Celtic punching with an empty glove

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I’ve watched a large number of insipid end of season efforts over the years. The one that stands out most is home to Falkirk in 1987. It was probably the first time it was clear to me the white flag had been raised on a campaign (had results gone our way, we could still have won the league that day). Only a year earlier the same squad delivered the most unlikely title in the final game.

There was no white flag yesterday, quite the opposite, the league is all-but won. Instead we looked like a team with a lot of players wondering if they had a future at the club. The next two games, away to Hearts and home to Aberdeen, should provide enough focus to allow the level of performance to rise, but I thought that about the semi-final too.

It’s the end of the road for a few players, and for a system clearly few still believe in.

On the way into the ground a few of us wondered how often Kris Commons would be used going forward. He will be 33 in the summer, ahead of the last year of his contract. Whatever the reason he didn’t make the starting line up yesterday (or last week), his 9 minute cameo demonstrated the directness, not to mention game intelligence and skill, that Celtic are badly lacking.

Despite the plethora of No. 10s and creative wide players we’ve recruited over the last two years, Commons remains by far our most effective creative player. Without him we look to be punching with an empty glove; I hope whoever takes over takes note.

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720 Comments

  1. John James like big Phil can post on his/they’r blogs all they like, some of it is good reading, but most of its kite flying, PL has been accused of a lot worse than tha in here, and also with no proof, anybody can say anything about someone and not back it up, it’s a biggy in here I’v been accused in here plenty of times about a load of crap, and there’s not a thing anyone can do, PL to go public and deny it? That’s not happening, like all the other stuff he’s accused of he will just ignore it, level5 are loving all this, even daft Phil turning the guns on CFC yesterday, he is playing a blinder for them, the level5 guys are pizzing themselves, and also many in here doing a good number on the club, and they have the cheek to say, don’t buy the DR, don’t listen to RC SSB, and cancel sky, ffs talk about irony? Hollywood couldent write the script.

  2. traditionalist88 on

    ‘If it wasn’t for that director of football they wouldn’t be so successful’

     

     

    Said no football fan, ever.

     

     

    HH

  3. ÁRD MACHA on 26TH APRIL 2016 10:33 AM

     

    Apropos of nothing:

     

     

     

    I remember when Ronny Deila was appointed. A learned Celt on here ( is there any other kind:-) explained that having lived in Norway, he was struck by the Norwegian tendency to be utterly convinced and super confident about themselves. I know it’s wrong to generalise, but I believe this was Ronny’s downfall in the end,

     

     

     

    He could not conceive that he might be wrong and was unable to change it.

     

     

     

    Árd Macha

     

     

     

    and never doubting cnybis

     

    ==========

     

    I’ve just finished watching the last episode in the last series of 4 of The Vikings and your friend could be right.

  4. timaloy29 sleeps on the heated driveway on

    TONY DONNELLY67 on 26TH APRIL 2016 10:42 AM

     

     

    Phil is just the messenger.

     

     

    He posts what he’s been fed by an interested party. This means their account can be littered with inaccuracies or can just be plainly untrue.

     

     

    He tries to corroborate wherever he can but it’s difficult to do so.

     

     

    Personally, I don’t believe the recent account. The idea that DD is unaware of how PL conducts business and impressed everyone with his football knowledge paints a rosy picture and allows DD to sidestep criticism.

     

     

    Somebody close to DD planted that story to distance him from PL.

     

     

    Make no bones about it. If somebody has to take the fall to appease the fans it will be PL. That’s what he’s there for. DD will happily sidestep any blame.

  5. Couple from left field

     

    Eddie Howe

     

    Alex Neil

     

     

    Young

     

    Fitness passing n moving a priority

     

    Disciplinarians

     

    Get the best out of players

     

     

    Kikinthenakas

  6. timaloy29 sleeps on the heated driveway on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26TH APRIL 2016 10:37 AM

     

    TIMALOY29

     

     

     

    I believe you. But I think it would have been politically sensible to have opposed him,explaining that they need proper stewardship.

     

     

     

    And that he would have made the same decision for the fans of any other club in the same situation.

     

     

     

    He had no chance of winning the vote,he could have skewed the outcome in his favour.

     

    _____

     

     

    As a member of the board of the SFA he should have blocked King to avoid the mis-management of a member club and avoid the image of Scottish football being tarnished by a convicted tax criminal.

     

     

    That said, opposing King would have given the SMSM something to yell about.

     

     

    I think that he expected nobody to notice and acted out of self-interest

     

     

    It is the SFA after all

  7. South Of Tunis on

    The Doors -?

     

     

    No Doors in my house -absolutely not my cup of tea .-but -did see them at the Roundhouse Chalk Farm in 68 . . On a bill with Terry Reid , Arthur Brown and Jefferson Airplane . Only went because my 3rd year medicine student big sis didn’t want to go alone and agreed to pay for the ticket and the necessary draw ..

  8. timaloy29 sleeps on the heated driveway on

    KIKINTHENAKAS on 26TH APRIL 2016 10:52 AM

     

     

    Eddie Howe ain’t leaving Bournemouth for Celtic. He’s got an emotional link to that club. As a young English manager he will likely be courted by bigger clubs like Everton in the future.

