaren 8 2.80%
That big fud Pressley 1 0.35%
Eddie Howe 10 3.50%
Arthur Numan 13 4.55%
Paulo Sergio 5 1.75%
Glen Hoddle 16 5.59%
Barry Ferguson 3 1.05%
Davie Weir 7 2.45%
Tony Pulis 26 9.09%
Ian Cathro 11 3.85%
Another of the Dutch contingent 6 2.10%
Run of mill Ashley type 2 0.70%
Keep McCoist 9 3.15%
A.N. Other 24 8.39%
Voters: 286. You have already voted on this poll
——-
Couple of weeks ago ( well after accies beat us ) Alex Neil was their overwhelming choice ,till someone alleged it was Alex FRANCIS Neil who attended St Ambrose in Coatbridge then for some reason he was no longer rated :))))
Winning captains
Great deal with the book and DVD
Mrs WWW ordered them fur ma crimbo
HH
houl yer wheest
18:01 on 23 November, 2014
I see Barree Fergushoan has voted 3 times!
This is very immature. And too funny. Weefra, be warned!
http://youtu.be/LzbY0B7gbh4
HH jamesgang
Apologies if already covered ! Bruce Cleland was an EK lad, scored an overhead kick against me whilst I was supposedly marking him at a corner up at the Murray pitches, back in the day.
He missed a penalty or was it an open goal for Stranraer and we ran up the park and scored. The shame on Bruce , he emigrated to the USA , may have come back though , fading memory of spotting him in the Monty 10 years or so back.
HH
Googybhoy
‘suspicion of committing transfer fraud’
There’s some on here accuse john park of that too! Myself among them on occasion!
;-)
HH jamesgang
Greenlion2
It is always a pleasure to come down to Greenock with a night like Friday — even a hastily put together one such as we did with Joe and Willie.
My only regret is that I personally was not in top form due to the pain in my leg which got steadily worse as the night went on.
Mind you, the entertainment from ACGR on the drive home was first class even if he mind and body had been completely separated by that time.
Great effort by everyone in Greenock.
Original pic
@JimWhite: Bumped into the @celticfc lads as they arrived in the Big Smoke tonight, fresh from picking up 3 points earlier. http://t.co/gE9EREjNsH
Fake pic
@davebhoy1969: Check out Scott Brown’s tshirt. … http://t.co/xKF4EsqAnO
MWD said AYE
jamesgang
Hahahaha, now you know it’s like living among all you giants. dwarfismcsc. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
MWD
Excellent. A work of the modern art.
Enjoyed yesterdays meet up with the “CQN cornerbhoys”
Jamesgang you and weefrathetim remind me of my favourite ” only fools and horses” episode . “Batman and Robin” …you two ever been in “panto”…
Whoops nearly said panties there haha !!
MWD
Wtf have you been? You buying the new “dailly” tomorrow? Monday to Friday. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
See that photo
Why is Dylan McGeoch with the Bhoys ?
Its an old photo
marspapa
Don’t even go there. :-)) That’s all the oxygen that big b@@@er needs. Hahaha. Still luv him to bits, in a masculine way, ye all understand. :-)))) Great meeting up again and yer daughter is a beautiful young lady. (Awerite another giant) :-) A credit to you. See you thurs if your going. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
So I see that it’s the ole Meeeelan derby tonight (7.45 on BT Sports). And in a desperate attempt to break even for the weekend I am attracted to ‘both teams to have a red card’ at 12/1. But what a way to then watch a game!
Jobo
does anyone have an illegal link to yesterdays highlights?
Big Cup Winners
A pleasure it was to meet you sir ;))
Thunder Road
I think the next TT
Tourney we have to look at the rules or handicap TT ….eh !! A mean he needs to use a brush handle like the rest of us mortals … And no handicap per ACGR ” Break a limb or two ” of TT’s , nice chattin pal ;))
Is sally trying to ‘precipitate’ (work) his own dismissal, by substituting a striker with a defender when getting beat……. naw, he’s just an erse ….hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
marspapa
;-)
Weefra
Luv ya right back brother.
HH jamesgang
Weefra
Haha you realise he would be ….
Rodney !!
You on the other hand would be the brains of the duo :)
See you next home league gsme mucker ;))
Milan derby at 7.45 on BT Sport….
jamesgang
Don’t be a plonker. Hahahaha. See ya :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
67heaven … i am neil lennon ….the angels are with wee oscar in heaven.. ibrox belongs to the creditors
18:58 on 23 November, 2014
Milan derby at 7.45 on BT Sport….
—————-
why are derby playing milan :-D
marspapa
See what you started. I cannot compete wi a bleeding doctor, well, I was trained in first aid. Does that count???? :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
jamesgang
18:31 on
23 November, 2014
houl yer wheest
18:01 on 23 November, 2014
I see Barree Fergushoan has voted 3 times!
This is very immature. And too funny. Weefra, be warned!
http://youtu.be/LzbY0B7gbh4
HH jamesgang
Im pretty sure i have a GIFF of that moment on my old laptop(still works).
If i clicked on it i would find myself laughing at the same wee 5 second moment as it continuously played in a loop……somehow getting funnier each time plastic hard man bazz bricked it.
I will try to find it.
Its childish but sometimes the daft things are funniest :)
foghorn leghorn
Another sprayed moment with that post. Ya rascal. Hahahahaha
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Weefra
If you keep giving him verbal that first aid might come in handy ..ouch… haha ;)