The joy and ecstasy of others as they celebrate a Champions League win reminds us of what football is all about. Crafting a team, these days from across the globe, capable of holding their nerve against Messi, riding their luck occasionally, and seeing it through in the end. No Liverpool fans cared about the quality of the occasion in Madrid on Saturday, finals are about winning, as a few Celtic fans remarked the previous week.
The celebrations of a club 200 miles to the south did make me feel disenfranchised, though. We were once what they are now, and we can never be the same again, due to the way TV contracts are written.
These days our European targets are more modest, but we should still plan for more than we have had in the last couple of decades. If nothing else, it is better to fail planning to succeed, than to modestly accept a 7-0 reversal as an indication of the way it has to be.
The now famous Andy Robertson tweet from 18 August 2012 was clear, “#needajob.” The less-aspirational Newco were also in dire straights that day, but celebrated a 5-1 win over East Stirlingshire. Andy was earning less that every one of the East Stirlingshire players that day, but he won a Champions League before either club won a major trophy. We might never win the Champions League again, but we need to do everything in our power to get close, without taking console in domestic wins.
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glendalystonsils
For a variety of reasons did not get much game time and has played badly in some of those games, as did others. I do seem to remember him playing right back at Ayebrokes, maybe as a sub. I think the boy can play at right back, but as I said needs the right tactics and coaching. Others are paid to do exactly that.
hot smoked
Ralston has been unlucky, after his early promise, under Ronny Delia I think, combination of injuries didn’t help, but fully fit, he could be the new Paul Telfer, you never know
Show some faith in our players, bring in only those players who will improve and enhance the first team squad.
Clyde9-1
Hope yir well lol
HH
big wavy
Not so much ‘balance’…
More a counterweight!
Don’t let the Celtic board pull the wool over your eyes by producing authenticated and audited accounts in pure broad public daylight.
A brillaint wee Blues choon for you to enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACgIU4QBZHI
KINGLuBO
Some more good Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4z8GFMZKeE
KINGLuBO
Celtic Mac
Probably but I am mindful of how good players become the longer we don’t see them playing.
Jack Hendry is not a good player. There is no player there. He was a poor purchase. Problem is that in our scattergun approach we’ve too many Jack Hendrys in our ranks. I fear a Stephen O’Donnell or Scott McKenna this summer as the new one. Above average SPFL types.
Get a decent bloody scout in and go looking for a new Virgil instead of Sportscene tapes and a best of the rest approach.
Rest in peace.Harry
https://twitter.com/i/status/1135522035025829889
HH
Interesting article Paul, I don´t think we are that far off the pace actually. We need to look forward and at the same time examine our more recent European endeavours , under Martin O´Neill, Strachan, Lennon and Rodgers. The game against Lyon with MON was crucial and he made the substitution that won a goal, but it just hinged on a soft penalty in the end. CELTIC ALSO GET A HARD DEAL FROM UEFA, FROM BONNY SWITZERLAND.
Strachan´s zenith was the last 16´s, played out in the San Siro of all places. If Nakamura had stuck that one away in extra time would everything be different today…probably, we would have come away from the San Siro, avenging 1970 and defeats to AC Milan too and knowing we were good. Lenny pulled off a win against Barça at home but really reached no new heights overall. We went into decline under Ronny, maybe through no fault of his own and Brendan Rodgers was not able to achieve much in Europe either. In fact our standard had fallen so low that when he sent out a team at the Camp Nou, they got drubbed…but it was better to get drubbed trying to have a go…playing for draws is not the Celtic way. Anyway Bayern stuffed Barça 7-0 in 2013, nobody is immune to a hammering these days. So the best response has been for Celtic to win all in Scotland and let´s face it Celtic SHOULD win the three trophies in Scotland every season, with the gulf in standards which exists today between them and the rest. And winning so much at home is going to prepare them for the tasks ahead around the world. The mentality has got to be right when playing foreign teams and Celtic are developing a crisp passing style which can work well in Europe……although one of our biggest challenges is going to be on how to react when our move breaks down…..like the goal we conceded to Valencia this campaign.