     

     

    Alex Neil is possible if Norwich go down. I wouldn’t hate it.

  9. OK OK. I gie in. I’ve avoided the who we should get/sign or the “I hear” debate because I don’t feel qualified enough to add anything new to the mix.

     

     

    But I did hear that Moyes is gagging for the job but wants some assurances on budget and backroom staff.

     

     

    Now I could have picked that off an “I heard” template and inserted the name of any desirable manager in there but I definitely heard it. Well read it because it was a text message but from a guy who knows a guy but also knows lots of ex Celts.

  10. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TRAD88

     

     

    I think the point of a DOF is that no-one has the ability-at Celtic Park anyway-to run every aspect of the club and the PLC.

     

     

    We have already seen that.

     

     

    A DOF is not money wasted. He works with,for,and between the football and financial side of things.

     

     

    This allows each side to concentrate on their own area of expertise.

     

     

    Done properly,with full support from both sides,it will be successful.

     

     

    Anything less will become apparent very quickly.

  11. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TD67

     

     

    Does that mean that you didn’t read it through and didn’t realise that PL got it in the neck?

     

     

    Just asking.

  12. Good morning,

     

     

    Reply from JPT re email about, Res 12, LNS and same club myth. 3 separate points.

     

     

    “Thank you for your email, as a rule the Club has a policy not to comment on internet speculation however this is a sustained campaign which has no foundation. The Club has done all it can on the matter of Resolution 12 and supporters”

     

     

    Oh well, off to the golf with a spring in my step, then.

     

     

    Eurochamps67

     

     

    WhatgolfequipmentcanibuywithallmysparecashnowCSC

  13. —-

     

     

    Greenpinata on 26th April 2016 9:25 am

     

     

    Could Steve Clark persuade John Terry to be part of his background staff if he got the gig.?

     

     

    HH.

     

     

    ———-

     

     

    If Only….My Dear Visionary Tim…

     

     

    If Only !

     

     

    However,It Is Abundantly Clear That He Widnae Pass Ol’ Hamiltontim “Sniff-Test”® ….

     

     

    For Starters.

     

     

    Then The Marxist Celtic Trust, The ‘Green Brigade’…..

     

     

    & The Gazebo Gals…

     

     

    Wid AWE Hiv Tae Get Their Say.

     

     

    [ At least the GB might find JT’s name easier to spell on their banners..? Ed ]

     

     

    Big Rollin’ Thunder An’ Granny Coyle..

     

     

    Wid Make Sure Big John Never Hid Tae Buy A ‘Roond’…

     

     

    Doon The Brazen Heid…

     

     

    Hell..! They Might Let Him Win At The Pool & The Dominoes….

     

     

    ALL THE TIME..!

     

     

    But Wid He Really Want Tae Live Jist A Short Taxi-Ride Fae Darkest Cambuslang..??

     

     

    That Wid Be The CLINCHER….

     

     

    No..?

     

     

    ——

     

     

    Happy Birthday, KevJ….!

     

     

    Oor Favorite Tim.

     

     

     

    ~~~~

  14. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    AULDHEID

     

     

    Thanks for the replies yesterday. I’ve started sending out a few mails down here.

     

     

    Thinking of a trip to Wimbledon on Saturday to see the troops. But it will need to be by bus as the trains are screwed over the BH.

     

     

    More spreading of the word,of course…

     

     

    Anyway,as I see it,the disconnect twixt fans and club/players is such that this appointment is as crucial as the MON one in 2000.

     

     

    We need a hero. We need box-office. We need a man who can walk,talk. Who knows what is needed.

     

     

    Were we ten years behind the huns when Martin took over? Sure looked that way-or close. But he showed what could be done.

     

     

    I’ll support the new man. As always.

     

     

    The board stand or fall on this appointment,and on the support they provide him,IMO.

  15. traditionalist88 on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 26th April 2016 10:59 am

     

     

    Afraid I don’t buy into it.

     

     

    It’d be a lot of money on a guy with no ultimate responsibilty for coaching, scouting, the balance sheet, youth development yet will command a significant wage.

     

     

    Spend that money on the first team and youth development.

     

     

    If every department at the football club is operating efficiently, there is absolutely no need for a so called director of football.

     

     

    A headstrong manager in contact with the scouts and CEO is the guy to bring it all together.

     

     

    Another guy in a suit in the stands commanding a six figure salary is a luxury we can do without.

     

     

    Adding another layer of complexity would just be adding another buffer to take flak for Lawwell & co. for a couple of years and dilute the managers role to a point we are left with another yes man.

     

     

    HH

  16. TheOriginalSadiesBhoy on

    WINNING CAPTAINS on 26TH APRIL 2016 8:59 AM

     

     

    I’m not sure that I would agree with you that the strategy at the club is sound enough. The only strategy I can see is a parsimonious one. Always go for the cheapest option but spend just enough to ensure that we stay ahead of our domestic rivals.

