Lack of consistency haunts Celtic again

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Celtic have been completely dominant in Scottish football on many occasions but only once did this result in a domestic treble (the treble was won another two occasions when Celtic were only marginally ahead of the competition but were ruthlessly focussed).

At all other times we have had a morning like this, tossed out of one of the cup competitions by a vastly over-performing team.  Little more than a handful of games against weaker opponents stood between us and a treble in each of the last two years, but as we have noted for many years now, Celtic are not consistent enough to win the treble.  The evidence is substantial.

There are parallel ways we should react to this.  In the middle of a Champions League campaign we should be focused on little else, players should be rested for the challenge ahead, even if there are resultant risks, but there will be disappointment that we didn’t see a recognisable performance from those drafted into the team.  It wasn’t until Matthews, Commons and Stokes arrived last night that we looked anything like the Celtic we know.  On no occasions should we lose at home to a Championship team looking for their first away win since April.

That domestic treble from a dominant position was achieved by Martin O’Neill in season 2000-01, a time when Martin scarcely made a substitution before 85 minutes, never mind rested players.  This drew criticism, of course, as his ‘feeder’ players were denied opportunities to grow.  Despite last night’s reversal I would still rather use these games to develop the wider squad.

I also don’t subscribe to the belief that ‘every game is a cup final’.  Motivational strategies lose effectiveness if you roll them out too often.

Credit to Allan Moore and his “boys with desire and work-rate”.
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748 Comments

  1. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    Week 8 of the CQN predictor, first score to predict…..

     

     

    Tues 1st Oct :Celtic v Barcelona.

     

     

    How you going to call it?

     

     

    Heart or head CSC?

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  2. Tricoloured Ribbon on

    Talking about those dodgy attendances lads at those Scottish semi-finals in 1969..there was one sure thing at the Final.There were as many Sevconians on the park trying to rip up the nets as there were on the terracing after Chalmers finished them off..

  3. How are you all this evening. I’ve been decorating all day and yesterday, hoping to finish tomorrow. Friggin hate it, and useless at it. :) Told the missus she should have married a painter and decorator instead of a super stud, nae reply. Any sympathy oot there. :)))

     

     

    Weefra HH supporting Wee Oscar.

  4. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    setting free the bears supports Celtic’s best fighter- Wee Oscar Knox

     

    22:50 on

     

    25 September, 2013

     

     

    Where we not at home to Morton yesterday ? :-)

     

     

    My kids had misbehaved, so I punished them and took them to the game :-)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  5. Shieldmuir Celtic on

    My first Celtic game was a Scottish Cup semi-final against Morton at Ibrox in 1947. We lost 1-0 and the ‘man of the match’ was Moton’s international goalie, Jimmy Cowan. Even as a wee bhoy , I felt that Celtic supporters had to suffer for their faith. Watching last night’s game, I felt the same way. ‘Plus ca change!’

  6. 67Heaven ... I am Neil Lennon, supporting WEE OSCAR..!!.. Ibrox belongs to the creditors on

    Disgraceful behaviour from the referee in the Real game….3 mins extravtime became 7 mins, and he gave Real a non-penalty in the 4th minute…..pathetic bias……

  7. Morrissey the 23rd on

    Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family

     

    21:21

     

     

    176 signed resolutions were handed in to Celtic today. I offered to hand in lots more but have been told that wont be required.

  8. Marrakesh Express on

    Tricoloured ribbon.

     

     

    It was normal practice for The Hun to riot when losing an important game at that time.

     

    The battle of St James’s park was around then. And lets not forget the victorious Celtic team being attacked doing a lap of honour at Hampden in 65. Hence, no more laps of honour at the national stadium for years.

  9. 67heaven-just seen it,Pepe who is up there with the worst cheats i have ever seen,was holding on to his opponent and dragged him down.Establishment decisions happen in Spain too?

  10. Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family on

    morrissey the 23rd

     

     

    23:01 on 25 September, 2013

     

     

    Great figure, very well done, let’s hope the Shareholders get a result

     

     

    Hail Hail

  11. I lost a bundle tonight in play on Napoli, they were held at home to Sassuolo, who were humped 7-0 at home at the weekend to Inter, had them a couple of trebles.

