Martin O’Neill called Daizen Maeda “Larssonesque” last week, how could the manager predict that our Japan forward would inspire our Scottish Cup win by recreating Larsson’s lob over Stefan Klos into the same Hampden net, some 24 years later? Kids, Daizen is not Henrik, Henrik was one of the world’s great strikers of his day, but there are few in the modern game who can match Daizen in what the player excels at.
His cube-like frame is less Larsson, more Maradona. He can lean into an opponent, hold off a challenge, and control the area around him very reminiscent of the Great One. So many players find their career options limited because they do not have the height often required by clubs. Daizen uses this limitation to great effect by exploiting the corresponding low centre of gravity. Even giants cannot roll him.
The other two goals were scored by players so badly missed due to injury for long periods this season. Celtic kicked on towards the league title and then Scottish Cup when Arne Engels and Kelechi Iheanacho returned to fitness. Their goals were a timely reminder of what we missed for much of the season and how we benefited from their return.
Martin O’Neill had the worries of the world on his shoulders when he walked around Hampden after seeing his Celtic team beat Dundee United to win the Scottish Cup in 2005. It was not a joyous time for our iconic manager, or indeed the support. It remains inconceivable that we have seen him back in the role he was so loved for, never mind what has actually been achieved. These are remarkable times to be a Celtic supporter. Enjoy them (as though you needed encouragement).
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HH
Looks like a few hangovers out there.
Well deserved.
Double winners ………
SPIKEYSAULDMAN
From last article . Didn’t know that about Bloom . Great big no from me . There are other cleaner alternatives .
https://x.com/clairet13274488/status/2058548536875110485?s=48&t=pLERKYVBy2vfK2Cym_B3Tw
Campaign to have 65 retirement age reinstated
A truly remarkable end to the season and I’m absolutely delighted for Martin O’Neil.
Fairytale stuff.
Ideally , we need a manager in this week . A Herculean task lies in front of us . Other than Martin (if he’s agreeable) any other appointment will take weeks we can’t afford .
Engles has been absolutely outstanding since returning to the side. Martin has not lost a game in which Arne has played during both spells this season.
So much of his work goes unnoticed. He is a tremendous worker and constantly puts pressure on opponents, allowing them no time on the ball. He is also a very intelligent player for a 21 year old and understands how to manage and control games.
His technical level is also improving.
I honestly think Arne has a very high ceiling in the game.
Credible sources in Germany believe he has many suitors and will move this summer. He will be a huge loss.
wonder who wanted Arne & Kelechi ?
Just when things are looking up Wee Mr. Jimmy Krankie admits embezzling £420,000.
Things now look even ‘upper’.
I mean no one could be expected to notice that your husband had just bought a £124,000 motorhome or a £33,000 Volkswagen Golf or, even a £57,000 Jaguar.
But, what about
Two Bremont watches – £9350
Three Nintendo 3DS handheld consoles – £350
PlayStation 3 console – £247
Games including FIFA, Battlefield, the Sims, Grand Theft Auto and Pac Man
Chopsticks set – £102
Timberland men’s loafers – £100
Men’s “slouch pouch” onesie – £76
Ideal Standard toilet seats – £67
Spice rack and pepper grinder – £47
Goldfish Chinese takeaway curry sauce paste – £12
Staples – £4?
She must have noticed the staples.
I’m sure there’s a face painter in there.
What a feckin joke.
“any other appointment will take weeks we can’t afford”
Which would be true if we hadn’t spent the last four months refining our options and setting up the new appointment, plus supporting and directing roles, like every other outfit that aspires to be world class in everything it does, would do.
No, really. Honest.
FacePalmCSC
In other news . Panty wetting season is in full swing.
