If there is a hierarchy of Celtic royalty – those most of us would feel nervous in front of, Martin O’Neill is sitting on the throne. For those of us who are old enough, his impact on our lives is significant.
When he arrived in 2000, Celtic were marooned in the wilderness. An against-the-odds title win in 1998 was a fading memory as the Rangers motor picked up pace: 11 titles in 12 seasons, most of them won with plenty to spare.
On 26 August 2000, the world changed. Nothing has been the same since. We put six goals past Rangers, announcing not only that we were likely to win the league, but that this time, the foundations were built on granite. We lost five leagues in the 19 years since then, but even those seasons were tight, five won and lost on the final day. Martin was the enzyme for all of this.
His tactics were beautifully simple: be hard in the middle of the park, get the ball down the wing, have players there who can cross the ball, and have the best headers of the ball in the business there to attack those crosses.
It worked and then it stopped working. Alex McLeish won a treble with lesser players, because he figured out that playing three up against our back three was practically kryptonite to Celtic. Tactically, Martin had been rumbled, but his magical quality was never tactics.
Listen now to any of the players he had at Celtic and the respect they hold him in remains absolute. His sheer presence blew them away when he first met them in 2000, and for the next five years. They would run through walls for him. If he said “You’re one of the best players in this league” they played like one of the best players in the league, such was their faith in Martin.
Training sessions were left to others, tactical changes were anathema, key recruitment resources were largely SPL opponents and Match of the Day. The model had many weaknesses and would inevitably crash. Just as when Dalglish left Stein a generation earlier, when Larsson left O’Neill, the magic disappeared.
You and I know Martin’s tactical weaknesses at Celtic, so does he. He knows more about the management game than any of us, so he evolved; eventually, but this was not his natural territory. He was always playing catch up. The game has moved on and Martin’s principle strength, that significant force of personality, was never going to be enough.
He arrived in a militant Nottingham Forest dressing room that had seen off other managers. Roy Keane was his enforcer. If that’s all there was to the game, Forest would have flourished, but this is not the 60s. You can’t bully your way to authority.
I’ve seen enough managers and players to know they all ‘move on’ sooner than we do, and I’ve no illusions that Martin is an exception to this. He is an intelligent man and entitled to find things other than Celtic to fill his life. But still, Celtic Park is his, that is where his throne waits. He won the European Cup for Forest, not Celtic, but he changed our lives forever. For that, I will be eternally grateful, and always nervous in his company.
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WITS
KT will fail the Arsenal medical.
FOOL TIME WHISTLE @ 8:15 PM,
Although Celtic’s business model, which ever way you dice it means we’ll have to sell some players there is variations in the way that can be achieved.
Last summer the Board were working to a transfer strategy and the football department to another.
It was a mess, when it became apparent it was an omnishambles instead of fixing it, the protaganists made it worse.
There are different versions of the China saga, none of them are fully genuine, in all of the versions Brendan Rodgers and also the Board come out badly. So unless you can tell me definitivley what happened I’m going to give that a miss.
So, as you say until the truth will out we’ll not know what caused the breakdown and why it was allowed to be so corrossive. Costing Celtic a conservative £50M.
Brendan Rodgers is on record as saying he’d like to return to Celtic. He’s not going to do that unless he has a very believable and concrete version of events.
Now the fact is Brendan Rodgers time was the most successful by far of the PL era, if continue to win trebles, qualify for the UCL and post record breaking financials we can say the Brendan Rodgers effect was not the reason for that success and that the PLC model was and continues to be the reason
Time will tell.
Hail Hail
Chairbhoy 10.21pm
Brendan was amazing for Celtic
Brendan bolting could have been worse, “if” Neil lost at Tynecastle & Easter Road in his first two games after such an upheaval… it might have just been a double treble … for all Brendan was terrific … he bolted and didn’t give a flying fluck about season 2018/19…. (in my opinion :-)
Well said GFTB.
Brendan made us invincible.
Definitely think that he departed with the blessings of the PLC board.
Thanks be to Jesus for NFL as well.
HH. ?