The upcoming players I see with the winning drive which is required are Odsonne and Karamoko, If the Scots, Irish, English and Commonwealth players can man up and we have the viking type defenders we seem to manage to get as well and then a bit of South/Central American or East European or Portuguese flair we can give it our best.
Even with all the pressure, Andy Robertson played a blinder in the final i heard. I reckon Kieran Tierney is just as good. He has been a major factor in our success. But did Kieran see that same drive and enthusiasm at board level? Are you going to bust a gut for The Celtic triumvirate? Or if a Scotland manager is questioning your committment do you feel backed by the club?
The thing I liked about Andy Robertson´s CL attitude was his clip round the ear to Messi and his skirmishes with Luisito Suarez in the semi-final. That level of competitiveness is what is needed. Compare this to Broony being in the European spotlight, much to the glee of the Milngavie media, after he flicked a kick at Neymar at Celtic Park. This is where Celtic are babes in the wood and our board are in football never never land.
I rate Scott McKenna at circa £5m. He could do a job for us and I feel we could turn him into a £10m player.
We need a no nonsense defender who can play in and on all conditions, including the 3 plastic pitches.
HH.
big wavy
By that level of thinking Marvin (Morton) Comppner would be in line for the Balon D’Or 2019, but strangely enough he isn’t, though Virgil is. Did see Marvin play once to be fair, don’t know if Brendan did. Not sure about the Sportscene Tapes, let me know if you find them, I’m still searching for the tape of the 1957 League Cup Final!
Greenpinata
I agree Scott McKenna would be a good signing
McKenna has all the makings of a decent Junior……an absolute donkey IMO,Ajer and Jozo far superior
MadMitch
It’s the same Peter Lawwell that appointed Rodgers who appointed Deila.
Blaming him for the Deila effect but not giving him credit for the Rodgers effect resembles the regular game of who gets the balme for signing bad players & the credit for signing good players.
Man Utd, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham and many more have all appointed coaches/managers who did not work out. Like players, managers can only be judged on their past experience, affordability & their football plans being compatible with the club. The rest of it is a punt by both parties.
I’m still not sure what it is that you want Celtic to do – obviously other than sack the Executive Director, Head of Operations Peter Lawwell.
Otherwise, what is it you want Celtic to do?
Genuine question.
BB,
Jozo Simunovic cannot play on plastic pitches. That’s a lot of points and a lot of games where we need to change formation.
Ajer will be our next outbound mega transfer, although hopefully not for a few years
HH.
It seems more obvious to me that I am in the minority but…
I wanted Neil Lennon as manager from the start.
I hope PL stays forever .He is worth every penny.
I think playing European football after Christmas of any sort is fantastic.
And for the record I also like Donald Trump and love the way he winds up all the fairy liberals and media.
LazyDynamite…I also wanted Neil from the start…don’t care for PL, he’s not my kind of fan…he’s a ‘business comes first’ fan; I’m not. As for that crook Trumpet…he’s a hun type who would probably get on well the King of ibrox…
Back Neil to 9-in-a-row…
I’d hate to have been on the blog in the lean years !
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 3RD JUNE 2019 4:49 PM
LazyDynamite…I also wanted Neil from the start…don’t care for PL, he’s not my kind of fan…he’s a ‘business comes first’ fan; I’m not. As for that crook Trumpet…he’s a hun type who would probably get on well the King of ibrox…Back Neil to 9-in-a-row…
*said pretty much the same last night wee barra
CelticMac & Big Wavy
The Commper File is an enigma wrapped inside a puzzle (or is it the other way round)
Since he was never selected by Rodgers in a meaningful game – to my knowledge – was he one of these singings organized by Rodgers’s boss?
Was Lee Congerton the then Head of Recruitment involved?
Congerton & Rodgers worked together at Chelsea & are now back together at Leicester.
We reportedly spent one million buying him from Leipzig in January 2018 but he has not made a single appearance for the first team in seasons 2017/18 or 2018/19.
He has had “injuries” in that period but no appearances in the season and a half since we signed him?
Someone asked me yesterday were there any things about Celtic that I did not accept (long story).
