I’ve been to a few non-Celtic games over the years and always found is striking the different reaction mid-table teams have to a defeat compared to how we react. There is simply not the expectation that every game has to be won. For most of the last 40-odd years Celtic have been nip-and-tuck with a direct opponent at the top of the league, so a single defeat can have a significant bearing on league title prospects.
Even when we were not involved in a close league race, the desire to win by an astonishing number of points provided an edge, whereas, back in the 90s, the chasm between Celtic and the top was made increasingly unbearable by each passing defeat.
This season is different. We’ve dropped 10 points in 10 games but substantial evidence exists that the team is making solid progress, a fact not disputed by the support, even as they left Celtic Park on Saturday. For most, the distress of defeat has tempered.
We’re two points ahead of three teams at the top of the league, with a game in hand, which makes this the most competitive SPL ever. The gap between second and second last is just six points, St Mirren who sit second bottom, would be level on points with joint-second St Johnstone had they won the game between these two earlier this month.
All this honest competition has resulted in a rise in average attendances for most clubs during “Armageddon”. It’s too easy to poke fun at the miscalculations of the SPL and SFA chief executives who believed the game needed a fatally flawed giant in the top flight. Instead, what it needed was genuine competition, which we have, to a degree.
Hibs, Aberdeen and St Johnstone are all two points from the top of the table while Inverness and Killie are only one win below them. Can you imagine how good a league this would be without the last remaining over-sized behemoth?
The SPL didn’t need Rangers, in fact, it is a better, more competitive league without them. The same goes for Celtic. We are not good for the league and do nothing for Aberdeen, United, Hibs or clubs who want nothing but a sporting chance in the game. Many of these clubs seem to have Stockholm Syndrome; locked into the belief that they need to be with their tormentors.
If I was writing a blog about any of these clubs I’d tell Celtic to go find themselves some fantasy football league and let the rest of the country get back to a proper sporting endeavour. They have nothing to lose but their loser labels.
The next issue of CQN Magazine is due out shortly, let me know if you would like to advertise, advert@cqnmagazine.co.uk.
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FAVOURITE UNCLE
12:49 on 30 October, 2012
thomthethim.they both lived in skirsa st.i went to the MUNGO with both.
*****
I lived at number 81 and am a St.Augustine’s alumni, contemporary with the illustrious journalist, Glenn Gibbons.
geenjedi
I believe both parties can appeal to the UTT (Uper Tier Tribunal).
MWD
Ylurc- the’Harbour’ not as great as ‘The Trawlermen’ in [niche] genre of programmes featurin’ ole drenched Doric stoicism in face of mountainous waves an’ ole force 11 gales.
Never rated Evan Williams as a goalie but he saved us from a right hammering in Milan!!
Is it not John Cairney Bhoys?
thom
the author of Jimmy McGrorys autobiography
Wee Oscar
http://m.u.tv/news/£400k-bill-for-wee-Oscars-treatment/931ef31d-c9fb-482c-8918-605cb807182a
Need to ramp up the fund raising Bhoy’s n Ghirls.
If you have not already bought your tickets for the race night then please email weeoscar4life@gmail.com
For thos who were interested in the weeoscar4life cycle to Belfast from Glasgow or Leeds to Belfast. You have mail (if you have not already picked it up). JJ, I’ve still to forward onto you. Doh!
MWD
I had a very brief relationship with a woman[ She dumped me when I declined to accompany her to a Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky , Mick and Titch gig ] who lived on the same street as the man who scored a hatrick in the sun against the hun in 1957 .
I
greenjedi
13:03 on 30 October, 2012
thom
the author of Jimmy McGrorys autobiography
******
Gerry Mc.Nee ghosted it.
Tomthethim
I thought Brian Rodden lived in Dunure Street.
In 1965 – I was 11 – Brazil trained at Portland Park the home of Troon Juniors, before their match with Scotland at Hamdump.
Got Pelé’s autograph – and the great mhan also patted me on the head!
