The Scottish Premier League title was secured in emphatic fashion at Kilmarnock this afternoon as The Champions recorded the highest winning margin by any team in the league this season before celebrating an unforgettable league title.
There were sterling performances all over the field for Celtic but it was Charlie Mulgrew who made it his business that there would be no mistakes today. He scored two and created another two of Celtic’s opening four goals before a late flurry finished the scoring.
The opening goal was a bullet header from Charlie from a Kris Commons corner with less than 7 minutes on the clock. Mulgrew could have added a second three minutes later when he combined with Commons on the edge of the area before trying to clip the ball past Cammy Bell in the Kilmarnock goal but on this occasion his attempt went wide.
Glenn Loovens made it 0-2 after 15 minutes when a short corner was played across the field to Mulgrew on the right. Charlier swung in a deep cross to the back of the six yard box for Loovens to of back across goal and into the net.
On 35 minutes Mulgrew cut inside from the left wing and opened space for a delicious right foot shot inside the far post to put Celtic 0-3 ahead and in dreamland.
Moments later Adam Matthews crossed to the dangerous Commons who could have turned and shot but played the ball into the past of Georgios Samaras who drew a magnificent save from Bell.
Seconds before half time Mulgrew sent in a mirror copy of his earlier cross for Loovens but this time Gary Hooper raced onto the ball at the back post to fire into the net and give Celtic a four goal lead at half time.
Commons, who played as a false centre forward for most of the game to great effect, should have earned a penalty on the hour mark when he was barged off the ball when clean thought inside the box but his distinct hooped shirt counted against him.
Kris then played a magnificent pass onto the rampaging Loovens who injured himself in a challenge with Cammy Bell as his shot went narrowly wide.
The second half looked set to end without a goal before a couple of late contributions, the first from Ledley who combined with Stokes before clipping the ball over the goalkeeper. Gary Hooper then fired an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp corner from 19 yards to complete the rout.
Have a Champion Easter and enjoy your well earned celebrations.
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BMCUW
Only noticed your question to me this morning as I checked the tipster’s blog – apologies for not replying yesterday – just posted another loser and left.
4 generations of the family were getting together for yesterday’s match (first time in a long, long time) and I had some running about to do to make sure everything was in place.
We had a fantastic day – I’m sure you did too.
TinyTim,
I thought that too when I saw the 12. Don’t think we would be so bold, or would we?
My thoughts are with you and your family. Been in a similar situation. Very difficult, but you and your family will come through.
Lubo.
SYDNEY TIM 0936
Haha,fair play to you bud! I think it’s because when I was a fledgeling drinker,my Mum would drag me out of bed early doors to discourage me from excess.
Didnae work,maw,but I’m awfy grateful!
Bobby. I meant to say headache I had !!!
iPhone spelling mistake
Aye my mother done the same
Morning, CHAMPIONS ….!!!!! ….that is all for the moment …..forgot to get my wife an Easter egg due all the excitement yesterday …… Rushing out now to get one, on pain of death …..!!!!!!!!
CATHAL
Four generations,bloody hell!
My niece or nephew will have to get cracking early for that to happen,but that sounds like a great way to spend the day.
Congrats all round.
I’m off to the boozer-I’ll raise a glass to each generation!
Good morning Bhoys.
Got one hell of a sore napper but well worth it.
Out in Russia at the moment where coincidentally this is the same place I was when we last won the league.
Had some bad news from home on Friday so tempered my mood some what, yesterday’s result brought some much needed cheer.
Will be home for last game against hearts is the trophy getting presented to the team after this game???
Would love to be there with my Bhoy to see Neil lift that trophy for us.
God bless Neil Lennon.
Happy Easter! Have a relaxing Sunday, there are matches on Sundays for the next five weeks.
Did yesterday really happen? :-)
There’s a snippet in here about a minute long from 2.02
where you can almost see a giant weight being lifted from his shoulders
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YADAhrBQenc&list=PL27956C3275519E99&index=7&feature=plpp_video
Hope heads aren’t too sore this morning
Thank God for Neil Lennon
Celtic Worldwide..
VillarrealCF Oficial @VillarrealCF Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Congrats to our friends from #Celtic on their championship! Well done!!! Best wishes!!! @celticfc
B Murdochs winklepickers- its my carrier pigeon thats typing the email!!!!
