I listened to Neil Lennon speak after our last two games with some regret. He has been drawn into justifying the form of a team on the verge of 8-in-a-row, not having lost a goal in 8 hours of football, but who are struggling to put the ball in the net at their usual rate.
Neil was given a great opportunity, having fallen out with Hibernian, he could scarcely imagine being Celtic manager a few weeks later. But the old adage, Never follow Sinatra, holds true. Better to become Celtic manager after Tony Mowbry, or John Barnes, than Martin O’Neill or Brendan Rodgers.
Gordon Strachan will attest that it is hard to live up to the standards of a legend, no matter how many times you out-perform him in the Champions League or in the rate you accumulate domestic titles. Neil is going through a bit of the same.
A team which looked listless before transformational halftime changes at Murrayfield in October, is struggling to spark. The case for changes in the squad is evident, the fact that a manager who took over on 26th February had nothing to do with this situation, should be crystal clear.
Making the right decisions in the summer is a multi-layered question. We want the best manager we can get, but we also have to make the squad as ready as possible for the qualifiers. We want to qualify for the Champions League and we must – must – win 9 and then 10-in-a-row.
This is not a normal summer where we appoint a new manager. The history books will prominently record what happens over the next two seasons. I am sure everyone at Celtic is acutely aware they need to avoid what happened across the city in season 1997-98.
All of these questions need to be parked for the time being. We have a manager and squad who are within a point of winning the league, and a Cup Final of delivering the treble treble. Neil is doing very well wearing another man’s overalls and does not need to answer for the fact that they are torn.
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Was going to throw another couple of pebbles into the pond …
DM — the rumours just won’t go away.
NL — training ain’t what it used to be.
However the Venezuela carry on just seems to be growing and growing.
Unfortunately we seem to be witnessing text book CIA style political change.
At least 17 years in the making and we just sit and watch.
I’ve deliberately stayed quiet on the subject of our next manager.
Why? Well my mind is open and I was hoping Lenny would convince me.
Unfortunately he’s fell a little short in that regard.
Still think Neil brings positives to the table, he knows the club, he knows the league, the circus of the press, and knows the underhand tricks that will be used to derail Celtic by the SFA and Masonic Scotland.
My doubts are therefore mainly in a coaching capacity as i also think he is a good man-manager.
The Ronny Delia idea was a good one although the first one to help a manager not be the main man.
Therefore, I’d be happy for Neil to get the job for the next two seasons, until the madness is over, with the appointment of a sourced, talented up and coming coach, with the plan he would be Neil’s successor, all going well.
The Management game has moved on.
Stein, Fergie etc knew their football, but they were inspirational psychologists almost. They were leaders of men, with outstanding man management capabilities.
The new breed Klopp, Guardiola, etc…. they are strategist’s. Forward thinking Innovators. If modern top level European football could be likened to chess, these guys are top chess players. Plotting 3 – 4 moves ahead. Co-ordinating a forward press, to set traps for the opposition side.
I spotted an article on twitter. I would recommend it as a must read. On twitter if you run a search for Irish Times Sport. This article was written by Ken Early . “Football’s new age neutralises philosophies of the past” .
Have a read.
Neil Lennon didn’t “spot” any players. He certainly had the last word on their signing, but the scouting dept. spotted these players por cierto.
@ BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 30TH APRIL 2019 2:59 PM
“What happened Next?”
He left. I don’t think he was backed to the extent he should have been and this certainly would have been a contributing factor in him leaving at the time he did, but he was always going to leave.
We should strive to get the best we can. This inevitably leads to there being a higher likelihood that they will leave sooner rather than later.
However, what is the alternative? Get a manager who is not good enough to be sought by anyone else? In that case, get Ronny or TM (no one is lining up for them) or get a manger who is loyal and will not leave? I think Neil and MON are pretty loyal but even they got fed up and left.
Which brings me full circle to getting the best manager in as they will all leave eventually. Same applies for players. Happy to have a VVD, Wanyama, Petrov, Dembele, even if it means they leave before they hit their prime. They go with my best wishes and fond memories.
I look at the recent Hibs and Kilmarnock games, and to be honest Neil Lennon seemed stuck, limited on how to change things tactically. It would seem his thinking regards to making changes, lies purely in personnel. On Saturday he brought Hayes on for Forrest.
Now I know Rodgers had the occasional and isolated bad result in Scotland. Of course that is true. Brendan’s biggest flaw, was taking his eye off the ball, experimenting and to an extent treating the domestic challenge with contempt.
