The changes over the last decade have been so profound, and are now so established, it’s difficult to recall how different the balance of power was back then. In 2004, a small handful of people had complete control over the Celtic media narrative.
Was Martin O’Neill going to Leeds United? He was, you were told he was, live on the country’s most listened to radio programme. By a former Celtic player, too. Objectivity and the opportunity to challenge was controlled by the very people who were writing the headlines.
For years, this was the way it was, and it was poisoning Celtic. The ‘old board’ were worthy of little better, but Fergus McCann was brutally attacked. He was the man who would bring equality and respect to our club and fans, but he was demonised by lazy hacks who cared little for truth. So much so, he was booed by the very people who celebrated the league title his vision brought. It was a bitter experience for many.
Martin O’Neill, in some respects, like The Man 35 years before him, brought a force of personality so strong, the gaggle of critics could only stand back in awe, but the system had a flaw. Stein brought unimaginable success with little more than unimaginable brilliance. O’Neill used money, lots of it. More than Celtic were earning. His whirlwind high-spending start at Celtic ended with the £6m signing of John Hartson in 2001, little over a year after he took the job.
Martin would spend another four years working within a budget; not one that brought expenditure into line with income, we continued to lose millions each year, but one which limited signings to a fraction of what was spent on Hartson, Lennon and Sutton.
While those four years were among the most exciting in our history, it was an unhappy era.
Put yourself back in time for a moment. Celtic are champions and have beaten Ajax to qualify for the Champions League for the first time. We were imperious, had beaten Rangers 6-2 and took to a field in Turin to final take part in a tournament which for so long appeared out of our reach.
Juventus went 2-0 up but back came Celtic. I worked with a Rangers fan who was at a lower league game that night. When we equalised, his friend text “I don’t think I can take this anymore”. We had come from nowhere, an irrelevance in Scottish football, but here we were, champions of Scotland and level against Juventus.
At that moment, anything was possible. For the first time in decades, we thought, maybe just…
We soon learned that it takes more than honest endeavour to win in Italy, and visits to Portugal and Norway provided a rude awakening. This was not ’67 all over again, there was a lot of work to do, we just needed to keep the pedal to the metal.
Two years after that defeat in Turin we came close to winning our second European trophy in Seville, with a team which had, pretty much, been in place for three years. We were getting the hang of European football, but the team was aging.
For reasons that defy logic, history records the Seville season as the highlight of that team, but the achievements of season 2003-04, with 25 consecutive league wins, and eliminating Barcelona from Europe, were vastly greater.
Then the party was over. The Great Swede left, we’d lost £35m in a few short years, and reality was acknowledged; all clubs need to live within their means, or face liquidation. The climb-down was necessary, but I’m not going to tell you it wasn’t hard.
Back then few people read football clubs accounts, even though Celtic posted copies to over 20,000 shareholders, but all the clues were there, Celtic had to stem the flow. We lost £7m in the Seville season alone; wages to players and coaches were unsustainable.
Despite this, Celtic were regarded as cautious. We lost £35m over five years; Ranger lost £35m in a single season. If they could pump debt up to £80m and survive, why wouldn’t Celtic? We would learn the answer to this question in 2012, but think back to 2004, thoughts that one of Scotland’s major clubs could be liquidated were ridiculed – often, on CQN.
So how did the media deal with our club in 2004? I was driving to work one morning and had heard “What the Celtic fans want to know, is where is all the Seville money?” once too often. “Where is all the Seville money?” was a toxic question. There was no Seville money, only higher debts.
When I arrived at work I ranted about such lazy reporting. This was calculated reporting of the most pernicious type. A Rangers supporting friend suggested, “Why don’t you start a blog and challenge what they’re saying?” I’d never heard of a blog, but he sat me down and got me going.
The first CQN article, written 10 years ago today, was a modest call to “Ignore the Press”, but just before I pressed publish, I had to select, ‘Allow comments: Yes or No’. I’d no views either way but ‘Yes’ was default, so I left it.
The whole thing, the millions of comments, the hundreds of thousands of pounds raised for those in need, the friendships made, the golfers, the slimmers, those helped in bereavement, the thousands of kids attending our school kitchens each day in Malawi and the countless hours of enjoyment we’ve had, are all down to a default position on Blogger. And a Rangers fan telling me to start the fight back online. Who’d have thought it?
Now, people stop me in the street to talk about Celtic. Can there be a greater joy in life? Thanks for all the help and support.
Celtic yesterday, today, forever.
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Fgf , canamalar , wondered what had happened . Maybe paul has fitted a new anti-bullsh** filter and I inadvertently triggered it.
I can think of a few candidates (present company excluded) who it would work a treat on .
Dena29 , HH as always . Looking forward to seeing you next year. Bucket collection early season and we’re looking to move our meeting point towards front of the stadium .
Looking forward to Tuesday already – just need a suggested location for Newton abbot area !?
Sanna
toffeetim,
If they can hang onto Barkley I think they can have a reasonable season again.
Would love them to win a trophy.FA Cup or the League Cup would be lovely.
Take care mate
10 years today, unbelievable!!