     

     

    So the bold TET decides that Real are free money, one up, 90 mins, Elche score, 94 mins only 3 mins of extra time the ref gives Real a pen, what a feckin joke, Pepe should have been booked for the challenge, but no, a pen, and as far as the pot goes, I thank the corrupt referee for his efforts, broke even tonight, should have lost a small fortune.

     

     

    Referees Eh, Oh how I do not like them.

     

     

    HH

  12. big-cup-winners- seems like a standard trait ,to feed the punters a signing story after a bad result mate.Deflection.

  13. Bhoys was at the game last night and was pissed off and driving home…..the slip road was closed and was diverted thru Larkfeckinhall …..and you think your day was bad…

     

     

    Kikinthenakas

  14. Marrakesh express

     

     

    There was a post on Deadco Media yesterday outlining how the Billy boys were actually freedom fighters lauded for taking on Franco’s Bully boys in Barca 1972.

  15. Marrakesh Express on

    The official capacity of Hampden in 1937 was 180000. The Celtic end alone was 61000.

     

    In 1970 it was around 140000.

     

    I read these figures in a book ‘The Scottish Football Centenary book’ (early 70’s). Still got it somewhere.

  16. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    SFTB

     

     

    Hope your are well ? You not playing tomorrow on my comeback?

     

     

    No, just a wee victory with 1, 2 or 3 goals would have done against the mighty AC Morton

     

     

    Do you think, based on this and past poor cup results that we struggle to motivate the team for these domestic cup games? I think we struggle to motivate the fans as well as yesterday’s turnout was appalling and not making excuses for the poor performance I wonder if that has a knock on effect on the team.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  17. Big cup winners,

     

     

    It’ll be that sigorthson (sp)

     

     

    I wouldn’t pay much attention to it as it’s only September.

     

     

    Paul should yellow card ye :)

  18. ....PFayr supports WeeOscar on

    Rwe

     

     

    My off should have been a for

     

     

    I was referring to an earlier post of mine re Ben Ainslie

     

     

    An error which changes the meaning of my post …apologies

  19. Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family on

    CRC,,

     

     

    League cup doesn’t motivate me

     

     

    But

     

     

    Neither does the Scottish Cup

     

     

    Something to do with the SFA! And not the Hoops though

     

     

    You doing Saturday ?

     

     

    Hail Hail

  20. 27 corners, no goals ! A joke. When I played in the Motherwell Boys Guild many moons ago, I was chief pinner .Coach Brady gave us these clear instructions at corners – always an inswinger. A leftie taking the corner was especially effective. A Jack Chalrton stood in front of the enemy keeper. I was behind him with a safety pin from my shorts, or trunks as they called them then. As the Pinner, , I rammed the pin up his confugulum . as he made his ascent or descent. Only had to do it once.. Poor keeper always as nervous as a kitten in a tumble drier.

     

    Remember beating St Columbas Viewpark 9 6 and all our goals came from corners.

  21. Morrissey the 23rd

     

     

    23:01 on 25 September, 2013

     

    ———————

     

     

    Fantastic achievement by Canamalar & yourself.

     

    I feared for a long while that your combined efforts were going to prove fruitless.

     

    The upcoming AGM should be the most interesting in a lot of years.

     

    Very hard to guage how our custodians will respond.

     

     

    Well Done.

  22. PF Ayr –

     

     

    Change the record. We all know Celtic lost to Morton and we’re all hurting. Get over it and stop trying to come across as the only one who really cares.

     

     

    DogWithaBone.csc

  23. big cup winners

     

     

    they’re a beacon of hope for the world oppressed ! Someone should write a rebel ballad about them :-/

  24. Morrissey the 23rd on

    CORRECTION

     

    Morrissey the 23rd

     

    23:01 on

     

    25 September, 2013

     

    Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family

     

    21:21

     

     

    176 signed resolutions were handed in to Celtic YESTERDAY. I offered today to hand in lots more but have been told that wont be required.

  25. #Fearless Wee Oscar is on a Celticrollercoaster on

    Cowiebhoy in support of Fearless Oscar & Family

     

    23:17 on

     

    25 September, 2013

     

     

    Treble motivates me.

     

     

    Got a problem re Sat as need to be in Elgin on Friday for work, so will be travelling down on Sat morn, so may be out later.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  26. Morrisey,

     

     

    Why did you no hand all them in at once??

     

     

    I’m no sure you’re the right man for this important joab. ;p