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Managers under pressure: the story of the 9

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

On 25 May 2019 the script went like this: Neil Lennon left Hibernian, by far the better run of the Edinburgh clubs, under a cloud, with various versions of events going round, none of them particularly supportive of our manager.  He was mutually consented out of Bolton Wanderers and the halcyon days of Champions League glory against Barcelona were a seven-year-old memory.

Celtic were transformed under Brendan Rodgers, who left without dropping a trophy after bringing a level of professionalism the Scottish game had never experienced.  By contrast, Newco had a stable ownership structure, management team and a squad which performed better than expected in their first season of European group stage competition.  With a season under his belt, Steven Gerrard knew he had money to spend; this was the time to push the boat out.

It is unfair to say this of a treble winning team, but it is also true that season 2018-19 ended with Celtic looking a bit one-paced.  For all his glory, Rodgers missed more often than he hit the target in the transfer market; the squad looked in need of an overhaul.  For these reasons, at the start of the season I wrote our chances of winning the league were 50/50.

What transpired was one of the most fascinating seasons in recent memory and we’ve had a few of those.  Credit to Gerrard.  Again he outperformed expectations in Europe but this time he outperformed the expectations of many Celtic supporters domestically.  He picked his team off the canvas after Odsonne Eduard and Jonny Hayes teed up Celtic’s season with a win at Ibrox in August, competed twice a week through the autumn before two games against Celtic in December that will long be subject of debate.

Newco wiped the floor with us in the League Cup Final at Hampden.  Tactically, they controlled the game and were it not for a sublime finish by Christopher Jullien and the most impressive goalkeeper performance we have seen in 15 years; their eight-year wait for a trophy would have ended.  Instead, a substitution led to a free kick and a goal.  Celtic then faced an onslaught which both looked impossible to withstand and bizarre in its wastefulness.

What happened at Hampden informed Celtic’s decision-making when the teams met on league duty at Celtic Park three weeks later.  Odsonne Edouard was able to start up front, instead of Lewis Morgan, with the expectation that normal service would resume.  It didn’t.  Newco again bossed the game, this time winning.  Newco had a difficult December but were set for an easier set of fixtures after the winter break.  You, me, Neil Lennon and the players went off on the winter break knowing it could be March before the teams were due to meet at Ibrox and we would have a chance to make regain the initiative.  But going to Ibrox after being handed our arse on a plate at Celtic Park was a daunting task.

This exact scenario was what Newco’s confidence when they Tweeted anticipation for this season minutes after Neil Lennon’s permanent appointment was all about.  The script was written, Neil would buckle under the pressure, Gerrard had responded from the Hampden despair by tactically schooling the Celtic manager and had the means to win the title.

Let the history books show that if Newco were able to hold onto late leads against Hearts, St Johnstone and Kilmarnock, and beat Hamilton and Aberdeen at home, Celtic’s run of successive league titles would have stopped short of the record nine-in-a-row.

For 22 years I have looked back on the shambles that was Celtic early in season 1997-98 and I still cannot figure out how we won the league to ‘stop the 10’.  If anything, this season is a greater mystery.  They did not know it at the time, but all Newco needed to do to win the league was win a handful of games against opposition vastly inferior to Celtic or those they comfortably despatched in Europe.

The pandemic should have been the gift that allowed the title to go to Ibrox without the need to face Celtic a further twice.  But the script was not followed, Neil Lennon coped rather well with the pressure.  Whatever ailed him at Hibs put fuel in his tank.  Celtic were imperious, anyone who wanted their title would have to reach new heights.

At this point Steven Gerrard began looking like the man under pressure.  He questioned his team’s bottle as each reversal brought a new wave of indignity.  Instead of the pandemic gifting him the best chance he will ever have of winning the league, it probably saved his job, as performances could not continue on the path they were for another two months.

Getting things right at a football club is more difficult than it seems, even when you apparently win everything with ease.  Celtic knew they had a battle on their hands at the start of this season, there was no complacency, but there is also a lot of corporate learning built into the Celtic Park ecosystem.  I spoke to Peter Lawwell during the winter break, he was calmer than most of us, “We have the best manager, the best squad and we are going to win the league.”  No panic, just a clear assurance that we stick to plan.

God knows what lies ahead of us next season.  It will be very different in every respect, but no one will underestimate Neil Lennon, or Celtic’s incessant winning strategy.  Congratulations to the manager, players, backroom staff, commercial team, administrators, board and every Celtic supporter who did their bit.  Our second nine-in-a-row was one of the sweetest yet!

