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’.
667 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- ...
- 18
- »
timaloy29
13:31 on
16 March, 2015
Remember when McGeady was sent off for “diving” when he was getting out of the way of a Hibs player trying to take him out?
===================================================
I also remember SSB and Shortbread spent a week discussing it.
Glasstwothirdsfull
Forgot KD won league cup before MoN took over
James
Glad you read my last post on previous article
Right! Who etheregged Jim Murphy (sorry Alfie – how i keep getting those two bams mixed up) to make him flounce.
I want names and I want them now.
I’ll buy you a pint.
:-)
When did he flounce? What time? Where is the post?
:-)))))))
MWD said AYE
Poyet sacked at Sunderland how long before Ronnie starts getting linked with these jobs by the MSM ?
My My My
Ron Deila!
Deila linked with Sunderland job! – ‘Fishul!
Maybe a former player – the super one?
surprised that SB, JF and CG are the only Celtic players in the squad. matt ritchie, but no SA or GMS?
Dont want to sound paranoid, but could GS’s selections be affected by the fact that he had no sevconians to select (i.e, cant have 5 or 6 celts, and no zombies, or the zombears wont support them)?
To be fair, GS seems to be building a good esprit de corps, so he may want to go with guys he knows, but, SA and GMS are going to be stars, and LG would add a style and option that the other strikers dont seem to.
Glad to hear SA & gms have not had call ups. They are vital in our run in imo.
Their time will come.
Ritchie is a bit out of the blue but is having a cracking season.
Oops….and wee Leigh too.
No Lewis MacLeod in the Scotland squad? Hasn’t put a foot wrong since his million pound move. Don’t think he has played yet mind you….
ernie lynch
12:14 on
Well that’s very unfortunate because it creates the distinct impression that your professed anti Zionism is in fact no more than anti Semitism.
Anyway, for any Jewish Celtic fans who might have been offended by your comment, here’s something to redress the balance
#########
Ernie
You really are a snydey piece of work aren’t you. If you can find any Jewish person, fan or not who was offended by my ‘comment’ then get them to post on here and I’ll deal with it direct….
If you want to properly call me an anti-semite, rather than just snydily infer it, then see me on Wednesday; Section 102 Row Z seat 12.
Now, run along and troll elsewhere………….
HH
Geordie
Dont disagree about our need for SA, LG & GMS … want their focus to be on Celtic. But, I do get concerned if it gets to the stage where players get the feeling that playing for Celtic may hinder their international career. We know it did happen (in the past?)
I haven’t seen much of Ritchie, so I will defer to you on that one.
I must say that I am still a bit miffed with GS after his recent comments about Sevco. Perhaps why I am feeling this way.
The Celtic Symphony
I noticed yesterday that the Celtic Choir are still struggling to find an ‘acceptable’ alternative line to replace Ooh Ah Up The Ra.
‘Ooh ah Samaras’ served well and even lasted a while after Sammi’s departure.
However now that Sammi is long gone ,
the tension builds when we approach the Graffiti Covered wall
What does it say on the wall ?
What are we gonnae sing ?
Will it get us into trouble?
The tension mounts,
95% of the crowd stop singing ……
and pick up the song again in verse 5
I hopefully have the solution.
In the interest of Iambic Pentameter and apologies to the Deila family …
only a slight mangling of Ronny’s surname and we get to ….
“Ooh ah Dayleea , say ooh ah Dayleea
I think Ronny deserves it .
I forgo any royalties that may be due.
My gift to you all ,
The Onlooker
Toomuchtimeonmyhands CSC
where is the friendly with N.Irn being played? Home or away?
Wee Dick in line for Sunderland job
timaloy29
14:13 on 16 March, 2015Wee Dick in line for Sunderland job
too true mate…
That chris graham was a good choice for drector, Mr ming ……… you sound like a really good judge of character …….. hahahahahahaha
Timaloy,
Tough. I’m already employed.
Surely Sunderland legend and best young manager in the world is a shoe in to replace Poyet???
Mike,
Its hard to make room for the players imo. All are playing well playing well but so are many others in the squad.
I don’t think playing for Celtic will hinder them. Not looking back over recent history anyway.
There’s many a player who has been playing well but didn’t get a call up till they moved to Celtic.