Partizan- many thanks- email now sent- by the carrier pigeon
Happy Easter Bhoys and Ghirls,
Love Celtic. Love Easter. Love winning the League.
This one passed me by.
Paul McConville’s brilliant response to the open letter (below) from Murdo Fraser MSP – Re Rangers FC (In Administration)..
http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk/RangersFC_030412.pdf
————————————————–
Dear Mr Fraser,
I have noted that you have written to the administrators of Rangers Football Club PLC with your comments and suggestions regarding their handling of the administration process.
I note that you are writing, you say, in a personal capacity although you tell them that you are an MSP, using Scottish Parliament notepaper for your “personal” letter and you also advised the administrators of your position on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee. Does your use of official notepaper comply with Rule 7.2.14 of your Code of Conduct?
I also note that you write in the capacity of a Rangers debenture holder and therefore as a creditor, unless of course you have chosen to write off the debt owed to you. One assumes therefore that you are a Rangers supporter, although you do not actually say so.
As a creditor, and in no other capacity, you have a right to be heard and to vote on the administrators’ proposals, in line with the proportion of the total debt owed to you.
I note that you are urging the administrators to rule out any outcome involving liquidation of Rangers Football Club PLC. You do so for two reasons – firstly because you consider that this would deprive HMRC of funds properly due to the tax payer and secondly because liquidation would “jeopardise the future existence of an institution which means so much to so many people all around the world.”
Taking those in turn, you state that it is in the interests of HMRC that Rangers exits administration through a CVA.
You will be aware that it is not the actions of Messrs Clark and Whitehouse which will deprive HMRC of money due to the taxpayer. Instead it has been the actions of the Board of Rangers dating back over 10 years, by using tax avoidance schemes which have turned out, or are likely to be declared to be, illegal. In addition, a further sum of almost £10 million has accrued in unpaid PAYE and VAT since Mr Whyte took over Rangers.
One of the bidders for Rangers is led by Paul Murray, who was a Director from 2007 for almost 4 years whilst the EBT payments continued to be made, despite the first tax determination regarding them being issued to Rangers in February 2008.
Do you accept that the unpaid tax issues afflicting Rangers are a result, not of the actions of HMRC or the administrators, but of the past and present Directors of the company?
On that basis, do you not see the “moral hazard” should Rangers be allowed to exit administration by way of a CVA paying them, along with all the other unsecured creditors, a few pennies in the pound?
Surely HMRC approving such an arrangement would do nothing other than to encourage other taxpayers to withhold tax on the basis that, when HMRC finally catches up with them, they can negotiate a pennies in the pound payment too?
At a time when the public purse is sorely stretched as a result of economic circumstances, and the Prime Minister, your Conservative colleague, declares that “we are all in this together” how can you justify Rangers being allowed to escape liability for its unpaid taxes going back many years? I assume that you realise that if HMRC accepted a pennies in the pound deal in such a high profile case many other taxpayers would seek to emulate it?
Dealing with your second point, securing the happiness of Rangers fans round the world is not, as far as I can see, one of the purposes of administration under the Insolvency Act.
You go on to say that, if Rangers is liquidated and a new club established, some of the fans may disappear, which will damage the Club’s revival.
Are you aware, and as a clever man I am sure you are, that a new company will not be “Rangers”? If Rangers goes into liquidation, then that club is at an end. Airdrieonians went into liquidation (and indeed was put there partly as a result of action taken by a company owned by Sir David Murray). A new company took over Clydebank and moved it to Airdrie’s stadium. That team is Airdrie United. It is not Airdrieonians.
In the same way, a newco Rangers will not be the team I believe you to be supporter of.
You state that Scottish football needs to change and adapt. Has your Committee, of which you are Convener, looked into this issue? If so, how did you propose to make the necessary changes?
Or is it simply that, with Rangers being at death’s door through self inflicted injuries, you feel that a suggestion that football is to blame absolves your team of some of the blame?
You state that it is in the interests of a strong SPL for there to be a strong Rangers in the top flight to bring in revenue. Ignoring the fact that the financial impact of Rangers leaving the SPL to be replaced by another Club is greatly exaggerated, you appear to be suggesting that Rangers ought not to be punished for the transgressions of the Club over so many years, one of the effects of which has been to allow it to sign players it otherwise would not have been able to afford, and thus gain unfair advantage over other teams.
