How Stein managed big game weeks

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I asked Archie Macpherson to speak about Jock Stein at CQN11, to mark the 50th anniversary of Jock’s appointment as Celtic manager, and then stayed quiet as he spoke.  One of the points he made was that Jock would have a news plan ahead of a big game.

Good news would be held back until a few days before the game, giving fans and players a lift, to ensure maximum impact.  Bad news could break at any time, but it would have to fight for column inches.  As an operator, he is still worth studying.  Celtic should plan to dominate this week’s news accordingly.

Apart from that horrible game away to Legia, Ronny Deila has not been to a sell-out Celtic game in a large stadium, and even that was only 30,000.  It’s possible he’s never even played before a large sell-out crowd, so you can be sure he’ll not be short of people telling him what to expect, and how to prepare for Hampden on Sunday.

There are some obvious pitfalls for him to avoid, in particular to ensure his players are not provoked into retaliation, but taking too much advice would be a mistake (will not stop us offering plenty advice).  He’s spent all season playing and preparing one way, anything which gets in the way of this will only put him off his game.  The manager needs to employ a filter this week, tell everyone he’s got the situation covered and get on with the game.

Loving the way recipients of Rangers EBT loans have been asked about an advert dealing with the consequences of their loans, but are not actually asked about the loans themselves. These guys only agree speak on the understanding they are not asked about their loans, none of which are or will be repaid.

I accept that if the loan recipient is being asked about yesterday’s charity match, or some other football game, there’s no place to ask him about his loan, but these guys are regularly commenting on the consequences of their loans, without ever having to deal with the awkward question.

Book your tickets for CQN 11 St Patrick’s Day dinner extravaganza through the items at the bottom of this page, or email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com

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  1. mullet and co 2 on

    ntsassoola,

     

     

    Thanks.

     

     

    Ok it was naughty of me to imply you wanted names. Why do you want numbers though? What does it prove? Surely you can justify your request with that?

     

    Let’s say 30? What does that do for whatever argument or agenda you have?

  2. Uncle Tom,

     

    Bare faced liar, there was far more than your twisted interpretation of events but then you know that.

     

    It must be relly annoying failing to undermine someone you think your smarter than eh

     

    Your a failure Uncle Tom

  3. the long wait is over on

    JFH

     

     

    I agree on Bitton. I’d play him in a minute. His ball retention and passing will keep the ball off Thems and have them running around till their old weary bones pack in.

  4. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    Lennybhoy. He said” for me it is still the old firm” either that or my gas operated tv set is different from yours. H.H. :- )

  5. I didn’t expect the ad to have any impact at all. I thought it would be roundly ignored by the SMSM.

     

     

    The fact it hasn’t is telling: from Michael Grant’s uber-patronising fit of pique in the Herald, to the array of tax-dodging ex-players of the ex-club lined up by the tabloids, I think it’s safe to say the advert has touched a nerve.

     

     

    No-one as yet criticised the ad on any of the factual points it raised.

     

     

    Of course, we all know there is a very good reason for that…

  6. ulysses mcghee – a demographic of one

     

    18:27 on

     

    26 January, 2015

     

     

    If that is true about Neil Lennon then I’ve lost a lot of respect for him which I once had

     

     

    ————–

     

     

    Unbelievable. Do you forget what that man went through as a player and a manager at this club? I don’t care what he says about Rangers, I didn’t care when he joked about Efe’s crossing, I didn’t always think he should always have been in the team, I disagreed with some of his managerial decisions, but by God he’ll always have my upmost respect.

     

     

    From now until eternity Sevco fans will say they are the same club, fans of every other team will say they’re not. No players, ex-players or ex-managers are going to come out and say they are a new club. No Celtic official is going to say it. No SPFL / SFA official is going to say it. The media don’t want to touch it. It simply isn’t worth the hassle. And frankly they’re right. There are far more important things going on in the world.

     

     

    Some people need to get a grip and grow up.

  7. mike in toronto on

    JFH

     

     

    I am not doubting what you heard… but, I am hoping that you heard it wrong. I would be very disappointed if you heard that correctly.

  8. GlassTwoThirdsFull on

    embramike 18:39

     

    if they remain the ‘same club’, then they have stiffed hundreds of creditors out of tens of millions of pounds, and only had to spend a few seasons in the lower leagues in return.

     

    —————–

     

    What really gets me is that we keep getting told that they paid “all football debts”.

     

    Sorry, but ALL of their debts were football debts. They were a FOOTBALL club for goodness sake. All they did was pay the creditors who were football clubs. Completely different thing.

