Surprised at the success our former (very successful) managers, Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan, are having on the international stage? Perhaps a bit surprised they’ve figures out how to collect points away from home in Europe.
Martin O’Neill will always be royalty at Celtic but after a couple of well-financed seasons at Aston Villa his star fell, eventually leading to an ignominious departure from Sunderland, who managed to replace him, and improve, under Paulo DiCanio.
A decade earlier Martin was the hottest property in management in the UK. Campaigns were run by Liverpool fans to tempt him, he was tipped for the Manchester United job when Alex Ferguson retired, but the absurd reality that Di Canio was able to stop the decline of O’Neill’s Sunderland team damaged his brand considerablty.
Gordon Strachan had a claustrophobic four years at Celtic. He became only the third manager in our history to win three consecutive league titles, and broke new ground in the Champions League, but Celtic’s commercial competitiveness declined during this era, making Gordon’s life harder than it would otherwise have been.
The Ireland and Scotland jobs both looked like poisoned chalices. Ireland reached Euro 2012 but came home pointless, looking like a team in decline. Scotland had fallen so low they were hardly in decline when Gordon Strachan took over from Craig Levein last year, but it seemed shifting demographics had consigned our interest to club football only.
Martin may have found his niche. His teams have always known how to defend and how to score goals, issues like ball retention always appeared trivial to him. Gordon is an example of a manager who is always learning. He was an excellent Celtic manager but it should surprise no one that he is a better manager now than he was when he left five years ago.
I’ve absolutely no idea which side is going to win the bun fight for control over Newco Rangers, but, there is some interesting form to consider……
Just when people with money and a plan (on this occasion Ashley with the Easdales) look to have things sorted, the cabal, previously known as the Blue Knights, pitch up without the wherewithal to take control and drive a poisoned wedge between fans and club.
It’s a master-class in subversion. Based on his previous exploits my money’s not on the tax crook (the one convicted in South Africa, that is) succeeding.
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Tamrabam
MON inherited a great squad with Henrik as the ace in the pack.
WGS had to buy players. The squad was in need of repair.
Both were great Celtic managers. One was appreciated across the board and one wasn’t.
It’s testament to their abilities that they are both doing well in the international arena. I think Gordon still has more to offer at club level. I suspect MON at his stage in his career is tailor made for the job he is in.
I don;t see the point in slating one and praising the other. Both done their bit to win a lot of trophies for the club and also progress the club in Europe.
It’s too early to call Ronny’s tenure but he needs to learn to grind out results.
LB
yorkbhoy, You are correct, with all the stuff being spouted over the internet its extremely unlikely that anyone will take the trouble to have a go at Kev, however we all should keep within some sort of boundaries. If there was an action Paul could get in trouble too so even for his sake we should moderate what we say. Mind you if you read the stuff on The Bears Den, we are all angels here in comparison.
Geordie
That Naka tho…
He made a five yard pass look sexy as hell
How did he do that??!!
I enjoyed Martin O’Neill’s dominance and Gordon Strachan’s successes but they’re all well behind us now.
Q. What’s the difference between King sweeping into Ibrox to restore Sevco’s fortunes and me sweeping cobwebs from my wheelie-bin beore putting it out weekly?
A. I own my rubbish.
Put up or shut up, Davieboy.
—————————————————————————————————————
Somebody has to be first.
I’ll gladly take two tickets for Pittodrie from anyone with spares. Sorted train and digs for the Saturday before the game last week.
Thanks in anticipation.
Greenpinta
The referendum is over and the No vote has won, fair and square. It is of course ludicrous for people not to accept that result. However, to say just “move on” is not quite right either. People have genuine beliefs, and are entitled to stick to them. I wouldn’t expect committed Conservative voters to “just move on” after an election loss, they would be perfectly entitled to keep to their views and express them. So I would say to Yes voters, accept the loss, and work for the future.
I suspect that all the Yes vote has to do is maintain a decent level of activity and wait. All the politics of interest in the UK is taking place on the right, and this means a trend towards a country (with apologies to Abraham Lincoln) run by Daily Mail readers, of Daily Mail readers, and for Daily Mail readers.