However, this is the important bit. Brendan Rodgers was a clever football man. He understands strategy. He understands the element of calculating risk. It was apparent from his early Euro qualifiers against likes of Astana. We finally had a manager, that even if we started off 4-2-3-1… if things were tight going in to 2nd half, he would add more forward going players to the fray. Not like for like changes. But more sacrificing a defender or midfielder, to get an extra forward on the pitch. Whether you like the guy or not, Rodgers was excellent at understanding the numbers game. Percentage’s / risk etc. Noticable at the wkend there, Arsenal go down to 10 men, Rodgers makes tactical changes to put them under further threat. Get’s his reward with 2 further goals.
Our last victory over Sevco, when they go down to 10 men. Rodgers would of lapped the opportunity up. We would of found gaps, and punished them on his watch. Would of won the match comfortably… 4 or 5 nil. I firmly believe that.
Pre-Jock Stein
League Titles Scottish Cups League Cups
Celtic. 20. 17. 2
Rangers. 34. 18. 5
Jock Stein until present
Celtic. 49. 38. 18
Rangers. 54. 33. 27
From the above figures it is clearly obvious that Celtic have been much more successful than our Glasgow rivals in terms of winning domestic trophies. We have won 29 League titles since Stein came to Celtic as manager compared to our rivals 20. We have won 21 Scottish Cups on the same period compared to their 15. We are on the cusp of adding a further league title to our tally and another Scottish Cup within the next month.
In short, we have been very successful in harvesting the two main trophies: the League Title and the Scottish Cup while Rangers have made the League Cup (the Diddy Cup) their own during this second period.
Rangers have a total of 114 domestic trophies while we have 105 and could add 2 more shortly. At the rate we are closing the gap is it any wonder that there is widespread panic within the Scottish
Football Association, the media and Rangers themselves. King said only last week that they were the most successful club in the world in terms of trophies won, “by some considerable margin.”
Not for much longer, Dave.
Our Board must do everything in their power to ensure that we close the gap on them and consolidate our position as the most prominent club in Scotland.
Oops sorry that the table above has posted haphazardly. It was much clearer before I pressed the “Post Comment” button. I hope you can decipher it.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 30TH APRIL 2019 2:58 PM
@ TIMALOY29 on 30TH APRIL 2019 2:46
David Wagner/Steffen Baumgart may be a prudent way to go. Most managers in Europe will not be on £2m a year (especially when you take the EPL out of consideration) so provided we do not decide to downsize (which I think will happen), we can offer a fairly handsome remuneration package.
If the BR years proved anything it was that a good manager was worth his weight in gold. We got around £9m in compensation for BR and his staff (effectively getting his services for free) after he had turned Celtic around and brought unprecedented domestic success, as well as being back at the CL table twice and last 32 of the Europa league twice.
_____
I agree.
Though Wagner was on 2.5 million a year at Huddersfield and he now has built a reputation in England. So he may wait it out.
Celtic’s position will become clearer when Fulham make their choice as manager. Steve Clarke & David Wagner have both been linked with that job and it pays very well.
POR CIERTO on 30TH APRIL 2019 3:13 PM
Neil Lennon didn’t “spot” any players. He certainly had the last word on their signing, but the scouting dept. spotted these players por cierto.
___
I don’t really see the distinction here. Players come to a clubs attention via various means.
Shved for example came to the clubs attention via some intermediaries. Shared acquaintances in the industry.
We heard through the grapevine that his club were in financial strife and were willing to sell their prized asset at cut price. We sent scouts and then coaches. Everybody was raving about him.
So far it seems to be very exciting.
Neil Lennon maybe wasn’t the first guy at Celtic to lay eyes on Virgil Van Dijk but he’s the guy who pulled the trigger and was happy to part with some of his budget.
He deserves credit for that and the other good signings. We know he’d get the blame if he was a total bust.
Ruggyman
“Our last victory over Sevco, when they go down to 10 men. Rodgers would of lapped the opportunity up. We would of found gaps, and punished them on his watch. Would of won the match comfortably… 4 or 5 nil. I firmly believe that.”
Fancy filling in my fixed odds this weekend?
Jeezo CSC
p.s. Did you not regularly slaughter BR in Europe on these pages?
MADMITCH on 30TH APRIL 2019 3:00 PM
Was going to throw another couple of pebbles into the pond …
DM — the rumours just won’t go away.
NL — training ain’t what it used to be.
_____
That’s my main concern about Lennon. Are the team going to be training like a modern football team? Will they be kept motivated and in top physical condition?
Ask Teemu Pukki:
“I’m much more experienced than when I was at Sevilla, Schalke or Celtic,” he told Sky Sports ahead of his side’s clash with Swansea on Friday night. “Those years in Denmark changed my game and how I played football.
