Sometimes I look at the trajectory of Martin O’Neill’s career and wonder why he didn’t land another top job after leaving Celtic. He was the hottest property in football while he was in Glasgow, almost joined Leeds United (then a top side), while he was short odds for the Liverpool manager’s job at each annual crisis on Merseyside. At the time Ferguson at Manchester was talking about retiring, had he gone, Martin would have moved to Old Trafford.
In 2003 he met Mourinho in the Uefa Cup final. The Portuguese had some of the finest footballers of that generation at his disposal, unquestionably a better collection of players than Celtic, as their Champions League win 12 months later would prove, but Porto were pinned-in for long spells in the second half and required (literally) every trick in the book to prevail.
Despite losing, O’Neill did better with the resources available to him than Mourinho.
After a few meritocratic years at Aston Villa, where he spent more than the club could afford, but delivered a better team than they would otherwise expect, he left a day before the season kicked off, apparently unhappy Villa’s budget was being curtailed.
Without meaning offence to Sunderland, I was disappointed when he pitched up there. Martin O’Neill was surely a manager who should be competing for league titles and in the Champions League. His early form at Sunderland was transformational but it was a transformation built on fragile foundations.
Those founds’ have now disappeared, Sunderland sit two places above relegation. Their play is recognisable from how Celtic played a decade ago, and how Leicester played in the 90s. Opponents know what they get from Martin’s teams, so they know how to prepare for them.
Martin’s former players talk about his inspirational qualities not his tactical incision. It’s hard, if not impossible, for a manager of a major club to master all the attributes required in the job. The successful ones realise this and delegate.
One of the frustrations we had with Martin when he was at Celtic is his reluctance to indulge the scouts. We signed former Leicester players, players who featured on Match of the Day, or players from other SPL clubs. The Wanyama, Izaguirre, Kayal-recruitment model, players signed with greater trust in the scouts and limited supervision from the man at the top, would never have happened under O’Neill.
The technical side of the game is perhaps even more important than recruitment. Great football systems, clubs and countries develop from one coach doing something sensational. Successful tactical changes are then studied and copied, but how do you study and learn from a system that’s not utilised against you, or on TV, when you are manager of a large club? You can’t, on your own.
Instead you have to deploy the systems you already trust and used to get yourself the big job in the first place. Or you can tinker a little, or use what, for the want of a better term, we’ll call a technical research team. People who can say to the manager, “A club in Romania is doing something really clever, we should try it”, without being frog-marched off the premises.
The lesson of evolution is that it is not the biggest, strongest or healthiest who thrive, it’s those who can adapt to a changing environment. The list of great managers who end their career in humiliating relegation is longer than the list of greats who regularly discard their tried and tested formations and become early-adopters of successful new systems.
‘By any means necessary, Journey with Celtic Bampots’ by Paul Larkin, is now available at Lulu and other outlets. Paul charts the remarkable events the Internet Bampots became embroiled in since 2008.
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Once in a Green Moon,Summa.
:-)
It`s an omen,ah tellye.
.
Lloyd Williams Probably one of The Biggest gamblers in the World..
Wins The Cup again..
Summa
.
MacJay..
Took the Words right Out of My Mouth..
Tipped it Earlier.. Still glad I’m Aff the Punt tho..;0)
Summa
Summa
Mate.
I bet on sure things.
So,not horses,dogs or shares.
I`m too Scottish.:-)
Brett Prebble on Green Moon with the most heartfelt Sign of the Cross you will ever see on a racetrack…..:-)
.
MacJay..
Don’t know if Your Watching this.. Nick Williams (Lloyd’s Son) looking and Acting Like Carl Williams..(Melbournes Underbelly) ..;0)
Summa
.
Magnus..
Did a Few of them @ Carfin Dogs ‘Racetrack’ in My Time..;0(
Summa of GoingToTheDogsCSC
CANAMALAR 0310
You might be better posting that during the day,bud.
Only three signatures since you first mentioned it.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention,though.
summa of sammi….
04:41 on
6 November, 2012
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Magnus..
Did a Few of them @ Carfin Dogs ‘Racetrack’ in My Time..;0(
Summa of GoingToTheDogsCSC
Maybe shoulda tried the Andy Capp method:
Get really close to the start line and shout “Sit” to all the dogs bar yours…:-)
BMCW,
Hopefully someone will find it worthy of reposting while I sleep
Have tweeted tons asking for it to be retweeted and make it viral
This is a big chance to shine the light on this atrocity
Summa
At work the noo,so not watching.
Waiting for people who aren`t arriving.
I`ll know better next year.
.
Magnus..
Re; Carfin Dugs..
We took a Thoughrobread up in the 240 Wishaw Bus in Our wisdom we Gave him a Gregg’s Bridie on the Bus..
Put our Lot on Him @ 2/1.. 8 Length clear Round the Last Bend and Ran over to the Mug who gave Him the Bridie..
:0)
Summa of BridieHeadsRevisitedCSC
.
MacJay..
Funny enough it was Like Pulling Teeth..;0(
Summa
morning gents,ladies
hopefully see a few of you at St Mary’s later today
summa of sammi….
05:02 on 6 November, 2012
.
Magnus..
Re; Carfin Dugs..
We took a Thoughrobread up in the 240 Wishaw Bus in Our wisdom we Gave him a Gregg’s Bridie on the Bus..
Put our Lot on Him @ 2/1.. 8 Length clear Round the Last Bend and Ran over to the Mug who gave Him the Bridie..
