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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Stepbhoy. Totally agree. But it’s a pity that so many of our well paid players cannot accomplish the basic skills of the game. How many of them can “trap” a ball, move for throw-ins, create space for a teammate, make accurate passes etc. etc. Nothing to do with coaching. Simply taking pride in the best that you can be and,of course, keeping yourself fit.
If I was being paid £28k per week and told that I had to master the basic skills, eat properly and get fit I wouldn’t think that I had anything to grumble about when many of the supporters paying my wages would be lucky to get £28,000 PER YEAR. Just my angry thoughts. HH
CORKCELT on 25TH APRIL 2016 7:08 PM
Greenbingley is correct, if the rumours are true, the very first decision to be made is to tell Lawell to butt out of the football side of things. A Footballing budget should be agreed with the Manager and how the Manager uses the budget is none of the CEO’s concern.
If Desmond is going hands on that gives me some hope, he is an extremely clever, successful operator and in a Business sense he likes winning and he usually does win.
In football matters he is so clever that he appeared to believe that English turkeys would vote for an early Christmas and let Celtic into EPL.
A CEO is ultimately responsible for the day to day running of the company. Giving a manager a multi million pound budget and letting him get on with it would be a dereliction of his duty.
Quonno
Good evening. I’ve always held the opinion that the EPL issue which DD spoke out about some years ago, and more recently again, was the reason he talked up Der Hun when he did.
He suspects I would imagine, that if there was ever a time when the topic raised its head again, it would have to be both the hoops and the Hun in order for it to have a chance of success. Personally I can’t see it ever happening, unless SKY are the catalyst. That’s where DD should try to influence if he still harbours ambitions in that direction. In my opinion anyhow.
Further to earlier post.
If DD is such a shrewd operator why has it taken him so long to realise that there is something seriously adrift at Celtic.
A few weeks ago I questioned if he would put up with such a level of incompetence in any of his other business ventures.
light house – if I was getting £28K a week i wouldn’t give a fupp about anything – part of the problem. Not many have the drive and professional pride you speak of
STEBHOY on 25TH APRIL 2016 6:42 PM
I have it on very good authority the celtic board are considering Martin O’Neill and Henrik Larsson partnership. O’Neil to solidify the team, Larsson to gain experience and help plan and take over after 1-2 years.
————-
A few of the huns in work today asked me who I fancied? As I was away last week, I had time to ponder on who would they hate for us to get in… Their faces contorted when I replied with MON and KOK… The more I think about, yep, that would be a coup. HH
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME
In that case do you think that they should be wearing a Celtic jersey? I would chase the imposters and keep those who want to play for the Jersey. But, again, that is only my thoughts and others may differ. HH
DD is no fool. He must have been “assured” by someone, whose opinion he valued, that CFC would gain entry to the EPL; he will now know to question that someone more closely the next time.
So now he will surely take the necessary action to protect and nurture his investment by doing what he can to attain CL football at CP.
Surely there is a progressive manager/coach out there who would relish the challenge.
We can only hope……..
AN TEACH SOLAIS on 25TH APRIL 2016 7:24 PM
I’VEHADTOCHANGEMYNAME
In that case do you think that they should be wearing a Celtic jersey? I would chase the imposters and keep those who want to play for the Jersey. But, again, that is only my thoughts and others may differ. HH
They should be taken out and shown the pay packets of people who do real jobs for a living.
Quonno
I don’t know how clever he is, or otherwise, never met him, but the possibility of us joining the EPL was a real one. There were several EPL chairmen at the time who were favourable towards the idea.
However, only Phil Gartside of Bolton came out publicly in support, and the idea was lost in a slather of petty politics. But, for a time, it was at least a possibility.
Ive had to change
Think it was Archie gemmell who said … when I was a young man there were lots of football players trying to become superstars
Now there are lots of superstars trying to be football players
How’s about beginning the new era with a bit of honesty by publish actual attendance figures. A minor point, but a start.
Tallybhoy…
Whit ye like you smooth operating Latino:))
Lenny on Fletch & Sav
Replay !
Perhaps CQNers could draw up a reasoned plan for the way ahead learning from the best that European clubs can show us in terms of involving youth, perhaps expanding to include other sports; maximising revenue, extending the “brand” name in countries other than the Diaspora; campaigning to get our own TV revenues.
There are a lot of people out there more savvy than I (now that is not particularly difficult to find) but perhaps CQN could develop a Development Plan for presentation to our Board. It might get them off their combined gluteus maximus/glutei maximi or anus for short. HH
Tbj…
Scud vacates the building on Friday… What a wipeout, all their old guard gone now.
AN TEACH SOLAIS on 25TH APRIL 2016 7:33 PM
I could do that in one word…..
RESIGN!
MON has unfinished business at Celtic. He would be my undisputed number 1 choice. MON with Henrik as number 2 with a view to taking over would unite Celtic in a heartbeat. The place would be electrified and Huns terrified. Unfortunately i can’t see it happening. I don’t think he would want the hassle at the age of 64 and can’t see how he could work with the current Board. Hopefully Dermot can pull something out of the hat.
