I like Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths’ reactions to our recent adversity. It says a lot about them. They both personalise responsibility for what happens next, this is an important part of recovery – and success.
A week ago I wrote that the League Cup semi against Ross County was the biggest game in the rest of our season, and that it wasn’t a game I’d bet on. It provided the toxicity cup football can generate, creating a crisis mentality which rolled into Aberdeen on Wednesday.
This psychological phenomenon has to end now. Feel free to put a date in June in the diary to get back to it. We are in a genuine league title contest, something you and I talked about as a great thing for Scottish football not so long ago. We have no God given right to be miles ahead of anyone. We are here because we’ve made mistakes and an opponent stepped up. Welcome to Celtic.
If you want to open an inquest when the patient catches a cold, knock yourself out, but I’m not up for it. If we want this title, we circle the wagons and give the manager and players the encouragement they need to get the job done (and, erm, that includes you, ‘Phyllis’). You can be sure Aberdeen fans will do nothing less.
Tomorrow the focus switches to Perth, where Aberdeen take on St Johnstone. They won their first 8 league games this season, but the wheels came off the tractor immediately after their most important victory away from home – at Tynecastle. Next up was a League Cup game against Hibs, the loss of which plunged them into a five-week chasm.
They are a team who get notoriously nervous just when they begin to think they are in with a chance. We’ll see what Tommy Wright does with them tomorrow.
Enjoy your football. Enjoy this league race, the challenge and the disappointments. Enjoy that thrill when a goal goes against Aberdeen, or the downer when they score. It will make the finale all the more rewarding, I promise you.
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CelticQuickNews Posters! Permission to be sarcastic? Excellent. Thank you!
Paul67…
I like Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths’ reactions to our recent adversity. It says a lot about them. They both personalise responsibility for what happens next, this is an important part of recovery – and success.
I guess I was wrong then. 2 players spoke out in the press?!? Saying the players must do more?!? Well… I mean, it must be true. After all – I don’t recall seeing Chelsea players saying they must stand up for Jose, or Manchester Unt players standing up for Moyes…cough…. Van Gaal! And the same thing most certainly never happened during Tony Mowbray’s reign. Or rather, the same quotes (more or less) spout insincerely from the mouths of players of any team near sacking time.
2 players rent-a-quoting in the rags is now passing for legitimate news on CQN?
Some have questioned why now is not the time to even *question* the manager. Why you’re suggesting June. I’ll hazard a guess. Because if we win the league we’ll get the same garbage served up again. I can virtually ghost write the article.
1. Ronny has EARNED the chance for another shot. After all, he got us over the line.
2. Ronny will have learned from this. For real this time. Not like this year.
3. Continuity. It’s really important.
4. Support the team bhoys! Get yer chequebooks out!
And come January when there’s no Europe, we can have another cut and paste of ‘Now is not the time’. You’re short changing Celtic Paul67. Badly.
Sarcasm over.
I’m not suggesting for a second that you become a ‘mineshafter’. Dialogue and opposing views are of key importance. A rich and vibrant discussion from all sides, free of insults and slanging matches, free from the slander of our fans (Yeah, TonyDonnelly, you) – a factual debate. Along the lines of the previous ‘Amortisation’ articles that so drove the agenda and issues forward. You’ve been a boon to the Celticverse Paul – I’m surprised and saddened at the nothing articles and the toeing the party line with zero credibility posts.
Maybe minds would be changed? You have amassed the highest quality contributors to any football blog I’ve read (both happy clappers and mineshafters), so why shy away from honest opinion? If all it does is take us away form the ‘Daily Record’ lite puff piece header articles it’ll be a good thing.
/p
Auld Bertie
Off topic I know, in your opinion how much of the low oil price is due to the following
1] The imposition of economic sanctions on Russia by the US, a continued low oil price is not good for the Russian economy?
2] US influence on Saudi Arabia to keep the oil supply high and prices low?
3] US having less of a need for crude as it now has shale sources?
Jobo
Surely you have the name wrong for the first team on your email?
HH
CRC
Absolutely fascinating. Would be equally fascinated to hear any defence of this from Etims.
http://etims.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/PL-remun-bigger-image.jpg
Apologies for the italics. It appears I’m better at bolding than italiking (sic).