I haven’t posted for in very long time as i just don’t have the time to follow up on comments (plus the 6/7 hour time difference means i’m often out of sync with the conversation), however i rarely miss a day of “lurking”.
This blog started not long after i came to Thailand and has been a beacon of green and white sunshine which has made me feel as close to the Celtic family as i ever felt back home.
Here’s to the next decade of domination!!
Hail hail from sunny Siam…
Just posted some snaps on twitter. Norwegian tabloid has a wee special on Celtic’s history. Check @CQN. Can’t do the linky thing on my phone
Tricoulored ribbons
Always proud. But unfortunately seriously hammered at the mol.lying down is a problem I am jushht about achieving.
Javier Aquino is a cracker !
Hope nothing lost in Translation ;)
Magic boost for the new season so it would be ! He was a star for Mexico so he was !!
Aye aye aye aye there’s only one Javier Aquino !
Where ever he goes he fears no foe
Cos he’s the Mexican hero !
Altogether now
Aye aye aye aye ……… ;)
Rory McIlroy: Open Champion.
dixiedeans
18:26 on 20 July, 2014
Tricoulored ribbons
Always proud. But unfortunately seriously hammered at the mol.lying down is a problem I am jushht about achieving.
……….
What age are you if you don’t mind me asking?
Just nipped in to say we’ll done to Paul 67 10 glorious years of CQN.
On holiday in Toronto, staying with Teuchter.
Great to meet Toronto Tony last night at the CSC.
Brill rendition of The king of kings
HH
celticrollercoaster luvs his luminious lime boots
Thanks for the info. I follow Etims for the laughs and CQN for “enlightenmentertainment” ;-)
Useful when CSCN Norway meet up in Oslo for games, craics and banter etc.
Congratulations Paul you have worked hard and no doubt had to spend a few bob over the years in order to keep CQN up and running.In my opinion it is the best Celtic site on the inter net. H.H.
Paul67
Interesting! Which paper/media does the journo represent?
All the very best, Big Ron has upped Celtic’s profile immensely over here.
Well done To Rory McIlroy
Already looking forward to him defending the trophy at St Andrews next year
Paul,
congratulations on 10 years of CQN,you have created a fabulous blog for both its Celtic chat and charitable aims,glad to be a tiny part of it
I miss pablophanque and the Friday music nights mind you
So looks like we will have a new Mexican winger to welcome soon.
Small, tough and quick. Have we had any like that before??
Tricoloured Ribbon
Barkley is the key to success this season also expecting Aiden Mc Geady to have a huge impact !!
Have a wee feelin there will be a blue doo at Wembley this season and the brasso will be needed down Goodison way ;)
All the Best m8 Hail Hail NSNO
Paul, read the blog every day (as does the wife) and post very occasionally. This site has made us laugh, cry and rage, but always feel part of something special. More than just a blog!
Thank you, Paul.
Sannabhoy and 2000 kids say Hail Hail to Pablo’s family
if you need help with bucket collection give me a shout , you’ll need details for police etc so just text me and I’ll get the details to you . keep up your great work see you soon
HH
Congratulations on 10 years off CQN. Look forward to the next ten.
Minx1888
Wit??? I heard there was scowling going on earlier. Lol. x
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Opps that ten years of not off!!!!
Burghboy,
Hope you are enjoying your holiday mate.
Regards to Teuchter.
Winchburgh must be quiet!
Scorchio -way down south .
Scrolling through an Italian who is going where site .It claims that Celtic Glasgow have signed Javier Aquilo on a 1 year loan deal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28390411
Maybe this scandal will come to light at last
Paul – many congratulations on ten years of influential blogging and many many thanks for the friends and lifetime experiences that Cqn has brought into my life.
Personally, there have been some incredible highs since the unbearable low of Black Sunday. I need to thank Newsnow Celtic for discovering the blog that night…what a lifesaver!!
Enjoy your well-deserved family holiday next week, although I hear you might be meeting a couple of chancers! I’ll raise a glass or two tonight to you, Martin 42, Kevin and your families.
All the best for another ten years!
JP – congrats on today, recognition for all the hard work you put into TKF.
HH to everyone on here.
T4
Mon the Javier, Gie’s a goal FFS!!!
Weefra scowling me?? Surely not :-)
have been keeping your Mum in our prayers pal and will continue to do so on Tuesday!
JP – hope you enjoyed today! Congrats pal!
Subterranean, ah, those amortisation days……
charliebhoy, a big cheers to that from me.
Cyrul, thank you for all your help over the years. Appreciate it.
iki, he sure is!
kingsnake, ah!
paulreverecsc, many thanks.
PFayr, cheers to you too.
jamesgang, a thousand you’re welcomes.
Parkheadcumsalford, no chance!
Gordon, you have been a fantastic resource to us all here for the last decade. Many thanks.
£200k is a lot of money for Carl Muggleton.
jaggytooth, it sure has.
TBJ, aye, true.
jonnybhoy, indeed.
googybhoy, aye, we sure are taken on a journey.
oisin71, many thanks.
Big Nan, big cheers.
Timabhouy, ha! No problem.
corkcelt, so many of us have been fortunate to meet great friends here.
