This time last year the league was in the bag, as it is today, but we had Champions League football to look forward to in the coming days, and would ultimately go on to win the Scottish Cup. The Champions League is always going to be a hard place to measure progress for a club seeded in pot 4, last season it was hard enough to Benfica, a pot 2 team who were eliminated by Celtic but still progressed to the Europa League final.
Domestic cup performances for Celtic is a more accessible measuring tool. After home defeats to Morton (good grief) and now Aberdeen we may well ask, what went wrong?
It was evident from early in the second half that whatever match plan we had was not effective, and despite the introduction of fresh faces, the performance didn’t improve. Aberdeen defended outside their box very effectively, making it difficult for Celtic to play the kind of passes which Samaras released Stokes with to score early in the game. Forrest found red shirts blocking his path whenever he got going. Commons had a day when nothing sparked. Possession was cheaply conceded throughout as Celtic continued to ask the same question of the Aberdeen defence.
While we are playing in in impoverished Scottish football Aberdeen represent the strongest possible opponents. They are second in the league and were the last team to score against us on merit. Yesterday wasn’t a fluke result, it was deserved and marked the progress of Derek McInnes’ team.
So where does this leave us? Celtic remain imperious in the Premiership, the fact that they’ve not tasted defeat against a weaker team there, or conceded in 11 games, is historically impressive, but against the best of the rest, there are question marks, as there will be for Champions League qualifiers.
If you would like to read the new CQN Magazine, GO HERE to read properly, and for FREE, the graphic below is just a taster.
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Sipsini,
Undoubtedly mo chara.
I asked a question over an hour ago as to why the Green Brigade were barred.
Can you answer that for me buddy?
tricoloured ribbon,
I don’t no if the board have a hidden agenda re: the Green brigade…maybe they have their eyes on a new league involving foreign teams.
To me, they have made a mistake, ye, maybe the GB should be more streetwise, that said, first and foremost our board should be backing the fans.
I know my teenage kids feel let down with the treatment that has been meted out to the young fans.
Sipsini,
Ok buddy. If it’s a hidden agenda it is backfiring big time.
Anyway mate you take care.I’m up for work at 10 and I’m well pissed.
Goodnight and God bless you and all your family.TAL.
Cup final day last year! door bell rings, known face is admitted, he tells me he would like
a (signed ball) for a charity he is involved in, they want to buy a minibus, to take disadvantaged children to the activities they are involved in. I take all the information
he has brought with him, genuine person, genuine charity, all this i know!
I tell him, yes, you may have a (signed ball), I had not the heart to tell him, that because
the next day being a Monday, players would be off on their holidays, last game of the season, and all of that, and they would have to report back as quickly as possible, because of the CL fixtures. Some people are ‘calendar-blind’, when they want something!
However, I fully understand this, and where possible, i will always endeavour to help in any way i can. Because i live outside Scotland I often find it difficult to get someone
willing to ‘collect’ signatures outside the ground, because most ‘irish fans’ are rushing to
get back for their boat! On this occasion I ‘pulled rank’, something i am loathed to do, however, i thought the charity was ‘deserving, of special concern. I managed to get them
the ball NFL kick’s about his office when he is picking team on Friday’s. All the players available duly signed the ball, as I had ‘highlighted’ the cause it was for! One player in
particular, on hearing of this, returned from Prestwick Airport, where he was waiting on his flight to take him and his family on holidays, to sign the ball! So, never challenge the
commitment of ‘The Celtic Family!’ I tell you this, simply because, i can! Never, ever
disbelieve, the commitment of the ‘Celtic Family’, players joining this club, are taken on
a tour of the “Charity’, that was Br Walford! They ALL are. THAT’S the Celtic way!
Please ensure, that as a committed Celtic fan, You act in a similar manner.
if, your ‘ass’ is put out of joint by losing a game, don’t criticise, support all the harder!
paolosboots FC before PLC
00:55 on
10 February, 2014
Auldheid good points but as we are seen to compare ourselves to porto ajax etc wonder what the comparison at board level is? Do their chief executives get £1M pounds a year etc etc and if not where’s our bench mark abd value for money have they lost 15k season tickets holders?
