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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I’d put the fait accompli of Lennons target as the equivalent of achieving 90% of a production target with 4 days to go in a weeks worth of work.
If Lennon is Lawwells candidate you can bet the plan includes the sale of McGregor.
TIMALOY29:
Agree 100% on Sviatchenko. Baffling decision on every level to allow him to leave.
Ridiculous who we tried to replace that guy with.
The Hands….,
He qualified for the CL twice making it to the last 16 at the second attempt, that result alone outstrips anything BR has ever done in Europe with less resources.
@ CANAMALAR IT LOOKS LIKE OCD OBSESSION on 17TH MAY 2019 3:02 PM
The highs were higher but BR was more consistent.
Also, BR had some very difficult groups (PSG, Man City, Barca and Bayern as the top 2 teams) and by BR’s time the big clubs had become super clubs- PSG had £400m worth of strikers when we played them.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 17TH MAY 2019 2:50 PM
I think you misunderstand.
When we loan somebody we often will pay a fee. We paid a fee for Toljan and he’s the best paid player at the club.
If we pay somebody’s wages for 2 and a half years like Compper and get nothing back. That’s a massive waste.
Kolo Toure was one of the top earners while he was here. Finance is more complicated than just listing fee’s reported in the press. Our wage bill is very high for the return we’re getting. Too much deadwood.
Dorus De Vries wasn’t free by the way.
Getting back to the orginal point. The last three transfer windows have been generally wasteful. Do I blame the board and the CEO? I do in as much that they appointed Brendan Rodgers and allowed them to restructure the recruitment department.
By the way, the media is NOT having nightmares about Neil Lennon leading Celtic to 9 and 10 in a row.
Like the Ibrox support, the very idea of 9 and 10 in a row is what scares the bejesus out of them, and they don’t care who’s in the Celtic dugout if and when that happens.
Indeed, it’s the media – in case you’ve missed it – which is MOST vocal in promoting Lennon not only as the best candidate but the only one we will get. And you HAVE to be walking around with your eyes shut not to see that. If you were looking, you’d notice it … and you may even ask yourself why.
They believe – as much of the Sevco does – that Lennon being appointed is the best shot they’re going to get.
On top of that, this idea that “people like me” have created negativity … what garbage that is. I’m sorry, but you grossly overestimate my contribution to all this when you write that kind of stuff, and I’m glad that I don’t labour under the same mind-set, because it would be delusional.
It would be easier to believe that Celtic fans are being swayed than it is to believe that they are smarter than that and can make up their own minds and many already have. I don’t know why that’s a scary idea. It’s what makes us better than the mob across the city, the ability to think critically about our own club and to see where it’s going wrong and to be vocal about it.
It’s why we’re never going to end up the way they did.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/17/massimiliano-allegri-to-leave-juventus-at-end-of-season
Why the hell not? ?
Wow! A lot of anger flying around since last Sunday. Let’s see if I can offer a little distraction and in doing so remind us a little about what our 8 in a row Champions, Treble Treble chasing club is all about.
I was immensely moved by the scenes from Bilbao last week as the Athletic club paid tribute to our very own one club hero Billy McNeill. I looked into the history of this award, and it is relatively new. It’s intended to honour great footballer’s who distinguished their careers with one club with great honour and sportsmanship. previous winners sine its launch in 2015 include Puyol of Barcelona and Maldini of AC Milan. Cesar is in great company.
It got me thinking if Celtic could do something similar. An idea I had was to honour players associated with Iconic goals. We could call it the Steve Chalmers Iconic Goal Award (SCIGA) to represent his goal in Lisbon, which reflects a style of football celebrated throughout the world of football to this day.
I’m thinking of examples such as Tardelli, in the world cup final 1982. Ari Haan’ screamer from about 40 yards in the 1978 world cup might be another, as could Archie Gemmel’s in the same tournament. I’m sure there are many more. Any thoughts?
BOB LOBLAW:
It was magnifcent, wasn’t it? Magnificent. A measure of how we are viewed and how our legends and their accomplishments are viewed around the world. We might not have the money of the EPL clubs and other sides like them, but the history, the mythology, the fairy-tale quality of Celtic is real and nothing dillutes it. Those who know football know Celtic, and respect Celtic.
It was amazing to see that kind of acknowledgement from abroad, not just for Billy but for the club.
Makes me very proud.
James, it was indeed as you say, magnificent and a great compliment to Celtic and the club’s place in the football firmament.
