With an eye on the interesting weeks and months that lie ahead, this month’s issue of CQN Magazine is titled Fit and Proper, as we investigate some of the goings-on in the game. To give these times some perspective, we take you back to 1994, when our own club was on the verge of collapse. It’s all there, including video of the legendary “Cambuslang is a reality”!
Celtic was rescued and rebuilt by the collective action of thousands of ordinary supporters, the active planning of a small number and the icy focus of Fergus McCann. Fergus had his critics, and we recall some of the conflict here, but as Shakespeare said, “Cometh the hour, cometh the man”. He was unquestionably the right man to relieve the old board of their duties.
This was an important time in our history so we’ll take any excuse to relive, recall and read over those times. Nor do we make any excuse for our alert focus on events elsewhere.
The story of other parts of Scottish football is important to us as we will have a roll in its future. Celtic fans must be aware of the issues and be ready to voice their opinions should an opportunity come for clubs, the SPL or SFA to made a decision on how to pick up the pieces after a serious financial crisis at one or more clubs. We cannot be asleep when the hour arrives.
There is tons more of the usual fare in the magazine, including analysis of our January signings, fans’ stories, a look back at our 65-year-old Polish heritage and some of the reasons why there may be a million football clubs in the world, but there’s only one Celtic.
Hope you enjoy it. Thanks to everyone who has contributed or worked on it.
You can order a hard copy now with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to the rest of the known universe. Click on the link below to order.
Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.
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Tontine Tim says:
7 February, 2012 at 22:53
Thanks for giving me the background information.
Who the effin DJ?
just cos its funny –
CW.
royston vasey ?
local club for local people
http://willievass.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/050212-Rangers-v-Dundee-Utd/G0000JRBeeyKp2nY/I00003DLvTGY5NUE
That edition of the magazine with Whyte’s weird coupon on the cover will become a collectors item, heralding as it does the hunz demise & featuring their very own version of General Custer.
AS one junky said to the other junky. I think ma needles stuck, I think ma needles stuck, I think ma needles stuck, I think ma needles stuck, FFS
Celtforlife,
your right,
I should have had th headphones handy, because this always happens and I should be used to it by now, neither should I be babysitting.
That’ll no happen again.
Paul67
Please remember when posting “new article posted” to add a wee disclaimer…
“Canamalar??? Are you there??? Might be a bit noisy too! Can you take your pc put the weans room???”
Canamalar
I’ve asked Paul67 to connect to Doris Day when your IP hits in future.
:o))))))))))))))))
TAL PMSL
MWD
quadbhoy..,
I think you’ll find there was an “if” , your no a lawyer are you
Come on P give us a break!! We got the message!!
Ceasar67,
just turn the page or mute or find another site, seems to be the message
.
Scott Brown looks to give Celtic the last laugh against Hearts
Man of the moment: Scott Brown was named January’s player of the month
Photo: REUTERS
By Roddy Forsyth
Last Updated: 8:20PM GMT 07/02/2012
When they stroll on to the pitch for an early look at their surroundings at Tynecastle on Wednesday night it will take a feat of recall for Neil Lennon and his players to evoke the circumstances of their previous visit this season.
That was when it was a toss-up if Celtic could squander league points faster than the trees could shed the last of their autumn leaves.
In fact, their 2-0 defeat by Hearts back on Oct 2 represents the last time Celtic have tasted defeat in a domestic competition – 19 fixtures in all.
The team’s circumstances have been transformed so radically that the manager is not unhappy to have his players reminded that no prizes have yet been delivered to the Parkhead trophy cabinet.
“I think you are always walking a tightrope with that because you are only one adverse result away from people saying they are not mentally strong enough,” said Lennon.
“Over the last couple of years I think the players have shown they can cope with the big games and the pressure and with being behind and with being ahead, so I’ve no real worries.
“Anything can happen in a game of football but their concentration level has pleased me – it’s been very, very good – and the confidence, without being over-confident, has manifested itself in the way they’re playing as well.”
Mental toughness is rarely — if ever — encountered without its physical equivalent and both have been evident in Celtic’s performances in recent weeks, albeit that the side is not the finished article. “I don’t know if I’ve instilled that or if the players themselves have realised what it takes to go that step further,” said Lennon.
