Martin O’Neill’s first time in charge of Celtic got off to a flyer, but we hit a bumpy patch in November 2000. Rangers extracted significant revenge for their 6-2 defeat at Celtic Park earlier in the season, beating O’Neill’s team 5-1 at Ibrox. What made it worse, was that David Murray had splashed £12m on Tore Andre Flo three days earlier, with the Norwegian scoring on his debut. 26 years later, Flo is still the most expensive signing in Scottish football history (we could talk all night about that one).
‘The past is a foreign country’ and for anyone below the age of 40 it will be difficult to understand just how overwhelming Rangers ability to spend their way to success was for Celtic fans. It was reckless, sure, but Celtic were also overspending during this period, just so dangerously and not enough to follow the lemming over the cliff. Rangers were still 12 years from liquidation, with no guarantee that some structural change to income would not come to their rescue.
In that context, our next game was away to Hibernian, which ended in a 0-0 draw. 5 points dropped in two games, our early season hopes were significantly dented. Post-match at Easter Road, Martin O’Neill was pragmatic, “It was important not to lose the game”. That comment stuck with me, as it felt to me that it was important to win the game, dropping another two points just piled on the misery.
Martin knew that defeats compound. One loss makes the next game more likely to result in the same outcome. Even a hard fought draw allows a manager to look his players in the eye after the game and contain the damage.
That sentiment came back to me twice in recent weeks. When Dundee levelled Benjamin Nygren’s opener at Dens in April, the pressure felt overwhelming. We had suffered defeat to Dundee United on the same street one week earlier and title credentials were hanging by a thread.
Martin O’Neill contains the squad’s anxiety, “It’s important take something from the game”, helps players a whole lot more than that unhelpful idea football people often pretend is true, “Winning is a must”. We could have done with some of this thinking in season 2020-21.
The other time I thought back to Martin’s comments that day at Easter Road was when watching Hearts play Newco earlier this month. Danny Rohl’s side had lost the previous week to Motherwell and were full of “five cup finals” chat. Winning at Hearts felt like an absolute, whereas a draw would have left them with a sporting chance of the title. Instead, defeats compounded. Celtic remained calm at Dens in April, with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring the winner 8 minutes from time. Martin’s psychological containment played its part.
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said with love and a large bit of fuckery!!
and a mason….
https://substack.com/@handala1948/note/c-267272594?r=bc5xc&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
diaper don…
https://substack.com/@jemby123/note/c-267011669?r=bc5xc&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Good morning all.
Good morning from another sunny day in North Staffs.
This site lacks some real facts so here’s a couple
Vincent Price is taller than Katie Price and heavier than Alan Price
Got this from a Price comparison website 🫠
Is = was
Certain content broadcast by Shortie may no longer be available to the general public but it will still exist and be accessible if needed to investigate a formal complaint.
CL Final is free on Virgin Media Channel 526
Good morning CQN
Another fine day to be a Celt
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the Bada Bing on 29th May 2026 11:27 pm
Pretty sure the Radio Shortbread stuff with English and Preston has been deleted,I wonder why
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If so Bada, then very interesting … as it suggests an editorial decision.
My guess, with no specific evidence, is that it has been made unavailable to the public by the BBC because of its content.
Reckless and out of control as they are, no way the Blue Broadcasting Corporation deletes master copies to avoid embarrassment.
These days, the risk of copies being made by enterprising online enthusiasts is TOO great.
Early days but could be a watershed moment akin to Dougie-gate.
GM at 10:26am – soz.
What you said
Morning all.
Gene on 30th May 2026 9:50 am
That made me chuckle😂
BTB – yep, and as you alluded to earlier, if the “investigations” and “enquiries” result in no criminal prosecutions I would fully expect a formal complaint with a view to getting a public apology from the BBC.
The blogger
They’ll hide behind ‘ assault doesn’t need to be physical ‘
I think there’s a broader opportunity here beyond a formal apology.
Don’t know the 5Live commentator’s name but he jumped in right after Nevin with the assault line.
If I were Celtic, I’d consider a blanket ban of the BBC
(This goes against my previous, long held stance of banning the Blue Broadcasting Corporation at PQ but continuing to welcome network)
Shortbread are amateurs.
BBC London ain’t.
After a plethora of recent controversies, many of which having similar root causes ….
… an out of control individual whose behaviours weren’t reined in by editorship or management
… allegations of blatant lying by a “name” during a live broadcast will be taken seriously.
As for Celtic’s position … I can almost here a soundbite along the lines of
“Sadly, Pat Nevin’s behaviour in confidently spreading ridiculous lies during a live UK wide broadcast is the inevitable consequence of an orchestrated anti-Celtic sentiment which has been allowed to pervade across this once respected institution”
BTB- Someone obviously downloaded the original content ,which i posted last night,but I believe it’s been edited now,why?
BB – at a guess?
Because it is potentially slanderous.
In which case, it is appropriate (as a precaution) to make any content which is legally problematic unavailable for further public consumption as soon as possible.
Reading between the lines?
The penny has dropped for someone inside the organisation with a functioning cortex
Slot sacked says Fabrizio Romano
In the uppity happy fearless hazy crazy JUNGLE dayze.
The sun has got its hat on hip-hip-hip-hooray.
Then all seating happened.
Then the dumbing down happened.
Then the lockdowns will happen if the sun comes out.
https://media.gettr.com/group4/getter/2026/05/26/14/a4621fdb-28a0-5329-e09b-6a3cfe6482b7/06afddb7584d829367c719c774a595f5_768x0.jpg
Its all so sad to watch.
Gene on 30th May 2026 11:17 am
They’ll hide behind ‘ assault doesn’t need to be physical ‘
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Totally get your cynicism about how they’ll try to play this out, Gene.
