Neil Lennon is big and bad enough not to need any help from you or me, but he has a job on his hands. He will prepare a squad to face Hearts twice in the next eight days, which he acquired from Brendan Rodgers in February, and which Brendan largely acquired from Ronny Deila, which is wilting before our eyes.
Injuries abound, the latest, Scott Brown’s broken toe, symptomatic of this season. Brendan tied himself in all sorts of knots in August, revealing fewer of his intentions to you or me than to Moussa Dembele. Dedryck Boyata went on strike during the latter, and unsuccessful, stage of our Champions League qualification campaign. Then Moussa went so off message Brendan decided it was best for him to leave town.
Have you worked in an environment like this? I have not, but these are just the things we know about. I doubt it was an easy shift for Brendan to lift the squad as well as he did for the Europa League, League Cup and League campaign.
Then, to cap it all, Brendan turned on his heels a day before we were due to visit Tynecastle and four days before a Scottish Cup visit to Easter Road. You may have worked in an environment like this, but I doubt you have successfully managed one.
It was demeaning for Neil Lennon to have to defend himself this week. Not to himself, but to the goldfish who are so unaware of the environment or parameters he has worked in.
Celtic won their first treble the day I was born, but I was 34 before they won their third. No club has ever won Treble Trebles in a row. Celtic have never won three consecutive Scottish Cups. The measure of our current success is so great it is difficult to quantify.
In 1995 we finished fourth in the league, two points behind Hibs and three ahead of Falkirk. But we went to the Scottish Cup Final that season and won the most magnificent dreary game played. This is football. Success is neither easy nor linear and it is never entitled. Appreciate these times.
Bring lots of change with you on Sunday, this is your one and only chance to buy a Foundation VIII Badge!
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We did not meet the asking price before AV were on the scene, a month later, amazing the extents some people will go to, to fool themselves, P67 told us we would not be matching the asking price, then a month later when AV appeared we suddenly matched the asking price, as I keep reminding you, BR and NFLs version were backed up by P67.
If you were young and doing well in a treacherous, short career, and you are offered a new contract with 2 different companies…
The one you want to go to because you really feel in touch with them offers you 14g a week for 3 years…
The other one, although you are not emotionally drawn, are really nice and offer you 28g a week for 3 years…
What would you do?
Alasdair 10.09pm
Delighted your County are bringing a grass park to the top league :-)
Your question is obviously loaded, if money and setting your family up for life (even extended family) then you chase the money …. IF it’s your dream with a hefty wage packet the heart should always rule the head :-)
Hi Bhoys
Just home from a fantastic day out in Dublin with my niece. Were we had the very good fortune to have a meet and greet from our very own WITS. What a helpful and obliging mhan truly one of the bhoys.
WITS thank you for our day the wee barra loved it and you, so thank you doesn’t come close. Anytime your coming over let me know.
I’m telling you bhoys this mhan knows what the real meaning of being a tim is.
KEEP THE FAITH
We all dream … just imagine you had the chance to live your dream
Maybe sometimes Celtic (plc) rely on this … who knows …
Were Denmark in Pot 4?
GFTB,
Cheers, and thanks.
I realise that County are a top of the second, fighting part of the bottom end of the top two tiers side of this country.
Looking forward to having my wee team and it’s supporters back up here next season. As well as Celtic.
I banned myself from Sevco’s appearances there after the first one.
My dislike of them overtook my rationality – decided I was too old to take issue with interlopers insulting us.
Anyway, best of luck against the …. searched for a word… minis – is as good say anything.
Alasdair MacLean on 18th May 2019 9:34 pm
The ones without forenames have previously been mentioned in the article (with their forenames)?
Tonyrome
Glad to help and glad you and the wee one enjoyed your day.
Thanks for your kind words.
Glad to have been able to help..
Will definitely meet up again
Just had quick lurk, no intention of posting saw post at 9.06 from JimmyQuinnsbits, saying Hi Troops haven’t been on for a while, how is everyone.
One would have expected some kind of response but so far poor Jimmy has been totally ignored.
