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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EC67- ‘sports drinks’- Gatorade, that kind of thing.
And when she feels better the ole live yoghurt to re-colonise her gut with the good guys.
I am aware that in places like Egypt lots of antibiotics get handed out for the oleTutankhamen’s Revenge but we don’t do that so much in the U.K
Bada.
Up on news now
New Bolton Wanderers manager Neil Lennon has reportedly made Kris Commons one of his first transfer targets.
Lennon signed the attacking midfielder from Derby County back in 2011 when he was in charge of Celtic.
The 31-year-old’s contract at Parkhead is due to expire at the end of the season and with no agreement in place to extend his stay, Lennon is hopeful that he can take advantage of the situation by making a bid for his services in January, according to the Daily Mail.
The report adds that Celtic defender Adam Matthews, who also joined the Scottish champions during Lennon’s time at the helm, is also a target of the Northern Irishman.
The spivs who’re sucking the life out of Sevco would never have got to do it had it not been for the complete failure to take “fit and proper person” seriously at the SFA. Now, after a stunning new series of revelations, the biggest scandal of all might be about to sink everyone involved.
http://www.onfieldsofgreen.com/unfit-and-improper/
Cowiebhoy
Lenny please take Adam and i will love you even more
Ps
Don;t do a medical
TET,
I got a letter from the bank last week, saying my bank details may have been compromised, I had to cut my card up and wait two days until a new one arrived.
My mate got a phone call from his bank round about the same time and was asked if he’d been in Vietnam last week…£200 wiped out f his account.
Hope Mrs Tet gets sorted. HH
A rare site
http://www.celticfc.tv/freeview?video=1955
Stefan Scepovic scoring his first goal for Celtic as he lead the line for the Hoops’
James Forrest, good piece Mhate.
I also read the link you put on there to Rangers Standard, a few of them seem to be actually waking up! Didn’t really think they were ever going to. It is a stunning scoop.
Thank you M
Will follow your advice.
Connairre12, good to hear, hope to see you there.
TET
Just received this re my email re Scam.
If we were a scam we would be prepared but we are not so we have nothing to worry about.
Thanks for your concern though.
Awerabest PJ
Celtic wont sit back ,if and when Sevco spend big next season.if they are promoted,and thats how Celtic are keeping there powder dry, and they sevco should be made pay off there creditors.as for Rony saying he dosent like the idea of loanees, its not his fault,if he isnt giving any decent money to Buy players,and i hope Dermot Desmond sells his shares soon, but who is willing to buy them,
Connairre12
Great news sir, I hope your recovery continues speedily.
Eurochamps67 make sure that you get the gas out fizzy drink what the Mrs wants is the sugars and salts out the drink the fizziness can keep the stomach upset. It works like dioralite. As dbbia says also the wee yoghurt to get the balance back.
HH
KTF
Nice wee sailing boat passed earlier
Green Bhoy
So who’s the Bhoy sailing around the Caribbean ?
Hail Hail
Eurochamps67, Why not just get normal stuff like Arrett, bananas do help but just go to Chemist & get medicine for the problem. Absolutely loved the land of the Pharoas myself but wouldn’t go back. Did a river cruise from the Aswan Dam up to Luxor. Loved that part, loved the Temples and the Valley of the Kings, hugely disappointed with the Pyramids looked grand from the desert side but the way you come on them by road, it looked like a builder’s yard and Cairo itself was the biggest dump I ever saw and a bit dangerous to be knocking around, and I’m not easily scared. Anyways best of luck and bottoms up to ye all.
Lenny -feel free to take Tonevy,Bergety and Boerichtery.
Doc:
Agreed mate. Their piece might yet be the most important bit of the jigsaw.
How certain people in our governing bodies still have jobs is a mystery none of us is qualified to solve.
James Forrest, as I said on FB, the SFA is where our collective attention should be focused now. Not fit for purpose. Disgrace.
Do you think Lenny might be looking for an assistant?!
“Impeach Grimmond McCrummoch.”
Doc:
Without a doubt.
McCrummochy Out!
Good Mhan.
Night all, early start.
CowieBhoy, mind no get too sunburnt:-)
HT, from earlier
cowiebhoy
13:20 on 15 October, 2014
baba bing, from previous article
I also think Kris Commons may find himself in Bolton come end of January
lenny usually operates with a 3 man back room team (4 if you include goalkeeping coach)
At Bolton he only has Mjallby and Parker, so a space for KC as player and coach ? A role Lenny had in mind for KC at Celtic
Just my opinion
DBBA
Would love it if he takes John Parky :-) can’t see it though
Hail Hail
Baldey and Pukkiy too
Doc, I’m hoping some don’t mistake me for Paul Wilson (nae offence Paul, from blog earlier in week) when I get back for the night Oot on 24th :-)
Braw
Hail Hail
James Forrest,
No mention of Skinty amd Ticketus ?
HH
Lenny – Kayaly also available
( free up money to sign Armstrong and McGinn Bhoys)
Hail Hail
Strachan & Maloney If you know the history
It’s interesting the WGS has made Shaun Maloney one of his key men in the vast improving Scotland team.
At Celtic for the first 18 months of Strachan’s management (after the false start) Shaun flourished into the player Martin O’Neill hoped he would be when introduced into the side at Ibrox in 2001.
For that 18 month period August 2005 to January 2007 Celtic played some blinding football and Shaun was at the heart of it all. His long range goal against Stefan Kloss in a 2-0 League Cup win at Celtic Park was start of Gordon’s era at Celtic.
After Shaun left the quality of the football under Strachan dropped considerably and even when Maloney returned it wasn’t the same due to a string of injuries.
The goal Shaun scored last night was of the highest quality probably due in no small part to a manager who appreciates how good a player wee Shaun is.
He can also take Ambrosey and van Dijky.
Cowriebhoy
I think you know what my opinion would be if we sold Commons!!
sipsini-PJ
Thanks for your concern.
I have given them a letter from the bank stating they have taken the money and not refunded it, yet they continue to lie.
They are scammers of the highest order.
It’s no the money, well it is, as I said, it feeds our animals for a month, just don’t like bellends like them getting away with scamming folks.
their addy is
info@coastalsoftware.co.uk
Oh, and BTW, they profess to be a brit company, they are in Canada, I have since found that out, a scam from the onset.
Please mail them and ask them to stop scamming honest innocent people out of the hard earned.
Thanks again bhoys, much appreciated.
HH
And if there’s room Bankiery.
He can also have Jamsie and Michael
Without being picky,
on his return –
I hope he takes Pukki…………….
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo:
Not in this piece :)
When you think about the people who are hovering around that club it’s a wonder they’ve not been ripped apart already.
Maybe for Xmas … ?
And how did I forget Stokesyy?
He can be offsidey in Div 2 to his heart’s content.
JF
or the SPL or the SPFL or the SFL or UEFA even. They all have their hands dirty the ECA on this one. Along with the judiciary, the polis and the Scottish government. You think none of them were aware what is going on or just Celtic PLC ?
HH