====================================
I cannot find that info but this Swiss Rambler Article shows many parallels between ourselves and Ajax.
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/why-ajax-are-no-longer-dutch-masters.html
Our advantage over them is greater certainty of winning titles and so qualifying for CL.
(This btw knocks the head on the idea that having Rangers back will be good for Celtic, and Scottish football it will not be good for Celtic and it would only be the Board’s view if they were Rangers supporters. Note to self. Check TD’s list)
I wish the basis for bonus awards were more transparent and we knew the basis on which they were awarded, but if you make putting a winning team on the park within budget a success indicator, but gates still fall then how do you decide how much of that is the CEO’s fault and surely falling gates would make it harder to stay in budget? Complicated stuff.
In any case, an interesting point about the article is that in spite of their policy being unsuccessful in trophy terms, gates had gone up at Ajax at the time of the report.
Seems Ajax fans are quite loyal……..
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/why-ajax-are-no-longer-dutch-masters.html
sipsini
02:25 on
10 February, 2014
tricoloured ribbon,
I don’t no if the board have a hidden agenda re: the Green brigade…maybe they have their eyes on a new league involving foreign teams.
To me, they have made a mistake, ye, maybe the GB should be more streetwise, that said, first and foremost our board should be backing the fans.
I know my teenage kids feel let down with the treatment that has been meted out to the young fans.
===================
When it is published on the CST site, read Celtic’s response to the Open Meeting re their stance on the OBB that has been used by the police to control the GB.
auldheid
03:56 on 10 February, 2014,
Will do, hopefully, there will be the answers to the questions being asked!
The complete and utter insanity of it all.
Demanding that a manager who’s team is 21 points clear,at the top of the league table be dismissed.
Surely this is a first in the history of football?
Are we setting a precedent here, or what?
We had one poster suggest that we replace our manager, with another manager who’s team is languishing near the bottom of their league in England.
What is the sense in that?
16 roads – wee oscar the celtic warrior.,
One poster doesn’t mean all think that way.
Most on here are feeling a bit let down, that is understandable after our performance on Saturday.
The main issue is the compliance of the board, allowing a dead club reincarnate itself, while watching our young fans being bullied into submission.
That is problems that needs resolved.
Is this irrational sense of entitlement a new phenomenon?
Is it unique to CQN?
I can sort of understand if Celtic supporters whom were fortunate to have supported the club during the John Stein years, get a wee bit puzzled or upset by some of the performances.
Even the younger generation whom have become accustomed to us ruling the roost.
But not people of my generation, whom struggled throughout the 90’s.
It’s really beginning to bring me down now, reading these pages, very much like the SMSM does, hence the reason why I avoid reading the Daily Retard and the like.
People like to castigate Kojo, and yes he does like to let off steam, and can become frustrated with the team… But that man is a Celtic fanatic, and epitomises the faithful through and through spirit.
We are in danger of becoming the Scottish version of Manchester United supporters, and that isn’t a good thing atall so it isn’t.
Over & out.
sipsini
04:34 on 10 February, 2014
———————————–
I don’t particularly like the board either mate ,and I support the GB, one million%.
It’s the constant negativity though that gets to me most on here.
I honestly give up, I don’t need it.
In the last week events at tynecaste and celtic park have raised Neil lennons name again .. for reasons he wiill not like .
I have a wee feeling thar he may feel its time to go soon … ans I would not blame him for that decision
Tbj,
How’s the holiday going?
Going to Murcia for a week in April, seven auld geezers.
Rome with the kids in July. An educational holiday:-)
My daughter dropped the bombshell tonight… Would it be ok to go to America with her uncle and aunt… Just spending money dad….hmmm.
Anyways, catch up with you at the cqn night.
Sipsini
Sorry for delayed reply. . Went for a swim.in the arabian sea to wake me up. Breakfast on the beach now :)
Never been to murcia .. think theres a few tims there …
Auld geezers … your not old mate ;)
Its time to let your girl fly .. at least she has family with her .
Tbj.
