Exactly one year ago today, just after lunchtime, one of the pivotal moments in Celtic history occurred. Neil Lennon took his Celtic team to Kilmarnock, who had lost their three previous league games, and for 73 minutes looked like surrendering their league title chances just as Tony Mowbray’s team collapsed at St Mirren Park seven months earlier.
The manager later admitted to thoughts of resignation. 3-0 down at half time while already in heavy deficit to Rangers, who were riding a wave of positivity under the reinvigorating ownership of Craig Whyte, events looked to have escaped Neil’s grasp.
It is tempting to write the narrative that a half time talk or tactical change turned things around but turnaround was more difficult to explain. Celtic were awful for the opening 28 minutes of the second half; like condemned men waiting for the inevitable.
Anthony Stokes started the recovery by exploiting Kilmarnock’s weaknesses. A free kick drifted over a wall which didn’t jump and into the net. Had the wall jumped, would history have been different? Three minutes later Stokes fired into the corner of the net from distance, Jaakkola in the Killie goal was not equal to the challenge. Suddenly, we were back in the game, back in the title race.
Charlie Mulgrew, who erred to gift Kilmarnock their third, equalised with 11 minutes remaining, surely there was only one winner now? Not so, images of Heffernan’s last minute header from inside the Celtic six yard box gliding over remain vivid.
We escaped with a draw but it felt like a stay of execution, not a pivotal moment. Neil didn’t resign, he stayed, beat Stade Rennes in the Europa League and never looked back. The imperious positivity which surrounded Craig Whyte was ultimately proven to be a charade, those of us who told you Rangers were in peril were proven correct.
It is impossible to calculate just how much football has changed since Anthony hit that free kick, although imperious positivity still surrounds a charade which is doomed to fail, leaving a lot of football fans out of pocket. If only the football authorities had a warning from recent history that light-touch regulation is dangerous, or had the mechanism to order a financial audit. They do, of course, but despite the traumas of 2012 I doubt they have the appetite to head-off potential problems. It’s easier (in the short term) to hope everything will turn out well.
Not that you need worry about any of this, you can chill and enjoy the season.
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How about this for an idea? Could it ever happen?
If the people of Scotland vote for independence then the UK government could partition part of the country off and keep it within the UK, so that there is somewhere for the No voters to go.
Call it Western Scotland or some such name.
Have it made up of 6 historic (for we like tradition) counties; Argyllshire, Ayrshire, Bute, Dumfriesshire, Renfrewshire and Wigtonshire.
A border could be established, and troops stationed there. Maybe even have watchtowers, helicopter patrols, dawn raids.
What about the people in the 6 counties that voted Yes? Well they can always move to Scotland if they don’t like it.
Hmm ….
The Politics of Choice?
Michael
Dont think they will want to give up north sea oil so maybe they will try and partion the northern parts ,like Aberdeen and Shetland.
mornings bhoys from a dark but dry coventry.
must admit, I hate international break now. think I’ll take in a movie tonight.
is it true that broonie and jf have withdrawn from the squad ?
sannawn
Miserable and wet in South Lanarkshire
Bring back jobo the weatherman
Happy Birthday to Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion Tommy Gemmell.
HH
Dodecanese Diary day two.
Heavy dew overnight means damp towelling for the EC67 family.
Never experienced rain here before in 17 years of visitation. Never been here in October however. Spectacular electrical storm just west of Athens the other night meant restricted Acropolis gazing. Henry, the local Athenian ale is Fix, not Efes as you correctly alluded to, sorry a malt minded mistake by myself.
The island is shut for the winter. Quiet and peaceful, still 29c during the day and 23c overnight, beach deserted, one could gaze 200 metres before seeing the next bather, still clear, blue, cloudless skies and an Aegean deserted by the millionaire yachts.
A terrific place to be on an international week. May need to go support our favourite Grecian Ghod in a local taverna this evening, being introduced to authentic, off season, Lerian lifestyle by Panagotis and Manolis in a local fishing port of Pandelli.
Must dash, deserted beach awaits.
Hail hail
EC67
Yoda!
Are we actually going to have 2 years of this politicising on hear.
Holy mascarpone. I’m not sure I can handle that.
My vision of CQN for the next 2 years is one of dread.
I will say this only vunce!
I will decide on Scottish Independance in the polling booth on the day of the election. I will make my decision based on listening and speaking to candidates, watching and listening to current affairs programmes and reading literature. I will be looking for breakdown costs of how an Independant Scotland can work economically and judge that against the same breakdown cost of how an Independant Scotland will fail economically. I will trust not a single soundbite politician.
