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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Regarding the problems being experience by the GB,if it continues ,and the Celtic CEO,is happy to go along with it,I would suggest a walkout at a designated game.In my 50 years plus,of following/supporting The club,I have never felt at one with the directors,but the present lot are as bad as I can remember.
Is it not strange,that in these times of financial hardship,that our directors are helping to carry out continue harassment against our most vocal and commited supporters.
If this continues our crowds will be down to 20/25 thousand,very strange attitude indeed.
From a old timer support The Green Brigade.
Big Victor – first name on teamsheet tomorrow
steinreignedsupreme-The OF tag White refers to is spin,because he knows we distance ourselves from it,agree re the SS content.
Chuckles first board meeting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY4tD2Hbg_A
Maybe Jim White has an EBT through his old mate Souness
Sad to read that statement by the Green Brigade.
This is the policeman who started it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsgKS2CJueU
They pick on the GB, yet someone can run on the pitch in front of thousands of eye witnesses and millions watching on tv and get found not guilty of assault.
X-Files music playing in the background.
Starry Plough
Happy Birthday and many happy returns to you
celtic *o* lennon
17:16 on 29 October, 2012
The onlooker
Worrying times indeed, getting harder and harder to give tickets away nowadays.
=================================================
Unfortunately true.See this more and more.Don’t have all the answers.Suspect a variety of reasons.Moneys tight and too many games,quality of product generally not good and more & more are making comparisons with the likes of La Liga & EPL.
Jock Stein said the game’s nothing without the fans.Try telling that to the folk who sign deals that allow K.O. times to be changed regularly.It must be a nightmare if you have to travel far for a game.When times are hard a lot of fans who have this problem will just eventually not bother.
It also takes 2 teams to make a game.It’s a sport but it’s also a paid for entertainment.Fans are now averaging £25-30 per game and are by and large unhappy with what they see.
Football needs to take a good look at itself.
can someone raise a point at the AGM re the PLC treatment of the green brigade..
happy birthday SP
Bada bing – that is actually a really good idea re: the tickets. Although not sure how that would have worked out for those Huns who opted in to it last season.
Happy birthday Starry Plough
Demented old Chuckie green on SSN:
‘I’m afraid I’m getting ‘Rangersitis’. I can’t help it. you get attached to things up there. And the last two things I got attached to cost me a lot of money after divorces.’
I’m sure those ‘things’ – Chuck’s ex-wives – will be delighted with that frame of reference.
‘There are names who have a lot to answer for. (meaning the SFa). Jack Charlton used to keep a black book of those who had wronged him. I keep the names up here (taps head) for reckoning.’
Seems that ‘Rangersitis’ has a firm grip – the classic HUN mentality of threats and intimidation.
Coming from a man who would purport to be the CEO of a future Hun PLC, publically stating your intent to future retribution against the administrators of the particular business field you are involved in is NOT a recommended method of running said PLC. Or raising serious investment from serious business parties…
Verdict: the huns are in good, unstable, demented hands. Expect soon Chuck to let the MSM behind the scenes to see his pack of genetically-engineered killer super-whippets with which he will carry out said retribution.
Who to believe: Chuckles Green or Paul67?
Hmmmmm………..
While I whole heartedly condemn the actions of the police who seem to be indulging in harassment, I suspect the club aren’t really in position to be ‘difficult’ when the police ask for information. How quickly would the police like to refuse a license if they didn’t cooperate? Divide and conquer is probably the aim.
blantyretim
17:58 on 29 October, 2012
can someone raise a point at the AGM re the PLC treatment of the green brigade..
Any CQN’ers going to AGM , thinking of taking day off and going up . Few beers afterwards ?
fgf,
Me
tomtheleedstim-Ha
FGF
used all my leave for last week I’m afraid…
Scenario: police arrest gb member on sectarian singing charge, which is false. The club refuse to provide assistance. Imagine how that gets reported in the msm. Do you think it would even get a mention when the gb member is found to be innocent?
RRC:
Thanks Mate good to see you’re still around…
Does the Club not have a Duty of Care,to the supporters whilst in the ground? Sounds like some guys rights are being infringed here,harassment,constant filming etc.
neil canamalar lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
18:12 on
29 October, 2012
fgf,
Me
Will try and get a few others and get back to you regarding meeting up , cheers.
!!bada bing!! I doubt the club are in a position to prevent Strathclyde’s finest from filming.
blantyretim
Pity mate ,maybe next time.
blantyretim
Birthday dinner scoffed, fruit cocktail and ice cream up next, the life of Reily here in the valley..
You must be up soon on the B-day duties naw?
SP
me being a saint and all.. o))
The police will trying to do two things. 1. make people want to move to escape the hassle, it threat of it. 2. make guys go the other way and think that if they’re going to get hassles anyway then they might as well just go for it – potentially making legitimate arrests more likely.
BT
No the morra night please ye’ll get intae trouble!!
starry plough
HOOOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY :))
starry plough
Many happy returns – and a hoopy birthday as well!
HH!!
Is the game to-morrow night being shown on any TV Channel or is it a square susage scenario.
Even sausage
starry plough – I thought you needed some Clare Grogan to go with that birthday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgqD826HGuI (thumbsup)
weeminger-Probably true mate,but i’m trying to think of any other business would allow constant harassment of customers(horrible term I know) ? More chance of chasing away financial support than encouraging it.
SP-Happy Birthday HH.
SP
HB
U