They’ll be in the squad soon enoug… And I’m glad it’s not right now. Wink wink :)
HH
Armstrong Griffiths and GMS should be in…mystifying.
http://www.talkingbaws.com/2015/03/16/video-leigh-griffiths-tells-celebrating-celtic-fans-rangers-will-still-be-a-championship-club-next-season/
Thomthetim,
Home if you are a Scotland fan.
Away if yer a norn oirland one :)
Fae a purely selfish point of view,the less Celtic players playing international football the better.
Well done Celtic and well done, RonnyD.
I have been critical of him for much of the season. Happy he won his first trophy, and hopeful he will go on to many more.
Obviously, he has much left to do. While Griffiths appears to have knuckled down, a fully professional attitude has yet to take root throughout the squad.
Stokes’ late arrival before a European game. Broonie’s poor example. The penalty mess yesterday. This is still very much a work in progress.
Couldn’t believe the team didn’t know who was next in line.
The only focus from here on in, is the ‘next game’. We need to shut up about the treble, and just focus on what is up next.
Finally, I thought Broonie played a smart game yesterday. Much deeper, less aggressive. Smart move, given the MSM campaign against him and the propensity of the United players to collapse when being stared at…..
I assume that now that a new regime have taken over at Snake Mountain, Phil will no longer have a mole in the Board Room …………. or has he got the place bugged :-))
james not jimmy or paul
13:40 on 16 March, 2015
Interesting point you make re: referee Madden
I keep an eye on cards and corners betting in Celtic matches
Madden has had three Celtic non-home games this season, at ICT, early season at Ross Co and yesterday
He has yellow carded no Celtic players. By way of comparison virtually all other SPL and cup ties away from home sees at least one, if not two Celtic players booked.
Madden has also had a number of other games where I have seen him let the players away with more than the standard Scottish official. I think that he is keen to let a game flow where possible. His card stats in Europe and international level suggest he is not scared to wave cards where necessary.
I’m not saying he’s a Celtic man. I do think though that the numbers suggest he is a less incapable referee than the usual.
!!bada bing!!
14:22 on 16 March, 2015
Fae a purely selfish point of view,the less Celtic players playing international football the better.
…………………..,….
Absolutely agree.
@Burnley78 12.18.. Good battle cry mate….Found it strange on Sat morn
that there was only Me ,the Wean,and Roxy the dog (who the wee blonde lassie fell in love wae)was there for tickets. Hope as you say it’s a sellout.
H.H.
Paul67,
That final sentence: I do so hope you’re right. I have felt for a long long time that we have needed a Ronny Deila type manager. He is a more honest manager than Mourhino, imo. He doesn’t have his players diving about
Sorry; I got caught off there in mid-sentence.
Should read: He doesn’t have his players diving about (no matter what some would have us believe) and he has made them into proper athletes.
Bada,
Agreed.
Squire,
He’s not a Celtic man. He’s just a decent referee
HH
Growing up in Sunderland and still being a fan I would be horrified if the Fat steak bake eating gardener was anywhere near Wearside unless he was popping into one of the 6 greggs stores in the city centre!
Please for the love of god and my sanity don’t even joke about it!
He was a disaster as player and having had to endure the horror of Terry Butcher I don’t think I could stand the thought of McMoist as manager of Sunlun!
Loved yesterday, my little Bhoy, nephew and older brother all had a great day out.
My oldest nephew was in Newcastle – of all places – due to bad planning on his part, but I directed him to the Tyneside Irish Centre to watch the game amongst fellow tims and he had a good day as well.
While I am all for the fewer players representing any country (and certainly at this time of the season) the better, I wonder why WGS hasn’t picked either Armstrong or GMS, as both must be among the best playing in Scotland at the moment.
Geordie Munro
14:21 on
16 March, 2015
Thomthetim,
Home if you are a Scotland fan.
Away if yer a norn oirland one :)
******
Thanks. What if you’re neither!!?
Madden and his brothers have/had Season Tickets for Poundland,they were members on a bus that leaves from a pub in EK..allegedly…..
F.A.B. Virgil (WATRC)
14:08 on 16 March, 2015
The fact that you can see nothing untoward in your original comment, in that it could be construed as anti Semitic, is your problem, not mine.
And, by the way, I think you mean imply rather than infer.