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.
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mon Stokes shows some moves mate, Hope he gets a new contract. 20+ goals a season men are hard to find.
KLV
Great Save Zaluska
Wilson with a yellow. They are mounting
…we now switch live to Kilbowie where Celtic are playing the new look Bankies…..
(BTW – Burley has just returned from seeing a friend off to the coast….of Marbella)
Sammi fouled near corner flag
Plenty of players getting a run out! Which is good
Burley is back btw
must be a good time to be in Marbella all the looky looky men at the game
On train gagging for a fag! :-)
Lassad should have made it three
Close one from Lassad, should have been 3-1
Mo wins a corner no it’s a FK
I will be eating my words shortly and I have an iPad
Bit of ‘Boys Of The Old Brigade’ to break the calm of the Spanish evening. The MSM will have a field day the morra.
Why is it always poor defending when Celtic score, or nearly score?
Long cool woman in a black dress on now
The Exiled Tim –
you’ll be reassured to know that I do NOT have a bet on this game ;-)
kissofdeathCSC
whats the feeling about Lassad? I like him but i don’t think he looks like a 20+ goals a season striker, I think he is Sammy ish. Likes the channels.
KLV
CQN on the laptop, game on the galaxy tab and Real on the telly – who said us men (bhoys) can’t multi-task
How many away goals now in Europe. Is it a record? Sally demands names of scorers.
‘GG – missed that one, who went off?
Lassad seems to flatter to deceive
Unlucky Mo….
By the way San Pedro is a lovely little town been there lots of times,Lot of Irish people there
Bangura starting to play a bit.
God loves a trier…………
If the scores are level on 90 mins we get another 30 minutes and then penalties if still level.
I might need the brown paper parcel!!!!!
It’s great just watching the Celts
So if Hooper goes in the summer, It leaves Tony, Stokes (no deal yet) Miku (not worked out) Bangura????? and Lassad???? and Sammy. Hope the Chivas player signs,looks big and strong, just what we need.
KLV
Rothbhoy
Did that make your night!
Jobo
Phew >}
……some shockers already………………
This is a public service announcement
JordanLarsson @JordanLarsson17
Anyone know where I can see my penalty against the Celtic Golie as a wee lad? Checked everywhere.. If you know where tell me or send a link!
School bus is due soon. I might have to duck to avoid one of Mo’s headers
Nail-biting stuff now – just hope we can hang on for the victory!
Just TEN minutes left – maybe time to switch to MK Dons – Wednesday!!!!!
Mulgrew must have bet the draw or he has someone else boots on.
Burley just said…….”fooooball”
This must be what it’s like to watch a division 3 match.
What is the Stars
Is the game in San Pedro? Where?
JJ