“I’m more grown up for sure and probably more professional than I was,” he said. “Also the coach at Brondby changed the way I think about football, my work ethic and things like that.
OSB
You’re buying into the myth Rangers didn’t die, it’s inevitable Celtic will overtake Rangers as their unable to add to their tally.
BSR
You have a differing opinion, which is fine.
And No, I didn’t regularly slaughter B.Rodgers for European results on these pages. Maybe confusing me with someone else.
I was however vocal during the Ronny Deila days, and rightly so. Losing to Molde and the likes to less than half full stadium. Yip, was vocal then.
Interesting piece of betting news MON in from 80/1 to 7/1 for the job HH
BSR
Rather than disrespecting viewpoints from other fans. I think it is fair to say that Neil Lennon’s potential full-time appointment splits the fans.
From the posts over the last few weeks, I’m guessing you are behind Neil landing the gig. That’s fair doo’s.
There is also a significant proportion of fans against the appointment. At this point I couldn’t quantify the split.
I’d hazard a guess and say 50/50.
Doesn’t make me better than you, or you better than me. Just opinions.
Latest odds on next Celtic Manager.
Roberto Martinez – 4/6
Neil Lennon – 3/1
Andre Villas-Boas – 4/1
Marco Rose – 14/1
Rafa Benitez – 16/1
Jack Ross – 18/1
Alex Neil – 20/1
Henrik Larsson – 25/1
David Moyes – 25/1
Steve Clarke – 33/1
Michael O’Neill – 33/1
David Wagner – 33/1
READ MORE
Saw this and thought of Billy,https://youtu.be/D3YPx1nZzCo. Ciaron Burke reciting lament to Brendan Behan on the late late show. Any news of Yogi I thought he may have been on the park with the Lions on Saturday, hope the big man is okay. HH
The Hands
We should strive to get the best we can. This inevitably leads to there being a higher likelihood that they will leave sooner rather than later.
Neil Lennon is better than most of the names rumoured IMHO, been there done it, etc, etc. The names quoted by the bookies are laughable, and whoever we pick will be slaughtered on the internet because the board picked him anyway, its already happening to NFL.
You trust the board find the new Mourinho.
Good luck with that.
St Simon’s church in Glasgow’s West End trashed by vandals
By Caroline Wilson @WilsonC75HT
Senior Reporter
Vandals targeted St Simon’s Church on Monday
Vandals targeted St Simon’s Church on Monday
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POLICE are investigating after a church in Glasgow’s West End was ransacked by vandals in a daytime attack.
Officers believe St Simon’s Catholic church on Partick Bridge Street was targeted between 1.30pm and 4pm on Monday afternoon, when the church was open and said there was “significant damage” to the interiors.
Police said the incident was not thought to be sectarian related or a hate crime offence.
………………
So if it’s NOT Sectarian or a Hate Crime…Was the Vandalism carried out because the Culprits “Like” Catholic places of Worship ?
How do the Cops “KNOW” that it wan’t Sectarian or a hate crime ? Are they able to read “Minds” without actually interviewing the Culprits to discover why…IF it solely for Robbery…why NOT say so ?
Orange Fuds.
One of the drawbacks to Neill getting the job, to me, is the way he will be treated by the SMSM, he will blamed for all n sundry and snarling photos of him will be all the rage, pardon the pun. I don’t think he should subject himself to that. I still have a feeling he may get, the DoF role, if we go down that route, por cierto.
Old Tim
Go on to paddy power betting HH
TOSB 3.24
We just keep tryin to get a wee bit better,improving all the time,working for it and getting return.
I would break out Sir Cheat of Realms whole tenure and influence til liquidation.:-))
Hope your good :-)
:-))
Por Cierto,
Agreed. Neil has earned the right to be spared as much further abuse as humanly possible.
To keep him at the Club in some meaningful role tho’ would be fantastic.