“I think it’s collective. Scott Brown is very important in that as well. They’re still a young side but they’ve coped very, very well so far.”
Mention of his captain — who on Tuesday collected his award as SPL player of the month for January — usually animates Lennon and to mark the occasion, the Hoops manager was generous when he compared Brown’s strengths as a player with his own.
“In terms of personality I think he’s got more attributes than I had in terms of his running power and his eye for a goal,” said Lennon.
“I’m just very pleased with how he has progressed in the role he has been given. You never please everybody all the time. Even in the team I played in, probably the only exception would have been Henrik, but I certainly think Scott’s making people think again.
“In the interim period, when I took over from Tony Mowbray, he was absolutely fantastic and you don’t lose that. He had injury problems with the ankle but he’s pain free now and you don’t lose what you have.
“He’s a fantastic athlete as well. Watching the game against Inverness at the weekend again last night I hadn’t realised how well he played. He was even better than I’d thought.
“I think he conducts himself very well on the park. His disciplinary record this season is fantastic. I’m not sure how many bookings he’s got, if any.
“In terms of his discipline on the park, it’s never been an issue for me. He was a little bit hot-headed earlier in his career but we all were.
“I think he has matured a lot quicker than most people have done. I think he’s had to, with the responsibility of the armband.
“He’s a tough boy. He’s mentally tough, he’s physically tough. He’s not dirty. He gives a few verbals here and there but only when he’s provoked.”
Brown was certainly provoked near the end of the 2-0 Scottish Cup victory over Caley Thistle on Saturday, when Richie Foran struck him with an elbow which was missed by the officials and TV cameras, although not by many of the spectators. However, the Celtic captain revealed that his lack of protest had not been totally voluntary.
“I couldn’t speak – he got me in the throat,” said Brown. “That was the only reason I didn’t react, but it’s part and parcel of the game.”
It is no coincidence that Brown’s renaissance has coincided with freedom from the persistent ankle injury which has now been overcome by the insertion of a pin in the vulnerable area and the midfielder admitted that it had been some time since he felt as healthy as he does now.
“That was probably when I first signed and when I got player of the year for Celtic,” he said.
“I was injury free for the whole season. I was sharper and I’d got a good run of games in and I felt fit but then it [the ankle injury] was always there. No matter what happened I couldn’t get rid of it.
“I went for the operation and it was still there but once I got the screw in it everything has been ideal — touch wood.”
When it was suggested that some might suppose Brown to be making excuses for a period of indifferent form, he was as quick to tackle the suggestion as he is an opponent. “I’m not making excuses – I still played,” he retorted.
“I tried to give everything I had — I just wasn’t as sharp as I should have been. I should maybe have had a little more rest but I was eager to come back.
“Everyone in their career has a downturn. Coming back from ankle injury after ankle injury was quite hard.
“I just enjoy playing for the club, I enjoy the supporters and my team mates and I enjoy the manager. It’s a great place to be and I don’t think I’d want to be anywhere else.
“When I came back at first it was kind of niggly but now that I’ve got the screw in it’s solidified everything and it just feels brilliant now.”
One of Wednesday evening’s entertainments will be the proximity of Brown and the equally combative Ian Black, hard man of the Hearts midfield.
“I played with him at under-13s and under-14s at Hibs till he went down to Blackburn — he’s a good player and he’s one of the rocks in the centre of midfield at Hearts just now,” said Brown, who anticipated the usual prompt and response between the pair.
“It’s just part and parcel of the game — a wee kick here and a wee kick there — and you have a laugh afterwards.”
To be sure, if Celtic extend their current form with another win this evening, they will be that much nearer having the last and most satisfying guffaw of all.
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Celtic don’t need a strong Rangers, says Neil Lennon
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Summa
DavieL says:
7 February, 2012 at 22:47
i honestly believe the demise of rangers is our opportunity for our club to move forward and to build an infustructure which will take us to another level for the next 100 years.
murray’s biggest failure, in my humble opinion, was the way he spent investment, very poorly, instead of increasing revenue from projects as stated below he filled players pockets. the 40 million Joe Lewis, deal being a case in point, from a first block in building a new international leisure business, 150-bedroom hotel and sports bars development at Ibrox, and establish a new player development centre with training facilities. not one thing was developed and revenue remained static.