I struggle to understand the rationale behind signings like Mr Commper: he was signed but was/is clearly not remotely close to being selected by any manager at the club. Why?
Is there/was there a two pronged approach to signings – players for immediate use by the coach & players signed as investments, but not required by the coach for selection?
If this twin strategy is in place then it needs to be coordinated better.
Even then, Commper is not, at aged 33, an investment player either financially or in playing potential.
It looks to the outsider that Celtic do not have an integrated player recruitment system in place.
When we are already in the third tier of clubs scurrying around for players it sets us back even further when we look as if our staff are not even all on the same page.
HH
As Neil Lennon`s record as Celtic Manager is better than most other Celtic Managers ` records, why are so many Huns pleased and so many Tims disappointed about his appointment?
Confused, Arbroath.
BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 3RD JUNE 2019 3:42 PM
Don’t let the Celtic board pull the wool over your eyes by producing authenticated and audited accounts in pure broad public daylight.
VG but still won’t convince those who know better.
@ TONTINE TIM on 3RD JUNE 2019 4:52 PM
Did Bob Kelly give us the Lisbon Lions and the European Cup?
https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/06/03/celtic-reportedly-near-rekeem-harper-move-may-push-joe-aribo-tow/
CELTIC MAC
‘ the new Paul Telfer ‘
Damned by faint praise?
Posted by @henriklubo via twitter.
Keith Jackson – Judge, Jury and Executioner
Jun 3 Keith Jackson – Judge, Jury and Executioner
You wouldn’t think that Keith Jackson was still writing for the Daily Record has the number of columns he writes for the paper has dropped dramatically over the past couple of seasons, but now he is looking to use the child abuse scandal at Celtic Boys Club to kickstart his downward spiral of a career.
It wasn’t that long ago, Jackson was boasting about being the Sports Columnist of the Year and that he had exclusives every other week. He even claimed that he was at the forefront of the Craig Whyte and Rangers liquidation story – laughably I may add.
But, his career is now as empty as the regular pints he has at his local boozer thanks in part to his ‘sources’ at Rangers taking him off their email list – thanks to his article on Alfredo Morelos and Colombia’s cocaine industry. He is also not even nominated for any sports awards now as provincial reporters are doing a better job than he is.
So what can he do to kick start a career that looks to be heading the same way as David Leggat? Write a column that finds Celtic guilty over the child abuse scandal despite no shred of evidence to back up his claims. Despite no court case or enquiry finding Celtic complicit in the crimes of several sick and twisted individuals who were on the books of Celtic Boys Club – an organisation the football club did not own or run.
But we all know why he is pandering to the lowest common denominator – the child abuse obsessed Rangers supporters – because his career needs it. He needs to get back into the good graces of his former boss Jim Traynor, he needs to sweeten the orcs down Govania Way and what better issue to do so than condemning Celtic without any evidence.
In all his years of writing about Scottish Football, not once has he written about the child abuse scandal. Until now, when he is desperate to feel relevant again within the corridors of power at Ibrox.
Why else would he write about a child abuse scandal and call for a full independent enquiry without highlighting the other clubs involved? Why refuse to comment on Rangers’ handling of a child abuse victim with his claim and then being told to go speak to the liquidators as it had nothing to do with them.
Where was Jackson’s columns then on the shocking treatment of a child abuse victim by the club he used to play for as a youth?
Celtic have issued several statements about what happened at Celtic Boys Club, they also stated quite correctly that the boys club was a separate entity. And no amount of sidestepping the legal and business information will whitewash over that fact. Whether certain individuals and gloating Rangers fans want to believe it or not in a court of law – it is the law that counts not someone’s opinion and certainly not gloating Rangers fans hell bent on bringing down Celtic and to get one over on Celtic fans because we laughed at their club dying in 2012 – and still do to this day.
