Two years ago, current Inverness manager, John Hughes, was guest of honour at the CQN Golf Day. For around two hours during the meal he spoke privately to me about John Collins.
Hughes worked alongside Collins at Livingston and regarded our new assistant manager as the most insightful, tactically aware and innovative person he’d met in the game. According to Hughes, Collins could see things hidden to others, including himself. He could spot weaknesses in opposition teams and make telling observations about his own players and formations.
When recruiting anyone to the management team we want to hear endorsements like this. Most of the CQN demographic are old enough to remember times when managers’ and assistants’ most important attribute was their ability to bang his first on a table and yell “Get stuck right intae them” with a legendary level of authority.
This model of the desirable manager is still valued by British clubs, it’s a superstition which has been fed by famous and successful table bangers like Sir Alex Ferguson, but Ferguson’s Fist was not the source of his magic touch. More than anything else, Ferguson’s successful longevity was his insistence on appointing insightful, tactically aware innovators as assistants, who were often more switched-on than he was.
I wanted a student of the game as manager but I also want another strong tactical head as assistant. The last thing a manager actually needs as his assistant is his pal, or someone who is good at shouting, or even someone to be a buffer between him and the players. Whoever puts the cones out at Lennoxtown, like the Scottish physio at Chelsea, can be the players’ pal, cum-go-between, cum-nag.
One of football’s many inefficiencies is the managerial structure. Unlike other industries, the responsibility and wage gaps between the man with the top job and his assistant are huge. There is no reason for this, in fact, it’s mad. You always need a hierarchy but the no. 2 should have duties, responsibilities and pay only a fraction less than his immediate superior. The huge disparities in authority which are common do not give you a functioning team, at best you have a less efficient autocracy.
As we’ve said for years, guru managers don’t exist, but good, properly constituted, management teams do.
Those in the management team, responsible for spending millions of pounds of our money each year, of making tactical decisions against the best teams in Europe, need to be oracles of the game. Anything less and we’re indulging in one of football’s glaring and costly inefficiencies.
John Collins fits the profile. He also doesn’t suffer fools, with strong ideas on training, fitness, laxity, drinking, diet and off-field behaviour. For Celtic, all of this is necessary. Footballers are elite athletes but there is enormous variation in how dedicated they are to their personal development. This doesn’t exist in elite participants in sports like athletics, where you don’t get near the podium without a puritanical level of commitment to your development, and to your coach’s instructions.
You can also forget any concerns about Scott Brown. The Scott Brown of 2014, who as Neil Lennon’s captain was responsible for imposing misdemeanor fines on players, is more like John Collins than he is like the Scott Brown of 2007.
Over the last seven years we have built the sports science, medical, technical analysis and scouting capacity, all of which are particularly impressive, but the management team has always had a homespun feel about it. In 10 years of CQN I’ve never backed a Celtic management appointment, but with the appointment of Ronny Deila and John Collins we have a new type of management team. There are no guarantees of immediate success in any walk of life, and Champions League qualification this season will still be exposed to the vagaries of sport, but I’m delighted we finally have what looks like a properly constituted team in the dug out.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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TBJ
Earned his living in Catalan, now sneering and laughing at Spain. Is slimy Gaz a Catalan agent?
Gary67
21:53 on
18 June, 2014
The Spanish only have 5 x 30 something’s in their squad, the bulk will still be available for the Euros. Add those not there in Brazil, Thiago, Isco, Bartra, Caravalo, Deuolofeu and they’ll be one of the favourites.
They need an injection of pace and those in their mid 20s who have won everything their is to win need their desire back.
Very accurate summation Gary. Get some youth in that team via Isco, Deuolofeu and Koke with the likes of Iniesta (only just turned 30) and they’ll be a force at the Euros. Good to see someone else get a chance too!!
TBJ says Wee Oscar Knox is in heaven with the angels
22:06 on 18 June, 2014
Gerry bhoy
I read that report earlier of the chile fans breaking into the maracana … That’s when I posted the comment ” chile con carnage “
A tasty and timely comment :-)))
HT
On twitter now. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
thomthethim for Oscar OK
22:15 on 18 June, 2014
I think JC shares it! Am sure Ronny does too. Good times comin’ I think.
Gerry
ThomtheTim, we did, in 1967.
We strive to regain that level.
Rather than adopt that trend, think we set it.
Looking forward to see if Ronny and John can get us back to something like that level.
CQN World Cup update after Spain v Chile game and can I just say that the Lhadies are storming this tournament so far!
