Admit it, you smiled when you heard “St Johnstone are now the second most successful Scottish football club over the last decade” on the news last night. The most trophy-laden period any single club has enjoyed in Scottish football history is over. It saw Celtic win their fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh domestic treble.
Due to the peculiarities of 2020, we knew the run would end when Ross County eliminated us from the 2020-21 League Cup competition St Johnstone won yesterday, three weeks before facing Hearts in the 2019-20 Scottish Cup Final and winning our 12th successive Scottish trophy. If you live for another 100 years, you are very unlikely to enjoy (or endure) watching any club match this record.
We deserved every one of those 12 trophies, just as we deserved to drop out of the League Cup and League challenge early this season, the latter could officially be over within six days. The Scottish Cup is our only hope of silverware this season, although there is every chance the latter stages may be postponed until after the summer.
John Kennedy’s win in his first game in charge together with Motherwell’s win at Easter Road killed off any chance in-form Hibs had of catching Celtic in second place.
“Policy is being driven by the data”, a recurring theme you are being told by politicians and public health officials. Hmmmm. We are now in a situation when politicians, backed up by our National Clinical Director, tell this disease was eliminated in Scotland in the summer. To back his political sponsor, Professor Jason Leitch claimed there was no deaths for an entire month (there were 24, a remarkably low figure considering where we were before and have been after).
At that time (different from now), Celtic ran consultations with fans about safely returning to stadiums. The club invested in temperature scanning equipment and distances processes to no avail. It seems the data was not driving policy. It remains to be seen what data drove the crackdown on Celtic that saw 13 players side-lined in January.
St Mary’s in Calton, the church where Celtic were born, are taking the Government to court on the very issue (you can support their case here). Like Celtic in the summer, churches are curious about the data informing the decision to close churches in Scotland while they remain open in England and Wales.
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Good morning cqn from a dry and mild Garngad
John Kennedy is part of the problem as is the guy with the ipad.
They should not be anywhere near Celtic, they should have been sacked at the same time as Neil was sacked.
Even more so after the same game plan, the same subs and tempo against Aberdeen as we have had all season.
DIABOLICAL
You think he would have changed something but nope we were brought the same Dross.
I dont know why anyone and I mean anyone would think it would be a good idea for him to be in charge longer term.
HH
D :)
Hairlikespaghetti
I think the diary of Bobby Sands is an incredible account of human bravery in the most horrendous of circumstances. It stands as a poignant and significant historical article in Ireland’s history.
Monday 2nd 1981
Much to the distaste of the Screws we ended the no-wash protest this morning. We moved to ‘B’ wing, which was allegedly clean.
We have shown considerable tolerance today. Men are being searched coming back from the toilet. At one point men were waiting three hours to get out to the toilet, and only four or five got washed, which typifies the eagerness (sic) of the Screws to have us off the no-wash. There is a lot of petty vindictiveness from them.
I saw the doctor and I’m 64 kgs. I’ve no problems.
The priest, Fr John Murphy, was in tonight. We had a short talk. I heard that my mother spoke at a parade in Belfast yesterday and that Marcella cried. It gave me heart. I’m not worried about the numbers of the crowds. I was very annoyed last night when I heard Bishop Daly’s statement (issued on Sunday, condemning the hunger-strike). Again he is applying his double set of moral standards. He seems to forget that the people who murdered those innocent Irishmen on Derry’s Bloody Sunday are still as ever among us; and he knows perhaps better than anyone what has and is taking place in H-Block.
He understands why men are being tortured here — the reason for criminalisation. What makes it so disgusting, I believe, is that he agrees with that underlying reason. Only once has he spoken out, of the beatings and inhumanity that are commonplace in H-Block.
I once read an editorial, in late ’78, following the then Archbishop O Fiaich’s ‘sewer pipes of Calcutta’ statement. It said it was to the everlasting shame of the Irish people that the archbishop had to, and I paraphrase, stir the moral conscience of the people on the H-Block issue. A lot of time has passed since then, a lot of torture, in fact the following year was the worst we experienced.
Now I wonder who will stir the Cardinal’s moral conscience…
Bear witness to both right and wrong, stand up and speak out. But don’t we know that what has to be said is ‘political’, and it’s not that these people don’t want to become involved in politics, it’s simply that their politics are different, that is, British.
My dear friend Tomboy’s father died today. I was terribly annoyed, and it has upset me.
I received several notes from my family and friends. I have only read the one from my mother — it was what I needed. She has regained her fighting spirit — I am happy now.
My old friend Seanna (Walsh, a fellow blanket man) has also written.
I have an idea for a poem, perhaps tomorrow I will try to put it together.
Every time I feel down I think of Armagh, and James Connolly. They can never take those thoughts away from me.
The decision has been made, change must mean change and we must embrace it fully.
HH.
GP- I left a reply for you yesterday amigo,I think a DoF working with a coach he knows previously, would be the best way ahead, the Harkin/Maresca partnership, looks like getting a bit of traction now.
Bada
I’d have the DoF in place now and give him time to assess the current squad establishing who is likely to be there next season. He should also be prominent in the decision of who the next manager is.
BB,
Apologies I missed it. Travelling up to work.
A DOF seems a popular and modern choice, and as you say some interesting names are being discussed.
I am totally open for complete change, but I wonder how a strong manager who wants to pick his own players and a head hunted Dominic Mckay would all fit in and work harmoniously.
Cheers and HH.
Good Morning all
Greenpinata: it seems to me that the situation you describe can only be an improvement on what we have had up till now.
