Memories of the “second worst thing to hit Hiroshima” attempt to undermine Wim Jansen on his arrival as Celtic manager from Japanese football in 1997 remain vivid. With no internet, we knew little of Wim. His short stints as assistant with the Saudi national team and as manager of Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the four years since leaving Feyenoord did nothing to enhance his reputation.
Ange Postecoglou is an easier man for the support to make their own minds up about. He has a record of developing talent, improving teams and winning titles. By any reasonable measure, his CV is spotless. None of his success happened in Europe and there is nowhere as acutely intense in the football roster as Glasgow, so there are hurdles to overcome.
I like that he is an established winner and that he has not relied on the chequebook to become so. I also hear great things about his strength of character, he has old school authority, as well as a technocrats brain.
Eddie Howe went to the top of the candidate list around two months ago. The time since has been lost, although Postecoglou was not in serious contention that far back. We are now three weeks from preseason training. If Ange is to be appointed, he faces a two week isolation period before being able to visit Celtic Park or Lennoxtown. He might just make it.
Before any of that, he needs to exit Japan and his contractual arrangements with City Football Group’s Yokohama F Marinos, pack his family and belongings up and fly to the opposite end of the globe. There is a lot of work for him to just sit at the Celtic manager’s desk.
At Howe’s request, we were prepared to recruit his entire football infrastructure. He would have endorsed the appointment of coaches, scouts and director of football. Celtic signed up for this but when you let them bring their encourage with them, the successful ones inevitably take the same faces (and more) back out the door with them when they go.
With Ange it will be different, although he may be familiar with some of the faces from City Football Group. This infrastructure is equally as important as the managerial appointment. Celtic need to rebuild a team ahead of a season that offers automatic Champions League qualification for the Scottish Premiership winners. Much of that burden will fall on the manager’s supporting cast. Lots to do, not a lot of time to do it in……
A quick word on Newco’s £6.75m public share offering, announced this morning. Newco have returned an operating loss every year of their existence and have been unable to trade players to meet the shortfall. The burden has thus far fallen on directors. Turning to the fans may indicate a possibility the directors’ largess has dried up. It could also imply no fresh investor has been found.
Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules mean any fresh equity investment cannot be spent on most operational costs, like football or support staff. Competing against a team that runs a persistent eight figure annual deficit has its drawbacks, but we have seen this movie before. We are back at the roulette table with all the chips on Champions League money.
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As a qualifier to previous post, I do give the Board credit for their ambition in going for Eddie Howe. However, I can’t believe they surrendered all leverage in the negotiations. He has totally taken them for mugs, which is no credit to him, but embarrassing for them.
SydneyTim
I agree. Not sure many are buying.
Strachan, DOF..
John Hughes Manager with Broony backroom staff learning the role and just get oan wae it.
In ither news…………
Shortie has its new ” Naisy” in yon wee nyaff Patterson……..
Aye.
PeterLatchfordsbelly on 2nd June 2021 8:41AM
Enjoyed that, gave me a laugh unfortunately. If he was any further away, he’d be closer.
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Anyway, coming soon to a radio near you wherever you are on the dial. In 2021, it’s ok for Zulu children to be Westlife. Apparently. The Joy, Isencane Lengane;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAPJBHC9gqU&ab_channel=TheJoyOfficialMusic
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:30 AM
There must come a point at which what is going on at Celtic stops looking like a series of unfortunate events and starts to look like a deliberate strategy.
—————
If Peter Lawwell is as smart as we are being told it can only be the latter.
My friends in Celtic,
We had to part company with a Celtic legend, a man who had to put up with disgraceful personal attacks just because he came from the North of Ireland.
Although we realalised change was inevitable, it still did not sit well. I wish NFL all the best.
We now need change and we need to implement change.
Appointing the usual suspects is not change and amounts to a botched continuation of the same failures.
Get this right Celtic. It’s getting more difficult to keep the faith.
HH to all.
From the Daily Record;
A cop has been rapped by his bosses after referring to Celtic fans as “puddle drinkers”.
Detective sergeant Craig Melrose used the derogatory term on social media in the wake of the Rangers title celebrations.
He was also given a dressing down for discussing a live investigation on Twitter.
Despite Glasgow being in Covid Tier 4 at the time, Melrose was openly posting how “Saturday is going to be something else”.
He later wrote: “Fantastic the man the puddle drinkers love to hate wins the FA cup final and the famous Rangers FC win 55 what a day.”
A source said: “He was making no effort to hide his views which weren’t exactly bigoted but still using derogatory terms to describe rival fans is not the behaviour you would expect from a senior cop.”
And while police were investigating an alleged video of Rangers players using sectarian language, Melrose commented on the incident in reference to then Justice Secretary Humza Yousa, who spoke out about the video on his Twitter account.
“They know exactly what they are doing and have even stopped trying to hide it.”
