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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ht – I’m in Image 124 and so is CRC’s dad!
PF – just cracked my first Perroni after an earlier all-day breakfast and a walk in the park with Mrs TTTT to clear my head. Did you stay in Bar67 or head somewhere else?
TT – myself and others might well be in the minority amongst the support regarding these tainted titles, but I really don’t believe the players & managers would take them. I include Tommy in that, God rest him.
On a separate note, you and your family are in my thoughts. Your strong family bonds will see you through the weeks ahead.
T4
Arteta puts Arsenal 1 up with 3 mins plus injury time left
Man Utd now strolling to the title
That’s Mankini oot a job!
T4
Balotelli now sent off
A total and utter liability as a footballer
Goal Arsenal, Ballotelli off
Eugene just tweeted this video – the ESPN Respect montage.
I hadn’t seen it yet
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/8334701/r_e_s_p_e_c_t/
Balotelli sent off at last …for his tenth bookable offence
his first foul merited a straight red
guy`s a lunatic
T4
staye in Bar67 for a few hours …eventually left as the bar staff were overrun and i waited for 15 mins to get served ..wasn`t and left for the 10 oclock train
not a bad shift given i started at 11-30
did you go to The Dolphin ..i`d no idea you had left ..think i was at the bat TRYING to get served
The quality in the EPL has gone right downhill this season and that is saying something. The vfm of the EPL must be lower than any league in Europe just now.
I would say only Swansea and possibly Everton are good for the value of their squad in the EPL.
Maybe add Norwich too but that is all.
long haired yins man on 8 April, 2012 at 17:03 said:
MattE at 1556, where can I find this montage?
Sparkleghirl has just posted a link to video at 17:51
Arsenal 1 Man City 0
Another balance sheet victory. Buying the most expensive is no guarantee of success.
2004 Arsenal
The last time a team outwith of Man Utd/Chelsea won the EPL
8 years. A boring league indeed
Mancini only has himself to blame …. Teves & Balitelli seem to have required ‘management’ and I’m afraid he was found ‘wanting’ in that situation ….
Allegedly, Mikel Arteta’s hair has never moved since 1993.
Hamiltontim – excellent photos from yesterday – thanks for posting
Also, Sparklegirl. Great RESPECT video from ESPN
sparkleghirl on 8 April, 2012 at 17:51 said:
Thank you for link,hail hail
Paul George injury update.
http://www.celticfc.net/newsstory?item=2455
i never listen to the budget stuff – only found out yesterday osborne thinks tax evasion is morally repugnant.
hamilton tim – great pics
Crude challenge from hun defender????????
Thought he did it himself?
Dirty lying masonic hun scumbags,pay your bills.
thought i heard the puns got three penalties yesterday
I love Lennonism
yup they did , good god
sparkleghirl on 8 April, 2012 at 17:51 said:
Thanks for posting that!
Paul67 et al
Looking forward to the golf on the BBC. Can’t quite see Paul Laurie making up the six or seven shots, though I did back him (at 55s) with two rounds to play back in 1999 at Carnoustie. Local boy, terrible weather, knew the course better than anyone else, great victory. Top ten going into the last round at the Masters, fantastic. Even so I think the winner will come from one of those in front of him, so, avoiding the front runners I have went for Mahan at 22s.
Snake Plissken on 8 April, 2012 at 16:30 said:
Enjoyed that video immensely Snake brought a wee tear as well.
What a season!
Starry
Voguepunter @ 18:12
Crude challenge from hun defender????????
Thought he did it himself?
Dirty lying masonic hun scumbags,pay your bills.
share on F’book or Twitter
Aye, but there is defo some good, decent huns, so please don’t tar them all with the same brush.
Honestly, there really is.
Philbhoy – It’s just the beginning! on 8 April, 2012 at 18:21 said:
Am no taking it back,so there.
Check out the rocket who phoned chicco yesterday @ 45:40 minutes in.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b01d84mx
Says it all really.
HH
Voguepunter
A huns a hun’s a hun, in my book.
Mind you, i could be wrong.
Some pics back at Paradise
http://kennyramsay.photoshelter.com/gallery/07-04-2012-Celtic-title-celebrations/G0000k7BO92x.OPQ/C0000LXqXJjsdmkE
hamiltontim on 8 April, 2012 at 18:26 said:
Thanks for posting these!
Hamiltontim
Brilliant!
Thanks!
Good post, Paul.
I have been impressed with Neil’s willingness to change his plan during a game. These changes seem to be thought out in advance, they are just a case of shuffling the deck.
Where we DO have room for improvement, is in how we START games. Contrast yesterday’s ‘front foot’ approach, pressing high up the park, high energy hunting in packs, and high(er) passing tempo…..with other games, where lethargy appears to be the order of the day.
As for the summer, I would be bold….and I don’t expect everyone to agree with this, but…..
I would be willing to trade/sell Kayal in order to source a higher standard of striker. To get the right player, I would be willing to through Gary Hooper into the mix also. Gary’s instinctive poaching is fine, but he simply doesn’t hold the ball up often enough, or well enough.
Kayal, is a good player. However, we have Brown, Ledley, Wanyama, Ki, Commons, Forrest, McGeough and others.
Trade when it suits us, not when it suits others.
Glad to see your Dad trumpeting ‘Stand up for the Champions’. It has been too long since we heard that refrain…..
Another central station huddle video – taken by someone getting off that first train. Love it. Grown men giving little skips of delight.
http://youtu.be/9Bdz_yWdI4I
at about 1:05 cuts to the police, who don’t seem to know what to do….
They are NOT just a case of shuffling….
Hail! Hail, the CELTS are here………….!
hamiltontim on 8 April, 2012 at 18:26 said:
Canny believe it,the tic players drinking bud………..
Diabetic coma drinking that sugary crap.