Things change in politics, and it wouldn’t surprise me if we see a change in Scottish sentiment determined by external circumstance. After all, before Easter 1916 most people in Ireland were content to be British, six months later this wasn’t the case. A rise in UKIP support will have repercussions in Scotland, and we are not in a position to say “never”, as did the late Dr Paisley, wrongly.The fat lady may have sung, but I suspect she may have an encore before it’s all over.
Good God.Just read back the 1st page,and its even worse than yesterdays.Not content with slaughtering our manager,and players,,the mob have now turned on Phil !!!!!!!!!1.How dare he get anything wrong.
Alsi WGS getting loads of plaudits for playing 2 midfielders,and 2 wide men.One wide man who keeps coming inside.Eh,is that not the system that has been getting pelters on here?.
Roll on the games starting again.A wee change to the saying”The Devil finds p!sh for idle mouths to spout”.
Anyone not seen the john hartson story on bbc wales (i player).
Not to be missed.
The big man a special man.
Hail hail big man.
Outstanding wee get-the-gither last night as Jimbo67 and The Seven Ayrshire Tims rocked The Market Inn,Ayr with raucous support for Scotland.
As of course did the rest of the pub,and most of the country.
It’s not so long since I’d have shut the curtains if Scotland were playing out my back door.
It could so easily have been three points. It wasn’t. But I think it’s fair to say that Gordon Strachan is restoring a pride in our national team.
Great display on the pitch,a great night off it!
My grateful thanks on both counts.
Bhoylo,
I had a mullyin arguments about naka on another blog in a previous life. ;)
One trick pony….only scores at home…yadda yadda
He certainly was a class act imo.
Paul67
Very good piece on a correlation of Celtic men, now ploughing International paths no lazy SMSM here, where you’d be pushed to find any such article.
How lucky were Celtic to have had MON and then WGS. Both outstanding managers for Celtic, without equivocation.
MON ran his Celtic race and did exactly as WGS both of them I maintain where later followed by the successful NFL, who also ran the legs of his race. In terms of Celtic all three victorious managers, eventually clashed with ‘Celtic’ – whoever they are.
Three differing styles but all ultimately after very similar periods of time fell foul of ambition and ‘the balance sheet’, their time was up, and new more flexible budgets and power were sought to satisfy individual careers.
On Tommy Burns Thursday Dermot Desmond whilst WGS’s bags were already packed said “ Gordon is a great manager, and great for the balance sheet’ He was talked into another year. MON never recovered fully from the Seville year, and with nothing in the kitty, his tea was oot.
The embarrassment for MON at Sunderland was merely temporary and down to an exceptionally badly run board, and club, I don’t think DiCanio improved anything, and where is he now?
Who knows where Ireland and Scotland will peak but there will be no clash on budgets, and Martin and Gordon might indeed find their levels.
The Celtic manager’s job doesn’t shrink to fit ordinary men.
Three different managers (MON WGS Lenny) yet all resigned without a job lined up. Strange one.
Dutch site names CP as 7th noisiest stadium in world football:
http://www.soccernews.nl/news/280451/De_10_luidruchtigste_stadions_ter_wereld
I reckon discussions and debate is soon going to revolve around Ebola!
Dustin Hoffman has the cure FFS! Gee him a call.
MWD said AYE
DeniaBhoy
I noticed that this season. I’ve had to buy ear protectors.
MWD said AYE
Paul67 et al
Under Martin and Gordon Celtic could have and possibly should have won nine titles in a row,
losing three on the final day of each campaign, one of which involved Jimmy Calderwood, a manager apparently offered the job at Ayebroke at one point. Both O’Neil and Strachan brought Celtic back into the European environment, and both have adapted very well to International football. When both Scotland and Ireland limber up at Celtic Park Ronny would do well to try and attend both training sessions. He might well learn something.
GM-I’m sure you know,i am alluding to us being taken up the garden path again with Commons,a la Samaras re a new contract.32 goals last season,yet can sign for another club in 10 weeks time? Do the math amigo.HH
coolmore mafia
The job is 24/7 and draining. I’m not surprised managers last less than 5 years in the role.
There is probably not many demanding jobs in football. The criticism aimed at a Celtic manager is tiring. Even when they get it right it’s wrong (see WGS).
NL had went through more than any other manager in the history of the game in UK football. He stayed and proved his bottle, his ability and his commitment to Celtic.
NL is a Celtic legend.