KT will stay & not be sold on he is worth 30 Million +
This is the usual huns media tripe like which hoops
player can we look to sell
The Outlanders should be put in their place if they
want our better players then they will have to pay
the going rate not on the cheap in fact according
to sly sports news 15 to 20 million for a player nowadays
is nothing aye right that’s easy to say when millions
is getting pumped into their League one day their
bubble will burst & we will all be on the same level
playing field
I do not subscribe to having to go out each season
& buy mainly tripe just to appease certain opinions
that does not make sense nor is it wise & also wage
bills have to be taking into consideration as well
We are a sensible Club not like our zombie neighbours
who went into oblivion mode in 2012 use the noggin
& don’t be like the old cliche states where fools &
money are easy divided end of ramble COYBIG &
YNWA Folks yeah later’s
Celtic PLC is a business. it operates for the benefit of its shareholders. The supporters are an extension of the business, they are in effect customers. The PLC Board take reasonable and appropriate steps to keep the customer base onside. Staying ahead of a team called Rangers in a footballing context is a key objective because that is the be all and end all for the majority of the customer base. The perceived link between player and Club is non existent, it is an illusion and many of the players (employees) are adept at playing to the tune of the customers. Surely none of us customers of Celtic PLC can be under any illusions as to how the business operates. Kieran Tierney will be the confirmation of what many of us have known all along.
The football organ is on the verge of a historic achievement yet the PLC have sold off some of the biggest assets over a two year period, asset stripping the team of its competitive advantage. It is quite extraordinary how easy it has been for the PLC to do that whilst at the same time increasing their customer base. The CEO deserves to be significantly remunerated for his performance.
ECL provides as big if not bigger challenge for players, knock back £20/25M and it sets a standard, we are already a proven supplier of EPL and higher quality players.
It is not the reality of the market place it’s bullshit that’s easy to sell to the gullible that know their lace, we heard the same shite for each of the player you mentioned, the lack of believe in the quality and the policy of cash is king means we will not dare to try and build a team of EPL/ECL quality. I believe we currently have a core of players who could maintain an EPL mid table place. Add a bit more quality rather than sell and you could be looking at later stages of ECL. Then watch the value of players rocket. But if we continue to sell off every time we get close we’ll never attain the value and continue to take the easy excuse you have been brainwashed into repeating. It’s the market and the naebody rates Scottish football mantra
And another thing … plenty on here moan & groan about the media, the Record, the Sun or even Clyde SSB, Celtic signed a player on Friday, some of the same punters moaning about the “plc” not signing players but yet most of the posts have been aimed at a Celtic academy player who “might” leave in a multi million pound deal… and hardly any mention of a player who has actually signed … sometimes maybe some posters are a bit like the journos they complain about :-)
16 Roads…wee Jamsie looked like a bairn at the start of this journey… :-)
Forza Roy C, Dena agus big Gearoid :
https://youtu.be/a4UQJwd3awQ
So many other legends also missing from the place, it would take a page to fill all their names in.
I only hope you’d are all keeping well.
Hail Hail. ?
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 30TH JUNE 2019 10:37 PM
16 Roads…wee Jamsie looked like a bairn at the start of this journey… :-)
——————————————–
Unbelievable ?
Big Majstorovic also played that day as well, no wonder we were 3 goals down at half time. ?
HH. ?
Weebobbycollins 10.37pm
Wee Jamesy (invisible man :-) still looks like a wean … he could break every record possible in a Celtic jersey if he doesn’t get “his head turned” … by all accounts when Harry Rednapp was Spurs manager Jamesy F & Broony were the two players he fancied …
16 Roads
I copied the thread from that day at Rugby Park, still have it.
There’s a few who would be embarrassed by their comments regarding NFL.
HH
16 Roads…and Ki was still with us…
if we do the 10, can you imagine if all the players involved were to return for a celebration?
What a party! :-)
DD
You watchin’ the Cure?
TAL 10.52pm
Get it posted :-)
Thankfully I wasn’t on the blog then but even now I don’t even read the “live updates” as I know how irrational I am just watching never mind posting :-)
I was at that Killie game
And my main memory was that we were just as bad in the 2nd half as in the first when we came back out.
It took a sublime free kick, followed by a lazy swipe that their (Finnish??) keeper inexplicably let in to get some self belief and then Charlie got some redemption for his own mistake.
Neil Lennon’s career might have stalled before it started if some of those slices of fortune did not come off.
Still think Killie’s 2nd goal was offside and so did the goalscorer himself.
GFTB…yes, I remember James being linked with Spurs who had Aaron Lennon at the time…I didn’t think he would go then and I don’t believe he will go now either…still 2 or 3 good seasons in him…
GFTB @ 10:27 PM,
Brendan Rodgers left Celtic because his position was untenable. It was only a matter of when after that.