Match finished 1-1 – Stevie Chalmers scored! Don’t think CESAR played – his place probably going to the superbly talented (eh??!!) Ronnie McKinnon! Caesar didn’t play either!
HH!!
MWD Wee Oscar
Lets have another Green Bucket collection at the Barca game then. Im up for it.
I was in John Kennedy’s class at primary and high school
So there lol
Famous Celts Tenuous link:
1) John Divers nephew was my regi teacher at secondary school.
2)I shook the hands of Jinky and Lennox at the Jungle’s Last Stand.
1st one has to be a winner…surely?
Tombola
South of Tunis @1305
Billy McPhail?
HH!!
I partnered Chris Sutton at a round of golf at gleneagles. ( we won )
My wife has danced with the king of kings and I did not object:))
Hail!hail!
I went to the same school as Lou Macari!
Think he left the year before I started ‘tho!
There’s a link ‘tho!
HH!!
Just come back in and see quite a few tenuous links…..more than I would have thought but I feel duty bound to post a final Table so Famous Links closing in two minutes and I will post the Table later….around three o`clock
.
Tallybhoy
Yes, it was Billy McPhail.
I have been in Celtic Park and witnessed some great players play and win some outstanding matches against the best teams Europe has to offer.
I have met a couple of legends in my time but I’d take being in Celtic Park to witness the above over meeting anyone legend unless it was Brother Walfrid and the other 7 or 8 people who came together to found our club.
MWD
Pelé stated after the game how delighted he was to get Stevie’s jersey…….and a Celtic badge.
I hope the late new article posted prompt is due to some controversial/big/sevcotainting/rangeritis inducing news! Maybe I’m a wee bit greedy but a Bhoy can dream!
The Laddie McGeary…
…..do you not mean Jim Kennedy?
:)
estorilbhoy
13:17 on
30 October, 2012
I partnered Chris Sutton at a round of golf at gleneagles. ( we won )
My wife has danced with the king of kings and I did not ;)
=============================================
fixed that for you!!
Half time tombola
Did your regi.teacher teach modern studies by any chance?
Once A Bhoy….. – Rangersitis is the polite word for scrofulous cash-strapped hillbillies. (thumbsup)
Using the same toilet as Mo Johnston and Charlie Nicholas @ Maestros .
Using the same toilet as Morten Wieghorst in a boozer on Byres Rd .
Seeing Paulo D Canio hoovering up Heavy Metal Cds in Tower Records
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby – What is modern studies anyway?
I assume it’s basically about Twitter and Gangnam Style these days?
In the olden days it was probably about Donna Summers and CB radio. (thumbsup)
Cheers Philbhoy
I’m not that old!!!!!
Had the pleasure of pegging him a few times at school.
He even got me a few signed shirts
Good Cleland Bhoy like his granda
Finished.
SoT`s hat-trick is the final entry.
JJ
Philvis
Modern studies was a great laugh,that much I do remember!
Bernie Slaven lived down the stairs from me in Castlemilk from about 1970-80.
He was not special as a youngster but had very good attitude and determination to make it.
There were plenty more skillful players but without the dedication Slaven had.
He’s just off Talksport btw.
Hh
The Laddy McGeary
I hope he makes it in football management and with us!
dannysbeard
12:46 on 30 October, 2012
He took out all of my old fellas teeth
gumsycsc
Graham Spiers @GrahamSpiers
My Herald-Scotland column: criticizing Rangers and the air of intimidation… http://bit.ly/YitZl1
My mum also lives next door to Peter the pointer’s cousin
South Of Tunis
Are you George Michael
lets go Outside
If I might be permitted one final tenuous Celtic link…
Met the maestro’s then fianceé, and future wife, in Greenock – where we both hail from (no sniggering at the back there!!).
Ghirl I was going out with at the time was a pal of hers.
That’s it!
I think!
HH!!
Marakesh.
Did you to maggies.hh