I remember singing “It’s going to be 10 in a row”, but back then 10 had no significance. Neither did 9, it was like 8 in a row, another stop along the way. But when Jock Stein’s team finished their spectacular domination of the Scottish game in 1974 with nine successive titles and four European Cup semi-finals, “Nine in a row” became a phrase with extraordinary substance.
Of course, in years to come, for others, nine in a row became a target to surpass. In the late eighties Rangers changed the financial parameters of Scottish football for some time, and set their own course towards liquidation, but on the park, they swept all before them in the domestic game. By summer 1997 they had won their won nine in a row. McEwan’s lager billboard adverts featured the club with the line, “9 out of 10, could do better”. And didn’t we know it.
Celtic were in disarray having sacked Tommy Burns and with our three most cherished players, Di Canio, Cadete and van Hooijdonk on their way out the door. The new managerial appointment “the second worst thing to happen to Hiroshima”, as our mainstream media portrayed him to Celtic fans, arrived only two weeks before the start of the season.
After losing the first league game of the season at Easter Road Celtic lost 1-2 at home to Dunfermline; they were leading at half time. 10 in a row seemed inevitable but this season was the greatest example of why the prevailing currents of football are now always evident on the surface.
Have a read at this from the Independent after that defeat to Dunfermline:
“[The home supporters] cannot be fooled – even as the teams were announced it was clear they are unconvinced by the new signings. The mention of Pierre van Hooijdonk, Paolo Di Canio and Jorge Cadete before a game was enough a year ago to raise the roof in anticipation. On Saturday, Henrik Larsson and Regi Blinker hardly registered in the approval stakes.
“Larsson’s poor touch too often saw him lose possession. The blunt truth is he is not a proven goalscorer and Jock Brown, the general manager, will have to add fire power to the team.”
Don’t be too harsh on the journo who penned this, few dissented, and Jock Brown’s reputation was pretty much set by these incredibly inaccurate reviews. Although, “blunt truth” has never been used with such laxity.
The towns of the west of Scotland can be dangerous places after big football games but not 15 years ago today, when Celtic beat St Johnstone to win the league for the first time in a decade. Celtic fans of all ages poured onto the streets as the spirit of carnival took hold.
I remember hooped fans sitting on top of a set of traffic lights in Lanarkshire; green, amber, red, then rows of green and white. I walked around Hamilton town centre that night. For an evening, every pub was a Celtic pub, with rules about wearing colours suspended, and singing was celebrated.
And sing we did.
At the end of the night I could be found singing “Cheerio to 10 in a row” at a taxi rank outside a nightclub. The ‘brave’ soul standing in front of me waited until his taxi was moving away before mumbling his offenses out of the window.
Last summer I did an interview with Tony Hamilton for Celtic TV . When we drilled into what really made an impact on me as a Celtic fan I had no hesitation on placing that game against St Johnstone above Champions League victories, qualifying for a European final or beating Barcelona. We aspire to move beyond the confines of Scottish football but for 125 years this has been our home. In all that time, in domestic or European football, there have been, at most, only two more important games.
Enjoy the memories, but don’t play that George O’Boyle leap over in your mind; just in case you imagine him a few inches higher.
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Breaking News
McCoist in London for talks with Kenwright – Ally McCoist is locked in negotiations with the Everton supremo as he looks for a replacement for hind end of the panto horse that plays a prominent role in one of his West End shows. Insiders say that McCoist’s present position as panto dame is about to come to an end as the southside Academy of Dramatic Dark Arts looks to install the Blood Brothers for their next performance…
31003
16:59 on 9 May, 2013
You’re lucky am away see the Doctor abboot ma back ….LOL
Kayal, 2 players worth a look. POSTED ABOUT 8 YESTERDAY OR DAY BEFORE.
Raul Jimenez
Eduard Vargas
WGS
17:04 on
9 May, 2013
Mowbray got relegated and got it. Coyle would get the job if it was available this summer. Fitted the criteria a couple of years ago and still does, young, ambitious, can work with little budget, media friendly (to the point of sychophancy).
As I said don’t think Lenny will leave so timing will then move Coyle from the equation, thankfully, as there will be numerous jobs available down south this summer
hen1rik
There will be no leg up for SevCo. Everything stays as it is from next season apart from the introduction of play offs between Div 1 + the SPL.
SevCo will be heading to East End Park next season :)
WGS
17:10 on
9 May, 2013
Nicklas Helenius would be worth a look (or Jozy Altidore).
Lovely blog Paulus
K33- posted yesterday if Coyle does not get the Wolves or Millwall job ,which is his level,i would fear the worst.
NL 5/1 from 16/1 Skybet
!!bada bing!!
17:21 on 9 May, 2013
NL 5/1 from 16/1 Skybet
Ex-Bookie on radio this morning saying it can take a bet of only£50 for a high street bookie to cut its odds.
So maybe not a lot of money going on NFL.
