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Narrative is clear: Celtic improvement is profound

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

When you and I write, whether you are aware of it or not, there’s always a narrative.  Behind the words the subtext explains why we think a game was won or lost, why events on the park reinforce our world view, or, for some, just that they are angry people.

For most, our narrative is bound by the constraints of realistic parameters, although some are so afflicted by a heavily prejudiced world view that no amount of evidence to the contrary would convince them, for example, that they are being led by the nose by charlatans.

As the game drew to a conclusion last night, this troubled me.  I was proud of the way Celtic played.  They attacked a team from one of the top leagues in a way we’ve not seen since Juventus visited in 2001.  It was glorious and gutsy, skilful and dramatic.  But with 92 minutes on the clock, it was heading towards defeat.  No matter the circumstances, defeat binds any narrative as a failure, glorious or otherwise.  It didn’t feel like failure, but this was how we would remember this game.

John Guidetti’s 93rd minute equaliser changed the result and created some memories, but the underlying narrative would stand, with or without that goal: the improvement in Celtic since our August debacle is as profound as anything we have witnessed in 49 years.

Delighted to announce that our treble winning captain, Tom Boyd, will be attending CQN11 St Patrick’s Dinner at the Kerrydale Suite on Friday 13 March.  We also have big Packy, wee Joe and conventionally-sized Tommy Coyne.  And Archie Macpherson’s going to talk about the transformation which got underway 50 years ago that week!

Fill your boots at what will be a great celebration of our club and heritage, with a wee song or two from Patricia Ferns, and you’ll also help to build a school kitchen in Malawi for kids who often go without a proper meal.  For tickets and details, email me, celticquicknews@gmail.com

Congratulations to the SPFL, Hamilton Accies, Georgios Samaras, Celtic and Scottish football fans for last month’s Goal of the Month award, which was won by Jay Beatty for his strike at New Douglas Park.  Up with this sort of thing.

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  1. Árd Macha on

    roy croppie,

     

     

    I used to have the odd bottle of red wine on a Friday night and post a few tunes in twitter. I see a lot of the same tunes here tonight.

     

     

    Good man. By the way no red wine tonight due to my Lenten abstinence.

     

     

    Ard Macha

  2. ruggygman on

    What disappointed me most about Sutton last…

     

    Wasn’t what he said…. Or indeed the tone in which he said it….

     

     

    For me, it was because he was in a studio with 2 outsiders, 2 Englishman that don’t quite get it….. Yet instead of being strong, and informing them of how it is, he chose the old playground escape route, of just joining in with the majority.

     

     

    He cop’d out… Weak ! And for that he went massively down in my estimation.

  7. thebhoyfromoz on

    Roy Croppie

     

     

    Love your taste in music, which I’m guessing makes you roughly the same age as me, as well as your photographs.

     

    Need to get along to one of those hootenannies to meet you in person one day.

     

    More power to your keyboard.

     

    HH

  8. Geordie Munro on

    The huddle,

     

     

    They’ve had many a funny lyric but one of the first I remember that made me proper lol was

     

     

    If I was I linesman I’d execute defenders who applaud at my offsides.

     

     

    Or words to that effect. To the tune of ‘if I was a rich man’

     

     

    :))

  9. 001 Bhoy.. on

    .

     

     

    ‘When you and I write, whether you are aware of it or not, there’s always a narrative. Behind the words the subtext explains why we think a game was won or lost, why events on the park reinforce our world view, or, for some, just that they are angry people.’

     

     

    REMB52s ..Shiny Happy Hoopy Hippy Folk..

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuTgBw90oBw

     

     

    001

  13. Gerryfaethebrig on

    ruggygman

     

     

    21:17 on 20 February, 2015

     

     

    I am just catching up, the wee yin doesn’t let me on CQN on a Fridy night, thankfully it’s now Saturday morning and I have the I-pad to myself for a cpt of hours….. Totally agree, Scott was player of the year in his first year then family problems and injuries didn’t help but in my humble opinion we have a CeltIc Legend in our midst

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    RC

     

     

    My dad God rest him, heard me playing The Farm single All Together Now. He said that Clydeside should be altogether Red.

  15. JGK_alltheway on

    ruggyman

     

     

    I felt the same but he has been consistent

     

     

    As i said earlier, I did agree with him, early season

     

     

    Hartson is man enough to admit he called it wrong re Ronny, me too.