Is it your position that Rangers FC should be punished for its gross financial mismanagement, which has led to the position where not just HMRC, but over 250 other creditors, who dealt with the Club in good faith, stand to receive, at best, a pennies in the pound deal?
You state that the long term economic interests of Scottish football and Rangers are best served if it is not liquidated. If a buyer wishes to put £134 million into the pot to pay off all creditors in full, then I would entirely agree. However, have you considered the economic advantage to the whole of Scottish football if a newco Rangers has to start at Division 3 and work its way up the divisions?
In any event one would expect such a club to get back to the SPL in 3 or 4 years. Do you believe that such a hiatus would be fatal for Scottish football?
Surely one of the Conservative Party’s principles is the encouragement to businesses to stand on their own two feet, and to succeed or fail by their own efforts. “Bail outs” are not seen by your party as a “good thing” unless there is no alternative. It goes against the free market ethos you espouse.
However, you seem to want Rangers to receive State Aid in a reduction of its tax bill, and for it to be given a ladder back up from where its ow actions have left it.
You then mention that the administrators have a unique chance to see a new form of ownership for Rangers FC. I assume you mean fan ownership, rather than ownership by one or a few large shareholders.
Does this philosophy of sharing the wealth also apply to other private companies? Would you encourage, for example, the break up of the banks so that they can be owned by the people, rather than by big organisations?
It is admirable that you are doing what you can to save your football club, as I assume it is. However, the letter you have written and the steps you propose seem to raise many wider issues about your political judgement and principles (for the avoidance of doubt I am NOT suggesting you are unprincipled).
I would appreciate your response, if you wish to furnish me with one. I should say that this letter will be published on my blog, together with a link to your letter to the administrators.
Yours sincerely,
Paul McConville
Any chance of Rod singing this when the trophy is presented. Faith of the Heart
Dan
Silver City Neil Lennon on 8 April, 2012 at 09:19 said:
It was Joe who ended the game as captain.
Tinytim
The significance of the 12 on their backs is easy.
Rangers fc (ia) used EBTs making the players who played during that period ineligible and we win the leagues THEMS won.
Making us now on 12 in a row!
The fact that our club sanctioned this tells a BIG story.
Along with HMRC the club has kept its powder dry for months, saying nothing about the situation THEMS find themselves in.
The league is now won.
Celtic will have plenty to say in the coming weeks about both the SFA and Rankers.
History books WILL show 12 in a row.
writing while drunk us no use.
Thank god for predictive text
Recorded game and watched it there, Ledley’s goal was great build up play from team and Hooper’s last was class but not 1 mention from Burley and co as to how good it was.
Total embarrassing the lot of them.
There is no Old Firm
Happy Easter to you all.
Enjoyed yesterday and the manner of the win, style and panache, no nervy stumble over the line.
Well done to the fans at the game what an atmosphere, and a thanks to ESPN for letting those of us not at the game to enjoy the celebrations with no adverts.
We need to be alert now to what plans are put in place for the Newco no place for them in any league if they can’t satisfy their debts!
Thank you Neil and the team and let’s hope for the double.
Hail Hail.
Vmhan Supporting Lenny! on 8 April, 2012 at 03:53 said:
Macjay G’day! How’s the Heid
Mate,I`ll tell you when ( if ?) I`ve sobered up.
It`s been a long day,but somehow,enjoyable. :-)
TRUE TO HIS WORD
I`ll never forget that speech.
Neil, you’re a of giant of a man.
Thank you.
Lubo – A good letter my Mr McConville, if a bit law studenty.
He wandered off topic a bit when he said:
You then mention that the administrators have a unique chance to see a new form of ownership for Rangers FC. I assume you mean fan ownership, rather than ownership by one or a few large shareholders.
Does this philosophy of sharing the wealth also apply to other private companies? Would you encourage, for example, the break up of the banks so that they can be owned by the people, rather than by big organisations?
I don’t know Murdo Fraser but I would be surprised if he doesn’t believe in “sharing wealth”, if by “sharing wealth” we mean the free market system that allows people to accumulate wealth and exchange it for goods and services and invest it in things like company shares if they so please.
However, there is very little surplus wealth that can realistically be generated by Rangers in their present form, so fan ownership wouldn’t be “sharing wealth”, it would be “sharing the burden”.