celtic can learn from murphy’s failures, I would argue we need to take forward the celtic triangle stage by stage. celtic need to improve the environment around celtic park and need to redevelop the old london road school to include a mega store, a sports bars, a cafe and a restaurant.
we also need to develop a further;
celtic’s owned 1 x 150 bedroom hotel, 1 x sports bar, 1 x times restuarant, 2 x cafe, 5 x football food store, 2 times small celtic store outlets, 1 x public gym and other entertainment facilities etc… lennoxtown castle etc… could also be developed to offer different types of hotel settings etc… to increase income further.
all of which costs money and a lot of it. celtic may need to;
sell off some of the land in the celtic triangle area
all of the barrowfiield training ground land (old and new)
use all prize money (european competition)
reduce squad size
sell prize assets when very good offers are made only 25% to 50% available to reinvested in squad.
all of which can be done over the next 5 years as ranger’s and other clubs are not in a position to financially challenge celtic even in the event that we have a smaller squad with more young players getting their chance, it seems to be working well right now.
so why now?
no need for any short term pain as everyone in the leagues is suffering from a lack of money, even with vast investment in the celtic triangle we should still be able to win well.
commonwealth games and other competitions coming to the celtic park area, higher levels of daily travel in this area.
the redevelopment and repopulation of the surrounding areas opens up more opportunities for income.
the first phase will generate income as soon as it opens to the public
celtic park can become a more easily accessible and friendly place to visit and spent time and money
increase revenue generated due to increased opportunity
we have a good young team right now and could afford to sell ki for 8 million to start the first steps without weakening the team
we have 7 or so players leaving in the summer so will have reduced outgoings and we could sell guys like mcginn, mccourt etc without to muhc hassle.
lets not make the same mistakes as murray
celtic board make this happen and well be laughing for a long long time
Another interesting consequence of Newco Football Club entry into the SPL…
As I understand the existing rules….that’s RULES for the avoidance of doubt…in the event of a team going out of business….the last placed team in the SPL would not be relegated, the winners of SFL Division 1 would be promoted as normal.
If that RULE were to be re-written/circumvented it would result in the last placed team being relegated after all and the winners of SFL Division 1 replacing them.
I suspect that the second vote would be a formality and that either Dunfermline or Hibernian would not vote for their own relegation. A limited financial existance in the SPL would be infinitely more attractive than the 1st Division to both of these clubs, even with whatever reduced TV deal they may need to settle for.
Assuming Celtic would vote against circumvention of the RULES for Newco FC, their prospects of direct entry seem remote to me.
Throw Vladimir Romanov into the mix (if Hearts haven’t complicated further for Rangers by beating them across the finishing line) and there is no chance of Newco FC being admitted as a direct entry.
The masonic network will not reach Dermot Desmond, Lithuania or indeed the self preservation needs of the 12th place club.
Yo Ho Ho, Here We Go,
When the Taxman comes, it’s CHEERIO,
Bye Bye Rangers
You can shout about your great defenders,
You can sing about your no surrender,
Yo Ho Ho, Here We Go,
When the Taxman comes, it’s CHEERIO,
Rangers….BYE BYE
Evening all, I was on the 7.55pm Flybe flight from Manchester to Glasgow tonight. When the plane came to a stop they switched on a kind of French Cafe version of, ‘I just cant get enough’! Good to be home! :o) Hail hail, sTICks
Anybody seen this new blog, the guy writes like he cares, a tad too late, what a shame :>)
Worth a look
I think you’ll find there was an “if” , your no a lawyer are you
Thankfully not. I was being facetious though. I have done the same with my bairn nearby also so I can get why it grinds your gears. I didn’t think you were really listening to music; I figured you would just moan about hypothetical situations for the sake of it.
You sure can type a lot quite quickly for a man trying to settle a baby though :]
QB
P.S. – Not your own bairn is it? I’ve been informed that you can’t call it baby sitting when they are your own!?!
.
MWD..
Talking of SmartAss iPhones.. We’re we..?
My iPhone on this site when I scroll down the Page goes back to the Top.. And the Banner with my Username gets stuck in the middle of the Screen..
Any ideas Buddi..??
It’s a iPhone 4 with iSO update thingy..
Thanks in Advance..
Summa
Actually Canamalar
On second thoughts.