LB
Coolmore mafia,
I find I’m generally happier when our managers walk rather than get pushed.
Corkcelt.
I’ve been scrolling back. Your friend is correct
Peter Lawell went to An Tearmanns and my school.
He is definitely a Celtic fan.
I accept people might not like how he runs the club, but anyone doubting his Celtic credentials is incorrect.
Apricale @ 15.02 hrs.
I cannot argue with what you say, and the future is unpredictable.
I would not expect ( or wish for ) people to just give up their legitimate lifelong beliefs, but I still feel we must move on.
We have been living in a vacuum for a few years and I feel we must now together concentrate on jobs, housing, health etc.
Anything else can only be a distraction at this time, especially to the most needy.
HH to you.
!!Bada Bing!!
15:34 on
15 October, 2014
He’s at a bit of a cusp. How long a contract would you give him given that he’ll be 32 just after the start of next season? I’d be inclined to offer no more than 1 with a 1 year extension but he may well want something a bit tighter than that.
Bada,
I hear ye. All I’m saying is talks can take place and no suitable resolution found. Therefore both ain’t lying.
Commons will be offered a contract (or not) depending on his value to us in the future. Not what he’s done in the past.
As I said recently my thoughts on both players canny be conveyed on a mb properly due to my happyclapperitus:)
I must have been watching a different team under WGS his last 18-24 months were dire
Greenpinta
HH
.
Go Back to Lurking then..
Ps..How do You Lurk watching Celtic FC.. Couch or Setee..;-)
Summa
Livi and geordie- agree.
Bishop Dermott and father Lawwell could nae get altar boys MON and Lenny tae hang aroon fur the plate
WGS was a proddy dog ony wye
I am Not Lurking Anymore
15:45 on
15 October, 2014
As was MON’s in the last half of his last season, the two most ‘enjoyable’ games ie entertaining, were defeats. To Hearts and Aberdeen I think.
How did sammi play last night
Usually the setee he he
yorkbhoy 14:52 on 15 October, 2014
Greenpinata
KevJungle obviously does not get enough attention at home, so he comes on here and phones the Daily Record in a desperate attempt to get a response.
It’s all a bit sad really.
Jimmynotpaul
Some of us are supporters. others fans of the Celtic. Few if any will have the skill-set and knowledge that is involved in running our club.
Doesn’t stop us having a wee greet when we don’t get our way or the football team suffer a defeat.
Nor should it, cause we’d have nothing to argue about if we didn’t !
Hail Hail
deniabhoy
13:43 on 15 October, 2014
Agreed a straight forward asking questions of the likes of the Easdale’s will get you no where, but the “succulent lamb” crew became known as such for very good reason.
They published what they were told to, they even asked permission and let those who would control the news proof read and adjust their stories. That isn’t journalism, that’s being a straight forward publicist.
You may not like or agree with everything Phil prints, I don’t, but he is a journalist, trying to get to the bottom of the story and not printing one view point or someone’s agenda.
I disagree he is anyone stenographer, he has sources and uses the info provided, if it stands up, but to expose the truth of the matter, not to aid one sides story.
All opinion of course.
weeminger-a 2.5 year deal this summer would have done it for me.FWIW i think he will go in January and we will try and sign Guidetti on a permanent deal,as he could be the next FF re EPL after doing well here.HH
Bada Bing
Is that you in Mad Mitch speech mode:o)
Sounds like a plan Bada :)
GM -we need to keep experienced guys too,not discard them when they turn 30.
EDB-Sounds bad……i hope not :))
apologies if posted.comical stuff with Guidetti and France at u21 game
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/arrogant-star-humiliated-after-this-celebration-goes-wrong-082841071.html?vp=1
:-)
Emdi know what DK is buying?
HH
AN TEARMANN
Apologies for the ludicrous length of the URL,but….
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=pig+in+a+poke&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#facrc=_&imgrc=K8fSHY4jCh585M%253A%3Bundefined%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fimages.freemans.com%252Fis%252Fimage%252FOttoUK%252Fcloudzoom%252FBorder-Fine-Arts-James-Herriot-Pig-in-a-Poke~65E255FRSP.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdailyenglish.cz%252F2013%252F05%252F12%252Fdont-buy-a-pig-in-a-poke%252F%3B1000%3B1000