Jackie Dziekanowski Celtic top auction

The Walk With Shay Legacy Fund are delighted to bring you a very special auction tonight. We have in our possession a signed and framed Jackie Dziekanowski Celtic top which can be seen here.

This was one of two signed Jackie tops donated by our Polish CQNer, Zbysek in 2009, during the Bringing Martin Home campaign. Zbysek had arranged to meet up with Jackie to get these tops signed. One of these tops was won in the raffle at the grand finale fundraising night for Bringing Martin Home at the Kerrydale Suite in the same year, by another CQNer, Murdoch, Auld & Hay. Stephen sadly passed away last year, and his brother Jim, kindly donated the top to us to raise funds for a future good cause.

We are therefore delighted to announce that all of the net proceeds raised in this auction, will be donated to Strathcarron Hospice, in memory of our good friend Helen Dunese Stewart (Minx 1888), who sadly passed away recently.

To bid, please send an email to walkwithshay@yahoo.com, with your bid (and indeed with a maximum bid if you wish as well). For instance your bid may be £50, but you can also say this will be up to the maximum of £100. So, if a rival bid comes in at £60, your bid will automatically be increased (in £10 tranches) to £70.

The bidding closes next Friday 22nd May at 8:30pm and the winner will be notified shortly afterwards and arrangements will be made for the winner to collect the framed top. We can also arrange for the top to be couriered to the winner, but delivery costs would need to be added.

We will of course, keep everyone informed of the highest bid as we progress during the auction.

Please note, that If you wish your bid to remain anonymous please state this when your bid.

Happy Bidding and thank you.

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193 Comments
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  1. embramike on

    “Instead, it concluded that jurisdiction lay with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

     

    “Following consideration of the implications of such a referral, including legal opinion, it was the board’s unanimous position that this matter should not be referred to CAS.

     

    “The Scottish FA now considers the matter to be closed.”

     

    Now just what implications could these be ?

     

    CAS confirm a new club ? SFA governance complicity uncovered ? Rangers* confirmed to have lied in application ?

     

    Will we ever know the truth ?

  4. theBHOYfromU.N.C.L.E on

    How about all season ticket holders due a partial refund for games not played use this to crowd fund RES12 to court rather than leave it with the club……………just a thought.

  5. Saint Stivs on

    Andy Halliday leaves the Sevco.

     

     

    gutted, absolute winner that fella.

     

     

    handsome an awe

  7. i'vehadtochangemynamebacktojackiemac on

    Here we go 10 iar

     

     

    10 iar !!!!!!!

     

     

    Mind you, we’ve got a helluva job to manage the squad now- will clubs buy? will clubs sell? Have we got enough to keep going?

     

     

    Are there enough options in the midfield?

  8. onenightinlisbon on

    More pish spoken by the rat….

     

     

    “Of course, circumstances changed for me during my time there”

  9. fairhill bhoy on

    I’ve seen this refund for games mentioned already.I haven’t had anything official from Celtic.

  11. voguepunter on

    Fairhill Bhoy

     

     

     

    REMAINING SEASON 19/20 MATCHES

     

    While many fans have already indicated that they would wish to keep these funds within the Club, we can announce that a refund to cover these matches will be available for supporters wishing to access this.

     

     

    Clearly, against the current economic backdrop we face, any investment which remains within the Club will be hugely welcome and vitally important to us as we aim to tackle the challenges ahead and ensure that the Club remains as strong as possible.

     

     

    Of course, it is important to stress that everyone at the Club fully understands and respects that every supporter will have their own personal circumstances and may not be able to keep this investment within the Club.

     

     

    Please note, the relevant form which needs to be returned by those standard season ticket holders wishing to claim a refund is available at http://www.celticfc.net/refunds

     

     

     

     

    Information regarding Corporate, Executive Club and Club Celtic Season Ticket holders will be communicated to them directly in due course

     

    We thank you sincerely for all your wonderful support and ask you to stay with us. We could not continue this journey without you.

     

     

    Let’s support each other and come through these times stronger than ever.

     

     

    With sincere best wishes from everyone at Celtic Football Club.

  13. fairhill bhoy on

    VOGUEPUNTER-cheers.We sit in the special season ticket section in LL 416.

     

    No intention of claiming anything back but thought I might have had an email at least.

  18. Saint Stivs on

    i got shivers reading this then looking at the picture, seventy years ago makes it 1950 right.

