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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Afternoon BHOY’S
Once again a big ty to the CQN guys for a great day n night.
HH
.
BJmac..
It’s Great living a Day @ a Time..
Yesterday l wish Time Stood Still..Hope the DVD is out Soon..
Summa
PS..I Will be Home for H*ns game Mark me in..48* Handicap..:O))))))
TMWTL
Not empty seats. The we’re invisible Don’t Walk Awayers.
MWD
Indio on 8 April, 2012 at 13:58 said:
Gordon_J
Yes, hope the young man is back fighting fit for next year. I hear he was chopped down in the box against the huns, had his leg broken and the Celtic youths were still not given a penalty.
——–
I’m just surprised that he wasn’t booked for diving
Kojo
Kojak here
maks sense to us about attitude being the crucial ingredient, especially if Celtic possess the better players. It’s not often you or the swinger seargent are wrong after all is said and sometimes no said.
Still chortling.
It was sad not to see Big Dan at the game yesterday and enjoying the celebrations with the rest of the team. Does anyone know if he is still in Glasgow getting treatment or has he gone to Sweden?
Hope we see him on the pitch at the Hearts game when we lift the trophy.
Indio
Gordon_J
Ha – too true
Indio
PAUL67
There was an incident early in the game at 0-1 when Sami was the victim of yet another bad decision by the ref.
Down at the corner-flag where the Jungle and the rangers met back in the day.
Sami seemed to just go-f..k it,I’m not having this.
He was unplayable after that,and I’ve often said that was THE moment in our season.
It matters not when it came,TBH. I’m just sososososo grateful that it did.
And also grateful to have so many hun mates,haha!
Vmhan Supporting Lenny! on 8 April, 2012 at 14:31 said:
===================================
Allright Vinny, I posted earlier that Strachclydes finest closed the Black Cat and the AOH because the hoardes where enjoying themselves too much, Shocking even by their hvnnish standards.
HH
Happy Easter, all you CHAMPIONS.
Now, LET’S PARTY….
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c77/Lennox_1967/JELLYANDICECREAMWHENRANGERSDIE.gif
MWD
Good for you mate although I thought the Gallowgate was remarkably quiet!!
bjmac
I think you saw what it meant to me and I don’t just mean the game itself
( sorry for greetin like a big wean!!)
Lennybhoy
You’re far more disciplined than me my friend :-)
Hail to the champions. I remember well the draw against kilmarnock. A LOT of people on this site wanted Neil to go. I couldn’t possibly understand the pressure he was under both professionaly and personally. He was unable to select his best players of the previous season but yesterday he delivered the prize. What a man and thanks for staying on. You are immortal Neil. HH.
http://www.carlukeshamrock.com/blog/tic-talk-the-title-party-07apr2012
Sorry, here is the link!
Thanks BlantyreTim
Hh
Sannabhoy
Oh I don’t know I ended up in the cathedral as the Easter vigil was coming out, saying a wee prayer….I got some very strange looks!!!! :-))
MattE
Cuddles………ah quite like that……..but we’re still no callin you Jacko…….even after that embarrassing celebratory moonwalk you did across the club car park…..by the way……if you watch the real Michael Jackson doin the moonwalk you’ll notice he actually goes BACKWARDS……no what ahm sayin?
hamiltontim on 8 April, 2012 at 14:21 said:
Lennybhoy
Yep very long, PFayr, Bundoran Bhoy and I were last men standing (I think!!)
How’s your head today?
Smashie
Nowhere better to do it than watching the Hoops!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~
Last man standing in such august company?
Jee-zoh,I’ll need to get some serious training done. Just playing at it at the moment. And to think I was worried about you getting back to yer Mum’s place in one piece……
Unfortunately the Pritt stick ain’t working……where’s that superglue?
Lenny’s #onelove twitter reference, young Blackman got a massive flag from the crowd with a rasta one love, truly memorable day.
Thank you Celtic, thank you my family
hh
That superglue isny to be sniffed at….
My dear,dear,dear,friend..Mullet and Co. @ 14.28
Pal..