Martin you’re immortal
🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪 🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾
Hail Hail
Most A & B Class managers and perhaps some C, will now wait until the World Cup is over before placing their bets. Surely we have someone in the wings waiting to come in. It’s not Martin for me, though I do think he should have some sort of role in the club, if he wants it. Hopefully we can find a manager needing to reinvent himself again, like BR. Could that be Thomas Frank, though his football philosophy is more akin to counter attacking, not something that would work up here! Or perhaps, like Motherwell, find a gem and give it a good polish, but you see what happens if it sparkles after right good buffing, (©Frankie Howard ) por cierto.
Wow ! I’d almost forgotten about CQN’s very own Punch and Judy show .
POR CIERTO
Dear Supporter,
After yet another long hard exhaustive recruitment process, Shaun Maloney proved to be the outstanding candidate already right here in the Celtic Park building under our very own noses. He’s benefitted from a masterclass in tutelage under St.Martin O’Neill whom we wish to thank once again just for being the wonderful person he is, lifting us when we were down, and bringing back the ̶T̶h̶u̶n̶d̶e̶r̶ bounce. Martin has agreed to stay on with Shaun for the coming months to help set up squad rebuilding, for the oncoming season.
Shaun, we also believe has an “ excellent eye for a player “ and will set Celtic onwards on the ahem… pathway of our successful club structure. We trust that our world class supporters look forward, to the forthcoming challenges and will get right behind our new wee manager.
Unsigned Wednesday 27/5/26
Not sure if Frank will be the same manager, without a brilliant structure that’s in place at Brentford, top class scouting, and player succession is second to none.We need a total revamp of the Football Department, not another season like last,cobbled together, yes we got there in the end,but that’s down to one man.
bournesouprecipe on 25th May 2026 12:49 pm
I don’t wether to laugh or greet, por cierto
From Alex’s Angle here on CQN ….
Re the fall out from Celtic being Champions
“Niagara of nonsense”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I think Sevco was mulling over a move for Shankland … then after his antics last week they realised that he was the man for them!!!
Celtic are Champions.
How good does that sound?
This most remarkable of title victories I have ever witnessed will EASILY sustain me through the silly season …
… which yesterday, had its earliest start in 15 years.
Special mention for you Paul B.
For the past two decades you’ve kept bringing it to this table.
6 times a week … like clockwork
Respect.
👏👏👏
Frank will surely have suitors in the Championship. Clubs with ambitions beyond their own city.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cx2136mx2m2o
No offence Phil, but don’t give up your day job
Oh wait !
Hacks (even talented and/or pleasant ones)
Dontcha just love ’em ?
Completely off track Bhoys, but CQN has delivered before.
I have some conservatory furniture (two seater couch, two armchairs) that are heading for the dump unless someone wants them. Charities a no-go because they do not have the flame-retardant labels. No money wanted, just looking for a new home for some excellent-condition furniture.
Would have to be uplifted as I don’t have a van. I’m in south East Kilbride, near Hairmyers.
Ave Ave
Vale Bhoy
Did she throw him under the motor home?
Can you imagine how “Larssonesque” Kyogo, Maeda, Kenny, Kelechi, etc would have been if they were played with a strike partner like Larsson himself was?
Back in the day because of injuries MON-1 was forced into playing Larsson up front on his own, and even he was dire, forcing MON-1 to play the untried, Craig Beattie as HL’s strike partner, without whom we wouldn’t have knocked Barcelona out of the Uefa cup in 2004.
There would have been no Lisbon Lion’s or 9 in a row if Mr Stein had played with one striker, two wingers, two attacking fullbacks, all standing waiting for Clarke, Murdoch, Auld, Simpson, all playing tippy tappy at the back.
A month into the Jock Stein era, and the JUNGLE would have been singing “Big Jock, Big Jock, GTF…..” and who would have blamed them?
We need realistic managers who’ll deploy a horses for courses approach, not the same boring piss in every game, which SPL managers have long sussed out, even by Russell Martin and wee Barry Ferguson ffs!
Happy Lisbon Lion day.
Possibly even clubs where if they achieve success they get backed and not eviscerated…..
