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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Bubba one off the lead now, but could have been level there.
PF – who else did you back?
T4
Am I being called out for supporting Neil Lennon?
T4
Westwood 20-1
also had G Mac ……he finished well but had too much to do
est
Its no illegal I bot it at the Barras the day!!
75mins
0-0
two fine chances for valencia
three corners last 5mins for real madrid
ronaldo pen shout dismissed
vipbox.tv
Jude
Ah sellt ye it
hail hail
Estadio
Neil Lennon supporter without conditions. Happy to leave you all to it.
miki67
and crap, I used to look for novo in the teamsheet and ferguson. I didn’t think either were any good or were only any good when there was quality around them
setting free the bears on 8 April, 2012 at 21:20 said:
I sent her a text yesterday after the game “You sure know how to pick a manager :) ”
She smiled back.
.
Estadio Nacional on 8 April, 2012 at 21:59 said:
1. Chico Muldini, consistantly consistant.
After that you struggle for players who have played the full season
2. Joe Ledley
3. Fraser Forster.
Young player: Wee Jamesie Forrest, closely followed by Victor Wanyama, Victor Wanyama wooo oh.
..
EN..
You are Obviously a..
Samaras-ist..
Greek-ist..
and a Gazelle-ist..
You Probably Supported Apart-legs in South Africa..
Summa of BanTheGreekistsCSC
Real madrid vs Valencia is bloody compelling at 0-0
TopCorner 22:05
Could be a great result for Barcelona.
You got Al Jazeera? Best sports channel there is, I counted 12 games being shown at one point last week.
Replied to your email.
EN
Masters will be a play off
hail hail
Estadio
£5 EW on Bubba 50-1 , C’mon the Bubba
petec on 8 April, 2012 at 21:15 said:
Why did Neil bring Charlie back?
He had height
He had a sweet left footfor free kicks and corners
He knew the Scottish game
He knew what was needed to make it at Celtic and as important, what wasn’t.
I thought it was a good signing, turned out to be a great one.
Summa of Sammi… 22:08
Ha, he didnt start playing til later in the season and has not scored enough goals but he’s up there after recent weeks.
The Sunday Papers for ‘ex-pats’
EN
Who in their right mind wd call their wean Bubba??
Estadio Nacional
just watchin via dodgy stream
had Al Jaz before – yeh – great coverage
well past bed time
another 10mins then dreamland
haven’t checked email yet
thanks will have a look
how’d you go yesterday ?
still 0-0
Paddy G – I’ve been lucky enough to meet Neil before and I hope to do so again. When I do, I will tell him that I thought he was crazy to bring back a player who had been rumoured to have a Billy Bigtime attitude. I won’t mention the 3-3 game, as he’s spoken about that himself where he’s stated that he was very close to offering his resignation.
I would fully expect Neil to rip the proverbial out of me for getting it badly wrong re Charlie. That would be Lenny’s right as a brave man and a title-winning manager and I would take it with good grace.
He still makes decisions I don’t like, but that’s part of being a supporter of our great club.
IMHO you need to put up or shut up. Do a “Golden Cleric” speech and out the people who had a go at you earlier in the season and get it over with.
It’s spoiling the mood of the blog when we should still be in celebratory mode after yesterday.
T4
Even THINKING about the likes of Novo & Ferguson makes me feel like boakin’……I’m going back to lookin’ at vids of yesterday’s achievements. Pure Magic! Good for the soul. HH!
a min of 4mins to go
0-0
Gaun to my bed – disappointed with some of the digs in the replies, one Neil Lennon for me,
PF – had McDowell as well at 66’s. Also Quiros at 125’s and Mahan at 33’s.
Got £5 ew on Bubba at 45’s.
And it does sound like a redneck name….!
T4
.
EN..
Re; Sunday Mail..Why did they Spell LEGNED the Catholic way..:O)
Summa of CatholicSchoolsCSC
Some more thoughts regarding Murdo Fraser MSP and his dabbling in the Rangers situation.
No reply to me yet, though Mr Fraser might be more willing to answer Alex Thomson, who tweeted that he had emailed Mr Fraser with some questions re this.
http://scotslawthoughts.wordpress.com/2012/04/08/murdo-fraser-msp-and-rangers-administrators-part-2/
tommytwiststommyturns on 8 April, 2012 at 22:16 said:
Apologies for wasting the celebrations, it was not my intention.
0-0 FT
0-0 FT
Real 4 points clear of Barcelona
I would love to rub Peter alliss’ face up a d down a rough cast wall.
Does that make me a bad person?
4pts seperate the top two now
r madird still to go to barca
night night
PaddyG
You havent spoiled anything mate, everyone entitled to their opinions on here (as you well know ;-)
Take care buddy n catchup soon i hope
HH
Looking forward, hopefully to the Champions League proper, there have been a few mentions for Clarence Seedorf as a possible signing.
This would be a sensational signing for this young Celtic squad and he would bring a lot more than just his talents as a footballer. The man is a consummate professional and would be a fantastic influence on the players whilst still being able to compete at the highest level.
When Henrik spent a week training with the Hoops last season they went out and won 9-0 and this side definitely needs some experience (especially in the forward areas) to bring the lads on to the next level.
TopCorner 22:14
My second visit to the Dubai CSC, its the other side of town from me & dont get much time to get over there. Loved it, great company, great atmosphere, great day.
Loved the menu in there.
EN
I’ve never played golf, but it looks pretty easy.
Will start tomorrow. Should be burnin up the fairways by next year.
hail Hail
Estadio
Sportscene on BBC1
Will we be on first?
cv
Paddy G – I’m sure you’re doing nothing more than standing up for Neil Lennon….and why not? He fully deserves it!
I just felt that you were preaching at us instead of chinning the people who previously had a go at you. If I’m on your ‘list’ then maybe I’ll deserve a rollicking along with the rest. Although, humour is a better tool for getting back at people.
Hail Hail
TTTT
Bundoran Bhoy
Thanks mate – I feel shafted on here for supporting Neil Lennon, strange feeling!