I was equally impressed by Bilbao, what a great contribution to the concept and ideals of sportsmanship. Selfless recognition of greatness in the game, even in direct competitors. e.g. Puyol. I’d love to see Celtic launch something similar.
BOB LOBLAW:
it’s a wonderful idea, a great concept that would do us great credit.
Absolutely bang on.
@ TIMALOY29 on 17TH MAY 2019 3:09 PM
Firstly (again), you completely ignore the signings made by Neil (and the recruitment team in place at that time). As acknowledged, we made good signings under Neil, but we wasted a lot of money as well, as evidenced. Why are you holding Brendan to a different standard?
The point I was trying to make (and which you missed) is that we are wasting money by spending a pittance up front on signings. If you sign guys for no more than £1m you won’t get a great quality and they will be on good money for 2/3 seasons contributing nothing; this has happened time and again recently.
What I’m advocating is less but more (quality over quantity). This whole issue stems from the budget and how much the manager is permitted to spend.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE:
Part of the problem is the notorious Celtic Park wage cap, which keeps the CEO as the best compensated person at the club, now with Brendan gone.
If we were willing to raise that cap we could afford to have a better standard of squad overall … but it would be smaller. When you looked at the bench, though, you would trust everyone on it.
The Hands cant hit what the eyes cant see
Agree on transfers.
From one season to the next, if the transfer budget is 10 million (not including wages),
I’m sure we would be far happier to see 3 shrewd recruits at 3 million each.
Compared with 3 or 4, £1 million / £1.2 million purchases, aided by 2 or 3 loans.
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 17TH MAY 2019 2:32 PM
@ CELTIC40ME on 17TH MAY 2019 2:14 PM
I would wager McGinn’s career would follow a similar path with us (from attacking midfielder to old head at the centre of midfield).
You actually said the exact opposite about him when he went to Villa. That he would have been be a goal scoring replacement for Armstrong, you even compared Armstrong’s goals record at Dundee United to McGinn’s at Hibs.
You argued with me about him being a replacement for Broonie
Many bloggers grossly over-estimate the importance of their contribution.
JAMES FORREST
Continue to post as much of what you say is on the ball.
Remember if you are going to the Scottish Cup Final and then the Rugby at Celtic park, you’ll be able to get a pint when your back at the Rugby. Hmmmmmmm
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE on 17TH MAY 2019 2:32 PM
Out of interest, did you watch McGinn in the play off semis?
Or when he’s played for Scotland?
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 17TH MAY 2019 2:44 PM
I get your humble logic written with common sense
However you fail to acknowledge that Celtic are supposed to be in a market dominant position
But our lack of dominating performances and uncertainty only give oxygen to the “wolf”
We should be winning the league with a much greater margin than we have
And that is the worry – not appointing Lennon or whoever we appoint – but we are not dominating
We have let the ‘wolf” think he has a chance and if we do not act correctly we will give him a chance
67ECW
The Hands../RuggyG…
I think you both come from the same perspective and I disagree, while the money at those clubs might have increased I don’t believe their football skills are any better than the Barcelona team that we beat .
Qualifying has always been our biggest hurdle and I don’t believe the qualification stages have increased quality, anything beyond is a bonus, NFL outbonuses BR.
FRIESDORFER:
I know one who does. One. But we don’t mention his name in pleasant company such as this, being that he’s a homophobe and a bigot and prone to stuff that makes even my emotional pieces seem tame in the hysteria stakes, and who is so abhorrent in his treatment of other bloggers and even his own readers that it makes the guys on here who make it personal seem amatuers in comparison.
Aside from him, every one of them – and I know many of them well – know exactly what role they play in the lives of other fans and in the life of the club. We chronicle the ups and downs; we are not running for public office here. We are not changing the direction of the tide, far less the future of Celtic.
I do wonder what we could achieve acting in unison, on a point on which we all agreed … I think the SFA and others should be worried about that prospect, but never our club.
FRIESDORFER
“Many bloggers grossly overestimate the importance of their contribution.”
The importance of any contribution is in the minds of the reader por cierto
Word of the day – RAFA
my contribution keeps this blog together :D
Adi_Dassler
Rangers
Aren’t
Functioning
Anymore
RAFA
Better.
Por Cierto
“Many of the truths that we cling to depend greatly on our point of view”. [Obi wan Kenobi]
HH
There seems very little concern that Briwn May miss the Scottish Cup Final with a broken toe,and Edouard with another injury.