/p
(and yes, I know it’s italicising)
CRC – wasn’t sure that all of the remaining entrants would have appreciated any divergence. Took me an age to actually type out the 7 letters. Anyway, 3 posters have more to worry about than me ;-)
*** LAST MAN STANDING 6 ***
There are 10 remaining competitors in the latest competition and as all of this week’s picks have now been submitted it’s time to name and shame.
Here are games that matter (for LMS) this week.
Saturday 6th February
Rangers (LENNYBHOY, MIKE IN TORONTO and SETTING FREE THE BEARS) v Kilmarnock (DOC)
Tottenham (BIG AL) v Watford
Sunday 7th February
Hearts (GUYFAWKESAFOREVERHERO) v Hibs (12.30pm)
Bournemouth v Arsenal (THE TOKEN TIM and THE EXILED TIM) (12.30pm)
Chelsea (DELANEY’S DUNKY and PRAECEPTA) v Manchester Utd (4.00pm)
Good luck [especially Doc! ;-) ]
No disrespect to the rest of you guys in LMS but cmon Doc
P&ddy…
A bit harsh on Paul 67… Each to their own opinion on how our team and management are performing.
Yours is similar to mine, some are prepared to see the outcome.
They may be proven right and I hope they are and I’ll eat humble pie.
That won’t change my opinion on how our team is…not a team but a throw together and hope for the best on the day.
Named and shamed
Jobo, as you stated hope Doc makes next week
Gerryfaethebrig
Have they not suffered enough
dessybhoy and gerry ….
Not often that I like to be wrong …. but this is one time where I wouldn’t be too upset if I was. In fact, I think I also would like Doc to win this now! :)
p8ddy
Yours is the latest in a long line of posts calling out the blog host for not writing what they think needs writing.
Now you avoided the tone of earlier posters who were saying “Why don’t you write what I want you to write. You are just trying to suppress a needed debate and censoring us. There are 40 pages on here over the last 3 or 4 articles of people being censored because the lead article does not match with their complaint”, but you still do advance the jibe that the lead article is not Paul’s honest view- it must be a dictated viewpoint where Paul is acting as a stenographer and not an impartial reporter on Celtic.
I am not getting that flavour from the lead, and rather unusually, I have actually read it today because most of us go on to say what we were going to say whether the lead article was in agreement with it, the polar opposite of it, or completely irrelevant to it (usually the last option for me).
What I took was that P67 does see things wrong with the team but does not see this point in the season as the time to focus/obsess/ or get over-agitated by them because we are in a title race and we need to be better supporters. He stated his view (not Peter Lawwell’s) as far as I am concerned just as I take it on trust that people with opposing views are expressing their own thoughts even when they chime exactly with what the redtop rags and the Sevco fans are saying about the team. We need to deal with the viewpoint itself rather than the projected provenance that we imagine it emerged from.
Neither Paul nor this article attempted to mis-direct or suppress debate. Since when is an invitation to “knock yourself out!” an invitation to shut up. It is merely an indication that you can go your way but I will go mine.
I do not expect Paul to write out my views in his article- I am capable of expressing them badly all by myself. In any case, why would I even want to come on here if all I read was my own views in the leader? I think I already know what those are- I need to hear what others think more than I need to hear my own.
I also hope that Doc’s choice wins
feeling a bit like Hester Prynne now ….
oh well, i guess TD will never invite me over for that drink now….. (sigh) :(
Much as I dislike ronny and didn’t agree with his appointment I have to say sacking him now would be a panic move . We have made our bed and now we have to lie in it. I don’t think Aberdeen will get maximum points from their remaining games so we should be ok.
Win the league
Then I will drive ronny to the airport myself.
MIT
Imagine wanting Kilmarnock to win anything and with elbows as manager! Needs must
SIPSINI…
A bit harsh on Paul 67… Each to their own opinion on how our team and management are performing.
Only a bit though. You know I’m right. ;) (Joke!)
On a serious note, (as I’m on the upcycle of the post traumatic stress rollercoaster that is supporting Celtic) the issue I have is that Paul has set himself a high benchmark. There’s no doubt he’s a supremely talented and insightful writer and fan. And that’s why I hate reading fluff from him. If I didn’t expect great things, I wouldn’t even bother posting. But the blog he’s built and the tag line he created? It has high demands. It sounds trite to say I’m saying stuff because I care, but it’s true. And anyway, Paul’s a big bhoy. If he can avoid Peter Lawwell eating him, I’m sure he’s able to side step my barbs.
Yours is similar to mine, some are prepared to see the outcome.
They may be proven right and I hope they are and I’ll eat humble pie.