Well I can’t have that so , a hearty welcome home Jimmy YNWA.
That awkward moment when Madonna can’t sing.
BSR, a rather long moment, started in the mid 19080’s and still going:-)
First post in weeks and a typo, back to lurking in the shadows!!
Doc @ 11.10
A truly bad thing for any singer ?
Boycotting the Eurovision myself..
Royaume-Uni Nil Points CSC
Who would win in a fight between North Macedonia and the rest of Macedonia?
Madonna Quick News in meltdown.
Blame Lawwell or Rodgers or Lennon or anyone else who has once been in authority and actually had to make decisions rather than just talk rubbish on social media blogs.
Corkcelt 11.03pm
There has been really good posts on here all week, I usually try and respond if it’s about football but am afraid Jimmys post wouldn’t catch my attention (not sure about others) surely that’s the way the blog works …
Burnley78 … your post the other day about enjoying these good times I nodded in agreement while reading :-)
CORKCELT , good shout , posted earlier this week about Jimmy not Paul being absent, don’t think anyone followed up ! Also saw a post from Packy 1 not many responded , Packy thoughts and prayers for your wife and M I LAW , HH Fairhillbhoy Enjoy you’re holiday ?
Leo Cullen has certainly thrown the cat among the pigeons with his tongue in cheek Warriors Rangers comments. It will be interesting to see if it is a sell out next week at Paradise. It’s pricey enough for sure £30-£80. Hospitality from £330 for 2 courses…..ouch. I think despite only a weeks notice and no accomodation to be had in Glasgow it will be hugely attended.
The arrangement for pre game fan zones and bars open around the stadium from 2pm will be interesting. If only they showed the football cup final on big screens I reckon they would take a fortune.
GFTB
Thanks. My old man wasn’t strong with words of wisdom but he did always say that for many folk ‘Celtic was something to kick because other things in their life were not complete or adequate, or on those ocassions in the 50s and early 60s when they did win it was a great escape for folk with little else to be proud of’.
I guess it performs those functions today also. The difference is we have moved on as a ‘people’ and we are no longer underdogs in a foreign land. ‘Our day has come’ both in society and as a football club
Turned on the Eurovision for just a moment . Saw a guy with a beard , a ‘Village People’ cap and fishnet tights.
Immediately turned it off . Even though I love fishnet tights (when appropriately worn).
Burnley78 11.43pm
Your post the other day was spot on, we will lose a league one day, we might not win a cup…. so going for 9 trophies on the trot is unreal.. even the EBT’ers didn’t even get close to this… Neil, Ronny, Brendan & now Neil to hopefully finish off next Sunday … for me next Saturday isn’t a done deal but every Celtic fan should enjoy tomorrow … sometimes these titles won’t always come around … we can worry about next Saturday, next Saturday … enjoy your day tomorrow
GFTB
It’s so easy to find the negatives, especially if you don’t actually have to do it, or be accountable for it. My best ever games ever have been from the armchair in my lounge, or the main stand at CP.
I know all the solutions to all the problems of scottish football and specifically Celtic and yet when I was one step away from getting the top job at the SFA in 2007 or so I was terrified I might actually get it and have to try to make it happen.
It does worry me that we really don’t celebrate these great times for what they are. We should be aligning behind our coach to achieve history, celebrate that, and move forward with a hangover on the 27th May in my opinion. Talking down the manager and leadership of our club serves no purpose until then.
It’s so easy to be critical and negative though. ‘I told you he will never make it’ as the old wise men on our supporters bus used to say about nearly anyone new who played for Celtic after our second treble in 69.
The entitlement amongst our support is so palpable that it is a bigger obstacle to overcome than any other football club. It’s up there with the mibs and the MSM. Craig Levein said as much today. I do hope this blog is not close to those who have tickets for Hampden next week or heaven help us.
GFTB, hope you’re good, have you heard anything from our mutual friend DD?? Petec ! Have not seen you on recently! Check upon Gary bud ! Anyway forgot who is next manager ! Next week TREBLE TREBLE!! never will be repeated ?????