Group A
jeez_I_thought_blinker_was_pants 78
Republic of Fudgeland 74
BhoyWonder84 69
BADA BING 61
Bayern Bru 58
Group B
hmack 94
jamabhoy 88
FC Cortes 82
Murcia Super XI PaddyBhoy1888 81
angelGabriel 64
Group C
Jonny The Tim 77
MurdochauldandHay 77
Touched, by the hand of God 70
Stpatricksbhoy 59
Marspapa Clique 50
Group D
The Kidd’s 97
Evergreen 78
Stevenage Bhoy 78
TLK Deilaghts 78
Angola CSC 69
Group E
Celtic Rose 90
Clueless89 89
Lennybhoys Lions 78
BK Champion Elect 75
Dr Mengele’s Brazilian Beavers 67
Group F
googybhoy 89
Team Rocket 73
Giffnock Past(it) Masters 72
dim sam 68
Beenies beach bums 63
Group G
Bognor hoops 72
Sponsored by Cheetah 58
Ard Ri 54
celticrollercoaster 50
Vmhan’s Dunderheids 47
Group H
praecepta 88
Slabhoy – The only Way is Up 81
Kolncelt 78
BringBackBoruc 72
Dougies Donkeys 67
Group I
Minx 1888 92
Martybhoy59 74
BlantyreKev 72
Celtic 1967 70
Bobby Evans Superstar 63
Group J
Setting Free the Bears 76
MrsCRC knows her place 71
Kelvinbhoy’s EK Green and White Army 67
bognors chosen few 60
GuyFawkesaforeverhero 60
Group K
HT’s Heroes 78
Jobo Baldie 76
TravelBhoys From Brazil 69
uruguayforme 62
Token Tims Mwepu Illunga’s Free-kick Army 59
Group L
Geordie Munro 90
Cowiebhoys A B E 76
Doc 68
Bradbhoy 61
Hearthan 57
Wow some high points in the old predictor,
Doc I see your still lagging behind Geordie Munro and I :-)
So don’t be giving us any of your tips on the Celtic
Roaster
Evening Timland from a very warm and depressed hun free mountain valley.
I posted before Chile’s first game that given honest and fair refereeing, they along with Colombia were my dark horses, and both had a very good chance.
After seeing Chile destroy Spain tonight, they ain’t dark horses any more.
Del Bosque made a couple of glaring blunders, Costa shouldn’t have even been in the squad, no even 75% fit, what must Reina have been thinking, pig sick, had the game more than 2.5 goals, had a wee saver on Chile getting through tho >}
HH
Plank.
WeeFra
Heehee lookin gorgeous, bound to be a winner!!! :-)
The height of debate always goes up when CowieBhoy arrives:-)
Wish I was in group H, I would be top Bhoy :-)
An eight point lead!
We lag behind Geordie, not just I.
Bawsman
12:48 on
18 June, 2014
http://www.celticnewsnow.com/m/news/case-re-opened-please/95827
Paul, time to crank the heat up on this guy. Neck and blow torch doesn’t touch it.
How CAN he be in post!!!!!
I agree 100%.This whole episode was a farce.A slap in the face to every team that played fairly,and to justice.
We must take this charlatan to task.A brilliant different slant to the scandal.
My God she’s going to be unbearable!!!! :-(
Hamiltontim
22:27 on
18 June, 2014
WeeFra
Heehee lookin gorgeous, bound to be a winner!!! :-)
………………..
I take it for granted you two are talking about a good looking Tup ?
braw
best of luck Weefra
Weefra, I flew into Edinburgh tonight,
My goodness some amount of motor homes and caravans for the show.
Going to be busy, as also plenty of cattle trucks
TET
Del Bosque + set up + a lack of visible cohesion = out!
But I’ve roared my heart and soul into that team over the past few years – and been rewarded
But – I would genuinely state that all of Spain need to scour all of Spain for good, solid defenders…
because since Carlos went off the scene??????
Doc, correct me if wrong, but top 2 go through,early days :-)
Naw ye widnae!
neustadt-braw
No. The Boy Jinky :-)
CowieBhoy, ehm, I’m not so up to date, ask CRC, he has been on his own for the most part with this, fine job he is doing. Hectic at present.
CRC, anything needing done?
Only a fool would predict the winner of the World Cup …….. I predict that it will not be Spain.
neustadt-braw
22:31 on 18 June, 2014
Hamiltontim
22:27 on
18 June, 2014
WeeFra
Heehee lookin gorgeous, bound to be a winner!!! :-)
………………..
I take it for granted you two are talking about a good looking Tup ?
braw
best of luck Weefra
HT
He is looking good. :-))
Braw
He’s no oors, we just looked after him since january. :-))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Iki, you sure about that?
Bold!
Cowiebhoy
I’ll bet it’s chock a block tomorrow. :-)
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Gerrybhoy, doc,
That was me being subtle and witty.
Must try harder!
I think there will be one or two of our players talking to their agents.
If VVD is still with us, I think he will need to shed a few kilos from his Netherlands !
Oh aye, and we brought awe his weans into the world. :-)))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Dr Mengele happy with his 67 ;-) but must do better, bring it on!
Chile best team I’ve seen so far
Got their act together after Cahill tormented them against Australia
Can we sign Cahill by the way
Good keeper too
Hail Hail
ThomtheTim, that was me being thick and slow, point well made.
Hamiltontim
22:34 on
18 June, 2014
neustadt-braw
No. The Boy Jinky :-)
…………………
:) braw ………….
there was always a bus for the 6th years to the Royal Highland Show from the toon,getting a forbidden pint at the beer tents ,a braw day oot …
Ha ha! WGS,as always, telling it like it is. Hoddle suggests England team for tomorrow with Gerrard as only holding midfielder. Wee GS says: ‘that team’s ok, as long as Uruguay play with no attackers. That’s a more attacking team than you ever picked when you were the manager! ”
Refreshingly honest.
doc,
Don’t beat yourself up over it.
I was young myself once ! …….and heading in that direction again!! : >)
Both my daughters are delighted with Ronny n Johnny. Much better lookin than sleekit and zombie duranty. X
Doc- easy to maintain at mo.
Away from home as well, so will catch up soon
Cowiebhoy- top 2 and 6 best 3rd place go through to WC Premier League ( latter stages) and remainder go into WC Championship
Scores also zero in latter stage.
HH
CRC
Ps Caityrollercoaster top of group E at mo.