     

     

    Sutton disappoints all of us -he obviously never got it despite the good times he had here

     

     

    Didn’t like what he said or how he said it – same with McManaman

     

     

    Next time I’ll be turning the sound off

  18. the_huddle on

    Geordie Munro

     

    ————–

     

    When we were kids our neighbour had a vicious German Shepard called Sheba, we all hated it yet had to look after it when they went away: So love this one.

     

     

    They’ve got a German shepherd dog called Prince

     

    They’ve got a German shepherd dog called Prince

     

    They’ve got a German shepherd dog called Prince

     

    The one called Sheba died

  19. Rational Thought on

    Sorry CRC

     

    Though I think backing Collymore is something people of all persuasions can get behind.

  21. Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way on

    Saint Stivs

     

     

    00:05 on

     

     

    21 February, 2015

     

     

    Sunday, it’s a date at CQN corner!

     

     

    ————–

     

     

    DD

     

     

    Did you write ” All I want for Christmas……”?

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  23. petec on

    roy croppie 00:09

     

     

    I was sure it was gonnae be Groovy Train.

     

     

    Hail Hail and keep banging those Jam n Spoons.

     

     

    Last weekend was magical, Thursday, well, we are on the Road again.

     

     

    We might get beat next week, we may even draw and go out, but the feeling is there now.

     

     

    I go on about God and his Story maybe a bit too much on a football blog but I can see Celtic creating something special in total defiance of all the Money Monster Leagues/Teams, it is the way he defies all logic.

     

     

    Where are the wise.

     

     

    Corinthians.csc

  24. Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way on

    Rational Thought

     

     

     

    00:25 on

     

     

    21 February, 2015

     

     

    No need to apologise my friend.

     

     

    Your views and just as good as the rest!

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  25. Geordie Munro on

    The huddle,

     

     

    Sheba?!? Ffs there was a big mean German Shepherd in our place called that too:)

     

     

    Sheba means something entirely different these days to ol bsr ;)

  27. Gerryfaethebrig on

    FourGreenFields, if about

     

     

    In the words of …. “I’ll sing a song….of the bravest men”

  29. 001 Bhoy.. on

    .

     

     

    The Sunshine Bhoys warm to a new theatre

     

     

    Courtesy Hugh Macdonald..The Herald..

     

     

    IT may be a stretch to describe a last 32 match of Europe’s secondary tournament as historic but there were enough references to the past at Celtic Park on Thursday night to produce a wave of nostalgia that almost bowled over those of a certain age.

     

     

    The invocation of 1967 was poignant, inspiring and may have lessons for the future. For the uninitiated, 1967 was the year that Never Mind Quality, Feel the Width was first broadcast.

     

     

    The title of this comedy programme was oddly apt at Parkhead as Celtic and inter Milan proved that thrilling matches are not the sole preserve of top-class sides. The quality was thus understandably below that of the Champions League but there was a pleasing width to Celtic.

     

     

    This was direct result of the selection of Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay–Steven who fit snugly into the Ronny Deila template. In technique and in character they are already positive additions to Celtic.

     

     

    Both could have been forgiven for shrinking ever so slightly in front of a huge Celtic crowd. They certainly admitted to pre-match nerves.

     

     

    Armstrong said: “There were a lot of thoughts before the game about how I wanted to play and about how I wanted not to be overwhelmed by the occasion.”

     

     

    Mackay-Steven conceded, too, that he was not sure he would start, saying: “It’s a great vote of confidence for me. I know the standard of player here and I knew I had to be patient.”

     

     

    Armstrong scored two goals in his European debut – he is claiming the second – and Mackay-Steven showed enough to suggest he will be the most potent threat on the break in the return leg at the San Siro.

     

     

    It is their technical ability, their willingness to follow detailed instruction that was so crucial for Celtic. Deila demands width and Armstrong and Mackay-Steven provide that on the outside of a three in midfield. They also are keen to cut inside and so there is room for Adam Matthew and Emilio Izaguirre to make inroads down the wings. This worked to spectacular effect for Celtic’s first goal on Thursday when the Welshman found the touchline and then Armstrong at the back post for a simple, effective finish.