Jackson’s article reeks of the ambulance chasing lawyer and the inbred mutants on Follow Follow demanding Celtic pay compensation to victims when nothing has been proven in a legal setting. Jackson’s article reeks of someone desperate for it all to be true so that he can boast about being at the forefront of the scandal in years to come. Jackson’s article reads like every other comment we have read from the orcs who deflect away from the paedophiles that were actually employed by their club – coaches, scouts and former players – to point the finger at Celtic because it is convenient for them to do so. The victims of Rangers’ employed paedophiles for the most part did not get justice, they did not get an apology from the club, nor did they get any compensation from the current Rangers board – because they don’t see it as their problem, they see it as the liquidators problem. And the Rangers board see any line of questioning around paedophiles at Rangers over the years as a ‘cheap and nasty attack’ on Rangers Football Club’.
Like the orcs on Follow Follow, Jackson is implying that a paedophile ring was in place at Celtic Park and that Celtic knew about it – again with no shred of evidence or legal finding to back up said claims. If Celtic let this cretinous alcoholic back into the stadium then shame on them.
As Celtic look toward winning nine-titles-in-a-row next season, Jackson’s article links Celtic Football Club dominating Scottish football back to Celtic Boys Club and claimed even if it meant Neil Lennon’s transfer budget was cut to pay compensation to victims then so be it. And this is the crux of the matter, Rangers fans are desperate for Celtic to be financially hamstrung so they don’t win nine-in-a-row let alone 10. They know their team isn’t good enough to stop Celtic. They know that their precious 54 titles bought off the old club’s liquidators is under threat and after their campaign to have unofficial league titles won during WW2 failed – they are now demanding Celtic are stripped of titles, financially hamstrung and closed down. Not because they want justice for the victims of child abusers at Celtic Boys Club – but because they fear their inaccurate tag of world’s most successful club is slipping away from them.
If or when an independent enquiry is held into child abuse in Scottish Football – all clubs must be party to the investigations. All clubs who have had known paedophiles living or dead working for them must be investigated. And all clubs who the enquiry find culpable or party to such crimes happening must not only apologise to the victims and their families – but they also must be reparations to them as well.
Jackson’s failure surrounding the law on this matter as well as any potential liability is once again shown up as it would be the club’s insurers who would pay out if such a decision was found against Celtic. Unlike Celtic, Manchester City – who recently set up a controversial compensation scheme for victims – don’t want the due process of law to carry forward. Their compensation scheme is to stop any legal proceedings from starting.
Unlike Jackson, I have seen what Thompsons Solicitors have listed on their website and the claims they are handling for victims of child abuse at football clubs in this country. It lists Celtic, Manchester United, Hutcheson Vale, Hibernian and Jackson’s beloved Rangers.
Jackson couldn’t get his head round Rangers’ EBT scandal, he and the other hacks continue to ignore Scots Law when it involves incorporated companies to suit their own agendas and the commercial interests of their relevant organisation, and now he is ignoring the due process of the Scottish justice system to find Celtic guilty of a heinous crime that they have not been found guilty over nor faced charges relating to it.
Just like bandwagon jumping politicians James Dornan and Adam Tomkins – Jackson’s article is the desperate act of a man whose career is beyond repair and is in desperate need of some love from the orcs down Govania way.
I for one will await the due process of law to complete before passing judgement on officials and a club that has done so much for the needy in this country and beyond since its inception in 1888.
Jackson has chosen to ignore the law to suit his own agenda an agenda that will see him end up being another boozed up alkie David Leggat swimming around the filth on Follow Follow.
Celtic’s domination of Scottish Football has nothing to do with the scandal surrounding Celtic Boys Club, it won’t see Celtic stripped of titles or trophies, it won’t see Celtic’s finances hamstrung through potential compensation claims – despite the dreams of those desperate and gloating Rangers supporters.
And here is the thing, even if or when Celtic are cleared of any wrongdoing by a court of law or enquiry – the desperate comments and gloating from the Rangers supporters will continue even if every piece of evidence backs Celtic’s case.
These people don’t care for the victims, they don’t care about the truth, they only care about what they can concoct in their warped, sick and twisted minds.
No other fan base on this planet would use a child abuse scandal like the Rangers support do. No other fan base would ignore their own club employees’ crimes to point the finger at others. No other fan base would defend their own paedophile employees using the ‘aye but they never faced court’ defence – knowing fine well you cannot take dead men to court over their crimes.