GFTB.
Agree celebrating tomorrow is first priority. The 30th league win in my lifetime I believe. More than all our rivals put together. Cheers.
Just switched over to the yooro shitefest.
NUUUUUUL pongs for the Ukies ( well 16 actually and stone last).
The rest of the world really hates the old Butcher’s Apron.
Quelle dommage.
Burnley78 12.02am
Exactly far too many want to concentrate on the negatives… the Huns are hanging onto to any victory against us (like ourselves in the 90s) but I really think our negative is mostly on social media where every second person now wants to unearth a “progressive European manager” which is fair enough if that’s their interest … I will settle for Broony picking up trophies :-)
Weebawbabbity … not sure about DD or Petec but suspect both will be at Celtic Park tomorrow with their bhoys, sometimes a wee break from here is actually good for the health & well being :-)
Today, yes TODAY, we will raise the SPL trophy for the 8th (EIGHTH) year in succession. NOTHING should detract from today’s event. The actual game might be interesting if a few fringe players get their chance. But the main event should be the deafening roar at around 5pm when Scott lifts the trophy aloft.
This is The Day – Rejoice! And be glad in it!
OneMoreSleepCSC
BSR, a lack of singing ability for a professional singer isn’t great!
It must be like getting a professional contract for Sevco:-)
You’re that bad that’s all you can get.
Jobo 12.14am
You suffering jet lag :-)
Enjoy your day tomorrow, hope Paul McStay gets the biggest cheer of the day ….
He probably could have been a richer man if he left for pastures new … BUT he didn’t
Maestro 8
Good morning, Champions.
On Iron Bird heading to Paradise via Auld Reekie with a prematch lunch in Coias.
C’mon the fans’ café beside the Superstore.
MELBOURNE MICK on 18TH MAY 2019 11:15 AM
BIG JIMMY
It’s that big if?
Hope you have a great day day in the Shipbank today,if your
going, spent many a Saturday, Sunday there ,some wonderful
singers and will always cherish a standing ovation for a long
gray haired clarinet player owning the No1 Acker Bilk number.
Only in Glesga lol.
H.H Mick
………………
Mick,
That old guy ( George ?), still goes in to the Shippy and plays THAT same song every time.
I was in there yesterday from Noon til……later Noon…I have a wee bit of a sore Heid this morning….
HH
My friends in Celtic,
Can’t make the game today, still at Pesky work. However I was at the equivalent game last season against the Sheepies. We let Logan stroll about with impunity and we lost the game.
I would not risk any crucial players against the mini huns, I would experiment.
However I would hope , indeed expect a coherent plan, total effort and total determination. That way there should be no recriminations and we can all celebrate in style, regardless of the score.
HH to all, the journey continues.
CELTICFOREVER on 18TH MAY 2019 1:16 PM
Cheers for the reply, i’ll take your advice and head to the sorting office.
Well Celts
Celtic park beckons.
8th flag in a row
Winning.This is what it means to be Celtic
ContiniousHistorycsc
:-)
HH
Common sense ain’t so common.
HH.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
THE BATTERED BUNNET on 18TH MAY 2019 8:10 PM
Roccobhoy
The Celtic identikit Manager is British, EPL experience, progressive record of achievement.
Dyche, Howe and Hughton fit the profile. That’s not to say they’re interested in the Celtic job, but it’s a given that Celtic have taken soundings.Howe’s a little younger than the profile, Hughton little older, Dyche is in the Goldilocks zone.
Martinez, Rafa and Wagner are each fluent in English, while Moyes lost the coin toss three years ago.
Reality suggests that landing any of the above is a stretch on a stretch, and while Celtic are aiming for that calibre of manager, given the corollary probabilities of success, Lenny’s odds shorten.
Celtic’s imperative is to deliver Nine and then Ten. There isn’t a desert island remote enough for the executive team should we end up with £45 million in the bank and no Championship. If Celtic’s manager recruitment fails, Lenny will get the gig on the basis that he is lower risk than any alternative, and therefore higher probability of delivering the prize.