Owen, hope that gender confusion cleared up.
Malone Bhoy, thank you.
neilbhoy, I would echo that. Hopefully the many great contributors which have made this place what it is, will take to the floor more often.
googybhoy, I sure will.
Paddysmarket, the family certainly have, thank you.
ddougan, aye, what a blast.
notthebus, sure.
taggsybhoy, …. Because of incredible help from people like you. B.t.w., you’re the first CQN’er I met.
glassford03, you are very welcome and thank you.
Raberto67, first post after nine years!!! What’s kept you? Good to see you here.
Henry Clarson, 10 yrs well spent indeed.
Penfold, thanks for your support.
CanajunBhoy, we’ll touch on your contribution on a later day, but thank you for all your help over so many years.
dena29, cheers.
viewfaethewindae, now there’s a question.
monteblanco, thank you and well said.
charliebhoy, go ahead.
Kolncelt, you have been an absolute inspiration over the years. Thanks for all of that.
stevieo62, sure will.
Dan, I’m up for another 10!
bognorbhoy, cheers.
jamabhoy, thanks for your kind words.
nakasammi, you’re very welcome.
Roddybhoy, neither it was. Thanks.
Macew, cheers.
Mon The Hoops!, that’s got a ring to it.
derbyshirebhoy, thanks for sticking to it for the decade.
winning captains, I hope!!
patmcgrathtakesapenalty, you’re very welcome.
Hrvatski Jim, and I appreciate the kind words.
euxtonBhoyz, here we go indeed.
prestonpans bhoys, get that bottle opened.
MurdochauldandHay, you’re welcome.
the long wait is over, cheers.
bhoys4ever, I wasn’t at an Edinburgh software house 10 years ago, but was before that…….
hebcelt, thank you, and for that b.p.
canamalar, only banned twice! I need to try harder :-). Prediction on the SFA, it will manage its own decline into oblivion.
ToffeeTim, decade of delight indeed.
Lennybhoy, our best to Sophie and to such a great family.
Son of Warsaw, sure will.
Tallybhoy, aye, where does it go indeed.
Sannabhoy, cheers to that. Many thanks for your great work on behalf of us all.
RobertTressell, thank you.
TheOriginalSadiesBhoy, you’re welcome.
embramike, that would be nice.
SwanseaBhoy, many thanks.
the glorious balance sheet, indeed they were.
Friesdorfer, you’re welcome.
minx1888, aye, that’s quite a tally. What a decade it’s been. See you soon.
Ginger, you’re very welcome.
NegAnon2, thank you.
Burghbhoy, enjoy it out there.
Joe Filippis Haircut, H.H. to you too.
green fuz, he was on the Record, although I think he chucked it recently.
gordybhoy64, aye. Me too.
The Quiet Man, best to you and the Quiet Lady.
Frank Ryan’s Whiskey, cheers.
TTTT, thank you for that, and the support over the years.
TCR
Loving it mate thanks
Both me & the Teuchter a bit ruff today
Gonna get stuck back into the drink again in about an hour .
HAIL HAIL
If this Mexican is arriving,I hope he is better than the last one.
Juarez.Useless.
burghbhoy
18:54 on 20 July, 2014
TCR
Loving it mate thanks
Both me & the Teuchter a bit ruff today
Gonna get stuck back into the drink again in about an hour .
HAIL HAIL
……..
Get tore in lads.Enjoy..
Congatulations Paul. I shudder to think how less educated we would have been without CQN
Thank you, Paul, for the unfiltered, reliable perspective and insight. Today, it’s difficult to find trustworthy sources for news and information on the web. You have built a reputation day by day and not wavered from your mission.
Reading CQN has greatly enhanced my feelings for a club that I’ve only followed from the U.S. It is a dream to one day walk into Celtic Park and watch the team in person.
I remember discovering the club, its history, its cultural and social significance, its welcoming spirit, and its devotion to philanthropy. The more I watched, read, and learned, the more I felt a kinship to a club and supporters who would value these qualities.
For supporters who live far from Glasgow, CQN provides news, perspective, and an understanding of issues that would otherwise seem very alien. I appreciate your dedication.
Minx – hope you, HT and family have a great holiday too! Take care.
Forgot to say that I saw Pukki and Biton playing tennis when I left David Lloyd at Anniesland this afternoon. It was indoors, so hopefully no muscle strains! Zaluska was doing his umpire….he’s used to sitting on his bahookie!
T4
Brilliant stuff, Paul. Well done on the 10 years. Arrived slightly later, around Oct/Nov 04 I think – brings back memories of the NegAnon/NeilR ding-dongs, Fargo, etc. Here’s to another 10. By the way – what did happen to the Seville money? :-) Oh and what about your friend? Maybe he should have taken his own advice!
Paul67, thanks for the site. Well done Sir. “Never interrupt your enemies. . ” my personal favourite over the years., Celtic news, reported properly!
HH
Separated at Birth?
Adam Scott and Gerrard Butler…..
Roger Federer and Quentin Tarrantino
Adolf Hitler and Benjamin Netanyahu
TTTT – thanks bud really looking forward to it! Hopefully see you and Mrs TTTT soon