The source added: “He is entitled to support whatever team he wants but he needs to mind his language.”
A Police spokesman said: “Inquiries were carried out and appropriate advice was given. The matter is closed.”
Imagine this Detective sergeant investigating an incident between a Celtic Fan and a hun ? Justice ? The Police spokesman is even worse, “but he needs to mind his language.”…………..
…the message is oooot there…………….it’s okay to be a hun……….
normal service is resumed.
Say an’ do what you like, and the Tims huv tae lump it…………
Scotland is happy enough with the balance of power redressed in favour o’ the peepil.
Aye………
Bankie 8.45 – hear,hear👍
…and when the boot is on the ither foot……?????
It’s us and ours that gets the kickin’.
Aye.
The reputations of the board and that of our major shareholder are beyond repair imo. Celtic will not become the club we can be while they remain in position.
Will the dreadful scenes from Glasgow (twice) after the Rancid Rangers Rabblerousers Ransacked Our City……. Do you think we’ll be able to attract a decent level of player?
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:30 AM
There must come a point at which what is going on at Celtic stops looking like a series of unfortunate events and starts to look like a deliberate strategy.
The club is certainly being sabotaged from within . Whether through wilfulness or incompetence is a matter of opinion .
As you say , the unfortunate events are piling up in an incredible fashion .
There are stranger conspiracy theories out there .
Embdy been lifted yet for the walk o’ shame????
Naw?
Something you are unlikely to see reported in our wonderful, fair-minded media.
For months there were zero Covid cases in Fort William and the surrounding area. 10 days after the ‘celebrations’ in George Square there is now a small spike in cases. I wonder what caused this sudden outbreak?
(Information was gleaned from a current /long term resident in Fort William, says he establishing FACTS).
SQUIRE DANAHER on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:59 AM
‘Not looking to start a row but people were going on at the weekend that there is no law prohibiting Catholics from becoming UK PM.’
###
I am the people.
There is no law banning Catholics from being PM.
There are arrangements in place for a Catholic PM to delegate any aspect of the office that involves the C of E.
Some years ago, when she was an MP, Roseanna Cunningham (SNP, QC, Catholic) obtained a definitive, detailed, written statement on the issue in reply to a question she asked in Parliament. It’s available somewhere in Hansard or the House of Commons website if you can be bothered to look.
.
BRAYSTREET on 2ND JUNE 2021 9:13 AM
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:30 AM
There must come a point at which what is going on at Celtic stops looking like a series of unfortunate events and starts to look like a deliberate strategy.
—————
If Peter Lawwell is as smart as we are being told it can only be the latter.
###
Peter Lawwell doesn’t decide these things. He does as he’s told.
Listen ghuys…………….am breathless wi’ excitement!
I’ve been told something about Celtic that is absolute dynamite.
But I’m gonny keep it a secret and will never disclose it in public or private!
Phew!!
Thank goodness a told sumbdy!
In the meantime ahl defend all assaults an attacks.
STAND BY TO REPEL BOARDERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The blog has been hilarious the last few days.
Thank youse.
Lovely day for some gardening!
See ya!
SQUIRE DANAHER on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:59 AM
####
Appointments (Religion)
Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the (a) disbarments and (b) special requirements based on religion relating to appointment to positions within the Government and to functions carried out by Government Ministers. [99809]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 26 November 1999]: Special requirements apply to certain functions carried out by the Prime Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in relation to some Church of England appointments. If any of the first three of these are either Roman Catholic or Jewish, his or her ecclesiastical functions are carried out by another Minister; in the same circumstances it has been customary for the Chancellor of the Duchy’s functions to be carried out by the Clerk of the Council.
Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the impact of the Statute Repeals Act 1989 on his ability to appoint individuals to positions within the Government on the basis of their profession of the Jewish religion. [99657]
The Prime Minister [holding answer 26 November 1999]: I am not aware that the impact of the Statute Repeals Act 1989 has any effect on my ability to appoint individuals to positions within the Government on the basis of their profession of the Jewish religion.
####
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmhansrd/vo991213/text/91213w17.htm
@ ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 9:50 AM
That’s not how a PLC operates.
ROLLING_STONE on 2ND JUNE 2021 10:00 AM
@ ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 9:50 AM
That’s not how a PLC operates.
###
How long do you think PL would have been in a job if he had gone against TGD’s instructions?
So far the much heralded rebuild has consisted of announcements on ‘Who is not coming’!
BEAMISH
It’s not as if there’s any urgency either!
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 10:12 AM
ROLLING_STONE on 2ND JUNE 2021 10:00 AM
@ ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 9:50 AM
That’s not how a PLC operates.
###
How long do you think PL would have been in a job if he had gone against TGD’s instructions?
——————-
People making excuses on here for the actions of poor valiant Peter are hilarious
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 10:12 AM
DD is a non-executive director and is the largest single shareholder, though not a majority shareholder.