Any politician or campaigner who chaps my door had better be ready for a grilling as I will be inviting them in for a cup of tea and asking of them many questions that I will have compiled in order to help me make an informed judgement. I however expecect that not one will be able to furnish me with a constructive, informed answer to many of my questions.
I will make my own decision!
I will not make that decision based on the emotive points of view I read on CQN.
I can see myself withdrawing from CQN as the next 2 years draw in and the emotive soundbite debate rises in frequency.
My one wish, if I found a genie in a bottle would be to wish for Paul67 to ban all debate relating to Scottish Independance for there is not one of us who’s opinion will change due to discussions or debate on here. This dear green place is going to become a cesspit of a mixture of informed, ill informed and emotive debate and discussion.
I for one do not look forward to the next 2 years of CQN.
MWD undecided with one foot planked.
CELTIC PAVING STONES
As I very rarley get anywhere near Celtic Park nowadays, I thought it would be a good idea to buy a paving stone in my daughters name, and I could show her it when in Scotland for Hogmanay. I thought I bought a brick, but I got a letter a couple weeks back saying my paving stone had now been installed at the entrance to the stadium next to the Brother Walfrid statue. Bonus! :)
Could I ask a regular visitor a big favour, that being next time you are at CP, perhaps look for the stone/brick, and take a photo or two of it for me please? I will then have a headstart for when I visit in January.
come on mwd, yesterday was a historic day and worthy of stimulating debate! sad day if folk like yerself lobby for banning orders on what can and cant be discussed on here.
you are spot on re making decisions based on firm information,Ilookforward tofinally seeing the snp detail, the guff from the unionists will be the usual fear riddled mince so dont expect to see anything earth shattering. The dynamic of the MSM will be interesting,that will show if the relevant powers that be are for or against an independent scotland
anyhoo, great posts snake and james forrest
PAVING STONES REPRISE
Just checked the paperwork, ordered a stone all along. If I call you Betty, Betty, when you call me, you can call me… ;)
malc
I’m going up to take a pic of my Bhoys that I got him for his birthday. If you pass me your details (on twitter I’m @Moonbeamswd – follow me and DM me with ur details) or post your email addy on here and I’ll email your for your details and send on.
MWD
sannabhoy
06:35 on
16 October, 2012
mornings bhoys from a dark but dry coventry.
must admit, I hate international break now. think I’ll take in a movie tonight.
is it true that broonie and jf have withdrawn from the squad ?
sannawn
———–
Sanna………..naebdies talkin to yi……..whit’s up????
RE: Broon & Wee James……True………..baith needin hip replacements a hear………
Anyfin guid on the pictures?
Love
Paddy T
Moonbeans, thanks for offering to help. Just followed you right now, you’ll need to do the same for me to DM you (according to my daughter…)
mountainbhoy
Do you seriously look forward to 2 years of poppyesque debate on here were opinions are entrenched and no one will ever change their minds. It’s going to be one heck of a grind.
Yes! If I were Paul67 I would most certainly ban all talk of Independance debate completely or until a few weeks before the election as this dear green place is going to drown, choke and stifle.
MWD
PS. How are you? Hope things are turning for the better.
Moonbeams:
I share your concern and have to agree that the likely hood of someone’s opinion being changed on this site is incredibly remote.
“This dear green place is going to become a cesspit of a mixture of informed, ill informed and emotive debate and discussion.”
You mean it isn’t already???
As I say I share your concern but I do not think it is feasible to completely ban the line of conversation. People will want to talk about it, and frankly (depressingly?) some of the most legible conversation i encounter is on this site. The more educated people you put in a room the more opinions you are likely to drag out.
And I know that you are a very well informed person so, from my point of view, I want to see and read your thoughts on the subject, same with many others, as long as it does not completely de-rail the blog from Celtic.
Its already bad enough when its a day Celtic are going to be playing and we are talking about the zombies, dragging parliament into it can just depress me.
And please, no one state the old (Argentinian?) line that football IS politics.
HH
Malcolm
That’s you followed. DM me your details.
MWD
Thanks for the update, Paddy.
Was waiting to hear the reply to Sannabhoy’s query, too.
MWD,you have a point lol :) it will fizzle out until key milestones are reached.. dont worry!
things getting much better mate, quite exciting times.. but still some important issues to be tied up before success in the bag..fingers crossed!
666? SPOOKY
Can any of you lhadies or ghents remember.the article names of
A. The article Paul discussed in detail how much Celtic were deprived of due to the huns cheating for the Euro place.
and
B.The Battered Bunnets biggest scam in the history of sport article?
educatingcheatercsc
Good morning CQNers,
As an Irishman living in England I’ve no real interest in Scottish independence other than it’s consequences for Celtic, most of which were aired overnight.