You and me both. Interestingly, I’ve read a couple of articles on e-tims that have at least got me thinking there may be a case for keeping the manager until June, but equally, some of the rumour in there, if true is *extremely* concerning. Of course, not knowing the truth from the lies just means actually assessing which outcome is the more damaging.
One thing that absolutely gives me the fear – the window for change is small. *If* we end up behind Aberdeen, then I’d say the moment for changing has gone, as we’ll be in a maelstrom. So for me there’s a huge gamble and now is the time to stick or twist.
That won’t change my opinion on how our team is…not a team but a throw together and hope for the best on the day.
As I see it there’s failure at all levels and areas of the club at the moment. I have no idea if that all falls to simply Ronny and Peter, but as the two figureheads the pressure is on. We’re disorganised, fragile and prone to being scared. That is not a winning combination in my book.
/p
On another note – Paul67, back in the good old days, you had a preview button. Preview buttons are nice things, as they let morons like me correct stuff before posting. Can we have one back please? Please? Paul? Paul? ;)
Decided to just check back on the ole CQN rules there and, right at the start Rule 12 said –
“12. Once the numbers fall to a manageable level, probably when there are no more than 20 still standing, then I’ll reveal what teams the remaining competitors have already picked. And when all the picks are in each week I’ll again reveal who has picked which team. Brings a wee bit of added spice I hope.”
So yies wur warned….!
And on that bombshell, I’m aff oot for a bit…………..
LMS6
Only Doc and Big Al have had all their predictions correct to date( 8 weeks in a row), without the need to buyback or use the joker round to retain their histories.
I would imagine if they had bet their choice this each week on a running accumulator they would have amassed a nice wee total by now
HH
CRC
MIT
A sliver lining in every cloud :-)
HH
CRC
Mike in Toronto.
Delighted you have returned from your self imposed exile.
Not so sure about your LMS selection though.
Hail Hail
We all must know now that Ronnie is going be it now or June. If we are waiting till June we surely must line up the replacement now!
WITS
I blame you anytime you start making bets I.e. naked around George Square or this season taking your cap off, that jinxes our Ronny
By the way the black n tan Bill Hill is going 11/10 Celtic -4 on Sunday that could get you a few shekels for Cheltenham
So its a KIlmarnock and Tottingham double for me based on the LMS6 form bhoys.
Nice 11/1 double.
Dont go letting me down now Bhoys :-)
HH
CRC
Dessybhoy. Shale gas is the main reason. Amercia will no longer be held to ransom from Middle East. Practically self sufficient. Saudis have /own Wall St/ Stock Market. Russia /China support Assad, Russia signed deal for energy with China. Turkey buying oil from Isis. Oil is no longer the gold standard currency for the world. When have you ever known a Cartel (OPEC) not agreeing to cut supply to force up price? Decommission of North Sea Rigs will be the next boom in North Sea. After US Election, Fracking on US soil will be next gold rush. Niche companies (badabing) will operate in North Sea,diminishing assets, Major Oil Companies will sell off their North Sea assets. If US needs oil got it in own country Alaska.
Cog – Diss – a – Ramas – Ville
You wanted a competitive league – don’t complain
The mindset is condescending at best, deflection based at worst.
If I could remove the implicit inference that there are a swathe of ‘Jam today’ supporters greetin’ only when it goes wrong, by this wee sentence…
I was waiting for a competitive league that was manifest in teams matching/meeting/raising performance to challenge Celtic.
Not us spending (Comparatively) like the French Navy on shore leave, snapping up the best Scottish talent on show and having nothing to show for it.
We’re not a good team, we’re not a cohesive team, we’re not a mentally strong team, we’re not a fitter, faster, stronger team, we’re not a tactically aware, seasoned campaigner decision making team…
Our manager fails at the big tests. Serially. With the teams he wants. Or the team he gets. Either are his ethic manifest on the park.
I’ve read some fantastical stuff on CQN this week – best being a piece that basically said a poor refereeing decision lost us in the league cup last week – I’m terribly sorry but Efe Ambrose’s poor position and needless run across the attacking opponent (Which he did not arrest) made obvious contact, and, as last man, resulted in a correct penalty decision and a red card for a serial poor decision maker. To protest otherwise is, in my opinion, disingenuous.
Ultimately, it remains laughable that we, Glasgow Celtic, with the resources we have at our disposal, the technology & science at our fingertips, are being told, via this blog, to batten down the hatches and get behind the team to help get the league won????? Seriously?????
