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.
Click here to read CQN Magazine.
Thanks to everyone who has bought a hard copy of issue 7. Order your copy for delivery by clicking on the link below for news and views from Celtic supporters.
Pay by card or Paypal.
1,064 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- »
Cultsbhoy,
Fair enough. Incidentally, is Cults a town in Ireland? If so, where?
J
Midfield maestro
I know enough about football to know Loovens is a decent centre half.
I know enough about Celtic to know Lenny was a very fortunate appointment.
J o:-)))
JJ
Cults is a village ( suburb) of Aberdeen.
Christ he loves his notoriety. A good lie in spoilt.
Not you ST, youre arguments old and wearying but I can feel your love for the club. One day, soon hopefully, you will forget the perceived inadequacies.
I am proud and privileged to say that ‘I have met Sydney Tim’.
ST is a modest man of multiple talents.
Only those who have spent an evening on the batter are aware that contrary to the gruff, miserable, cantankerous and curmudgeonly exterior presented on here, ST is a joy to around, a smiling island in a sea of storms and a refuge of laughter in a graveyard of whingers.
It is a little known fact that on the few days when the sun doesn’t shine on Darling Harbour, the council project that beaming smile of his onto the opera house and lo and behold the clouds disperse and everyone walks as though tripping to the light fantastica.
When he walks down George Street, like an Australian Disney scene, the cockatoos, parrots and starlings not only sing but follow his lead as he tra la las while kicking his heels in a style reminiscent of Gene Kelly (or possibly Ned Kelly).
Anyway, just thought I would add my own perspective on the man who most children see as a cross between the sweep in Mary Poppins and Maria in the Sound of music.
ST, if you are around, say hello to everyone in Cheers for me, say a big howzitgauin to your beautiful wife and wean, and keep them all laughin! That is your raison d’etre!(the cheque can be sent to the usual address)
Back to my hangover now.
Hail hail
Estadio
i gnore the malcontents
Cultsbhoy…Loovens really ?…what an eejitheided statement
ernie lynch on 9 April, 2012 at 10:03
“Andrew Dickson with Ramsay Smith in the directors box”
Do they have EBTs,I think we should be told?
Jungle. Yes good good players , especially izzy who we have missed and struggled when he was 1st absent
One more player , well the pole is coming in at center half
My one player had to be a striker
All our budget on a target man/goalscorer to take us to next level
Can we afford him
Well over to you Peter
If you can shred a lot of the dead wood and push the boat out for that one player, then the flowers will be in the post
Sadly Peter lawells record on this is usually poor:((
Well that’s what Neil said anyway
PF
Such a delicate response! As it happens, I agree with Cultsbhoy. Loovens is/was (?) prone to the occasional bit of slapstick but, overall, he is a decent player.
Cults,
Thanks. We are virtually neighbours ( I live in Arbroath) !
JJ
*roots around the back o’ the La-Z-Bhoy for his ‘Spartacus’ reference*
Lennon’s passion
It’s just my opinion. I feel he lacks technique but certainly has energy and commitment. Off the park he lacks gravitas … I find him a bit immature which probably squares with my opinion that he is improving.. Probably with age.
He has not been a value signing we have had a poor return on him.
In my preferred midfield he sits behind Kayal Ledley Vic Commons Sammaras Forest and Mulgrew for a start.
I’d like a captain who is our best midfielder.
On another note, the orc’s treatment of Alex tommo on twitter is absolutely cringe worthy. Its hard to believe that these guys come from the same planet as myself.
A guy has just attempted to discredit the award winning journalist by asking him to list his awards, probably in the hope that a school newspaper award was all he had. When tommo replied with a list including monte Carlo, bafta etc, the guy accused him of being egotistical. Embarrassing for Scotland.
Estadio
Electron bank transfer mate( EBT) is quicker and the taxman will never know Copywrite Mr Murray Edinburgh
BT,cracker post this morning,I shall be robbing it for FB..
Just read Anthony Stokes was at the Wolfe Tones concert in Belfast last night..
JJ
i will ask you to recall Ibrox a few years back
Glenda ..bullied ..yes BULLIED by that titan K Miller
big ghirls blouse ..far too soft to be a decent CB
Estadio on 9 April, 2012 at 10:17 said
Very poetic, and truthful with it.
