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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Best bit is the Romanian adverts
Better move, like most times this season we are far better with a higher tempo and pace.
As bad as burley is on the telly, he is the exact type of player we need in our team.
………….not sure I can put off grouting the bathroom any longer???
half time 0-1
Although this is a bounce game, it has an incredible familiarity. Celtic continually in possession, no creation in the final quarter of the pitch, and the opposition score on the break.
We have embarrassing commentary from ESPN who have the temerity to chastise the host TV company from whom they’ve tapped a link.
Celtic hitting into the Celtic end in the second half just like Celtic Park.
Is Rogic allowed to play tonight?
congratulations to Paul McGinley…the third Celtic man to captain the Ryder cup side in recent history
so glad they resisted the urge to give it to Monty again
Live odds on the game!
13/2 Celtic
We need a steadying influence in defense.
BelfastCelt
19:18 on 15 January, 2013
Apparently not.
Half Time 1 Nil. Nothing at all to take from 1st half. Victor looks the class player on the field without extending himself. Kelvin is doing O.K., Dylan is trying his best; Bangura looks poor even in a friendly, looks like a major major disaster of a purchase. Doubt if we could give him away. Hopefully we will see Stoksey in 2nd half could Rogic not feature as a guest player.
PF
never like to let you down…
Love that banner “The merry slough bhoys” :)))
Weefra HH
corkcelt
19:21 on
15 January, 2013
More chance of me getting my £48 refund from HMV than ole Bangura scoring :(
It looks like its an old-fashioned 4 3 3 formation . Which is a complete shambles .
Not enough bodies in mid-field. Every time a Celtic attack breaks down the defence is horribly expososed .
4-3-3 and, weirdly, our play has the feel of the last Motherwell game about it. Wanyama looking untroubled, and Wilson still appears to be carrying his excellent pre-break form. However, two out and out CB means we lack a bit of creativity from the back.
Burley can’t even get our keepers name right – keeps referring to him as Zalukas……
Delighted that Paul McGinley got the nod. A real genuine Tim. When Golfers get paid a fortune for endorsments on their bags etc, Paul has a Celtic Towel on his just for the love of the Club.
Kayal
Maybe put mjallby on at centre half
Really dont care if its a ” bounce ” game,Celtic doing reputation no good at all with several players either holding back or rank rotten.
Of course the Juve game might ??? be a factor so if thats the case what is the point of this injury risking game.
Bamboo
Aye….and Izzyis half way up the pitch way out of position
Did anyone ever see the beat of the Ref dishing out a yellow to Izzy for taking a free kick too early in a bounce game.
Seein’ as how we are all bored out of our san moritz, BBC News…Horsemeat found in burgers in Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Iceland, Aldis and Tesco. Discuss :)))
Weefra HH
Apparently we are expected to make multiple changes at HT.
Maybe get some fans on to make a contest?
Im sure FF will blame PL for Paul Mc Ginleys appointment….
Don’t think bangura is too bad, you bhoys are way too harsh and hard too please, king Vic a standout!
Missed the first half but what I’ve read on here that may have been a blessing. Hopefully a big improvement this half
come on you bhoys ib green
Bankiebhoy
ESPN and Sky for that matter have a long and dishonourable tradition of employing dobbers to comment in Scottish football
PFayr
Do you want to be my assistant when I get the managers gig ?
weefrathetim
Is the surprise that there is meat in Aldi’s burgers?
Sometimes these games are better behind closed doors with no TV ,ESPN fee probably paid for most of the cost of the trip.
just seen the goal zaluskas canny save a shot iin the middle of the goal
5th tier stadia and free entry no wonder that Servconian Orc is right at home ! Must be a wee change watching the big teams playing football !
Scott Brown and Mulgrew on
PF
But is Izzaguirre playing under NL instruction to bomb forward?
This is the problem with three at the back.
Oh no the feed i’ve got has got urley and co commentating
Brooney might bring a bit of bite to proceedings