     

     

    We have appointed a manager coach in Ronny. I couldn’t vouch for the figures but at the weekend I was told by the same source who told me just after the Hearts game that Ronny had already been informed by the Club that he would be leaving before the end of the season, that Ronny is being paid £125,000 per annum. Neil Lennon was paid several times that amount.

     

     

    There is no pretence at team building for the future. Our strategy is to rake on several young projects with a view to develop quickly and sell on to a bigger league within two seasons. All we are doing as a club is surviving, going through the motions, pretending that we still matter in a European football sense.

     

     

    The half empty stadium tells its own story as to whether the strategy is sound enough. I firmly believe that there will be a root and branch clear out at Celtic Park at season’s end. To carry on with the status quo doesn’t bear thinking about.

     

     

    I think we will have a good, competent manager appointed and there will be a major clear out of players. I would start with the three who have undermined the current manager but not before Peter Lawell is shown the door.

  17. Bmcw

     

     

    Oh no I read it all, he’s been on the anti Lawwell campaign since his blog started, it gives him hits like most bloggers, as I said, no proof, no story, others? It’s up to them what they want to believe, he’s just another controversy guy, I like most of his stuff, but like others the shock stuff will always be there, now if he said, Rod Petrie said at a press conference after the vote that PL voted him in, then that’s a story, he didn’t, and won’t, so IMO it’s not true, but that’s just me, but it’s what some like to hear as it suits they’r agenda.

  18. traditionalist88 on

    BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS

     

     

    But rest assured, if a mistake is possible, there is a very high likelihood we will make it!

     

     

    HH

  19. We could employ a Director of Football and a new CEO and have change left from what we pay the current CEO in salary/bonus.

     

    Director of Football, reporting directly to the board and working closely with the CEO, would be responsible for the Footballing Department as a whole. He should have a short term plan for success on the field and a long term plan for the football club over a period of 3-5 years. The Head Coach, Head of Youth Development, all coaching staff, Chief Scout and Scouting Department, Sports Science Department and Medical/Physiotherapy Department should all report through the DoF.

     

    CEO runs the day to day business side of the club and his KPI should be to grow the business (something that hasn’t happened for several years).

  20. traditionalist88 on

    may67 on 26th April 2016 11:16 am

     

     

    Dodgy adverts on the site are pretty embarrassing if you’re reading in a public place….

     

     

    ========

     

     

    agreed – can’t read on the bus any more. Ridiculous.

     

     

    HH

  21. Dontbrattbakkinanger on

    Well done to all involved in the Justice for the 96 campaign.

     

     

    27 years, and they never gave up believing in their cause.

     

     

    Despite all the State could throw at them; final vindication today.

  22. Lol, why can’t you read on the bus? It’s your I pad/phone people look at it are invading your privacy, not your problem they’r nosey, they shouldent be looking anyway, tell um to do one.

  23. traditionalist88 on

    Gary67 on 26th April 2016 11:19 am

     

     

    Or we just appoint a CEO who will do his job properly, negating any need for CEO, in doing so saving on a 6 figure salary for a so called director of football and recognising the importance of the football manager to have a direct line to the CEO and not via another buffer

     

     

    HH

  24. South of Tunis,

     

     

    You’re not alone in going to see people you don’t like; I went to see Simple Minds, twice! Initially, I liked it when they started playing Roadhouse Blues, which then turned out to be The waterfront.

     

     

    However, I think you had the much better experience going to the Roundhouse in 1968. I think a documentary about the Doors was made by an English company around that time, on the Doors tour of Europe. Have you ever wriiten down your memories of these concerts? I’m sure you must have gone to a fair few historic gigs.

     

     

     

    Eurochamps 67,

     

    I have no interest in golf, however I thought this would be a good way to spend your disposable income;

     

     

    http://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbedrseds130229#/r/detail/gbedrseds140156

     

     

    Jusr remember Rusacks Hotel next door has planning permission which may affect your new house.

  25. AULDHEID on 26TH APRIL 2016 10:58 AM

     

    OK OK. I gie in. I’ve avoided the who we should get/sign or the “I hear” debate because I don’t feel qualified enough to add anything new to the mix.

     

     

     

    But I did hear that Moyes is gagging for the job but wants some assurances on budget and backroom staff.

     

     

     

    Now I could have picked that off an “I heard” template and inserted the name of any desirable manager in there but I definitely heard it. Well read it because it was a text message but from a guy who knows a guy but also knows lots of ex Celts.

     

    ……………………………………………………………

     

    Auldheid,

     

    A good mate of mine, season ticket holder at CP and also a taxi driver told me he saw Moyes and PL leaving One Devonshire Gdns 2 weeks ago. He said he was surprised it wasn`t in the press the next day.

  26. traditionalist88 on

    Tony Donnelly67 on 26th April 2016 11:23 am

     

     

    Lol, why can’t you read on the bus? It’s your I pad/phone people look at it are invading your privacy, not your problem they’r nosey, they shouldent be looking anyway, tell um to do one.

     

    ======

     

     

    Some pretty dodgy ads though Tony bhoy, and people being people…will be nosey!

     

     

    HH