HH
Thanks for putting forward the debate Paul about the near future at Celtic. I think Brendan Rodgers went as far as he could go institutionally at Celtic around last August, in the midst of the Dembele hoo ha, I imagine he wanted a say in signing policy and was probably outmanoeuvred by PL and DD, who i suppose are in their right to run the club that way if the shareholders are in agreement and it is within the law. Managers should be the ones that sign players however , that was the way it used to be and is part of a managers role in the sport, they are the player experts, no? The board of directors rubberstamped it or knocked it back. Of course there were eccentric chairman around in the past and even more so nowadays in european football who decide from the top how the clubs money is to be spent with football agents working directly with them and getting rewarded very well financially. Rodgers had a good start to the season but at Christmas and against Valencia the show was poor. Perhaps Brendan was not being allowed to make signing decisions or there were other problems and the team started to stutter. Having said that they did ok in the league until lenny arrived. However the valencia game showed rodgers team had lost its zest and I think Lenny has actually breathed fresh air into it…..although he has his critics and does not convince all the people on here. Rodgers was always going to be bigger than his team, Lenny is actually less than the players , talking the players up but we know he will be hard on them in training as he gets to know them. Celtic need players who are bigger than the manager, it´s our only chance, Not that many people know who Ernesto Valverde is he just gets on with the job and tries not to be the talking point. Lenny after all his explosive behaviour on the bench wants to take it quieter this time, box clever. The scottish media will hunt him and conspire against him, so it´s not a question Paul of Neil being “drawn in” by the media, it´s the fact HE faces those impolite, smug, clueless journos, for whom the word “hun” would come up woefully short, and defends our club, I would be rooting for him every time they try to hold him accountable I hope Celtic go on from strength to strength whether it´s lenny or some other guy but maybe we should change our chief executive or chairman ( does the latter do anything?) They were the ones who misplanned everything this time! You like the American references Paul , like Sinatra or Jerry MaGuire or to throw a hail mary but “there is no such thing as a free lunch” The board will need to make a wise decision if they want to maintain their privileges. Hail Hail
FRANNYB67 on 30TH APRIL 2019 4:02 PM
Old Tim
Go on to paddy power betting HH.
I copied those prices from the Orange Record,I never even looked what bookie was offering them. Silly me,I should have paid attention when it was coming from, the Daily Record
Paddy Power latest odds :
We’ve been forced to slash the odds on Jose Mourinho being the next permanent Celtic manager, from 66/1 to 20/1.
It comes after a series of bets on Sunday afternoon were enough to cause our traders to take it seriously. Although, even then…
Perhaps slightly more credibly, Martin O’Neill has also been popular this weekend – backed in from 80/1 to 8/1 to return to Paradise.
Neil Lennon, in charge till the end of the season, remains favourite for the permanent gig, but is now EVENS, after an uninspiring few weeks.
Spokesman Paddy Power said: “Jose Mourinho and Celtic may not seem like a natural partnership, but the Bhoys do have recent experience in coaches with humongous egos.
“And, actually, both parties have pretty strong links with Champions League success in Portugal.
“It could be viewed as an odd move for Mouinho but, having linked himself with the jobs at PSG and Bayern, Celtic would fit with apparent approach of targeting one-club leagues.”
Celtic manager for the first game of the 2019/20 season
EVS – Neil Lennon
4/1 – Roberto Martinez
4/1 – David Wagner
6/1 – Steve Clarke
6/1 – David Moyes
8/1 – Martin O’Neill
20/1 – Jose Mourinho
SUPERSUTTON on 30TH APRIL 2019 12:36 PM
Thanks for the reply.
We’re united in our experience with dementia sufferers.
I agree that research across the board into all aspects of the various causes of dementia is required.
It seems fashionable sometimes for some aspects of this to bubble to the surface. So I understand why the death of a legendary, one club footballer whose principle attribute was heading the ball dies of a disease that has been linked in the public mind with what he did for a living.
“Fashionable” is a word I dislike but I can’t think of a more appropriate word.
For me, those causes of dementia that are avoidable should be targeted first. Our genetic components will make some of us destined to develop one or other of the other afflictions that will produce dementia – sooner or later. In addition, there are some environmental issues that will put us all at varying degrees of risk – eating a burger for example. In my mind, the avoidable ones therefore become more of a priority.
Footballers are role models and exemplars for children in every country on the planet. Children will mimic today what Ronaldo, Neymar or Messi did yesterday. Largely those players are so wrapped up in their brand & marketing that they almost seem indifferent ot heir influence. But, how much of the damage to his brain did Fernando Ricksen sustain when he was a child? Or Jeff Astle or Dodie Weir?
Brains of children are relatively much smaller in their skulls than adults & it follows that their brains bang around a lot more when they bang their heads against anything. In the USA, children under 10 playing “soccer” are forbidden to head the ball. If the ball accidentally hits their head, they conced an indirect freekick. That rule is applied across the whole nation and head to head contact is almost unknown in U10s football in the USA. Children aged between 10 & 14 have a limited access to heading to reflect the fact that their brains have grown and are less susceptible to injury from any impact. There is also a concussion protocol in operation across the game in the USA, and it seems to be enforced reasonably consistently.
So for me, the highlighting of the risk of brain injuries to football players is a message that should be directed towrds children, but especially to their parents. I know of several parents who have actively discourage their children from playing sports where head trauma is accepted. I still recall with some shame telling my sons to run off injuries of all sorts, including where they had bumped their heads.
