The league was won by such a small margin and after so many tight games, it is possible to identify a dozen games and three times as many moments that can be considered crucial to the outcome. Not all of them by Celtic players.
Stephen Welsh’s 89th minute equaliser for 10-man Motherwell against Newco in February was one of them. Moments earlier Celtic scored an added-time winner against Livingston, while Newco led at Motherwell. That four-point swing kept Celtic hopes alive that the improbable was still possible.
Welsh featured in Motherwell’s post-split win at Ibrox and draw against Hearts, games which respectively removed Newco and Hearts from the position of bookies’ favourites for the title. As a Celtic player, he was unable to play in our 2-3 win at Fir Park last month.
Six years after making his Celtic debut, the player has been released from his contract a year early, with contract offers already on the table. The loan fee received from Motherwell, or expected for another year elsewhere, was not sufficient incentive to inhibit the player’s career or earning potential. Then there is the feeling that we owe him something.
Stephen’s loan to Motherwell was cut short when Celtic needed cover in January, but he returned to Lanarkshire after Benjamin Arthur arrived on load from Brentford. That decision looked curious at the time. Arthur was not as ready for action as Welsh, and we were potentially developing Brentford’s player, instead of our own. But Motherwell would have been weakened when playing our title rivals. It’s an interesting manifestation of the consequences of the loan market. Did it decide the title? Sure, along with +50 other decisions.
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The Irish Rover – The Dubliners & The Pogues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAEFKjqPtlU&list=RDMM
U2 – Ordinary Huns (Live on The Wee Willie Winkie Show)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fum3g86zUPc&list=RDMM&index=24
Mixed Up Everything – My Hero (Daizen Overheed Session)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ghXghqUL70&list=RDMM&index=25
Mumford & Sons – I Will Wait (danny rohl Session)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elhmBFePdDs&list=RDMM&index=26
Simple Minds with Sinéad O’Connor – Belfast Child (Night Of The KevJ)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6J_doDqglM&list=RDMM&index=27
James – Getting Away With It (Live on The Wee Willie Winkie Breakfast Show with The Refs, Libelous Mix)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIuwp5PWlk8&list=RDMM&index=34
Nirvana – All Apologies (Live On MTV Unplugged, 1993 / Nancy, Unforgiven 7″, 1 At thE bAck mIx)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsB8A3Todo&list=RDMM&index=28
Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze Of Glory (Laugh At Hearts Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o&list=RDMM&index=41
Jon Bon Jovi – Blaze Of Glory (Laugh At Hearts Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o&list=RDMM&index=41
Miley Cyrus – The Tavpen Sessions – “Jolene” (All Apologies Remix, Never twigged for Nirvana Unplugged)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOwblaKmyVw&list=RDMM&index=31
Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look God on the Dancefloor (Henke Sessions)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-wwK5QVv1Y&list=RDMM&index=27
“While The SPL Gently Weeps” Prince, Tom Petty & More | Anyone But Celtic Induction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWRCooFKk3c&list=RDMM&index=13
From an anonymous Celtic historian
What happens if “the board” whoever the f…that may be (as it honestly doesn’t matter) appoints Keane and then “the collective” organises the throwing of tennis balls on to the pitch to the extent that a game is cancelled or games (plural) can simply not be played?
What happens after say three or four games if the board (whoever the f… they are – it honestly doesn’t matter) bin Keane and the blessed Martin takes over again?
Does that right the ship?
Does that solve the problem?
Is that ok?
Over the last few hours, maybe longer, I have been wrestling with this issue in my head, heart and soul and, frankly, I find myself falling deeper and deeper into the same pool of thought.
If, and I stress the if, I can’t be convinced of Robbie Keane’s stance on working with the Israeli Club and all it stands for, and if, armed with the same knowledge and information, the board of Celtic football club (whoever the f… they are – it doesn’t matter) stand by and allow him to manage that football club at the behest of “The owner” – then that club, that board, that owner are simply not for me and never will be – even if they appoint Francis of Assisi and the Good Samaritan to take over from Keane.
I think Celtic is, and should be, de facto finished if Keane is appointed and anyone attends – even to throw tennis balls.
I also believe that there are other factions at play within Celtic Park who would promote such actions for their own purposes. They too are an issue but not on the same scale as Keane.
The more I think about it, the more the issue troubles me to the very core.
The issue is not so much about Celtic as about me, maybe each and every one of us, and our own personal stance.
I would not visit a supermarket, a retailer, construction company or any other type of enterprise where they openly employed a senior figure who in anyway supported what was happening in Gaza, the West Bank and in the name of the state of Israel.
Millions within Israel and Millions of People of the Jewish faith pray for an end to this murderous and inhumane regime and irrespective of sport or anything else they need the support of all decent human beings far more than any football club – even Celtic.
I wouldn’t pay to enter any cinema complex, theme park, concert venue or the likes just to watch or even support some dissidents disrupt proceedings by throwing tennis balls or making some other kind of protest whilst at the same time giving that organisation money.
I think I would have to withdraw my support altogether, unconditionally, without qualification or the right to pick and choose.
If this board (whoever the f… they are – and it doesn’t matter) don’t understand the ethos of Celtic, the platform that Celtic was built on, supposedly stands for and essentially “sells” to its fans, season ticket holders and shareholders – then they were never Celtic men in the first place.
I have long held the view that the history of the club and Walfrid has been fabricated, rewritten to suit and is, frankly, shameful.
Many who are lauded for their role in the history of Celtic are no heroes in my eyes.
They, and their families, saw an opportunity to make big money out of Walfrid’s initial vision of doing good, and within a few short years all the charitable ambitions and the whole raison d’etre of the founding fathers was hijacked in favour of personal profit for the few.