So ye want a Noo Striker… ?
SodaeAh..
And Like ye imply in yer request.. We Dae Need anither.. wan.
Preferably.. wan who….
Well.. Scores Goals!
And… it So Happens.. that….
Ah hiv jist the Very Wan,fur You,pal.
His Name is.. RYAN DONNELLY..and He Is Twenty Years Old..Five Foot Ten and A Hauf…
And he Is a RARA AVIS.. wnich is..in case ye Dinnae Know..
A PROFESSIONAL Firba’ Player ,Who, is NO only…. Blessed wi’….TWO FEET.. by Birth…
He kin also USE .. EITHER WAN.. Wi .. DEVASTING EFFECT..
in order…. tae Score.. Goals!
So Howdya Like That??
Yep.. He is..a “TWO FITTED” Player… as they say… aroon the Camp Fires..
This Youngster, has Already had the “Rule” Ran over Him, by none other than… The Man In Charge of The Celtic Youth Set
Up.. Mr. Chris..
And He liked whit he saw..
So.. Dinna be Surprised if we Mak a Bid Fur . this Youngster’s Services… for,at the Moment.. this Kid is the Top Goal Scorer in
his League.. The Scottish Second Division… he has , so far,
accumulated.. TWENTY SIX GOALS..in awe contests..
No Bad.. In Ma Opinion..
We wull See.
Nice Chatting ,Pally
Kojo
Yer pal..who likes ye, already.
Still, Laughin’
.
HamiltonTim..
I’ll be Home in a Couple of Weeks..Would like to Catch up for a Beer..I Might have to Bring ‘That’ BlantyreTim as Well tho..Ha..
Summa
HOULYERWHISHT 1423
I admit ti havng little interest in the GAA,but one of the best sports books I ever read was about the constant battles between Kerry and Dublin in those days.
My sister has it now,so I can’t even tell you who wrote it,but it was a supreme piece of work.
59 is far too young,I trust his family will have fond memories.
I`m feeling great, my hangover has now dissolved so i`m away oot to get another wan. Hail Hail to ALL Tims, even the Henpecked ones in the Algarve. Unlike Emu, a total man if ever there was one……
Oooooooooh
pic.twitter.com/89Vlp5Fw
Image of 31003 after using the medial advice provided on cqn
hh
BMCUW
Getting home is the problem, I’m fine if I stay where I am.
‘I wander lonely as a cloud’ csc
Summa
Oh ok if ye must :-))))
BMCUWP
Superglue worked old bhoy…….thanks for that……now then…..any CQNrs got any tips on how tae get a toilet seat aff yer erm?…….anyone?…….anyone?
Good afternoon ghuys.
That’s me just caught up wae blog.
Sure it’s great being championees.
15 hour kip and 3 bottles of Peroni an my equa..ecwa..
an I feel ok.
Hail hail
Superglue definitely not to be sniffed at now!
31003
I’m off to ma cot to prepare for a nightshift.
Thanks to your good self,I’m gaun wi’ a smile on my face!
Glad it worked.
31003 ,
You put superglue on your elbow and are now struck to a toilet seat.
Does that mean you really don’t know your ar$e from your elbow??
VOGUEPUNTER
Telt ye before,Peroni is poof juice. Are you a rep for them,or summat?
Ghuys…..more help required……I’m going to my bruff in laws for Easter Dinner. Also there will be his father in law…..a “Guid Rainjurs Man”
Problem is…..how do I stop myself from bursting out laughing every time I look at his ugly mug across the dinner table……I mean……I’m starvin……ah need tae eat?
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 8 April, 2012 at 14:53 said:
That was probably Tom Humphries’ book Kerry v Dublin – a very enjoyable read
Happy Easter to you all! If Kilmarnock or Rennes was the turning point, I think the night in Udine marked the time when we grew into a real team!
Hail Hail!
Damn you Gordon J……now that wiz funny……
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 8 April, 2012 at 15:01 said:
Listen ducky ,don’t be slaggin ma pint.
.
Boab..
Is Summat the Plural of Summa..?
Summa’t’