Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday, Martin O’Neill denied he had any legacy at Celtic to worry about, too modest by far. When he walked around Hampden after the 2005 Scottish Cup Final we knew the most impactful manager since Jock Stein, whom O’Neill referenced on Sunday, was leaving us to an uncertain future.
That parting was bitter sweet. A week earlier a calamitous performance at Motherwell saw the league title slip away in the dying minutes of the game. A squad which lost Henrik Larsson a year earlier looked more than a tad unfit. Celtic’s squad was too old, cost millions more than our income could pay for and needed an overhaul.
It is incomprehensible that Martin has enhanced his considerable Celtic legacy since returning as manager in October. A league challenge which was dented by defeats to Dundee and Hearts is back on track, as are our Europa League progression chances. Players who were regarded as bit parts have delivered, and in Callum Osmand we even got a glimpse of an exciting young talent. It is as though we were being driven around in a Honda Civic, and upgraded to a Ferrari.
Football fans want the fairytale ending. This didn’t happen for Martin in 2005, his victory lap at Hampden was mostly with head bowed, still shaken from the previous week. There will be a heightened appetite among the crowd for the win tomorrow night to allow the great man to say his farewells in appropriate style. No matter how much you or I want the win, Martin will want it more.
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Setting free the bears 🙏
St. Stivs (I think) provided an excellent lengthy summary of the various share issues and their associated dividends a few weeks ago.
One of the problems for Towns and Cities in Scotland is that they have very little control over marches, parades, demonstrations and indeed commemorations. The legislation covering all of these was written in Edinburgh, plus, offhand, interpretations of Articles 10 & 11 of the HRA, (and in extremis the 1936 Public Order Act) Now as I understand it organisers only need to “notify” the local authorities of any of the above, and unless there are objections from the Police the Councils they must be accomodated, hence the number of Orange walks in Glasgow and elsewhere. Over and above that the Police can authorise additional powers under a Section 60 Order, which is what happened in the London Road back on March 16 of this year. (The Fairhurst Report on this was published Sept 25 and is on the CFC website, and subsequently criticised by the GB). Now, the notification process requires 28 days advance notice, and given that they have just announced it, the march planned by the Celtic Fans Collective before the Hearts game on Sunday Dec 7, would not meet the criteria set under Section 62 of relevant Act, so question, do those planning to take part face actions similar to those which applied on March 16, and if so, are they aware of such a possibility?
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa on 2nd December 2025 9:01 pm
Yip, said similar for years, hence the reason that we do not have a level playing field, if we did we would win everything, folks would get bored and the money would dry up, it’s not rocket science, it’s always about the money.
But you said it way better than I could have, great post.
Celticmac – will anyone be genuinely surprised if it ends in disorder?
Rest in peace Tony Gillespie. My best wishes to Shirley and the boys.
the blogger
Or the implementation of a Section 60 Order by Police Scotland designed to “prevent” such disorder?
Maolmuire O Muirgheasa on 2nd December 2025 9:01 pm
Excellent post, I have tried to articulate some of what you say many times. Particularly no matter what we as fans think, Celtic as a business does not work in Scotland without Rangers. The only real scenario where we could progress without being shackled to them is in a British or European league where there would be many other clubs equal to us in size (or bigger). In such a scenario, TV companies and sponsors don’t equate us with a one horse or two horse race.
If we take your post as correct, it makes me wonder what logic is there in appointing a manager like BR, Ange or Howe (or MoN mk1)? Managers who will demand backing and measure success as progress in Europe and not just another SPL title ot Scottish Cup. These guys have big egos. They don’t want to be judged on domestic glory alone.
I honestly think Derek McInnes would be able to deliver titles and occasional trebles for us. The likes of Steve Robinson and Steve Clarke too. Not because they are the best coaches available. But because with our resources we already have a massive competitive advantage over enveryone else and a competent manager/coach should be able to ensure we keep on winning.
TBB @ 10:17am
There is a Scrip dividend reinvestment scheme which allows shareholders to receive Ordinary shares in lieu of CCP dividend payments which only a very small minority of shareholders utilise.
There are about 15 million CCPs issued, of which Desmond owns about 5 million.
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Cheers, TBB.
Really good point about Scrip.
I’d totally forgotten about this.
This is another avenue for share ownership growth … which “ordinary fans” can exploit
.. not a quick avenue or a particularly sexy one admittedly.
If everyone who gets an annual cheque for £18 converted to ordinary shares, more cumulative power (gradually) to any desired voting block.
I’ll fess up on this one.
I tried to register for scrip perhaps 10 years ago … but couldn’t navigate through the digital process …
… so just gave up.
I now either pocket the cheque (70%) or lose it among other household paperwork (30%) to be found years later.
B2B – yip, I expect much of the annual divi is never cashed. Lots of the original shareholders are no longer with us or have moved house and their details haven’t been updated etc etc
An Tearmann on 3rd December 2025 10:12 am
One year ago this blog lost a titan
Setting free the bears.
Still missed badly my friend.
Rip Tony 🙏
……………….
SFTB ( TONY GILLESPIE ) was one of the nicest Guys that I have ever met in my life. TONY was also one the smartest Guys that I have ever met in my life.
He was only to willing to give me his Celtic season Card whenever he couldnt make it to a game, especially if he was gonna be on holiday etc.
TONY was only One Month younger than me, he was taken far too soon.
My Heart goes out to his wife Shirley and all of the Gillespie family on this sad day.
TONY BHOY….R.I.P.
HH.
Blogger GM,CelticMac.
Are you posting various legislation ahead of Sunday walk from St.Marys?
Is it from your pro-establishment p.o.v?
Are you guys at the game tonight or Sunday?
I ask as a wee part of my pre match is popping into St.Marys,never had any bother,walk outside and there many throngs of crowds to join,all going towards Celtic Park.
It appears you are writing more in the hope something happens.
Maybe its a yearning on your part to actually go to a game,be part of something,see you both at Celtic Park sometimes
HH
HH
new article posted.