You better put me in the ‘jam today’ gang because if we can’t win this league over the course of the season, it is not because there is something right with Aberdeen (With the greatest respect) but that there is something fundamentally wrong with Celtic (The team).
I have never laughed so hysterically as I have these past few days reading the equivalent of a bunch of Celtic supporters riffing on the ‘These aren’t the droids we’re looking for. Move along. Move along’ speech from Star Wars.
An Old Hope…
U
Michael Oneil will be next manager after Euro finals. You heard it here first.
MIT
I am only jesting, even though I hope when Sevco get their last minute penalty you, Lennybhoy and SFTB aren’t jumping up in the air while poor Doc curses the fact the Killie interim player manger has put himself on to give the penalty away
LP
I thought him or Lagerback
Am I paranoid or was that another bbc stitch up on Mastermind?
The glorious career of Jock Stein..
Three questions in a row.
How much were Celtic players fined after the Racing Club game in Montevideo?
Where did Stein go into the crowd to demonstrate with Celtic fans signing sectarian songs about the IRA?
Which Italian team were Celtic playing in a pre season tour of 1970 when the game was abandoned for fighting?
Wtf??
It’s hard reading the blog with all the insults.
However here’s my take on Ronny.
I’ve never been convinced on him being our manager but I believe he will be here to the summer and after the summer is over he should take over running Lennoxtown and have overall say in youth development. With defined goals including bringing through st least one player per season from the development squad.
This should be agreed now behind the scenes giving the board time to recruit a new management team. It would give the new management team time to identify players and look at what we already have at the club.
Part of this restructuring should also include the scouting team.
The board should try and work with the support to recover the harmony that existed during the MON era, we were all United.
I believe we will win the league but that it will be difficult as the players are not playing with confidence at the moment but a few good results we can go on a run. As for the cup don’t rule out the refs.
Just some musings
Kikinthenakas
At least Michael O’Neil knows how to defend against superior teams.N.Ireland showed that.He set them up perfectly for each game.The only thing is he’ll get the Neil lennon treatment in triple spades.He may not want that.The Ulster huns are more vindictive than their Scottish counterparts.I can slag and joke with Sevco supporters in Stirling.I couldn’t do that in Belfast.
Raymac
Saw a lot of shamrock rovers when Michael o neil was in charge, obviously very successful. Won a couple of leagues, got them into the group stages of europa league ( major achievement for league of Ireland club) played one up front even at home against lesser opposition but certainly had rover’s punching above their weight
Dessybhoy … shocking isn’t it?
JimmynotPaul …. cheers mate. glad to be home…. and, honestly, I struggled with this …. but, i had already selected most of the teams I would have chosen, so it sort of came down to the sevco and hearts games …. and, we can never count of hibs, so it was sevco, hearts or killie …. so, would I rather be shot, hanged or drowned sort of situation…. (apologies to my uncle …. former killie captain for slagging off his team)
CRC … you’re a bad, bad man! I’m telling ma mammy on you!
GFTB ;;; all in good fun, mate. :)
although I think a fair penance should SFTB, Lennybhoy or myself win …. it would be dirty money…. so, to clean it, I thiink a portion (100 quid?) should have to go to a suitable charity… Mary’s Meals perhaps? SFTB, Lennybhoy … you guys game?
I judge Celtic in the whole. Born in 67….defeat at Pittodrie 2016. What a journey; what a club and I don’t think I’ve really liked any board.
Thank God for us…
HH
Raymac
No doubt that Michael O’Neill has worked wonders with an unfancied 6 counties squad but…..
What is the crossover between International management success and club football?
Slaven Bilic is a comparison- very successful Croatia manager- he got a big job with Locomotiv Moscow and led them to their worst ever league position since their new league started in 1992 and got sacked. He lasted two years of a three year contract with Besiktas, winning nothing, before ending up at West Ham 8 months ago. His win percentages with his last 3 clubs are:- 41%, 52% and 42%.
Michael was a middling manager with Brechin City and a successful one at Shamrock Rovers but, international experience aside, his CV is much thinner and lowlier than Ronny’s. The Tippeliga is a harder title than the League of Ireland.
His win stats are 40% with Brechin, 53% with the Rovers and 26% with the Occupied 6.
He will be decried as a cheap option and an untried club manager promoted to the Celtic job before his time.
great analysis 2nite cqn
mon the hoops