     

     

    There is still an air of innocence about the two Dundee United players, best illustrated by their reaction to the atmosphere at Parkhead. Mackay-Steven said: “It was amazing. It was everything I hoped it would be.”

     

     

    Armstrong said: “You’ll Never Walk Alone was so noisy and after we came out of the huddle it was something I have never experienced before and something that I want a taste of over and over again.”

     

     

    Both Armstrong, at 22, and Mackay-Steven, 24, have limited experience but both have insatiable appetites to improve.

     

     

    Even in the heady aftermath of great night for him personally, Armstrong would not be deflected from adhering to the ethos of the collective.

     

     

    “It is a team game but as an attacking player you want to create goals, you want to score goals so to get myself on the scoresheet against such an established team is just an incredible feeling,” he said. “I am just happy to have scored and contributed to the team.”

     

     

    Armstrong, too, is aware he has to improve, particularly in fitness levels. He suffered from cramp on a night that made demands of both his body and his mind.

     

     

    “There might have been a psychological side to my cramping, maybe it was mentally draining. I was quite nervous before the game but as soon as it kicked off those nerves went away and I focused on the game. I blanked everything out.

     

     

    “Perhaps nerves played a part in the tiredness but there was a lot of running, a lot of chasing, a lot of keeping in shape. It was a mixture of hard work and a lot of emotion.”

     

     

    This hard work must continue tomorrow as Celtic face a Hamilton Academical side with Aberdeen still chasing in the SPFL Premiership.

     

     

    Armstrong insists there will be no emotional comedown but was prepared to look at the return leg with Inter at the San Siro, not least because it is a tie that should suit his mate, Mackay-Steven, who is not only quick on the break but makes good decisions when defences are stretched.

     

     

    “I thought he was terrific against Inter in the way he runs at defenders,” said Armstrong. “He had them on the back foot and he was a real threat for us going forward.”

     

     

    He added of a match Celtic almost certainly have to win to progress after the 3-3 draw in Glasgow: “He could be key in the San Siro. The way he plays all it takes is the perfect pass and he is away on the break. If we get one of those passes to him, he can break the lines and he has incredible pace. The way he gets away from defenders is just phenomenal. That is something we will be looking to utilise over there. ”

     

     

    Celtic have not given up hope of Europe beyond February. Armstrong and Mackay-Steven are already crucial to the realisation of such ambition. They supply the width, they also promise to bring the necessary quality.

     

     

    001

  31. petec on

    CRC,

     

     

    Maximum respect to you, for all you do.

     

     

    It is people like you and so many others on here and on other Celtic sites that make Celtic what it Really is.

     

     

    It’s not about the Football, although that is a big part of Supporting Celtic, granted.

     

     

    Celtic Celtic

  32. Big Georges Fan Club - Hail, Hail, Wee Oscar on

    Just logged on – after watching the excellent Robert Redford and Brad Pitt in Spy Games – to see a link on page 13 or 14 to the DR.

     

     

    I don’t normally endulge, stopped reading the rag a few years ago, but I was drawn to the reporting of the “rant” (DR’s words) by Stan Collymore against the Rangers [sic] fans, and other stories re: ‘Rangers’ and their fans.

     

     

    My God, what an utterly deplorable club / company / crowd of people they are. I see absolutely no redeming features about them – bigotry, sectarianism, cheating, intolerance, financial impropriety on a massive scale, violence, arrogance, sense of entitlement, superemacists, thuggery, and worse.

     

     

    They really do represent / attract some of the worst and most backward of society.

     

     

    The most worrying aspect, however, is how they are tolerated – and thereby, in effect, actively encouraged – by our (Scotland’s) politicians, police and media. This is a real stain on our Country.

     

     

    HH

     

    BGFC

  37. Celticrollercoaster supporting Shay,our bhoy wonder along the way on

    petec

     

     

     

     

    00:40 on

     

     

    21 February, 2015

     

     

    all that WE do

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  38. BGX on

    BGFC..

     

    now lets see if after a high profile ex player , Stan Collymore , has exposed them for what they are, if the great british politicians,media back him up..

  41. the_huddle on

    BGX

     

     

    00:53 on 21 February, 2015

     

     

    BGFC..

     

    now lets see if after a high profile ex player , Stan Collymore , has exposed them for what they are, if the great british politicians,media back him up..

     

    ————-

     

    My money is on nothing

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