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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Cant believe that Ulster have beaten Munster in the QF in Munster….
Ulster v Edinburgh in Dublin will be an interesting semi……..
Not too many who know ‘boys of the old brigade’ in the crowd at the Aviva Stadium that day I reckon ?
Happy Easter to all!
Have to say that party was outstanding.
Cue the new print on strip:
Kept The Faith
12
Three Cheers for Lenny, and raise a drink to the first of many!
Hail Hail to all you wonderful people on CQN.
Tweet from Alex Thomson:
@Martyn_Tyrrell and will hear this week from UEFA/SPL/SFA on Salmond and Fraser interfering with HMRC and Administrators. Watch this space.
1 hour ago
Che
It was in actual fact a noose I gied him but he changed it at half time.
I once read a book abt makin glue/ Couldnt put it down!!!
Thanks P67 and cqn blogsville for getting me and us through this season and the bizarre twists and turns it’s chucked at us.
Hail hail (to lennie and paul)
Hail! Hail! , still smiling,after reading back here and replaying the “Glasgow`s green and white ” You Tube about 4 times in the last hour. Now safely saved to favourites to show the Mackems and Geordies in the office what a real support looks like.
Brilliant day yesterday and just been out for lunch at Da Claudios Motherwell, highly recommneded and they allowed the bhoy to change into his new Hoops strip on his Communion Day a few years ago,so I will not hear a word against the place. Just having a “XXL” Sambucca on ic and then onto the Budvars as the celebrations continue.
Full marks to the praise of NL in changing formations so frequently. Against Killie we could afford to have 3 “footballers” in a midfield diamond yesterday. I am sure we will change for next Sunday, I hear Broonie is out , is that true?
This would be a shame, I have done a 180 on him this season he now looks and acts like a Hoops captain, I owe him an apology.
Is that 7 pens wee gullums gave thems now. Must be some sort of record that??
Just watched the montage (respect) at the end of yesterdays coverage.
Loved Broonie letting Edu know he’ll be the one lifting the trophy….
Champion
Ceaser67 on 8 April, 2012 at 15:53 said:
don`t let that wee prick spoil our fun, ignore him and enjoy our club.
myboysnowatim on 8 April, 2012 at 15:40 said:
Right, own up, who gave him pelters ?
http://www.scotzine.com/2012/04/former-rangers-cult-hero-nacho-novo-mocks-celtics-title-win/?
oh god so funny , paragragh 5 – he is so crap
SFTB
Get Shirley to sit on a chair at one end of your ‘Smoking Room’ and you sit at other end of ‘Smoking Room’ and sing ‘Glasgow’s Green and White’ across the room at one another. You’ll soon be bouncing again and you’ll forget about that ole site throat soon enough.
HT
BIG KISSES :-()
MWD
jmc
DONE!!!!!
Lennybhoy
Magic bud had a special day myself and was nowhere near Kilmarnock,
Had been through so many emotions that When I tried to get to sleep last night it felt like I had been awake for days ,but my last thought last night and first thought this morning was of Neil Francis Lennon.
Spoke to my ungracious bro in law today and reminded him they had TFPLG
& we have Neil Francis Lennon , The look of resignation of defeat in his wee orc eyes said it all WE ARE BLESSED BUD THEY ARE DOOMED ,speak to you soon bud, I was giving him it tight when you text me today& I remembered how fortunate we are.
HAIL HAIL
SFTB
Apitherapy News: Honey as a Topical Anesthetic
apitherapy.blogspot.com/…/honey-as- …
3 May 2006 – Yes, of course honey is a very amazing natural medicine! Allah Almighty(God Almighty) …
Stopping 10 in a row was a great championship the best in my time following the hoops.Yesterday comes a very close 2ND for one simple reason NEIL FRANCIS LENNON.The crap this man has had to endure since he arrived in Scotland is a disgrace,the man is a Legend.
leftclicktic on 8 April, 2012 at 16:00:
Will let you know the next time I’ll be in the Big Tree.
We are indeed very fortunate to have Neil and fortunate they have FPLG.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
31003 on 8 April, 2012 at 15:03 said:
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?
See if you hadn’t superglued yourself, you could’ve just bled all over him.
It’s not illegal. Well, not yet. *ref First Minister: Legislation needed on Bleeding in a Provocative Manner*
I see contrasting reports on the Celtic FC and Rangers FC websites on Paul George’s injury.
Celtic have Paul being stretchered off after being “crudely fouled” in the box.
The Rangers site reports it as a controversial goal:-
“With George clearly in agony after turning on the edge of the Rangers box, the referee appeared to blow his whistle to stop play but allowed the goal that followed seconds later when John Herron beat a static Alan Smith.
The Rangers players and staff remonstrated with the official, but after consulting with his assistant he confirmed that the goal would stand.”
Hmmm! Wonder which club has the superior reputation for honest reporting?
Get Well Soon Paul. You were improving nicely before the injury.
Ceaser67 on 8 April, 2012 at 15:48 said:
I once read a book abt makin glue/ Couldnt put it down!!!