Also, the high street banks are largely owned by “the people”, depending on whether one takes the view that this is achieved by their shares being open to anybody who wants to buy them (and many of our pensions are to some extent invested in them), or the fact that the British State, in the name of “the people”, owns a large stake in them.
So, I give Paul an A- for the Law part (the minus is for using the word “furnish”)
And a D on the Economics / Business Studies bit – must try harder. (thumbsup)
Not only was Gary Hooper’s second goal yesterday an exception finish, it was also his first goal for Celtic to be scored from outside the box.
Mort
tully57,
Just back from Mass and read your post.
Of all the times that I have been in Sharkey’s over the years, yesterday was the most enjoyable session that I can recall.
Of course the occasion itself accounts for much of that, but it was the company and raid that made it extra special.
It was fascinating to make the “Edinburgh Connection” and I hope you get the chance to further it.
Jim’s boy is a lovely lad and will go far,no matter which direction he chooses.
As to the Tully portrait. As far as I remember, it was drawn by a CQNer, whose father donated it to the bar.
A fine piece of work.
Enjoy the rest of your stay and hope to meet up again.
As for the number 12 on the T shirts…
– for the year 2012
– for the ’12 in a row’ shout
– for the fans who are the 12th man in the Celtic team
HH
Loved hearing the crowds “tribute” to Craig Burley coming over clearly on ESPN. Added even more enjoyment to the occassion!
Ooops. Occasion.
.
Mort..
When he Collected the Ball..l thought what is he Doing back there..
Didn’t know that But..Yir Some man for Stat/Facts..Hope you are Over for the Last few Games of the Season..We’ll get a Few Shager Landy’s..Ha..
Summa
Loved yesterday, a unique experience of smallish stadium packed with Celtic supporters: singing was brilliant throughout – ‘Taxman’ personal fave!
Don’t want to talk of them, but was wondering if the ambulance service was at Ibrox yesterday: they’re owed money by them, can they afford to write off more? They won’t get it back, as we know.
So who’s got a hangover this morning. I SAID WHO’S GOT A …
It’s a champion feeling today. After everything that has been thrown at our manager, our team and our club this season we have come out on top. Well done to everyone involved.
When we stood and applauded our manager’s speech at the end of last season this is what he told us would happen – and he has been as good as his word. The next few years could be a lot of fun as this young team develops.
Finally caught up.
Did anyone have any bother with double tickets yesterday.
I was in the Chadwick Stand, Block-B Row-F Seat-045 and all of this Row seemed to have double tickets. We all squeezed into two rows and partied on, good job everybody was standing. All the tickets were from 2 supporters buses from the same association.
I understand (I haven’t tried to work it out) that our squad has an average age of just 23. Lennon is 40 and his coaching staff are young as well. We could be champions for many many many years to come :)
I was avery bad man yesterday
All the Celtic bhoys met in the Cambridge Bar then headed to the Soliel home of the Tommy Burns CSC. As we were leaving I noted the look on the orcs table as they were all sitting with their horsey papers with betting lines and remote control at the ready for the racing channel. House rule is football takes precedence over other sports and just as I was leaving I heard the telly getting turned, so I turned back ordered a Guinness and asked for the football to be put back on. I sat at the bar with ‘Still on top of the ground’ Harry and kept glancing at the depraved table as eight grown men sat with petted lips looking everywhere but the telly. At the final whistle I jumped up, done a ‘Broonie’ and ran round to the Soliel to join in with the tunes and celebrations. Magic !!
Summa
Don’t think the games are going to suit me I’m afraid. Wife due to give birth on 10th May so that rules out a couple of games and unlikely to get a ticket for Rangers game unless some good samaritan can offer me one.
Was over last weekend and met a good lot of good CQNers.
Mort
Gordon_J – I may have overdone the jelly and ice cream slightly, but it was all in a good cause. (thumbsup)
Happy hangover everyone.
I presume like me you are all hungover but still smiling.
Neil Lennon Legend.
Despite everything they have thrown at him…
Won it as player
Won it as captain
Won it as manager.
In case anyone read my post to tully57@ 10.31., Sharkey’s was NOT raided yesterday.
iPad fault.
Raid= Craic.
If Carlsberg did hangovers…
Oh, It would appear they do. Although combining said beer with Champagne, Jelly and Ice Cream can lead to one feeling a tad bloated. *hic*
And judging by the foil debris I think a large Easter egg took one he’ll of a beating. Time fo a bigger belt.