     

     

    —————————

     

     

    Ted A

     

    @superted63

     

    ·

     

    22h

     

    Here’s my mum (middle) and her two friends running up London Rd to get to Paradise SEVENTY years ago. Sadly, she’s no longer with us but will be smiling down on her Celtic Family tonight. Oh, Oh, Oh It’s Magic You Know ……..

     

     

     

    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYU086SXsAQcX1y?format=jpg&name=small

  19. David66 on

    Radio Clyde – I’m listening to it and oh the pain of the sevvies isn’t letting up😂😂😂

     

     

    As Ronald McDonald would say “I’m lovin it” 😂

     

     

    D. :)

  21. Celtic Mac on

    Next month the FA appeal against the fine levied by FIFA for their part in the illegal registration of young players by Chelsea. They have already appealed to FIFA and had their fine reduced. This time the CAS will decide. The key factor here is to what extent, degree even, the FA, any FA, can be held responsible for the mis-registration of players. Not something the SFA seems to worry about too much.

  23. David66 on

    Ffs Scott from Shettleston on Clyde is straight outa Deliverence..

     

     

    Hunbeilievable 😂

     

     

    D. :)

  26. voguepunter on

    SAINT STIVS on 19TH MAY 2020 7:31 PM

     

     

    Another cracker mhate they look like triplets.hh

  29. Saint Stivs on

    4 hrs ago

     

     

    Rangers report break-in at Ibrox Stadium after video of Celtic fan on ground emerges

     

    Police say no report of break-in at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium despite video of Celtic fan in ground

     

     

     

    RANGERS have contacted police after video footage emerged online showing a man with a Celtic flag within Ibrox Stadium.

     

     

    The video footage was posted on Twitter today and shows a man walking around the stadium parading a Celtic flag.

     

     

    The club confirmed that they have now contacted Police Scotland over the matter.

     

     

    A Rangers FC spokesman said: “‘The Club has made Police Scotland aware of the breach of security at the stadium and they are investigating the matter’.”

     

     

    READ MORE: Police say no report of break-in at Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium despite video of Celtic fan in ground

     

     

     

    The video, which contains strong and offensive language, does not reveal the man’s identity, only his voice.

     

     

    It is not known when the video was shot but the footage has emerged after Celtic were crowned nine-in-a-row champions.

     

     

     

    Police have released a photofit matching his description, and would ask anyone with information to call

     

     

    0141 999 999 999

     

     

    https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcREUl-HjGyfYvNS9vVmKfakqDcqYZJlEBL51pSm5ormHTdoIIE6&usqp=CAU

     

     

    intelligence gathered also says the perpetrator had an accomplice referred to as GOD who left him a chair

  31. Hot Smoked on

    St Stivs @ 7:31pm

     

     

    That, for me, is the best photo` you have posted on here ( and you have posted some crackers).

     

    It perfectly captures the general happiness associated with our support.

     

    I don`t know if it`s true that the majority `don`t care if we win, lose or draw` but the three in that photo` certainly give credence to the claim.

  32. Hot Smoked on

    St Stivs ( Again ! )

     

     

    Were it not the case that football is not on in Scotland at the moment, I would fully have expected a GB banner at our next Home game passing comment on the chair that God left :-)

  34. Saint Stivs on

    god left me a chair, its brilliant,

     

     

    -))))

     

     

    next best thing without fitba is Leighs tik toks,

  35. Hot Smoked on

    After many months at No 1 in the Best Phrases Table, Jeremie Frimpong`s ” Oh, my Days ” sensational hit has been replaced by the surealistic, ” God left me a Chair” an instant hit from a new and droll solo artist, Mysterious Burglar.

  41. big wavy on

    Following 7 players contracts up in a few weeks….Only one I’d rescue if the wall…and Moi if we got his injury sorted..

     

     

    Craig Gordon

     

    Jonny Hayes

     

    Calvin Miller

     

    Fraser Forster

     

    Moritz Bauer

     

    Mo Elynouassi

     

    Daniel Arzani

     

     

    Then Kouassi (Gent), Benyu, Hendry, Jozo & Ralston surely at an end..

     

     

    Question marks over Ollie Ntcham and of course Eddy…

     

     

    Could be an interesting transfer window coming up….

  42. jc2 on

    BIG WAVY on 19TH MAY 2020 9:43 PM

     

     

    Read today Kouassi staying at Genk 1,5 m Euro

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