I did the same but got stuck on the last page
Easter Sunday seems as good a day as any to own up to being a doubting Thomas.
I was making all sorts of contingency plans in my head when we drew with Hibs after the draw at Killie. None of them involved Neil Lennon.
I let the heart rule the head. And I apologise for having done so.
Paul67 – spot on with the article. I also had my doubts about the benefits of us getting back in to Europe this season. I thought we were dropping too many points after the Europa League games (and we were) but the performances seemed to give the team and crucially the support some confidence. We were mixing it with some very good sides and giving them a game. We were able to judge the young Celts against better opposition than that which we were finding hard to beat at home.
We got organised and we got varied. It ain’t rocket science but if you can do that and you have talented players, which we have, then you’ll win more than you lose.
With Izzaguirre, Kayal, Wanyama, Stokes and Forrest all either out injured or on the bench yesterday it is safe to say we are looking good for the next year.
I also liked to hear that we are looking to trim the squad and get a few quality players in. I hope they come good with that. No matter where rangers are starting from next season we will be several streets ahead of them. Hopefully Motherwell or Aberdeen or such like can serve up a decent team to serve as rivals to Celtic’s SPL bid.
Resurrexit sicut dixit !
Happy Easter to all
Gene’s a Bhoys name on 8 April, 2012 at 16:06 said:
How much was the fine when you eventually took it back?
Paul67 –
a very humble article. Thanks for CQN
Nacho who?
setting free the bears on 8 April, 2012 at 16:06 said:-
The Rangers players and staff remonstrated with the official, but after consulting with his assistant he confirmed that the goal would stand.”
The Rangers staff remonstrated with officials while the young Bhoy lay there with a leg broken in 2 places……..classy people…….
Hail Hail everyone on this Easter Sunday.
Does anyone know what sort of teams we are likely to face in the qualifiers for CL?
“this is just the beginning”
Auld Neil Lennon heid on 8 April, 2012 at 16:09 said:
Gene’s a Bhoys name on 8 April, 2012 at 16:06 said:
How much was the fine when you eventually took it back?
I haven’t a glue!
I’ll get ma coat – not stickin around
Until we meet again…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Anyone read David James’ article in todays observer sports section?
mainly about how the number of CL places available in England does nothing for the competitive edge of the top teams. Seems to think Arsenal are happy as long as they get top 4.
Anyway, he mentions the allure of playing CL football. And adds that Celtic were negotiating to bring him north and the CL football was a big draw for him. Then we got knocked out of the qualifiers and he changes his mind.
Proof positive that the CL is a draw for players coming here and that us not being in it must also be a turn off.
We need to get there.
How many qualifiers do we need to play this year? How many of our squad will be at the Euros and how many at the Olympics?
Time to get planning Celtic.
Som mes ques un club – great minds thinking alike or fools seldom differing?
Don’t knowing anyone has mentioned this but I’ve seen on rangersmedia that the ranger fans have spent a , quote, whopping £595 on a signed shirt raffle. Tickets were priced £5. Their generosity to their own cause knows no bounds.
On another note when will Lenny tell us what fat Sally whispered in his ear?
Should read don’t know if. Bloody phones.
Two big challenges left for Celtic this season IMO:
1. Win the Scottish Cup
2. make sure we maintain the current points difference between us and them.
Both are as important as the other. There will always be an asterix associated with this seasons table. We must make sure it means nothing.
Varmalen clears a net bound Van Persie header off the line.
All Arsenal.
Happy Easter!
Still to see the game, cant wait to watch it tonight.
HH
Shame about Paul George was looking forward seeing him in spl this season.Speedy recovery young man.
The hun that assaulted him will probably gain hero status.They teach them well.
Watched game in a pub in Prague yesterday and thought our approach is the way forward.Positive football making our opponents worry about us and our pressing of the ball showed their limitations.
Brown and Charlie were the emperors of strut.The whole team were great though and our movement first class.
Special mention of the young guy Twardzik who showed touch awareness and presence despite being on the receiving end of some rough challenges.His flick for Ledleys goal was a supreme piece of skill.
If he is a good example of the under 19s i’m truly excited for the future.
Congratulations Neil Lennon!You took the blows and did it YOUR WAY!!!
hendrix67 on 8 April, 2012 at 16:15 said:
Don’t knowing anyone has mentioned this but I’ve seen on rangersmedia that the ranger fans have spent a , quote, whopping £595 on a signed shirt raffle. Tickets were priced £5. Their generosity to their own cause knows no bounds.
On another note when will Lenny tell us what fat Sally whispered in his ear?
——————————————————————————
I have it on good authority that it wasn’t what was said that sent Lenny in to a rage it was the half eaten pie that McCoist spat in to Neil’s ear as he was trying to speak that annoyed Lenny. Filthy habit speaking with your mouth full and our Mr Lennon is a stickler for good manners.
I can also confirm that Lenny was shouting ‘That’s the last time you are getting free pies in the dressing room when you come here you fat pie eating jobby of a man’
Hence the 6 year jail sentence that the SFA wanted to pass down.