In my view, that is an uncomfortable truth never to be spoken of by historians and biographers.
Within the Celtic fan base there has always been a charitable, moral and rebel element.
Those qualities have lived among the fanbase for decades, and they have prevailed and flourished to the extent that via the foundation and other fan organisations, Celtic does a lot of good in official and unofficial ways.
That element has risen and been encouraged substantially under DD’s watch in particular.
So it is very very hard to reconcile the promotion and appointment of Keane with my view of what Celtic is, could be, should be and must be for the club to remain anywhere near true to its roots and to what it has stood for over the years.
All sorts of areas of club and fan activity need addressed but this is a fundamental which can’t be resolved by way of a few tennis balls and a change of heart thereafter.
I absolutely believe that Robbie Keane has the right to explain himself, his decisions and to defend the choices he personally made – and if appointed or even thought of as being a potential manager – he should be given that opportunity.
However, if he is appointed and his stance is neither palatable nor convincing then I’m afraid new (tennis) balls, new manager or anything close would not right such a wrong.
My apologies to anyone if what I say above sounds holier than thou.
If I were on the board or asked to advise the board I would counsel very strongly against his appointment.
If I were a Celtic employee at the time of any such employment, I genuinely feel I might have to resign as a consequence of any such appointment.
As a customer I wouldn’t attend at all.
At the moment I buy no Merch (nor any replica Merch of any kind as I done believe in the unofficial channels) and the only money the club gets is my season ticket payments (full price) and any Paradise Windfall purchases.
Next year, I would get a Pensioners discount, but a discount from an institution you can’t really support any longer isn’t a discount at all.
I want real change at Celtic park. My ideas of change will likely not curry favour with many as I believe there are issues that need tackled head on and bluntly.
However, if Keane is appointed those other issues would be of little or no concern going forward.
Good morning all.
The legendary Willie Maley creed, famously associated with the first manager of Celtic Football Club, is simply: “It’s not the creed nor his nationality that counts. It’s the man himself.”
The video below is the man who Robbie Keane is, I cannot accept the man Robbie Keane who happily sits with the those who are carrying out a heinous genocide within Palestine and beyond cheering with and backslapping soldiers committing despicable war crimes is unacceptable, I speak for myself Robbie Keane can GTF and once he gets there keep going Robbie
https://x.com/1185City/status/2061969779968123237?s=20
Waiting till season tickets have been bought, gambling on what is clearly considered as just “noise” that will die down after a few months into the season is grotesque corporate insensitivity of deeply held convictions on humanity and opposition to an ongoing genocide within the Celtic fanbase, “The Owner” and his corporate puppet board can GTF also
https://x.com/BloodySundayT/status/2062224906612306179?s=20
Bloody Sunday Trust@BloodySundayT
The story of Bloody Sunday and the families’ fight for justice comes to Glasgow Film Theatre on Sunday 7 June.
Bookings:
https://glasgowfilm.org/movie/the-day-innocence-died-bloody-sunday-and-the-fight-for-justice/
https://x.com/ConnollySociety/status/2061839369032356140?s=20
CS@ConnollySociety
Jun 2
Friday.
https://jamesconnollysociety.com/join-us/
Fine essay LR67.
Appointing r.k would be a nightmare.
HH
AN TEARMANN on 4TH JUNE 2026 6:42 AM
Fine essay LR67.
Appointing r.k would be a nightmare.
Each individual will do as their conscience allows, I have paid for my season ticket in full but won’t support Robbie Keane
There are many other candidates out there time for “The Owner” to reconsider
An Tearmann & Lionsroar67
In the words of Michael Jackson….they don’t care about us
HeeHeeCSC
HH
“‘FSR for Hoops’ sessions in The Monty will be packed out this summer”
Genuine LOL at that. And no harm to the tutor.
SAINT STIVS on 3RD JUNE 2026 11:58 PM
why was desmond at celtic park for the hearts title play off game ?
He’s a glory hunter ,play Barcelona in the CL,play Lazio and get an audience with the Pope,front and centre.Play Braga in the Europa League, he’s playing golf…..he’s actually been at the Dunhill Cup golf in Perthshire,and can’t be arsed going to a game ,or attending an AGM ,when he’s actually in the country.
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNR77K2U4/
Brilliant…
Auldheid on 4th June 2026 12:34 am
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Re your pal from JL days, was that Paul? I bumped into someone from Uddingston in Brian’s Bar in January who said Paul had moved away from Benalmadena. Used to chat/drink with him in JL and around there. Last time I spoke direct with him was a couple of monhs after he had been unwell. If you are in contact with him, pass on my best. He should remember my son and me from JL and after that McCann’s before things went a bit awry there.
Good morning CQN
Another fine day to be a Celt.
Auldheid – shame about John Lemons
My favourite memory of watching Celtic there was the 2019 League Cup Final.
Happy days.
Auldheid, should have said – Ben and James from EK. How can you say someone is asking for them without giving a name, doh! He gave Ben his JL sweepstake ticket for a game one day because he drew the referee. Game ended 0-0, Ben won but Paul refused to take the money back. Great guy if we are talking about same person
MON day Thursday ? 🙏
Happy feast of Corpus Christi
From. The national
https://x.com/i/status/2062471874982875484
HH
Bada Bing
Dunhill Cup takes place in Fife and Angus. Not Perthshire. DD usually stays at the Old Course Hotel along with all Johan Rupert’s top business guests.
The new article will be up at noon.
A club for all
Yeah right.
As long as you pile on with a narrative peddled and magnified by some pond life parasite bloggers.
What a name dropper 😂
He sold them a few crates of Grants out the back of his van obviously.