  9. TLWIO

     

    Agree on Bitton.

     

    His ball retention will be vital in ensuring we tire them out, although I would like to see jim add a wee bit more bite

  10. HT,

     

    It’s a pity big Charlie is no available.

     

    I’d actually have Henderson in place of him, the bhoy has more dig

  11. Has yesterday’s statement prompted debate and discussion about the big lie on every forum, from FF to the Huddleboard to SSB???

     

     

    I think that’s a YESSSSS!!!!

     

     

    What’s not to like??

     

     

    Well done CQN

     

     

    HH

  12. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    adi_dasler. I cant argue about Paul Lambert but Paul was much more experienced than Nir when we signed him. H.H.

  13. awe_naw_no_annoni_oan_anaw_noo

     

     

    18:54 on 26 January, 2015

     

     

     

    Was supposed to be tomorrow but it has been postponed, unsure as to why.

     

     

    Keep the Faith!

     

     

    Hail Hail!

  14. Joe Filippis Haircut – Thank you for asking, I can confirm that as (almost) always I’m absolutely full of the joys, glass three quarters full, always look on the bright side, if you can’t say something nice don’t say anything at all, the sun will rise tomorrow, etc ;-)

     

     

    I also share your views on Bitton.

     

     

    Here are the 8 players who, in my opinion, MUST play on Sunday (if fit) – Gordon, Denayer, Van Dijk, Izzy, Brown, Bitton, Henderson, Joe Hansen. For clarity I would also like to see 3 more in our starting line up although admittedly staring with 8 might make the game a little more competitive.

     

     

    Jobo

  15. Joe Filippis Haircut on

    mike in Toronto. Maybe some one can replay the interview but im happy I didnt mis-hear him. H.H.

  16. thomthethim for Oscar OK on

    I don’t normally post team selections on here.

     

     

    Mainly because Ronny Deila is one of many who scroll by my posts!

     

     

    However, I will make an exception, for once, and suggest that Commons is a must start.

     

     

    Reasons?

     

     

    He is experienced and strong and won’t be intimidated from on or off field nonsense.

     

     

    And, more relevant, his lack of pace will not be a factor against the Daleks in opposition.

  17. Has anyone got a copy of an email from the SFA saying that they are a new club? Just can’t seem to find one…oh wait, forget that, there it is, it was there all the time…sorry for bothering you.

  18. From the Sportinglife web site:

     

    _____________________________________________________________________

     

     

    Mike Ashley will not be attending the hearing over alleged ‘dual ownership’ rule breaches at Hampden Park on Tuesday and it will now take place via conference call.

     

     

    The Newcastle United owner, who also holds an 8.92 per cent stake in Rangers, had been called to appear before the Scottish Football Association’s judicial panel.

     

     

    The SFA has now confirmed a preliminary hearing will take place with their lawyers, Rangers and Ashley’s camp to arrange a date for the full hearing, which the Sports Direct owner will be obliged to attend.

     

     

    Ashley, 50, signed an agreement in 2012 stating he would not increase his stake in the Championship club to more than 10 per cent while he remained in charge at St James’ Park, but the SFA was forced to step in and prevent him increasing that holding to just under 30 per cent last month.

     

     

    However, after handing the Ibrox board two loans totalling £3m towards the end of last year, and placing associates Derek Llambias and Barry Leach on the board, Ashley has been able to take virtual control of the club

  19. Canamalar

     

     

    McGregor has promise and as you say he has more dig than Bitton. However, his lack of experience would worry me.

     

     

    Personally I’d have both of them in on Sunday. Bitton’s ball retention and ability to pass consistently to his team mates will be vital.

  20. “1 John 2:19”

     

     

     

    Tbb knows so much about football he’s even giving us the scorers AND the time :))

  21. Disappointed that Lennon agreed to the interview.

     

     

    However, does anyone here believe that STV sent/organised a camera/sound crew and sent the fat reporter to Bolton for a three minute interview?

     

     

    Naw, me neither.

     

     

    The full unedited interview would have been more interesting I’m sure.

  22. joe filippis haircut

     

     

    Yeah you’re correct I suppose

     

    Just think Biton sometimes looks as if he had headphones on with classical music playing !

     

     

    But having said that I do like the big guy

  23. mike in toronto on

    JFH

     

     

    Not having a dig at you, pal. I know you are just the messenger. I hope that is clear.

     

     

    I went on line to see if I could find the interview, but no luck. If someone is able to find it and post it, I would be most grateful.

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