The timing wasn’t great but the treble treble was very much on. He chose to go because it was the right opportunity for him and his staff. Celtic and the treble were secondary to his mind then.
The Board discussed the situation with BR and Leicester and agreed to him going for a large compensation fee, the treble was secondary to them.
Peter Lawwell is now master of all he surveys and can get on with running things his way in peace.
Let’s see how he does.
Hail Hail
GFTB
I’m embarrassed to.?
Maybe when we win the ten.?
Honestly, the bile directed against our Neil Lennon was sickening.
HH
There is no brainwashing
Scottish football is not very good.The Scottish league is one of the weaker European leagues.
The players who play in the weaker leagues are worth significantly less in the market place than the players who play in the stronger leagues.
Kieran Tierney may well be a better player than the Crystal Palace full back who went to Man Utd for 50 million but no one will dream about paying that for him.
Chairbhoy 11.03pm
We can all look out the same window and see a different landscape …
I think Brendan bolted for one reason (or maybe two :-) … money being the main carrot and back in the EPL … which is fair enough … without going over old ground … he bolted on his midnight flit, he didn’t give a flying monkeys about the treble treble (in my opinion) … I will be forever thankful for his 7 trophies but he could have lost us two on the way to 9, and Neil would have been hung out to dry… remember Neil the player left Leicester for us for less money… Brendan left us for Leicester for more money … sometimes the facts should get in the way :-) … life goes on, Celtic is our constant whether it’s Brendan, Kieran or even Peter Lawell, Celtic is more important than them all
TAL
Lovin Robert Smith tonight. The Cure smashin it the Scouse Scallies. ????
TAL 11.04pm
Some things are best left not repeated :-)
Weebobbycollins 11.01pm
Jamesy F will be appreciated far more when he has hung up his boots… which I hope is a long long time away :-)
TAL – Sure Moussa got slaughtered on here after only his first couple of games and a slow beginning.
WBC – That Ki was and still is an outstanding footballer.
SFTB – Such a game, some buzz when Charlie restored parity.
HH. ?
DD
Enjoyed the Cure – must be getting auld ?
That wiz some show last night with the Chemical Bros….Eh?
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 30TH JUNE 2019 10:53 PM
if we do the 10, can you imagine if all the players involved were to return for a celebration?
What a party! :-)
—————————
Such a superb idea.
Be like a dream as the Cure would say.
We must be united.
HH. ?
WHAT IS THE STARS on 30TH JUNE 2019 11:07 PM
——————————–
Did you watch the “Champions League” final? ?
HH. ?
TAL
Hey Girl Hey Boy. Superstar DJ.
Here we go!
Judge our transfer business when complete not when its just beginning. So far we have added 2 players. at this point in time we need a rightback as priority. Neil has stated he wants a forward and i expect another midfielder to come in too.
We have already seen 11 players leave and i expect ntcham and sinclair will be sold too. comperr is likely to be offered a package to leave and miller also likely to be told to find another club.
We have ralston as back up rightback and perez well also be in on junuary. Connell can cover leftback, gutman well be here in january as well. Hayes can also be used there if needs be. At centreback we are likely to have jozo and hendry as back up with wilson and liam morrison (if we can get him to stay).
Outwith a handful of clubs modern football does not allow for long term team building. bosman ruling saw to that.
We have had the pleasure of watching some great players over the years and we have developed some crackers too. We have built up a good rep as a developer of players and we have managed to turn over profit.
Last years we spent 10 million on eduard and we have spent 7 million on a centreback this season. We will spend a good few more this season to get the players we need. Could celtic do thing better? Yes of course everything can be improved.
HH
It’s Magic you know.
We are gonnae win 9 in a row again.
CHAIRBHOY on 30TH JUNE 2019 10:01 PM
CELTIC40ME @ 7:19 PM,
I live pretty much in the middle between the two grounds, I went to highbury a lot, the Emirates less so. My in-laws are season ticket holders at spurs, my older son is spurs-mad
What I was getting at was that Spurs have the largest support round London.
Recently Tottenham have been better supported as they’ve being playing at Wembley…
Tottenham’s average home attendance for last season in the EPL was behind Arsenal’s and West Ham
Arsenal had two season at Wembley in the champions league, they sold out all 6 games.
