Amid the enormous events of the season it is easy to overlook the remarkable transformation in Celtic from a team which was bumping along in third place in October. The 3-3 draw at Rugby Park, when Celtic recovered from a 3 goal deficit in the final 20 minutes to grab a point, is often referred to as a turning point but I don’t subscribe to this, Celtic drew 0-0 at home to Hibs two weeks later as the deficit from the top of the league headed towards 15 points, albeit with two games in hand.
It’s not often I’m told “get a grip of yourself” but that’s exactly what was said when I suggested to our chief executive that if we lost the next game away to Motherwell we were in danger of finishing third.
He then went on to quote me the points gained/lost ratio Neil Lennon enjoyed between becoming Celtic caretaker manager until his team lost at home to St Johnstone in August – a remarkably successful period. He knew the same ratio between that St Johnstone game and the 0-0 against Hibs, which he said was a problem that would be fixed. For good measure adding that we would beat Rangers on 28 December and go on to win the league.
Refreshing, though it was, to hear such utter conviction in The Plan, I wasn’t convinced. Rangers were on a roll and we just couldn’t put a series of wins together. The change came against Rennes on 3 November. Celtic came from behind to win the game 3-1, playing a tactically different game than we had all season.
Since then Neil Lennon has bravely changed tactics with more regularity than any Celtic manager I have known, even during games we have often seen three different strategies deployed. Not all have worked but he has shown a willingness to take chances and has learned plenty about his squad in doing so.
This willingness to take chances and to learn has delivered the league title.
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jackie mac on 8 April, 2012 at 20:59 said:
but can we keep up fannys singh jokes
______________________________
Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: ‘Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69 yesterday.’
voguepunter on 8 April, 2012 at 20:53 said:
Paddy Gallagher on 8 April, 2012 at 20:47 said:
C’mon Paddy,name and shame them:O)
Saving pages ,yir a saddo but I like you.
Saddo = yes Grass = no.
Com on you critics of me and Neils supporters , admit you were in the wrong and salute the mans bravery. Never in the world of sport has any human being had a bigger challenge.
I took it on the chin when you suggested I was wrong, now you take it when I tell you ‘ you were wrong’!
Come on – you know you want to!
Celtic tap !
Fantasma is Neil Lennon on 8 April, 2012 at 20:59:
No apology required my friend and you are not wasting my time. The blog is here for us all to use.
Please continue to post, do not stick to lurking…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Paddy G
I think you’re getting a fair response from the sore head crowd :-)
feedthebear
According to the SPL site, Stokes has 10 assists, Commons 9 and Gary Hooper 7. Charlie is not in their top 12 so must have fewer than 6 in total (strictly for SPL games)
ernie
So winning a league, when under the pressure Lenny has been under, and as we all know now, the cheating that has been going on, not to mention the referees who have done their fair share with assisting the hun, you still are not convinced with Lenny.
What has he to do to convince you ?
ThemindbogglesCSC
Jock
Got a new wan yesterday
Size?
Extra Medium!
Hail Hail
Estadio
I’d vote for Charlie mulgrew as player of the year not least of all for my funniest moment of the year.
Charlie pi** ing himself laughing at Broadfoot in extra time in the 1-0 game at Xmas. Broadfoot is obviously playing the hard man and Charlie is just laughing in his face. Watched again last night. Priceless.
THE EXILED TIM on 8 April, 2012 at 21:04 said:
That’s not what he said.
Eric
Less of the squabbling surely?
Watch as many youtube clips of yesterday as you can find – as I have.
Some emotion it gives you. That real Celtic thing.
Tears are optional.
TET
What cheating?
Hail hail
Estadio
I went to Rugglen last week and it was closed!!!
Cheers sftb
I did read that but didn’t think accurate with KC on 9 for season
CM assists Off top off head, 2 yesterday, Ledley headers v them and rennes, wanyama v wee Huns, stokes v hibs sure there’s plenty more
setting free the bears on 8 April, 2012 at 21:04 said
Cheers bud, I ain’t naming names but I know who challenged my support of Neil and I would appreciate some honesty.
Say what you mean and mean what you say bhoys, ‘Bravest man in football’ is Mr Lennon.
@CelticAgents on 8 April, 2012 at 21:02:
1. Charlie
2. Joe
3. Samaras
4. Broonie
Broonie just in front of Fraser who has come on leaps and bounds since the Hearts penalty save. I believe that save gave him the confidence and the fans the confidence in him; these two factors have brought the best out in him.
Young Player of the Year: James
Most promising new comer: Wanyama
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Jude
I went and unfortunately it was open!
hail hail
Estadio
I gotta start texting these golf ones, I can’t let these go
Wae teeth like that Wee Hazel could rake ma window box any time.
Hail hail
Estadio
Paddy G
Wiz it me Sir???
Paddy Gallagher 20:47
I was underwhelmed by Neil Lennon’s first signing, I was hoping for a much stronger signing than Charlie Mulgrew. I never criticised his signing on here but I couldn’t see why we had brought him back.