Hope you enjoyed your swim, going to my kip now, still trying to arrange my body clock around the nightshift…never watched soooo many films in my life. Night mate.HH
Just in to say….
Neil Lennon will always be one of the ‘giants’ of my personal Celtic world. Absolutely.
Some Celtic fans on here and, elswhere have been saying over the weekend that, it would be a good time for him to leave Celtic and, go elsewhere. I agree. But, this is not knee-jerk stuff from me as ,I’m sure any one whose daft enough to read my stuff will concur.
In Neil’s 1st season as manager, he was up against the ‘myth’ from the other side of the city and, what a fright Neil gave the ‘myth’ and, orcdome as a whole. imho
Yeah, a fright to the extent that, Neil’s life was put under threat. This period of ‘intimidation’ against Neil, spilled over at the ‘shame-game’ were, I think that the Celtic ‘bored’ – let Neil and, ‘every’ Celtic fan down by attending a govt summit on the basis of having 3 players booked !!! Ah mean WTF ?
The govt summit was the cue for, the Celtic ‘bored’ to drag Scotlands little secret onto the world-stage by, announcing to ‘their own’ press conference, to tell the world exactly ‘why’ they would be going to ‘NO’ govt summit on the basis of having 3 players booked.
Since then….the Celtic ‘bored’ have sold what was left of Celtic’s soul by, jumping into bed with the hun establishment and to, serve up the young Celtic fans of the GB on a plate. imho
The only way out of this….is for the removal of the ‘ENTIRE’ Celtic hierarchy and, restructure the club. No more PLC. absentee landlords and Holywood style CEO’s.
The Celtic hierarchy’s God is money – ‘YOUR’ money !!!
Continue to give the Celtic hierarchy ‘YOUR’ money and – the apathetic malaise will be prolonged. imho
Don’t give them ‘YOUR’ money and – send them a message – that yes, the Celtic support, ‘DO’ have a back-bone and – ‘NO’ the Celtic support are – ‘NO’ONES’ doormats !!!
Back to Neil Lennon….he was a gamble of an appointment as manager. He is by, no means the worst manager that I have seen at CP – not by a long shot. But, I’ve been saying on here for, god knows how long that – Neil has to be moved on. He was a gamble by a desperate ‘bored’ whose reputation has taken a hit amongst the mangerial circuit according to my information and, that is why the gamble with Neil was taken. If, Neil is removed….he has to be afforded the greatest dignity possible in the cicumstances. imho
It’s a unique time to be a Celtic manager when there are no huns to lock horns with. Strange indeed. But, I still think that Neil is being hampered by fholk above him when he is recruiting players. Why so many players with a foreign agent ? I feel something is wrong there ? I canny prove it but, I can smell it.
The day that the GB were banned by Celtic was the day that, ‘every’ Celtic fan should have, linked arms with the GB and, let it be known – If ye throw oot the GB – then, the rest of the fans will be oot wi them. There is no point in – doing the huddle – singing JCGE – holding up the TIFO stuff – doing the end to end singing….then turning yer backs on the GB in their hour of need ???? imho. Two faced ? AYE !
Btw, what was wrong with the Bobby Sands n William Wallace banners ?
I thought the ‘H’ banner was because – we were in CL group ‘H’ ???
See if ye gie fholk yer money then – the same fholk that took yer money then take ‘you’ for a dick and, the same thing happens tae ye the next time they take yer money….then, ye deserve tae be took for a dick. imho
Wake up and smell the coffee – CSC
Ghood Lhuck Tims – Off oot.
Why did no-one from the ‘bored’ or, the high hied yins who take awe yer money come out and ask – “who exactlis being offended and, more importantly – why ?”
Good morning friends. Another Monday, another week and it’s a dark, wet and fairly bleak start to the day in East Kilbride.
KevJungle –
Not your worst post. Loved the ‘H’ explanation! ;-)
Auldheid:
Really interesting stuff on Ajax.
They seem to get greater success from both their youth development and player purchasing strategies. We need to be asking ourselves why.
They also seem to be rewarded with greater fan loyalty.