Someone previously posted that the last set of accounts noted that DD did not attend a single board meeting during that accounting period.
PL runs the club on a daily basis. He will be responsible for drawing up the strategy, with board input, and then implementing the strategy, with board oversight.
DD is not calling PL from a golf course and telling him to sign a player for £2.5m or to up a bid by £200k or to not offer a player a new contract or what the terms of that contract should be.
More fundamentally, there are directors’ duties at play here which both DD and PL must (and will) be cognisant of.
Good morning from a sunny and hot North Staffs – Test match starts today what more could one ask for
A manager for a start 🤔
St.Anthony
@Stephen4_2
·
12h
Pic before bed: Jock Stein and Billy McNeill present the European Cup before the Irish President, Eamon De Valera, in Dublin in 1968. Dev was a fascinating man but he divides opinion between Irish nationalists. Interestingly, Dev was born in 1882 before Celtic were even founded.
https://twitter.com/Stephen4_2/status/1399839314910101504/photo/1
Lambert 14
It may be that most of their voters didn’t live through the White and Kelly era – though they did bring us the big cup.☺️
Where’s our Melbourne Correspondent when we need him?
BRAYSTREET on 2ND JUNE 2021 9:13 AM
ERNIE LYNCH on 2ND JUNE 2021 8:30 AM
There must come a point at which what is going on at Celtic stops looking like a series of unfortunate events and starts to look like a deliberate strategy.
—————
If Peter Lawwell is as smart as we are being told it can only be the latter.
###
Peter Lawwell doesn’t decide these things. He does as he’s told.
———
I understand that. I always did what I was told by my boss as well, because he is my boss, but I did have some discretion and tried not to make a complete horlicks.
Celtic PLC was supposed to have had a plan to reset the club after the ten. By no stretch of the imagination does it look like it’s working, no matter how bad it may have been instructed to be by the boss.
Helping out the Ibrox club so it offered competition was always risky given their previous behaviour, and regardless of the ethics of it, but losing by 25 points with no manager, no DoF etc. indicates that the PLC is not just mendacious but also pretty incompetent.
GENE on 2ND JUNE 2021 10:43 AM
Lambert 14
It may be that most of their voters didn’t live through the White and Kelly era – though they did bring us the big cup.
—————————
Some of my earliest memories of Celtic were regarding the sheer hatred for Whyte.
The fans detested him.
Probably due to selling Macari, Hay and Dalglish.
Thought for the day.
Why don’t we jack the fitba in and convert Celtic to hurling or Gaelic football – join the GAA (if they’d have us)?
It would be great craic and we could leave the cesspool that is Scottish football behind.
In a paralell world, that would be great!!!
HH
BGFC
Sydney Tim
I read that you asked your kids football coaches about Ange,
and they said they never heard of him.
Given he was Australia manager for a period, and the coaches dont know that, I think I would not trust them to coach your kid.
De Valera believed that a woman’s place was in the home.
Not get away with that today.
C’MON THE WIMMEN!!!!
UNCLE JIMMY on 2ND JUNE 2021 6:54 AM
JHB
“Celtic did everything possible to secure 10iar.”
I’m not sure I’d agree with that. Like others, I expressed reservations when Neil was given the job permanently.
———
Always happy to receive a reply from you.
On the point of ditching Neil – first let me say that he was the right temporary appointment in February 2019 when Brendan left. He seen us handsomely to the end of the season.
I did not want him permanently, however it is reasonable to ask why you would sack someone who has just won a triple-treble, albeit with Brendan’s squad? The old ‘if it’s not broken, don’t fix it’ adage was extant at that time. Neil was quoted on numerous occasions saying that he was not for making wholesale changes to Brendan’s structure & approach, just for the sake of it.
So to season 2019/20 – we run out easy winners of the League Cup & a shortened league and are two-thirds into a quadruple treble with only the SC delayed. So again, is there really justification for sacking him in the close season? (still not broken, no need to fix)
Season 2020/21 – things are not perfect, but we clinch the QT in December. Basically the league was lost during January 2021 after the Dubai fiasco – so perhaps he should have gone then – however we are only talking about a difference of weeks. Who is to say that we would have secured the right manager in the final months of a Covid dominated season?
Apart from sacking NL earlier and taking all the above into consideration – what more could the board have done to secure 10iar?
The performance and attitude of the players was disgraceful. They stood an old saying on its head by ‘becoming bad players overnight’
Getting and keeping the right manager is not easy – just ask Everton. Three years ago the Ibrox franchise, in a infinitely worse position than us, had to resort to appointing someone who had never managed before…..and did not have the ‘normal’ coaching badges. They had to wait for three years and a Celtic collapse to profit – will our new guy be given the same leeway……certainly not by a good few on here!!!