SPIDEY100 l 1:30 pm.
Just read your post. Good choices to retain and sell/ let go over two year period and gradual change of system. Well thought out post. Excellent and enjoyed reading it. Couldn’t disagree with much of it. I’m a Scott Allan fan though and I’d build my team around him. Kristofer Ajer has been the captain of his team. I reckon he’ll be a talent and perhaps more than a squad player but in general, I agree with you.
Development team win 1-0.
27 wins & 3 draws out of 30 games. Some record.
Phil and his “binary expectations”.
First thoughts are this is a very poor article — over-complicated for effect.
However on reflection I think that DD / Irish Raj has finally grown tired of his hands off attitude to the club where his original missive to the Bonus Thief — make sure this does not cost me money and you will be well rewarded — has not turned out as he had hoped.
He hasn’t been asked to put in any more money but he is getting sniggered at in every golf club bar he frequents with cries of amortisation / Generation of Domination / Inter Toto cup — yer having a laugh — ringing in his ears as he tries to get Tiger on the phone for a quick fourball.
Consequently I think he has had enough with this hands on lark and is now going to get fully involved in the running of the club. Full on means that the Bonus Thief will be surplus to requirements in his current role and full time bean counting will be his limit if he is lucky.
Another element could be improved the hands on role does not work — for whatever reason — DD will sell out.
Binary — Ones and zeros: All or nothing.
Corky,
Do you know what formation they played, not the brilliant 4-2-3-1 surely!
Hands on — should be hands off.
Fat fingers and an I Pad predictive text function that will be the death of me.
Cultsbhoy Such are what dreams are made of.
I do not see it as likely no matter how many of us might have it on our wish list and even bought Amazon tokens for it.
I think that on this blog there are people who have the expertise to compile a programme for the advancement of Celtic – even if your wish doesn’t come true- and perhaps that energy, that expertise, that savoir-faire might be directed to achieving that aim. It might be that it is not accepted by the powers that be but to have tried and failed is better than not to try IMHO.
Anyway, good evening to you. I am being directed off the blog, at least for now. HH
An Teach Solais on 25th April 2016 7:33 pm
I look at Tottenham. Young foreign manager, relatively unknown (I know he had a decent season at Southampton). Rigid 4-2-3-1, young team, huge on fitness which you need for the high-intensity pressing game.
Their players bought into it. Ours didn’t. Don’t know why or what to do about it.
Could the development team be the 1st green shoots of what Ronny hoped for?
Old dugs n new tricks thing doomed it to failure with the 1st team?
Maybe we will look back and wonder.
Nothing wrong with 4-2-3-1. Most of the top teams are using it. The trouble with us is we have 99 other problems.
Thetimreaper,
Depends on the resources at hand and their commitment, which seems to be lacking at CP apparently
Can’t understand why we need to know how many put in an appearance at CP on matchday.
Maybe going along on a regular basis might allow you to make an educated guess. Oh wait…….you don’t attend games.
Not aimed at anyone in particular b.t.w.
A way to attract a big name manager might be ,to give him 3 years budget up front to get some quality in,about £15-20 million. Any other funds will be through money in from sales
SAINT STIVS SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 25TH APRIL 2016 6:59 PM
Judith got the weather right.
Hmmmm, Judith’s right.
Left’s no bad either.
THETIMREAPER…
MON and be it Roy Keane or Henke would fill the stands again and him being a fox knows the upturn would outway the outlay on wages.
My son and daughter where season book holders since kids, the apathy they have shown of late hurts me, like a lot on here and other blogs.
It will also cost to get rid of our passengers.
As has been said so often on here…quality not quantity and I’m not talking millions, just use our money more wisely… And age should not be a barrier. HH
TBJ-hope you and yours are well,the GB getting stick on here,at least they were at the game.
Glasstwothirdsfull
The unknown Spurs coach had a good reputation in Spain before joining Southampton.
He was successful enough in first 3 years at Espanyol to have contract extended.
They started badly in his 4th year that led to his dismissal.
He was proven in EPL with Southampton so Spurs players bought into it.
The difference between him and Ronnie was he had a track record and also he actually has introduced youth.
Whereas Ronnie loans them out.
Tierney being exception but was only used because both Izzy and Mulgrew were out.
Not a valid comparison .
GLASSTWOTHIRDSFUL
Got a reprieve for ten minutes.
I think of the Dutch approach of Total Football when it was expected that outfield players should be able to play with a modicum of success in any position. Unfortunately for RD he could not get certain players to buy into his ideas and continued in an inflexible manner as some of the big shots were equally obstinate.
I suspect that he was overprotective of some of the young players who might have made a success of it.
Unfortunately, we know from the days of the Kelly Kids that playing a young team doesn’t always work as sometime they crash and burn.
Perhaps Ronnie would have been successful if left just to bring on the young ones. We shall never know now.
Probably he was too dependent on a few who did not IMO reciprocate his loyalty to them.
Would love a strict disciplinarian to come in and out a few of them straight. All in my most humble opinion. Hail, hail
Apropos Sportscene, what’s that nest thing doing on top of Darren Jackson’s head?