I can’t help but wonder if Ajax would have handled the GB with the same ineptitude as our club have shown…
The GB were critical in bringing back the thunder and were rewarded with the sort of hostility we might expect from the etablishment by the club…
KevJungle …….well said that man!!!!!!!!!what a start to Monday morning!!!!!!!!now could you tell the other k.jungle that comes on here that he is gash.
16 Roads
What you say is, of course, common sense. Expect it to fall on deaf ears while everyone lashes out. Getting rid of a manager with Neil Lennon’s record is petulant and childish.
My anger and regret at Celtic having a meaningless season ahead of us is as much to do with the barren situation we face in the SPFL as it is Saturday’s performance.
Kev jungle.
So your reason for getting rid of Lenny is that he was appointed by the current board?
Some people think that was a decent post too.
Think I’m becoming more and more disillusioned with large sections of the celtic support if this site is anything to go by.
The Honest Mistake 8.10,
Not sure how much a barometer of the general support,this site is, but just lets say there must have been a good few sitting round about me on Saturday.
Lilys
The Honest Mistake loves being first
08:10 on
10 February, 2014
Kev jungle.
Think I’m becoming more and more disillusioned with large sections of the celtic support if this site is anything to go by.
———————————————————————————
I`m very confident that it is not.
K.T.F.
Dave King complaining in the press today about having his money turned away by Sevco.
LOL.
I seem to remember he fed a story through the DR about being ‘booted off’ the board in February 2012, just before Whyte announced admin from the steps of Ibrox.
the honest mistake loves being first
08:10 on 10 February, 2014
Have to agree with you……one or two ‘right crackers’ on here, but the vast majority are Celtic daft….!!
Lily’s grandpa.
I was sitting in WS2 and there was disappointment but no vitriol.
I thought the atmosphere at the game was far better than the Christmas games. Hh.
For however long he remains Celtic manager Neil Lennon should receive 100% support from all who love Celtic. He has been subjected to abuse above and beyond anyone could be expected to tolerate but still he has tried to focus on getting a winning side on the park and restore some pride in Europe.
Changing manager will not change the atmosphere at Parkhead nor will it put more bums on seats. Neil Lennon is very well respected by his peers across Europe and he knows that he got it wrong on Saturday. He will be hurting like the rest of us but he will have to reflect on the fact that Cup games have to be approached differently, learn the lessons and prepare for the Cl qualifiers.
Let’s not do the work of the SMSM, SPFL and judiciary system in driving out a good Celtic man.
Our biggest problem is Virgil Van Dyke… He confirms in the mind of the Board that they have the correct strategy… Much more so than Balde and Pukki cast doubts.
Henrikschip.
Good post but amazing that it has to be said. And it had to be said.
The Honest Mistake,
I was really disappointed ,but not at all surprised, at the reaction.I just feel the vast majority think we have a god given right to win any game.
Im sure Ill be back though .
lilys
Cultsbhoy.
How is evidence of success a problem?
Good morning from a damp and dreich Bellshill.
My dear brother Gerry is still with us. His condition fluctuates from day to day and he has good days and bad days. I had planned to go to the game on Saturday, but in the morning he started having breathing difficulties and was given a hand-held oxygen mask. The priest was called and he was given the last rites, after which I decided to give the football a miss.
Come Sunday he had rallied again and was in good spirits, laughing and joking.
This
God only knows what today will bring.
Summa – I am staying at Chris’s place. I gave both him and Gerry your messages. Much appreciated my friend. Chris has grown into an absolute gem of a young man. A fine example to his younger brothers and he does his father proud.
Lily’s grandpa.
Geography is the only thing that stops me from going.
Tom.
Thoughts with you and your family at this difficult time.
Hh.
The Honest Mistake,
I realise that, and Im sure you would be. There still a good few of us around
lilys
cultsbhoy
08:35 on 10 February, 2014
Our biggest problem is Virgil Van Dyke… He confirms in the mind of the Board that they have the correct strategy… Much more so than Balde and Pukki cast doubts.
******
Aye but when we resort with having to play him as striker at the end of the game then surely it’s plain for all to see?!?!
HH jamesgang
Tom
Prayers still with you.
KTF jamesgang