Time will tell if the ambulance chaser takes his overwhelming evidence to court, if an independent public enquiry is held and if Celtic are found of any wrongdoing.
But one thing is clear, Jackson’s career as a newspaper columnist is nearing its end and journalism in Scotland will be better for it.
The remaining years of his life will be filled with him writing on toilet cubicles and Follow Follow – whatever one is seen as more credible to the gutter snake.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:14 PM
@ TONTINE TIM on 3RD JUNE 2019 4:52 PM
Did Bob Kelly give us the Lisbon Lions and the European Cup?
*no Jock did, he was the reserve coach when some of the Lions were first signed, in fact he sent big Billy tae Blantyre Vic and asked his da tae keep an eye on him.
We lost a lot of very good prospects, including wee ten thirty, and that almost included big Billy, Bobby Murdoch, Jinky, wee Lemon and the Bear until he returned and stopped the rot.
I have often said, history and the Big Mhan have been kind tae Sir Bob.
@ TONTINE TIM on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:19 PM
Well if Jock gave us the European Cup and not Bob Kelly, why is PL getting a mention as giving us the treble?
fool time whistle
Cannot see where Martin Comppner fits in with any kind of strategy. Or at least not one that makes any kind of sense. Did a whole lot better bringing in Benkowic on loan. Maybe Brendan will encourage the lad to come back to us, can only hope.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:23 PM
@ TONTINE TIM on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:19 PM
Well if Jock gave us the European Cup and not Bob Kelly, why is PL getting a mention as giving us the treble?
*a different era, Jock didnae sign many players, in fact only Wispy of the Lions, he actually flogged the Faither to us. It was once mentioned tae me by someone close tae the boardroom that Jock controlled all fitba matters including buying and selling.
PL is the CEO now after a few eff ups on the way, he DISNAE sign the players he closes the deal, no bad for a charlatan.
Speaking of the unspeakable scandal..
Yesterday I read that Adam Tomkins MSP & professor of Public Law at the University of Glasgow is a staunch supporter of Newco/Oldco/Sevco.
Some time ago he tweeted about that club & hashtagged it #WATP.
I can’t locate it now but maybe someone else can.
Nice to know that he will undoubtedly be even handed with these scandals.
Must be great fun in his lectures if you’re a Tim.
HH
bournesouprecipe
Genuine comparison. Telfer was the ultimate professional, knew his position and kept to it. Never got the laudits and the plaudits that came others way. Good model for Anthony or any young player at Celtic or anywhere else. If I am right, right back is the least of our problems.
I am hoping one of the more archive minded CQNers is making a note of all and any player/s we are being reported as interested in over the coming weeks. It will be quite a few! How many so far? Anyone counted?
JJ
Adam Tomkins MSP in 2017
✔
@ProfTomkins
Exceptional season for Celtic: congratulations to them. Rangers have won the treble 7 times, so Celtic still have some catching up to do….
Getting close now Adam.
CELTIC MAC on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:41 PM
Spot on . Paul Telfer was and is much maligned by many Celtic fans He wasn’t Danny McGrain or Tommy Gemmell but he was a reliable consistent full back with a thoroughly professional attitude . Nakamura thought highly of PT and spoke of how much his own game benefited by having Telfer playing behind him . I think I’d rather believe Naka’s opinion.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 3RD JUNE 2019 5:14 PM
@ TONTINE TIM on 3RD JUNE 2019 4:52 PM
‘Did Bob Kelly give us the Lisbon Lions and the European Cup?’
***
I believe Bob Kelly signed 10 of the Lions.
He also appointed (and after a brief tussle ceded control of footballing matters to ) Jock Stein.
So he certainly played a part.
‘Adam Tomkins MSP
Verified account
@ProfTomkins
Follow Follow @ProfTomkins
More
What is 54 + 1? It’s 55, right? Yeah, it’s 55. Thought so. #WATP #rangersfamily #TheseColoursDontRun’
12:49 PM – 30 Mar 2013
****
I always felt Paul Telfer was an asset to the team. I felt he was a much better player than most Celtic supporters gave him credit for.
Mind you, a lot of Celtic supporters have been wanting our current right back go home to Sweden for quite a few seasons…..