Yes to continued research in all areas of dementia, but yes too to highlighting the risk of brain injury to children because they think that being concussed is nothing and that they should run it off & stay on the field. The emotional outpourings when we lose a hero shouldn’t be the only time we ask whether what we expect our children to do as sport is slowly killing them or shirtening their lives dramatically.
HH
RUGGYGMAN
Agree with you regarding last sevco game.
If Neil Lennon is our level of manager we are considering, surely Stevie Clarke would be a far better option
I also like the the look of the guy Potter at Swansea
Ruggyman
Apologies if that post read direspectfully, we’ve long needed at satire font on CQN
Disrespect- is also when nobody responds, to your posts?
I was serious,complete my fixed odds, you even knew the score in the last Sevco game had it not been for BR – exit, if someone ,anyone posts football forum tactics and systems, ‘flak’ will appear from alternative Celtic view holders.
Tactics and systems are every managers downfall at some point, (BR at Liverpool) we have Mourinho’s and new Mourinho Caixinha’s being sacked by the bushel in every league in the world.
Yes, you are correct I’m backing the chosen one unconditionally, the ball is round for every Celtic manager, even on the internet.
p.s. We may see how entrenched the Brendan brigade are, should he come calling for our best players in the summer
HH
TAL if you are lurking just spoke to my brother Con who lives in Perth , He knew your cousin Owenie really well and also his father Owenie as well. My brothers brother in law served his time under old Owenie and were good friends all their lives.HH
OneNightinLisbon (I agree about the moniker) & JJ
Thanks for the replies.
Your post re saying “Larsson” and would it be disrespectful is a valid point and got me thinking. The answer is that “No” I’ve never thought that when his name is mentioned in that way. Personally I prefer Henke, Henrik or King of Kings.?
It’s obviously difficult to put tone to type, yet calling Lenny ‘Lennon’ just seems to have a whole different connotation than saying ‘Larsson’ it almost feels like his character is being called into question…. again, it’s a feeling I get and maybe JJ gets that too, re his substance comment. It conjures in my mind the image of him portrayed in the media and by huns. They promote the snarling, angry, almost Ned like character… this is the image they put out and it sickens me that fellow Celtic fans and neutrals can’t see through this. Neil is none of those.
It’s also my belief that most who don’t want Lenny for manager are basing their opinions on this perceived character rather than his footballing credentials.
I believe Neil Lennon is a better football manager than Brendan Rodgers. He certainly gave us a game every time we played Hibs during his time there. He had Hibs playing good attractive football on a fraction of our resources and he never parked the bus.
As far as some of the other managers being touted, or in the betting. I just can’t see us spending the money these managers will want. Two reasons for this…
1) we don’t need to for Scottish Football. We might not always win trebles, but we should, barring the odd shocker of a FULL season – win the league.
2) within the confines of the current European set up, we are unlikely to challenge the money teams. It saddens me to type that, I’d love be to be wrong, I just think that it’s being realistic and it’s the footballing world of 2019.
Sure, there are the odd teams, the odd season. It’s just simply not sustainable long term.
Hail Hail ??
BSR
With regards Brendan Rodgers, I , much like many other supporters can separate Rodgers the man, from Rodgers the football manager.
If he comes calling for our best players, I won’t appreciate that. But it still wouldn’t detract from my belief that he was and is a top level coach / manager
BOURNESOUPRECIPE
I think Keiran is the only player that BR would be interested in from our squad and even at that, probably for the future. He has a much larger pool to pick from now because of the cash available for transfers at Leicester por cierto
Leicester would only come for KT if they sold Chilwell.
As for the rest, McGregor and Forrest would be outside bets.
But we have all three of them nailed down to long-term deals so the ball is very much in Celtic’s court.
Also, Celtic should sign Birger Meling of Rosenborg as backup LB. Really impressed me when he played against us.
BIG WAVY on 30TH APRIL 2019 3:00 PM
??
OK… What one of the Dragons Den are you? ???
Hail Hail ??
Good evening CQN from an angry Garngad
Angry – because that cheat Beaton should not be allowed to referee another Celtic game in his life.
Our custodians should have made that quite clear after the cheating that went on at the bigotdome on 29/12/18. Are our board spineless. They asked for his report and made preferences to the way he refereed the game, yet we hear nothing. Now this. An utter shambles.
I would expect our club/custodians to make some sort of comment on the use of Beaton and the lack of Collumn for the Rats. I could wait a long time though as I beginning to believe our board are glove puppets for the SFA.
Hunbelievable
D. :)
Reference not preference
D. :)