However, true independence has wider implications, one of which stands out by its omission overnight, the security of the state, for instance, would Faslane be under the control of the new independent state?
It begs the question, how much independence does Scotland really want?
The son of Gabriel
My issue is not really with the debate per si. A couple of weeks of it leading to an event is fine. But wee are going to have 2 years of this. I feel like pulling my toe nails off and burning the tender areas with a hot poker already, after having read 12 or so hours of CQN debate it already.
:-))
Yesterday was not a momentous day. 2 years time will be.
Yesterday was just about a couple of soundbite artists stroking their egos.
MWD
Independence Debate.
Poppy Debate.
:-(
Mountainbhoy
Good to hear things are on the up.
You up for a race and auction night on 17th of November?
MWD
MWD
aye, but what about Salmond and Cameron?
Morning,
I see that the two thugs who stamped the Irish guy to death were found guilty. Also, note the racially motivated part was dropped. Well, we cant have any unwelcome statistics when we are going for Independence and trying to get the nod from the EU.
One Nation…
Lennon n Mc….Mjallby
08:17
The second one was Rangers: The greatest scandal in the history of sport…and the rest
Or something along those lines.
I know the article you mean for the other one but cant remember its name, sorry bud.
Lennon n Mjalby
email P67, he may have them to hand
MoonbeamsWD
You paint a lovely picture! Yes I understand that, personally wasnt on the blog last night, was streaming ep. 3 of homeland ;)
Well, the discussion already rears its ugly head every so often and has done for a while.
Will definitely appear on the blog whenever it is in the news.
Now as it drags on I will, like yourself, grow sick of it, but I do not think it will become a daily vociferous debate until a few weeks before the vote.
We already get too much politics on here for me but sometimes those discussions do stimulate the blog.
But please do not literally lower the bar on conversation in here by removing yourself from it completely. I would suggest removing yourself to lurker status as the debates rage around you.
After all, with Armageddon on its way we cant go leaving blogs now can we ;)
Also, before anyone asks: Homeland Ep.3 was excellent as usual.
HH
Is the email celticquicknews@gmail.com?
Thanks Bhoys.
MWD,count me in,assuming all goes to plan!! however, the black swan lurks!
will be good to be able to start going to games again too..
hows things going at ye olde city centre mad hoose?
L&McM
Original article from March:
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=8222
L&McM
There’s an error in the article that came to light when I read the Sale and Purchase Agreement between Murray and Whyte.
Article states that the tax assessments were received early 2010. This is not true. HMRC raised a series of assessments during the period Feb 2008 to Sept 2009, as they worked progressively through the various cases.
While HMRC was delivering huge tax assessments on EBT payments, Al Johnston was still using the scheme to pay players through to 2011. Clever eh.
Hope that helps.
TBB
Son of Gabriel
I’ll only hit lurker mode when the politicising is the order of the day.
Mountainbhoy
Tickets going fast so get in while you still can.
email weeoscar4life@gmail.com
MWD
re the faslane question,no WMD in an independent scotland..
Im sure someone creative can think of a good use for the hollowed out mountain that is Glen Douglas Nuclear Weapons Storage Facility
Does anybody have a copy of, or a link to, MacMillan’s Edinburgh Festival speech – ‘Scotland’s Shame?’
Independence.
The idea of independence in a world where everything is so clearly dependent on everything else (like a football league where one club choses to go it alone and follow its own rules for example) is at source absurd. Not only does the entity going alone suffer ultimately, but the rest of the local/globalcommunity is affected as well.
So I am for co-operation on the basis of what is best for the other is best for me. It is a phil (now there is an ironic twist on word play) osophy that has served me and my family well and I like to think the others outside my family circle also benefit, although they are the judges.
On a practical matter one issue I have not checked up on is what happens to public service pensions? I ask because I used to work in the Pensions Dept of the UK Government Overseas Dept and a lot of the time there was spent on “takeover” .
This was an exercise that took place when an ex UK colony became an independent country. The cost of the ongoing pension was split on the basis of service before the independence date and service after it. Thus an officer in service in say 1966 with 20 years service before independence in 66, who served until 1986 had his pension costs met 50/50 by the now independent country and the UK. Since many ex colonies could not afford the colonial service period this cost was met from the UK aid programme as a form of aid by which the UK “tookover” the pension liability after negotiating on what share the ex colony could meet. (I’ve simplified it btw)
Presumably Scotland will be able to afford the pre independence cost of existing public servants’ pensions when those workers retire but has anyone asked?
For those who retire before independence (should it happen) their service will have been to the UK so the UK should still meet the full cost (but has anyone asked).
This may be a complete red herring but it is on issues such as this that even personal philosohy will be swayed and personal decisions reached.