In reply (courtesy of Bada’s earlier link) I’ll give you Pat Nevin’s EXACT words
“Some Celtic fans are attacking Lawrence Shankland. Two or three have punched him”
Why did they not go for Xabi Alonso?
BTB- the original recording is out there,we can’t sit back and take this nonsense from 5 Live and BBC Scotland, Nevin,English, Preston all guilty
Slot sacked!
Delayed Manager Talk Rumours At Celtic Already?
“Celtic Can’t Afford any Delay’s this Summer with ANY Decision.
Speculation will always be rife in the Close Season.
I get that as do all of you.
With regards to Celtic, thanks to this Board it causes stress more often than optimism lets be real.
The first rumour of this Summer that looks substantial is that talks over our crucial Managerial appointment have been pushed back A WEEK.
Have talks already occurred, not went to plan and have to be re-arranged?
Several newspapers seem to think so.
Nothing would surprise you.
I have a hunch Celtic might have a viewpoint not too dissimilar to my own when it comes to Martin O’Neill.
Deserving of the opportunity to have first refusal on the job but deep down kinda hoping he doesn’t take it…
Our reasons of course to having this shared view couldn’t be further apart of course.
Whilst mine is steeped in loyalty to the man and protective of the legacy he has left not being left to chance, this is the same board who only 6 months ago felt Wilfried Nancy was a better bet than the legend himself.
Oh yes, remember these chaps think they actually have a handle on footballing strategy at Celtic!
The talks being pushed back suggests the initial ones haven’t went well.
What would make my blood boil is Celtic thinking they are tactfully making an offer Martin CAN’T refuse to get the outcome they are searching for.
Speculation on my part of course.
The decision on the man in the dug out is a more burning concern for me than who becomes the DoF.
Who will be the face of Celtic for Season 26/27?
Who can inspire us to the extent there is hope again we might qualify for Champions League and pull away again domestically?
It is a huge leap to make us do that this time, it takes someone special.
A new DoF appointment will NOT have that impact on your mindset.
A Manager will.
To hear of talks delaying already is perhaps the first sign for us to strap ourselves in for another Summer of Sadness.
Have Season Ticket RENEWAL numbers not woken the sleepy ones at the wheel?
Again it’s rumours but many believe the volume of Season Books sold for 26/27 is way down so far.
The renewal date dare I say may be delayed like the managerial talks!
Hitting The Board in the pocket with campaigns such as the “Not Another Penny” campaign is key.
This apparent hold back on renewing Season Tickets is another to hurt the know it all Board.
Keep at it!
There is a huge concern with me that The Board are so entrenched in their views that huge changes being demanded at their level will not happen.
They simply earn too much to Do Walking Away.
On top of that, they are too up their own a**e to see that they make a complete hash of even the basics as a Board of such a huge football club.
These delayed talks murmurs cause me real worries ahead of the Summer.
Delayed talks by people who are not serving the best interests of Celtic Football Club but rather Celtic PLC.
Keep Your Eyes on The Board.”
https://readceltic.com/2026/05/30/delayed-manager-talk-rumours-at-celtic-already/
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In a club full of liars there’ll be no truth until you see the empty seats with your own eyes, hopefully 50,000+ as with a sellout 53,000 a re-run of last season or worse will be on the cards.
What does it say about the singers of Irish rebel songs from 1916, but who completely ignore the inside job against millions of innocent, unknowing, beautiful, innocent, Irish people, in 2026, when AGAIN, Apathy will prove to be the biggest rebel of 2026 version of Timdom?!
What a time to be alive.
For a media genuinely interested in a big story there is one here. ‘The whole media, led by the publically funded broadcaster hysterically went after a “wrongful” refereeing decision. There is now conclusive proof it was a correct decision. The wronged club, Celtic, have been approached for comment.’
But of course no outlet will pursue this story because apart from you and me no one would want to read it. Scotland doesn’t want to be reminded of its own prejudice.
They whom you are not allowed to criticize.
They who wrote your history etc books.
You who are all sorts of “isms” and “phobias” and whatever they make up next, if you question a single word in any of their books or narratives.
The Books of Brilliant Things – NOT!
https://gettr.com/post/p40dztd7112
Off to join my Blessed oh so Blessed Auntie May O’Kay…..
lionroars67 on 29th May 2026 8:02 pm
https://x.com/McKinnz88/status/2060316644916777203?s=20
Supporters had accepted we wouldn’t win it, pundits and the media accepted we wouldn’t win it, Scottish football prepared for it to leave Parkhead but amongst it all our players and O’Neill still believed and delivered. Sensational 🍀
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A great watch, thanks for posting.
Curacao score
If that is the Scottish defence at the World Cup, we will get hammered.
Would Arne Slot be willing to come in as assistant to Fozzy? If you don’t ask…
Back to
We should certainly be having a word with mister nevin
This Scotland game is so exciting I took the dig a walk 🐕 woof woof
That Scotland side is really awful.
Smart goal by the young currant kid Curtis.
I said last week Scotland won’t beat Haiti,Clarke can set up a team to defend but clueless when trying to attack a team
Can you imagine if Arsenal win the CL, the amount of blawing will be akin to 1966
English teams dominate in the 3 Euro cups, the worlds best, what a country, ffs
As my old man used to always say, they do like to blaw
kinglubo
Shankland scores again, two excellent finishes.
Shankill scores again. We’re doomed I tell ye. 😫
Huns will be happy as Curtis who got the second goal is also likely to be back playing for them next season.
Huns running amok against the mighty Curacao. We must be running scared. Haiti will put a (Jay Hawkins) spell on them.