Many on here have taken grave exception with this before but I’m coming clean about downing bubbly pink rosé and LOVING IT. By the way, memory not serving me well, who is the red haired player who scored the goal for us to win the league about twelve years ago – was it the last game of the year ?
Can’t stop laughing @corsica1968 4h My new blog on RFC/Sevco charity: http://alzipratu.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/i-dont-do-walking-away/ …
jackie mac
17:28 on 9 May, 2013
Many on here have taken grave exception with this before but I’m coming clean about downing bubbly pink rosé and LOVING IT. By the way, memory not serving me well, who is the red haired player who scored the goal for us to win the league about twelve years ago – was it the last game of the year ?
You’ll find that the pink bubbly stuff can just be the perfect addition to ensure a great night. From experience anything bubbly can make a great night.
JACKIE MAC
Tommy Johnson?
Tommy Johnston scored 7/4/2001 v st mirren to win league mon first season
CAN I HAVE RASPBERRY ON THAT….
Starting wi the Jungle Pomagne-warm,of course,due to how I smuggled it in.
jackie mac
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Johnson_(footballer_born_1971)
BLANTYRE TIM
Those meds are slowing you down,old bean-but they’re working wonders for your memory!
Kayal33 –
saw your team of not-the-best-Celts earlier and have to say i think you’re being a bit harsh on Willo Flood. He will forever be linked to that infamous non-spending January window prior to us losing the league. But, honestly, I thought that he did absolutely fine for us and still does a decent job for Dundee Utd.
Honestly, there have been hundreds worse than we Willo (IMO)..
BMCUW
Mini BT first birthday..
Have a pick of her with treble and the big cup taken not long after…
BT
Guid tae see ye postin’ regularly.
Hope yer well on the mend.
Hail Hail
Teuchter ár lá
Cheers teuchter
Just off phone from doc requesting stronger meds.
re Brattback,
was there not a story at the time that he had a bump in the eye that led to poorer vision on oneside for part of that season, leading to misconnecting with balls coming in from the left.
He missed loads like that.
might just be a myth
i mean he mythed hunners
BLANTYRE TIM
Wow,no blinkin’ way she was gonna be allowed to tell you she didnae like fitba’!
Well done,mate. We have my niece upholding the family traditions,though she sometimes needs a wee bit of bribery on colder days…..
Thanks ghuys OK ya
Guys I have just received an e mail from Scottish Water
re the collapsed sewer outside Celtic Park it says that
they have until 31/5/2013 to finish the work.
Nobeforetimecsc
Sorry if already posted :))
This is Clever. :) #Dynamite http://fansagainstcriminalisation.blogspot.co.uk/ #FAC Please RT
Till later all
livibhoy
Singing from the same hymn sheet, agreed.
Watched both, were great players.
Much like Mark MCGee….. Tommy Coyne
They got there, eventually
Raspberry
Never seen it that way but on mature reflection , very true
anyone having problems getting into twitter because of Captcha?
Via twitter.
Dunfermline signing ban until 2014? Interesting that their’s runs just now, whereas Rangers’ didn’t start till after the start of the season
excathedra44
16:19 on 9 May, 2013
GerryBhoy
16:04 on
9 May, 2013
Moyes just been confirmed by MUFC as MUFC manager with a 6 year deal, according to SSN
————————————————————————————
A mistake in my view,cannot believe with the amount of talent available they have appointed a non achiever albeit a nice enough guy.
Not that I really care.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////
I happen to believe, given what I have observed in the EPL over many years,
that Moyes has the qualities to enhance MUFC. He has, in his way, excelled
at Everton given a relatively small budget. He has bought well, consistantly had his team in the top 8 or so, is a tough guy with a lot of knowledge and IMO (famous last words!!) he will do a great job.
HH
Gerry
Wouldnt surprise me if Alex Ferguson chooses Neil Lennon and his management team to replace Moyes at Everton. Fergie seems to rate him highly enough.
Teuchter
Offending tooth removed, pain over!
Liked your post.
It was really really annoying, in fact , of Sevconian proportions.
On the subject of the ‘ smell the glove’ game , I’m certain I spoke to you when u called the hall.
Would like to hear a recording of that conversation !!!
What chance of understanding what either was saying , given the fact we were blootered?
Hail Hail bro.
ten men won the league
17:14 on 9 May, 2013
hen1rik
There will be no leg up for SevCo. Everything stays as it is from next season apart from the introduction of play offs between Div 1 + the SPL.
SevCo will be heading to East End Park next season :)
Good Good I’m happy :)
Teuchter
Ps when I said it was really annoying, I meant my tooth, not your post!
Are Celtic looking for a new manager?
I thought we had one!
Until I hear anything in that regard I will continue to give NFL my full support.
HH!!
No way NFL at Everton, wrong coloured shirt for him for a start!!
NFL fits us perfectly.
We are all Neil Lennon