From Stein to Deila in the League Cup

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Jock Stein won his first five League Cups as Celtic manager (no pressure, Ronny) but in the 43 years since we’ve won the trophy only eight times, including yesterday.

There has been a bit of chat that the Treble is a bit easier since Rangers were liquidated, but, if you know your history, you’ll know that’s not really borne out by the facts.

We’ve won three of the last 10 League Cups and lost to Rangers once but the six other defeats in that period have come at the hands of the likes of Morton, St Mirren and Kilmarnock.  What’s more, Falkirk, Hearts (twice) and Morton all knocked us out at Celtic Park.  We haven’t actually lost an away game in the League Cup for over a decade.  25 of our 35 defeats since Stein’s five-in-a-row have come to teams other than Rangers.

Here is a list of our eventual outcomes in the League Cup, winners or those who eliminated us:

2014-15 Winners
Morton
St Mirren
Kilmarnock
Rangers
Hearts
2008-09 Winners
Hearts
Falkirk
2005-06 Winners
Rangers (November 2004 Celtic’s last away defeat in the League Cup)
Hibs
Rangers
Rangers
2000-01 Winners
1999-00 Winners
Airdrie
1997-98 Winners
Hearts
Raith Rovers
Rangers
Aberdeen
Airdrie
Rangers
Aberdeen
Dundee United
Aberdeen
Rangers
Hibs
Dundee United
Rangers
1982-83 Winners
St Mirren
Dundee United
Aberdeen
Rangers
St Mirren
Aberdeen
Rangers
1974-75 Winners
Dundee
Hibs
Partick Thistle
Rangers

At the 40th anniversary of Lisbon I wrote about the 1965-66 until 1969-70 period.  Jock Stein won 12 of the 15 domestic trophies available, five Leagues, five League Cups and two Scottish Cups.  We also won and lost a European Cup Final, while beating champions from Italy, Portugal France and England.

That we went on to win nine-in-a-row disguised the fact that the real glory era ended in 1970.  The last four title winning seasons were not characterised by beating anyone substantial in Europe (notwithstanding the fact that we reached two European Cup semis) and a series of capitulations in League Cup Finals. The downwards trajectory from beating Leeds at Hampden and finishing fifth in the league in 1978 is evident.

Two inferences can be drawn:

Winning trebles is incredibly difficult.  One slip, one bad tackle leading to a red card, and you are up against it.

Teams who aspire to genuine historical greatness never switch off. 

We have a ‘never switch off’ manager. No more Mortons, Falkirks or Raith Rovers’.

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667 Comments

  1. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TALLYBHOY

     

     

    Welcome back,bud,you’ve not missed much,haha!

     

     

    Hopefully your weather is slightly better than SOUTHOFTUNIS is experiencing.

     

     

    Still on for the curry night next Thursday,or has Mrs T still to issue the pass?

  2. bournesouprecipe on

    Jungle Jim Hot Smoked

     

     

    It also ignores the fact that we did spend money in the transfer market and in fact never stop spending money in the transfer market. We couldn’t spend it quickly enough this year after the abrupt departure of NFL and the transition to RD.

     

     

    Some fans only see what they want to see.

  3. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    TRICOULORED RIBBON

     

     

    I’m hoping to wish Patrice a Happy Birthday in person tonight in Partick.

     

     

    If so,I’ll pass on yer kindest regards.

  4. Wee postscript to the final at Hampden.

     

    I could actually see the game, (standing throughout), from D3 row NN in North Stand.

     

    Credit where its due and all that as that is not at all normal for there.

     

     

    What ever happened to the football specials, 2 trains an hour for a Cup Final??

     

     

    Off to auld codger’s golf, loving this part time working.

     

     

    EC67

  5. In defence of Aiden Smith, he has a point, the country would be a lot healthier if we followed the vegetarian, non alcoholic, drug free, never out of the gym lifestyles of most of the journalists I’ve met live by.

  6. Scullybhoy

     

     

    Just a though before you send that email to BT. When I checked the article they made mention of PK discussing the death of his father on a TV show aired tonight at 10pm on Dave, so maybe they cannot, legally, go into the story too much until after it’s aired?

  7. Keeping The Faith on

    Hi Geeenyin, thanks for the kind words on our Stephen, I’d imagine its a bit of a shock to find out through this that hes ten years gone. As you say he was everywhere with Celtic and vice versa.

     

    Thanks Gerry too, yes it was PV on Sunday night. Celebrate them all like its the last one

     

    KTF

  8. Bournesoup. There was no investment before CL qualifiers We has one dud from cardiff. Crying out for a striker

     

    Insult to the fans

     

    Only KPI the club runs on is PL pension plan

     

    Nothing else matters

  9. EnnisBhoy

     

     

    10:05 on 17 March, 2015

     

     

    Scullybhoy

     

     

    Just a though before you send that email to BT. When I checked the article they made mention of PK discussing the death of his father on a TV show aired tonight at 10pm on Dave, so maybe they cannot, legally, go into the story too much until after it’s aired?