The last I heard the season ticket waiting list for the Emirates was 40,000 which was down because of nasty period at the end of the Wenger era.
I would imagine Spurs would probably have built a bigger stadium than Arsenal’s if they thought they could fill it
Yet traditionally London’s Jewish community have supported Spurs and they have a huge catchment area in North London and the Northern home counties
So do Arsenal.
Of course their lack of success has meant they’ve failed to exploit that potential. This has changed, as has been evidenced by the Wembley attendences and their new Stadium.
Their new stadium is the same size as Arsenal’s.
When Arsene Wenger started Arsenal needed money to pay for the building of their new Stadium. So they were a selling club.
Wenger started in 1996, they moved in 2006. There was no talk of moving when he came in and they only really became a selling club when man city came along with their petroleum-dollars. Wenger sold some of his stars but for big money before that but Arsenal weren’t a selling club in the late nineties and early noughties.
Once they finished the stadium it was thought that the extra income and reduced outgoings would mean a bright new dawn – they’d compete and once again beat Man U, Liverpool and Chelsea.
That’s wrong, their outgoings increased, saddling themselves with debt was one of the reasons that David Dein was set against the move and ultimately led to him leaving. But their match day revenue increased hugely. They did continue to beat Liverpool but knew they’d never compete financially with United and with Chelsea as long as Abramovic kept pumping money in.
Of course that didn’t happen. They followed a business model that meant as long as Arsene Wenger got them into the Champions league they would keep selling.
Wrong again. They worked on a business model that tried to balance the books while maintaining their place in the top 4. Wenger said frequently that chasing teams like city and Chelsea who were being given free money was foolish.
In fact since the Emirates Stadium opened Arsenal haven’t won the league. Not at all what the gooners bought into.
True, But Spurs won’t either just because they’ve built a new ground. They borrowed over £600m to build it. Naming rights aren’t going to make a big enough dent in that that they won’t face similar problems to Arsenal who had to service a smaller debt when they first moved to the Emirates.
They now find they’re is a top six instead of a top four in English football and they are the bottom of the pecking order.
Spurs finished fourth, a point ahead of Arsenal (who were 5th, not 6th) last season who were pretty dismal. They were great in the CL but lost 13 games in the EPL. They were very lucky Arsenal blew so many chances to catch them at the end.
Spurs European games may have been more taxing but arsenal played more in Europe and had the Thursday Sunday thing to deal with on their way to the Europa Final
If the sale of Newcastle United goes through and the new Arab owners invest like they have at Man City and PSG, they may find it difficult to get a UCL place.
When Poch goes, probably before, Spurs will face exactly the same problem. All while they have to start paying their stars market rates for the first time, servicing a huge debt and dealing with the raised expectations of fans who are paying an extra 50% for their season tickets and now no longer see finishing above arsenal as reason to celebrate a good season
Hail Hail
16 Roads
Yes i watched it..did you ?
Oh for the cold-eyed estimation of the determined sleekit and his sly takedown of our great support and
our complex devotions.
Huns – at it then, at it now, at it forever.
They want us divided and conquered. Upset thum.
See thum for wot they wur!
:))))))))))))))))))))))))
Bankiebhoy1 12.22am
Some “Celtic” fans are only happy when unhappy … I still canny believe big Chrissy Juliennes has hardly had a mention … hope the big chap doesn’t read the ole blogs …. he probably realises it isn’t real life :-)
Fellow Celts good night and ,,,,,, you know the rest
Neil Lennon CSC
Unfortunately so WITS, unfortunately so…
Regardless of how good or bad Scottish football is – world class footballers grace the Scottish game occasionally.
We all recognised that Henke was something else, despite the fact that he plied his trade in Scotland.
Virgil similar, every Celtic supporter was saying the lad was a phenomenon.
Kieran Tierney is already in the same bracket.
We’ve been selling ourselves short as far back as Kenny Dalglish – It’s time to draw a line in the sand, and I’m speaking not just for our club, but Scottish football in general.
John McGinn is another example.
It’s a tough environment, and I acknowledge the big fish eats little fish reality.
Morales is a brilliant striker, yet the zombies won’t get much money for him, discipline issues accepted.
HH. ?
GFTB
only very, very, very rarely is it anyone who supports the Club imo.
It’s sleekit huns at it. Timposters.
Der huns are never far from a post on here which makes our Treble Treble even sweeter.
NFL will keep our feet on their filthy squirming throat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYcnR_2caEE