Yesterday was one of the best performances you will see from any full back, and I can’t praise Charlie any higher than that. Delighted for the man and he is a role model for all aspiring footballers now IMO – Never give up.
I hope young Paul George makes a speedy recovery and is featuring in our first team next season. Get well soon young man.
US PGA Commentator – ‘One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them. Oh my god !! What have I just said??’
Would Oosthuizen be allowed on a golf course in Scotland dressed like that !?
I’m Spartacus
THE EXILED TIM on 8 April, 2012 at 21:04
I said I wouldn’t have appointed him, not that I want him sacked.
I’ve never wanted him sacked.
But I still wouldn’t have appointed someone with no experience.
Paul67
I’m ashamed to say I bet on Motherwell to win the spl around the time of your dressing down. I’m being reminded of it by friends who I told to take advantage of odds of 150-1.
I did put a fair amount on us at the same time so I hadn’t lost it completely
I think the theory that Celtic should not be a training ground for a first time manager is still generally a sound theory.
However, there were unique circumstances in operation around the time of Neil’sappointment.
From a period of dominance, we had lost 2 titles.
We had attracted a fairly mediocre set of applicants for our job, reflecting our standing in World football, as perceived by neutrals.
We had failed under an experienced manager.
We had not enjoyed our 3 years of success under the previous manager.
We were a fractious and divided support who were unlikely to come together anytime soon under anyone other than a real Celtic man.
Short of MON coming back, which was the fantasy hope of many, other Celtic men with experience did not seem too impressive (remember Paul Lambert’s standing was no better than Tony Mowbray’s at that point & Brendan Rogers was yet to prove himself). We were looking at Mark McGhee or Eric Black or giving Owen Coyle another chance to say no.
But most importantly. Before he was formally offered the job, he had had a successful trial in leading a demoralised team through the league run-in. There can be nothing harder than to persuade a team to keep fighting when there is little other than pride for which to fight. Despite the players cocking up the Ross County match, Neil showed enough in that trial period to suggest he was one of the rookies that had the qualities, other than having been a good player, to make teams tick.
So, I want to say a big thanks to Jeanette Findlay for railroading that fans meeting and making the disputatious fans rally round something.
Estadio
Pause on your sky+ box
Charlie Mulgrew has shown tremendous faith in his ability in recovering from a failed stint at the club to become the player he is today. Let’s not forget the young man lost his Father recently too, mental strength as well as talent in abundance. Deserved POTY.
The appointment of Mowbray was worrying so when Neil was appointed a lot of fans worried it was a similarly poor move. I suppose we’ll never know if it was luck or judgement.
hamiltontim on 8 April, 2012 at 21:15 said:
Paddy G
Wiz it me Sir???
No mate, the only thing you and I disagree on is boycotting away stadiums, but I respect your choice. You have green blood, a very special group indeed :-)
From another site, Celtic and Rangers fan trying to slag each other. Rangers guy starts~
– Bye bye Neil Lennon!
– Buy buy Neil Lennon!! Sell sell Ally McCoist!
– Would yooz take pennies in the pound?
ernie
Sorry didn’t read your post properly.
Do you reckon he has cut his teeth now ?
………………………..
Estadio
Silly me, no cheating whatsoever…….
Great wee weekend spent with family and friends! Continuing the celebrations tonight with my bhoys and a cheeky Sancerre!
Had a tear in my eye at full time yesterday watching Neil – Hoping he does not walk away in the Summer but could we blame him if he did?
Paddy G
I pretty much agree with Sftb’s post above.
I though that Lenny deserved an opportunity because of the way he’d led the team after Mowbray’s departure.
I did say at 3 down at half time away to Killie that I thought he would resign the following day, he’s since admitted that it crossed his mind too.
We came back to achieve a remarkable point and the rest as they say is history!
The best managers do not succeed everywhere.
Clough did not work at Leeds.
Big Jock steadied Scotland but could not mould a successful side. Le Guen stank at Ibrox.
Villas Boas died at Chelsea.
Mourinho fell out with Chelsea’ owner and the fans at Inter and Real.
Harry Redknapp has brought football success and financial failure to every club he has managed.
For me, Football Management. like Military Generalship, is still more of an Art than a Science.
No Sky in my house or even in pub …al jazeera (which means The Island)
Did youse know about the fisticuffs between McCoist and Craig Brown over Hazel Irvine?
hail hail
Estadio
listen to sftb bhoys
because we have such an emotional connection with celtic we forget how bizarre a ride the last few years have been – btm, attendances decreasing, a successful but unpopular manager, downsizing or whatever the financial term is for cutting your cloth to suit your measure, the EPl was different even then, had man c been given unlimited millions by then, a poxy atmosphere at games, the GB weren’t in full voice then.
And then this year happened ….
Player of the Year – Charlie Mulgrew
Young Player of the Year – James Forrest
Most improved Player of the Year – Fraser Forster / Georgios Samaras
Special Mention Player of the Year – Scott Brown. Grew into a Celtic player and then excelled into a Celtic captain. Whilst not everyones cup of tea – not even his biggest critic can say he wasnt missed when not playing.