Shoulder to shoulder.
blantyretim on 9 April, 2012 at 08:45 said:
What a wonderful post…thank you…
I had to delete my recording of the game since I spent all of Saturday night , and most of yesterday, watching it over and over………after reading your post, I’m away to watch it again on Channel67 ……. What am I like..!!!!!?
Pfayr. Must agree with you, he looks the part sometimes but yes agree with you
One of the list for a taxi to free up
Cash for a target man
Crikey …..Tam Cowan hit the nail on the head ……!!!!!!!!!!
….PFayr on 9 April, 2012 at 10:25 said:
If ” Glenda ” is good enough for Lenny,then……………
Pfayr
Eejitheided… I like that… Even if misdirected to me :-)
Like many players I feel Loovens and Rogne are confidence players. Thru need to know they are the 1 st choice guys. We have had major problems in this area of the park and as a support have heightened self doubt in almost all players fielded in the role.
Never thought I’d look back on McManus end Cauldwell with such affection…
Ideally I’d love a new strong CB partnership but that’s what Si hoped Kelvin Wildon might deliver and using him as a benchmark – Loovens looks better?
First post ever! Still having a champion weekend, and would just like to thank Neil Lennon and the entire Celtic family for the last couple of days – can’t stop watching the game!! Favourite moments for me were Charlie’s performance and goals, Neil walking to the crowd at the end (tears in my eyes at that moment!), and the nice touch of having all the squad members there and stripped. Reminded me of WGS bringing everyone and his dug onto the pitch at CP a few years ago!
Last but not least, the singing,which was sensational. No ticket so watched from home with Glasgowghirl – brilliant day!!
Hx2
Andre Bocelli – Time to say goodbye
Must give a big shout-out to the bhoys and ghals of Limerick in the Woodfield and the Ardhu ( I think :))
What a weekend for omni-sports craic-addicts……………
Those in town for the big game at Thomond, the following day, lustily indulged in community singing of the most rousing kind. All the verses….. Apparently they supported a team called ‘Monster’ who played a game with a less-than-round ball…….(must be an american import….).
Great bunch who cheered every goal and cheered Neil with genuine fervour at full time……
Heart-warming, inspiring Supporters of the Celtic Family.
HH
“Andrew Dickson with Ramsay Smith in the directors box”
Will any of you encourage my laziness as im pushed for time , why are these two getting mentioned this morning .
jimtim
If you watch loovens closley he waits on the ball coming to his napper before heading it clear. Never attacks the ball lost us a lot of goals because of this,think his contract is up in the summer.
Welcome Glasgowbhoy
Great time to be a Tim
Correction anytime is a great time to be a Tim
PF
I am sure even Cesar had the occasional bad game! (….and DON`T claim that I am comparing the two!!!) . I can see Loovens` failings and ,for that , can see why some , indeed, many, do not rate him but I do see cerain qualities that make him a DECENT player. Rogne and Mulgrew are my preferred centre backs but I feell OK when Loovens has to step in. As for me, I have to step out now. Hope all is well in your life and hope to meet up again some time for an end of season CQN do,
JJ
PS MWD
Did you receive my email re Inverness Bike ride? Email me about it.
glasgowbhoy on 9 April, 2012 at 10:33 said:
Are you a hun :))
I could get used to this being champions lark. Even Sportscene was pretty good last night – although with so many goals there wasn’t much else in the highlights apart from two very good saves by Bell.
If we play anything like that against Hearts at the weekend we will blow them away as well.
Jungle Jim on 9 April, 2012 at 10:37 said
Yip.
Cesar very uncomfortable with Frannie Lee.
JimTim
See,
ernie lynch on 9 April, 2012 at 10:03 said:
Are the South Side Shredders deid yet?
Cultsbhoy
As i said you know a lot about footy.
Loovens ‘decent’.
Decent in dictionary, adequate
Good in dictionary, high quality or morally excellent.
So with your knowledge of football you do not even want a good CH for Celtic?
Ps You did redeem yourself, i liked Caldwell & always thought he was an easy target for abuse, cheap buy. :))
Morning Celts…… My head doth nip….. Ach well it was good at the time… :>)
v
Glasgowbhoy – at last! Now, there’s dishes to be done.
Thanks Sidney Tim – too true. Lennon’s Passion – I feel at home on the blog already!
Glasgowghirl – I’ll be right there!