Your IP will now strike up a hearty rendition of Follow Fo-o-ll-oooow
:-))))
We know that’s you fave.
MWD
Celtforlife, perhaps not.
Ceaser67, it would have been away ages ago, but someone didn’t ask nicely :-)
Sabre67
“If that RULE were to be re-written/circumvented it would result in the last placed team being relegated after all and the winners of SFL Division 1 replacing them. ”
Could they not circumvent the rule by preventing promotion – e.g. change the seating criteria again so that Ross County wouldn’t qualify?
QB
Summa
Mine used to do that. Not sure why but it resolved itself.
Not happened since 1690.
MWD
Hi Paul67,would it be ok to drop off prize for quiz night?
Hail Hail
jtsTICks says:
7 February, 2012 at 23:46
Nouvelle Vague?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SI6AKhRXUA
quadbhoy..,
I’ve no got any kids, and of course I moan about hypothetical situations this site is built on that.
as for typing with babe in arms, thats a dawdell till he strats to starfish then its a problem
So is it true there’s gonna be mare Huns in the away end at swine castle RA morra night than there wiz in the HUNbowel on Sunday?
MWD
Good Evening,
Great looking Magazine Paul. Well done indeed. I look forward to reading the opinions of other on the Great Whyte Dope– and the other features within.
On a separate note– a wee tune to make ya laugh- apologies if it has been posted before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3_hyBbvFZI
Lastly— I am of the view that the best of Cronin’s novels was The Green Years– although there are loads in there that run it close– The Citadel. The keys of the Kingdom, The Judas Tree and The Minstrel Boy.
Beyond that, tomorrow is another adveneture altogether!
HH
far from being a bad thing, rangers starting from the 3rd division would be a good thing for all concerned, it would seem
Canamalar
No one wants you to find another site, I for one dont miss any if your utterances, just stop being a grumpy old f@#%*r.
You’re worse than a women at times!!!
I come on here to get away from mine!
night all.
keep it lit.
TAL
Canamalar chin up and keep the posts coming
Paul, they’ve no idea the effort put in – believe me I know.
Now kiss and make up and we’ll watch history unfold, brothers in Celtic.
Hail hail, go on you Celts
Ah bliss!!!!
Bhoys! Bhoys! Bhoys!
Taggsy still has spaces for the quiz on Saturday.
Get your applications in nooooooo.
Cause it’s gonna be a night to remember. Oh ooo.
MWD
Stephbhoy,
I agree that investment is required in the infrastructure around CP to enhance the match day experience. The works being completed at the moment are the catalyst – the East End Regeneration Route and the Velodrome will make a huge difference.
The original plans for the new Lisbon Lions Stand had a 70 (from memory) bed hotel in them. I’m sure that the shell is there to accommodate a future hotel.
London Road School will make a fantastic museum and cafe, unfortunately licensing laws scupper bars that aren’t members only (67 Club) unless the laws are changed.
Agree though that we must look towards medium term self sustainability as well as ways to ensure that supporters continue to come to our games (and bring their kids). Enhanced facilities are a major step forward.
As for Rankers games legacy (if they still exist) – any truth in the rumour that the organising committee are looking at alternative venues for the rugby? ;-)
Hail! Hail!
DavieL
Celtforlife
Worse than a wumin.
First & Last time we met he was sitting in the Smiddy drinking a Guiness awe frocked up in wan o those big floral maternity numbers.
If a wiz a wee bit mare drunk (like 3 solid millennium worth of non stop alcohol slurping) I might even have asked him tae buy me a drink.
MWD
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
7 February, 2012 at 23:56
So is it true there’s gonna be mare Huns in the away end at swine castle RA morra night than there wiz in the HUNbowel on Sunday?
————————————-
AYE, some good intel from sources, that there is indeed going to be huns in the Celtic support tomorrow night, and a hun squad meeting before the game.
they either try to embarrass our name with some stunt, or get violent.
also trying to buy tickets.
———–
Night bhoys.
3 points the morra and it’s coming home, it’s coming home regardless…….
In Lenny I trust.
Take care at the swinecastle and god bless
HH
KTF
Celtforlife – no need for the insults towards Canamalar ;-)
Goodnight cqn
Ps Brth, drop me note when you get the chance.
Pps rubicon – I think I love you :-)))))))