The phrase Poisoned Chalice could have been written with the Scotland national team manager’s job in mind. Even in the 80s when we had great players, and the likes of Stein and Ferguson in charge, a sense of under-achievement followed Scotland in tournament football.
In Gordon Strachan’s favour as he takes over at Hampden today, is the 14 years in the wilderness which has reset expectations to ‘Incredibly Modest’. This contrasts with his arrival at Celtic Park seven and a half years ago, a few weeks after the messianic Martin O’Neill left the premises. Then expectations were huge, but Gordon had to achieve put a winning team on the field while curtailing expenditure against rapidly increasing budgets in the English game.
The result was not always pretty but it was effective. He became only the third manager in our history to win three-in-a-row and took us to the knock out stages of the Champions League twice, eclipsing O’Neill’s achievement in Europe’s top tournament. Few could have measured up so well.
In 2006, when he won the league at the earliest date in the history of Scottish football, he took his players, backroom and support staff onto the field in a moving movement of triumph. The stoicism with which he clung onto the league campaign in 2008, when all seemed lost, was remarkable. There can be few more enjoyable ways to win the league than from a 15 point deficit in April – one of the great times to be a Celtic supporter. When his team ran out of steam in 2009 he left the scene with much less fanfare than he deserved.
Of all the former Celts working in the media Gordon is truest to the club. Celtic is his team and the joy he gets as a supporter is evident. Such comment will be tempered now he is Scotland manager, but we wish him every success.
[calameo code=000390171cc0c3617c8cc lang=en page=74 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,117 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- ...
- 30
- »
Billy Bhoy
Couldn’t believe we were 13/2 at haf time, knew they would throw a few of the first team on, well worth a score I thot.
Amongst even
I really hope for ole Mo the Bounce’s sake someone has SKY plussed his goal.
Defence has looked steady since CM came on
I’m surprised Burlap still has any teeth..
Oh, 2 of th gb arecat the game…..o oo oo oo ….LOL
tony fit?
KLV
asonofdan – I think we should pay Wanyama £50k per week if that is what it takes to keep him for a couple of more years. He is the best player on the park by a long, long way.
Give the Toothless Wonder a break bhoys. Did ye no hear him say he’s aff the booze for January! Lol
Wrong glesses on…LOL
Corner Steia
Steaua – Celtic! Absolutely fantastic atmosphere – feeling just a wee bit drowsy….
…I think some o’the bhoys might have seen the odds…….
burley hasn’t said anything for a good while. I reckon he’s gone to pinch off a loaf.
Commons intercepts pass and shoots wide.
He had Mo as an option who would have done much the same
This is a world record crowd for a Tuesday night game in Marbella between Celtic and Steaua Bucharest
FACT
Victor pushed to ground
Danny looking “well” interested in the proceedings! LOL!
It was Danny’s half time talk that did it
Commons commanding the play
Sammi shoots weakly
This would be the match day atmosphere at CP every home game if it wiznae for the GB.
Weefra HH
good to see KC fit again. Stokes and Watt get a run out?
KLV
Need to give Bangura more service….he’s taking up good positions
Did a Celtic fan get to Burley’s mike?
Celtic showing more interest in game since half time.
Danny – ………. how I imagined the Action Man with a beard would look as it aged………..
Crowd looks similar to a Dumbarton home game from what I can see.
GG
have you given her your bank account detais yet? o))
Stokesy on!
Stoksey & Lassad coming on
Got it sussed now – game on the left half of screen and CQN on the right half……
gg
If they did I hope they shoved it up his ar….
Weefra HH
TET
if ye open yer windae can you hear the roar of the crowd?
Charlie did very well to snuff that out. Brooney jumps in a bit.
Sammi looks like he’s out for a mid-winter jogging session at the moment. Cool dude!
Blantyretim
It will be a red card for me if I did.
Stokes and Lassad on