Indeed,
Two spells as manager of Celtic 5 years and 5 months
11 major trophies 4 League titles 3 Scottish Cups 4 League Cups
I hope the next permanent Celtic manager, is as unsuccessful as Brendan Rodgers 👍
Andrea D’Angelo Serra
@llunacatalana4
Replying to @BorisYopo
“Guardiola has left the position at City to coach GAZA Fútbol Club.
He will do it for free, and he is honored and will have Klopp as second.
Will he be Champions League champion again?”
May 25, 2026 · 11:09 AM UTC
https://nitter.net/llunacatalana4/status/2058867987642265635#m
|
Don’t know how valid this?!
But can you imagine if it was true?!
WOW!!!!
Gary
Just spotted hhag.
Very good.
Cheers.
Gary
Just spotted that…even.
Very good.
Cheers.
Bloody phone.
Playing in a league which was a two horse race until one of the horses died from EBT poisoning in 2012 yet Tims hold street parties [ and make an utter erchie of them spoiled ass selves ] to celebrate winning a league vs teams who can hardly afford the bus fare to come and play us, yet all we hear is “Brendan wasn’t backed sufficiently” how much will be enough for Fraudgers?
If for example the thrifty duo of ex Celtic Heroes, Stephen Pressley, or heaven forbid, Big, Bold, Uppity, Shrewdy, Hunskelper, Mark McGhee, yes him again, interesting how the SPL/SFA/CIA/FBI/RUC/Orange/Order/Freemasons/etc kept him out of the Dundee dugout for nine of the twelve weeks that he was in charge to try to keep Dundee up, after tippy tappy Tony Doherty got the boot out of Dundee, and it was Utter Uppity Fenian Rebel McGhee who said right out of the blue that: “Dermot Desmond was correct to get rid of toxic Rodgers, or Rodgers would have replied by now”, very interesting input indeed, were these 2, Pressley or McGhee the Celtic manager, they would have won the same trophies as Rodgers with one, or, maybe two European trophies delivered as well whilst being Timmy Underdog Shock Troops, and a playing staff who would have learned a lot more than being tippy tappy robots! Imho.
Big Mark McGhee will save Timdumb CSC
Keep an eye on the Darren O’Dea Celtic Irish Hulk Hooped Hero!!!!
Happy daze!
Why does Super MON keep mentioning the Dundee Scottish Cup result?
What is he trying to make us look at?
MON is very cryptic as well too.
Hmmmmm?!
Paul67 – Thanks for everything you do. Enjoy the Summer and ‘see’ you in a couple months when the fun gets underway again.
Good luck to Scotland in North America. Thankfully I can watch these games with zero stress.
Good evening all from sunny Ruglen.
bournesouprecipe on 25th May 2026 1:41 pm
Indeed, Two spells as manager of Celtic 5 years and 5 months 11 major trophies 4 League titles 3 Scottish Cups 4 League Cups I hope the next permanent Celtic manager, is as unsuccessful as Brendan Rodgers 👍
*Considering he had less competition than MON, let’s hope the next one disnae dae a del shannon on us, “as I walk along I wonder what went wrong”.
Good article from P67.
I can still scarcely believe we won the league , let alone a double this year.
The players have been incredible in the post split games, especially Maeda who’s scored more post- split goals than anyone else from any team.
His overhead against Rangers and Osmand’s goal against Hearts ( two goals in the space of a week 1) are already , rightly, the stuff of legend.
1986 seems like yesterday. Those of still around in 40 years ( not me barring a miracle !) will be talking about this season with the joy and reverence that I and others who were there at Love Street still talk about that game.
I genuinely believe no other manager could have achieved what MON did for us this season.
Apart from anything else the humility of the man in coming back again is utterly remarkable.
Ps – Small point but Larsson’s chip was 2001 – 25 years ago , not 24.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NYcgmtZSiyk
PedantryCSC.
😉