HH
HT- agree,a DoF needs to be in tandem with a head coach, and squad management is a huge issue. The situation where we are now is farcical, no right backs,spent £5.5 million on a Tierney replacement, both now filled by loans,endless squad fillers for years,guys bought without the manager’s knowledge, then put out on loan and sold for a fraction of what we paid,the money squandered by the Club over the years is criminal. Get a DoF in asap,and assess where we are.Good to see you posting HT.HH
GP- definitely issues to be considered, foreign coaches are far more used to working with a DoF,so hopefully a strong partnership ahead.That’s why I think it’s interesting that Harkin and Maresca,are both at Man City, not sure if their roles currently mix together though HH
Here’s a poser.
Some say that Kennedy needs to go and is part of the problem. It’s also been said that a new manager should pick his coaching staff.
What if the new manager decided to retain Kennedy? It does happen sometimes for continuity and tapping into knowledge of the club. I think there were a couple of managers that kept Clarke on at Chelsea.
HAMILTONTIM on 2ND MARCH 2021 6:21 AM
Hairlikespaghetti
I think the diary of Bobby Sands is an incredible account of human bravery in the most horrendous of circumstances. It stands as a poignant and significant historical article in Ireland’s history.
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Good on you HT, take care my friend.
HAMILTONTIM
Thanks.
So can’t appoint a manager until a DoF is in place, and can’t appoint a DoF until the new CEO is installed and up to speed?
Is that where we’re at?
Geebee1978 – needs to go means just that.
He is part of the problem.
I understand what you are saying but surely a new manager would have his own team of coaches and have confidence in his/their ability to spot who are players and who are not and who is surplus to requirements.
HH
D :)
GB1978- good point, I would make a role for Scott Brown to integrate new staff,particularly new players, they need to know what’s required to play for Celtic, it could be the end of the road for Broonie, and it would be a shame for him to exit as it stands. A player/coach role for helping young players would be fitting IMO.
HT an MP to boot.
Bobby should be recognised for his bravery.
D :)
Bada good shout
D :)
Tontine Tim
You mentioned Havoc. I remember going to the ‘beach’ there for on occasional days out from Clydebank. Would have been in late 50’s or very early 60’s.
Highlight was Bruce’s cave.
DAVID66 on 2ND MARCH 2021 8:50 AM
Oh, I’m not disagreeing and it was purely a hypothetical point. However, it’s not unusual for new managers to retain one of the old members of the coaching team for continuity.
I was simply wondering how the blog would react if say Eddie Howe or Enzo Maresca came in and WANTED to retain Kennedy as well as bringing in some of his own men.
The blog would go into meltdown.
ian st john RIP
saint amd greavsie
marvellous
lets all do the huddle on 2nd March 2021 9:25 am
ian st john RIP
saint amd greavsie
marvellous
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100% agree.
HT
Thanks!
AN Tearmann 12:01am.
No doubt St Stivs will respond,however in the interim:
1.Upturned boat still on the Sandbank.
2.If you Google “The Kelly Cut” in Greenock it will give you lots of info as most details associated with the founder.
An Tearmann 12:01.
PS.
In case there may be historians out there.
The Kelly refers to the reservoir from which the water comes,but it was engineered around 1820 by a man called Robert Thom.
HH
Frimpong’s comments (although why he’s being asked about Celtic when he plays in germany is beyond me) highlight one of the reasons the ten was never on. He appeared to be totally unaware of the importance of this season. I would have thought that the manager and home players would have made the whole squad aware of the significance of this year. The fact that he made these comments and the former manager himself stating that the season has not been too bad really brings it home how far removed the aspirations of these guys are from those of the support.
Maybe Scott Brown could be a New Fitness Coach ?
He could get any Slackers into shape…Hopefully ?
HH.
GEEBEE1978 on 2ND MARCH 2021 9:14 AM
DAVID66 on 2ND MARCH 2021 8:50 AM
Oh, I’m not disagreeing and it was purely a hypothetical point. However, it’s not unusual for new managers to retain one of the old members of the coaching team for continuity.
was simply wondering how the blog would react if say Eddie Howe or Enzo Maresca came in and WANTED to retain Kennedy as well as bringing in some of his own men.
The blog would go into meltdown.
—————-
Geebee1978 – agreed Bada and Big Jimmy make a good point find a roll for Scott Brown.
D :)
Ian St John R.I.P.
A fine footballer and goalscorer.
I was just a little to young to see him play in the flesh for Scotland and for Motherwell obviously as he joined Liverpool in 1961 when I was only 5 years of age.
HH.
HAMILTONTIM – nice to hear from you pal.
The diaries really do highlight that Bobby Sands was a remarkable man.
HH
BGFC & WeeBGFC
Hi all
R.I.P Ian St John
Fine player by all accounts.
Saint and Greavsie was always the talking point back at school on the monday.
Tho mind they came up with TV broadcast for Celtic v Forest and got booed of the park.
Wish Paul Lambert would shut the hell up.find him totally depressing.
Does anyone have an example of the wrong DoF being appointed?
What is it that shows the DoF is the issue and not the manager and vice versa?
DREW1967 on 2ND MARCH 2021 11:50 AM
Wish Paul Lambert would shut the hell up.find him totally depressing.
DREW, when you remember his background, that explains a lot about what he is muttering on about now. It was a testament to his professionalism that he did so, so well with us, especially against the Forces of Darkness. That couldn’t have been easy for his family and (former) friends.
new article posted.
EmeraldBee
Ye mate get where your coming from.Was a great player for us too.Just find him a bit of a grump
EmeraldBee \o/ A Double Niner!! on 2nd March 2021 12:07 pm
DREW1967 on 2ND MARCH 2021 11:50 AM
Wish Paul Lambert would shut the hell up.find him totally depressing.
DREW, when you remember his background, that explains a lot about what he is muttering on about now. It was a testament to his professionalism that he did so, so well with us, especially against the Forces of Darkness. That couldn’t have been easy for his family and (former) friends.
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He was a top class player – live and let live.