:0)
Summa of BridieHeadsRevisitedCSC
Tactical Genius….Not.
Hope he’s not in Lenny’s dugout advising him on last five minute substitutions when 2 goals up. :-(
.
Magnus..
We’re Safe.. He is in Melbourne as Wee Speak..;0)
Summa of MoiMyself&iCSC
..
G’Day Fae a Absolouter Dull Dreick ‘Sunny’ Melbourne..
Yet Another Year Aff the Punt on this Melbourne Cup day..for this CQNer..Pwoud Werry Pwoud..:O)
Howevvvvva..
A Hourse called Green Moon catches the Eye..but Maluckyday for me.. Especially if l don’t Punt..Ha
Summa of FirstTuesdayInNovemberCSC
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1st Green Moon .. Win $22.50 Place $7.80..
Summa
Summa
Hope to catch you when/if your trip to Sydney is firmed up. Keep us posted. There’s a bridie in it for you.
Magnus
Morning all.
A very thought provoking article Paul.
Is MON a one-trick pony?
He certainly has splashed the cash when success comes his way and seems to be struggling when the resources at his disposal are (comparatively) modest.
Macjay: surely the club aren’t tied into this devisive nonsense yet again? We’ve had a whole year to negociate an acceptable alternative to this hijacked exercise in establishment jingoism. To do nowt and hope for no fall out seems prety incompetent frankly…
‘When you pull on that jersey you’re not just playing for a football club, you’re playing for a people and a cause.’ Tommy Burns
Happy Birthday Celtic
Good morning all from a mild, dry but damp underfoot East Kilbride.
And a Big Happy Birthday to Celtic FC. Didn’t buy you a card or present but I’ll come and visit you tomorrow evening.
Happy birthday Celtic.
help make it viral tweet
http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2012/11/letter-to-david-cameron-regarding-child-sex-abuse-investigation
Happy Birthday Celtic
Barca team are meeting at the Nou Camp this morning @ 930 am CET (830 Celtic Park time), to get a coach to the airport for the 1030 flight to Glasgow, arriving @ 1200 our time.
They are training at Celtic Park at 6pm our time, Tuesday.
They are bringing a squad of 20 including Messi, Pique, Iniesta, Xavi, Alves
I am a tad excited
West Wales Celt
05:58 on 6 November, 2012
Think I read recently that the Club had contributed 10 grand to the cause.
That may well be an effort to deflect attention from previous criticism aimed at the G.B.
Speculation on my part.
Nice to talk to you again,WW….no pun intended :-)
Wee Oscar Wristband & Free ticket for Celtic v Barca stands at £110 (Auction closes 8pm)
Wristband is today’s “must have” accessory and a decent wee ticket in block 101.
So question is who is going to bid 125? All for Wee Oscar
email us at WeeOscar4life@gmail.com
HH
CRC
WeeOscar4Life campaign team
Macjay:
Nice to talk to you too!
If poppy we must lets hope the GB don’t respond in kind. No expectation though as principles are hard to ignore especially in the face of provocation…
I still favour the white ones but just imagine the tidal wave of offended right standing citihuns…
A simple observation so might not be appreciated but….
A much used excuse for poor performances and probably so :- We’re a young side,not long together etc., more time to gel .
GET USED TO IT!!!
They aren’t going to get time to gel! The policy is to produce or buy young unknowns and sell on at a big profit and it’s not going to change in the near future. So always turnover of the younger players.
What Neil and his staff IMHO must bring about and the answer’s easy, achieving it not so, is to get an experienced older spine (that don’t move on) that between them all, can inspire and (the hard part) produce more consistency from the ever changing younger players.
As for lack of effort (inexplicable! but not difficult) a kick up the arse or dropped!!!
Best wishes to all for wednesday.
Happy 125th Birthday to Glasgow Celtic. So looking forward to the family party tomorrow night, thanks for the ticket only invitation. Hx2
125 not out.
Victory to the CFC!
.
Shirley they Could let Teams Display Popps in Team Colours..The Green & Whyte Popp..for Celtic..
The Ranjurs Popps Would of Course stay Red (In the Red) & Black (Black Hole)..
Summa of PopGoesTheWeeSoulCSC
Happy Birthday Celtic see you all at the Party tomorrow
HH
Happy 125th Birthday to Glasgow Celtic. So looking forward to the family party tomorrow night, thanks for the ticket only invitation. It’s been a wonderful life, full of so many ups & downs. Hx2
Morning all!
A very happy 125th birthday to the glorious CELTIC Football Club!
Here’s to the next 125 years!
‘More than just a football club’.
HH!!
I have visions of us defeating those condescending Catalan debt-mongers on Wednesday night.
.
Courtesy Do the Bouncy..
I read in Sunday’s paper that it was 20 years to the day that Rangers travelled to Elland Road for that famous Champions League game. That was the year that Rangers came within a single, solitary goal of reaching the first ever Champions League final, and were pipped by a Marseille team which cheated it’s way to European glory.
Back to that night in Yorkshire though, who can forget it? Watching the game live on TV as Rangers fans were banned from travelling,
..
Sometimes You don’t Need to Read the Full Article..:O)
Summa of AstoundedOfForeHeadsCSC
Ps..I Always thought Feijenoord Cheated Celtic by Scoring More Goals than Us in Milan..
Happy birthday to ya!
Happy birthday to ya!
Happy birthday!
God bless Celtic and all who follow her.
Amen.