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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Saying that, Souttar just shown us he is their biggest weakness.
Been to Curaçao. Lovely place and people. Visited the distillery, had a great time. By jingo they dole out large measures. 😳
the Bada Bing on 30th May 2026 12:48 pm
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
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I hear you BB, genuinely.
Celtic (or anyone else for that matter) has no legal standing to challenge nonsense, sleekit use of words and pictures or the dreadful lack of quality coming out of the BBC.
We do have legal standing to challenge lies and slander.
This is the mistake our enemies have made.
Left unchallenged, uncontrolled and unmanageable
… against a backdrop of
… increasingly ramped up anti-Celtic sentiment
Itself driven by the fact we keep winning regardless?
Has pushed several individuals over the edge into slander and outright lies territory.
Advantage Celtic.
If I was a betting man?
Celtic will play this long and slow.
No point banning the BBC today.
Better to wait until 2½ hours before kick off on flag day.
From FF:
Farquhar and Hector et al must be totally confused. Are the “Tartan Army” allowed to cheer Rangers players?!
boycott the us world cup ties
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-us-military/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cglp7kelrljo
Slot must have been a dead man walking
I doubt BBC Headquarters would take any notice of complaints about BBC Scotland’s sports output. Radio 5 Live is, imo, another matter altogether. If it can be proved that Nevin said what has been quoted here, I can’t see him having any future in broadcasting. Questions might well then be asked about BBC Scotland’s sports department’s “performances”.
Fabrizio Romano reporting that a deal for Robbie Keane is very close. Don’t know how accurate that is, but for what its worth etc.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint%20Summary
Parkheadcumsalford @ 2:50 pm
I doubt BBC Headquarters would take any notice of complaints about BBC Scotland’s sports output.
——
I’d agree with that, PCS.
BBC Scotland are as answerable to the Dept of Culture, Media & Sport and the Westminster Public Accounts Committee as BBC London.
But that legal fact doesn’t stop bull5h1tting committees at Holyrood – delivering the square root of bugger all on our dime – chiming in.
https://www.parliament.scot/about/news/news-listing/committee-calls-for-bbc-to-have-stronger-scottish-voice
I’ve no doubt if BBC London tried to overlord on a Shortbread mess …
… some Saltire shagging imbecile in Holyrood would play the “FREEDOM !” card big time.
… with the facts then lost to the subsequent Punch and Judy show.
R5Live screwing up at Celtic Park is a potential game changer.
Parkheadcumsalford on 30th May 2026 2:50 pm
I doubt BBC Headquarters would take any notice of complaints about BBC Scotland’s sports output. Radio 5 Live is, imo, another matter altogether. If it can be proved that Nevin said what has been quoted here, I can’t see him having any future in broadcasting. Questions might well then be asked about BBC Scotland’s sports department’s “performances”.
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Yep. They’re quite happy to let the natives, up here, have their own little squabbles, irrespective of the deep rooted discrimination towards a minority group.
shankland is lawrence
gannon-doak is gannon-doak
mcann speaking walterese
“right at the end and then THE SCENES”
macann talikng about shankland and hearts losing at paradise
RAT
https://news.stv.tv/sport/livingston-hire-ex-republic-of-ireland-international-glenn-whelan-as-new-boss
When Dominic McKay shafted Timdom straight after Lawwell, Lennon, and, Broony’s 10 in a row season inside job for old firm reasons, fk the fans they all said off mic.
https://celtsarehere.com/celtic-fc-dom-mckay-addresses-exit/
What a time to be alive and look at all of the bemused faces.
Back oot to see Auntie May O’Kay…..
Fabrizio Romano reporting that a deal for Robbie Keane is very close. Leaving Ferencváros, he gave his notice today. Is this a sign?
BBC Scotland, falls under the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament in Westminster and is entirely a reserved matter, not a devolved responsibility.
Under the Scotland Act 1998, the UK Government retains sole legislative control over media policy, spectrum regulation, and broadcasting for Scotland. Therefore, matters concerning BBC Scotland’s funding, licensing, and overall governance are handled at the UK level rather than by the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood
Secretary of State for Culture is The Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP contact her direct
Anus Sarwar is branch manager of Labour in Scotland, contact him direct
There are currently 37 Labour MPs in Scotland, if you are so vexed angry regarding BBC Scotland contact your local MP if Labour and let him/her know how you feel about the bias within the Sport Dept, it may also help if you stop watching BBC Scotland output
Geneva Broadcasting in a Colony
SSRG TV
https://youtu.be/q44c325gBnU
Interesting article:
https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/26149760.ex-ceo-celtic-must-end-fan-unrest-fulfil-potential/
Methven mused ““It is going to require the removal of the current board in my opinion,” he said. “That board is not set up, either by age or by expertise, to be in charge of an ambitious sports club .
Champions league final build up.
Something you would see at an American sports event…for some yes…Me NO
COME ON PSG.
What is this guff?
The superbowl?
Get the players out on the pitch and start the game
That awkward moment when McCoist opens his mouth
Do keepers have to keep their arms by their sides now?
Lawrence Shankland the new darling of the nation
AstoundedofForehead CSC
Worse statrt possible for a football match with them taking the lead.
The spoilers have got this game won.
Its on RTE2 if folk want to avoid Gerrard and McCoist
dessybhoy on 30th May 2026 5:16 pm
Worse statrt possible for a football match with them taking the lead.
____
Yep. Not brilliant for a neutral. McCoist and Gerrard 😭
Emmanuel Petit on radio during the week said the GK was a weak link
Went down like an MFI wardrobe
McCoist and Gerrard. Hinge and Bracket without the good looks and dress sense.
“Walter” will be spinning in his grave at anti-football Arsenal stealing his legacy. That said they seem to be one team with the antidote to PSG’s magic. Can the French make an emergency signing of Henrik Larson at half time?
Great call by the ref to end the half. Arsenal had three players waste time to take the throw in that won the corner. And the third player chose to use a different ball. No advantage should accrue to the team wasting time.
Why’s isn’t wee Sally a football manager? He sounds like he thinks he knows what he’s talking about 🤔
And there’s the first yellow for Time wasting!
“When I watch a cup final like this I fear for the future of humanity”.
Bertrand Russell.
‘I drink therefore I am’
BRRB