     

    ……………………………………………………………………………………………

     

     

    Cheers mate but I have already sent the email. Off to Mass.

  10. Ray Winstone's Big Disembodied Heid on

    I suspect the agenda against Broony will be dropped by the media after we’ve pumped D.U.in the Cup and league.

     

     

    It’s no coincidence that this is continuing in this particular week.

     

     

    Hopefully all the negative stuff will only spur him and the team to greater heights.

  11. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    Happy St.Patrick’s Day to Irish people everywhere and especially to those who would love to be Irish.

  12. West End of East End on

    SydneyTim – Aye we get it, you don’t like PL and have a go every time you come on here, even the week we win the first trophy of the season and have a another couple of big games coming up. Change the record and back the team…

  13. keeping the faith

     

     

    it has come as a shock. can see stephen in my minds eye as i type this. my condolences tho belated, to you and yours are heartfelt.

     

     

    greenyin

  14. BMCUW

     

     

    Morning and a happy St Patrick’s day to you and yours, especially yer dad Pat!

     

     

    Bad news I’m afraid – wont be over ’til the 29th! Ragin’ so am ur! Was looking forward to a good curry as well.

     

     

    Give ye a hell shortly if I may?

     

     

    HH!!

  15. bournesouprecipe on

    SydneyTim

     

     

    Yes there was, Stefan Scepovic (2M) before the season started, not including salary and loan players, there was very limited time, because NFL left so abruptly.

     

     

    Following the disasterous signings of DB TP and AB, there was a perfectly natural reluctance to go spending more millions without proper research for RD to find his own men. Too bad to sad for the Legia games.

     

     

    Celtic’s UEFA run is comparable to first stage CL qualification.

     

     

    Any potential CL targets were jettisoned on the basis of NFL’s previous years flops, mentioned above, and RD naturally had to have time to identify his own.

     

     

    He went on to make three superb signings in January KC GMS and SA.

  16. yorkbhoy

     

     

    10:05 on 17 March, 2015

     

     

    In defence of Aiden Smith, he has a point, the country would be a lot healthier if we followed the vegetarian, non alcoholic, drug free, never out of the gym lifestyles of most of the journalists I’ve met live by.

     

    ………………………………………………………

     

     

    I would agree with Aidan if he was doing his patriotic duty to change the lifestyle of his fellow Scot…………..He isn’t.

     

     

    Aidan is doing his duty to his employers who know that anti-Celtic sells copy.

  17. It’s St Patrick’s Day, the team is doing great yet we still have the usual moaners coming on here. Get a grip !!!!

  18. Gerryfaethebrig on

    keeping the faith

     

     

    10:09 on 17 March, 2015

     

     

    I have a good idea who is behind the moniker, nearly went to the GH after the game on Sunday but headed home after the Bammy, not a good idea when I get in tow with PV, a pair of eijits but always in a good way…..

     

    Again like Greenyin have been think about the big man this morning after I read your post, I know you will, but always remember the good times

     

    Take care & Hail Hail

  19. If we get to see our captain holding aloft a newly won trophy only days after a negative story & photo in the Sun, I certainly hope the next one is a shocker!

     

     

    Broonie wasn’t brilliant on Sunday but he played a vital part in winning the Cup.

     

     

    As I recall, week after week, year upon year a certain Gazza and team mates went out on the town. I am sure you will recall all the full page stories in the press at the time….

     

     

    Aye right!

  20. TRC

     

     

    Cheers buddy

     

     

    How did the ard feis go last week ?

     

     

    U catch any of the gigs.. hear cruncher was back in town.

  21. 67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar / Neil Lennon.. Ipox belongs to the creditors on

    Happy birdie to you, happy birdie to you…..

     

    Happy birdie, dear Patrice, haaaaappy birdie toooooooo yoooouuuu….!!!!!!!!❤️

  22. telbhoy67

     

     

    10:36 on 17 March, 2015

     

    It’s St Patrick’s Day, the team is doing great yet we still have the usual moaners coming on here. Get a grip !!!!

     

     

    ——–

     

     

    Or get a gripe in some cases!!

     

     

    ;-)

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  23. 67Heaven .. CHALLENGING THE LIE ..I am wee Oscar / Neil Lennon.. Ipox belongs to the creditors on

    Where .did my shamrocks go…… Hahahahahahaha

  24. Keeping The Faith on

    Cheers Gerry , aye we usually meet in the bookies but not as often since they closed the Tote at the fountain!

     

    P said Friday night was fantastic, well done.

     

     

    As its St Patricks day I’ll give ye a song dedicated to Stephen

     

     

    Big Strong Man

     

     

    http://youtu.be/d7yiUxCmqrI

  25. Patrice. What a name. Amazing.

     

     

    Micktt Jnr – bet you’re a big hunk like your daddy!

     

     

    Hoopy birthday x 2

     

     

    HH jamesgang

  26. Alright lads

     

     

    Skipped the gym today since Scott Brown told me to. Off to get a pizza crunch for breakfast.