TT
TinyTim
https://www.67hailhail.com/news/boost-for-celtic-as-forrest-and-edouard-reportedly-return-to-training
NFL had less resources with Hibs in Europe and of course they set the world alight with their conquering results against………………………………………………………………………
https://twitter.com/awaydays_/status/1129344193330130944?s=21
Good mob to work for if you’re a Derby fan
FRIESDORFER on 17TH MAY 2019 4:04 PM
Por Cierto
“Many of the truths that we cling to depend greatly on our point of view”. [Obi wan Kenobi]
:))))))) por cierto
I see Petrie”s name mentioned as a man with no love for Celtic who also took the 5 Way Agreement over the line.
He was Chairman of the Licensing Committee that granted Rangers a UEFA licence in 2011 on what, unless someone proves it wasn’t , false pretense.
It’s high bloody time Celtic took the gloves off over the SFA. The latest decision on the thug who elbowed Scott Brown surely must be the last nail in the coffin of a Judicial Panel Protocol that Celtic are relying on to provide justice when everything screams at us now is manipulated to do the opposite.
Celtic never wanted Res12 to go to UEFA and instead shepherded requisitioners down a judicial process over which it appears the SFA and SPL surrendered authority to CAS under the 5 Way Agreement.
Something all those who saw or created the 5 Way Agreement knew about since it was signed in 2012.
So what gives with Celtic? It’s been 4 months since requisitioners were told the SFA still had not got round to setting the ToRs for referral to CAS that the JPDT decided had to be done under the 5 Way in July 2018.
Six months since Celtic were asked at AGM what was going to CAS, why it was going to CAS and when it was going to CAS.
Six weeks since the Res12 Archive was published showing a payable and not a potential liability existed at 31 March 2011 that did not meet any of the conditions to excuse it as being an overdue payable.
11 months since Res12 lawyer presented SFA Compliance Officer with the evidence a payable existed at 31 March, a copy of which was sent to Celtic.
There is a new understanding that to get the UEFA licences in 2009 and 2010 under previous UEFA rules Rangers had to provide the SFA with list of the players and tax due on each in order to qualify for a licence even if the tax demanded was under dispute as it was.
If that detail wasn’t provided then the licences should not have been granted.
If it was provided it was further evidence on top of an HMRC visit in 2009 that Rangers were operating a questionable tax scheme to pay their players, a scheme that the likes of Martin Bain and Andrew Dickson who had positions at SFA/SPL, were well aware of.
What are the chances that Directors of a club prepared to lie in 2011 to obtain UEFA money were squeaky clean in 2009 and 2010?
How much has the SFA cost Celtic from licensing “errors”?
How much have Rangers cost Celtic from their particular interpretation of the rules that should be scrutinised to seeif it was same as UEFA intended?
How can Celtic ask supporters to pay for a product that has deteriorated since 2017 that is governed by an authority that has presided over corruption by since the first ebt and side letter was issued on 30 August 2000 and covering it up after Sherrif Officers signalled something dodgy when the called Ibrox on 10 Aug 2011?
Celtic’s stance may be we are on our own and neither UEFA nor SPL care but so friggin what?
We have been cheated and unless it can be shown otherwise are victims of false pretence and sticking to the current policy of wait and see is simply unacceptable.
If our current Board are not prepared ot able to act domestically then they either explain why or follow what UEFA suggested in their reply of 8th June 2016 to requisitioners lawyers and approach UEFA to look at the Licensing Process as operated by the SFA since tax bills dropped through the Ibrox letterbox in 2007 (DOS) and 2008 (BTC ebts)
JJF,
So let me get this right, you say many Sevco fans want Neil Lennon to get the Celtic job ? Since when do Celtic decide to appoint a manager based on what Hun fans want ?
BIG JIMMY:
We don’t. I’m saying that in their pig-ignorance they see Lennon as a cheap option.
Lennon will clean Gerrard’s clock, by the way. Given a full season, he’ll do it.
That’s not the point though.
Enormous task ahead for lennie. He’s going to do it.
Just noticed that Hearts are being praised for their decision to provide a Guard of Honour at the start of the game on Sunday. Will their players also applaud the Celtic players onto the pitch? If memory serves me correctly only two or three did this on the last occasion that Hearts formed a Guard at Celtic Park. Will it merely be the non Scottish who will do so on Sunday, if at all?