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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T4
i`ve also got Watson …at 50
not sure of ew
betting in running is fifth odds first 3
think the ante post much more generous…perhaps first six at quarter odds
Sorry gent it was mckellar pub
HT
fab day for her..said it was her best birthday ever…
What a weekend, I must admit I had tears in my eyes when watching Lenny singing “Glasgow Celtic Champions” to our stand. I’ve been very unlucky when it comes to final day wins, only been to four; 1977 at Easter Rd; 1979 against them; and of course 1988; then yesterday.
My final bow last night was to sing “here me go again” then out for the night on the sofa………….
Can anyone provide a link to Paul George’s leg break against the under 19’s (in administration)….
horrible huns
Thanks in advance
HH
Now I don’t know how true this is but wee burd tells me that the Davy Weir thingy will be payed by………………..naw………….surely not!
Masters golf on in the pub.
see youse
Hail Hail
Estadio
Watson each way on Thursday was top 6
Just watched Respect montage, enjoyed Broonie shoeing edu he’d be lifting the trophy
the thing i enjoyed most yesterday was when lenny was quoted as saying the squad needed trimmed and he will look to bring in two or three quality players. he enjoyed the day i am sure, but he was already looking to the future. this may be something we have all said time and time again, but it demonstrates forward planning and a willingness to change, when other less focused managers would simply want to enjoy their day.
i have no doubt the introduction of many youngsters this season (under 19s team) is in part his way of readying the bhoys for more first team football next season with a view to having a smaller group of quality players in the first team, rather than the blotted squad that we currently have
onward and upward, the futures bright, its green and white
Louis Oosthuizen puts his second shot straight in for an albatross at the second!
playfusbal4dguilders on 8 April, 2012 at 19:45:
A friend of mine lives in School Street, texted him to ask if he has any information. He replied to say he knew Joseph years ago.
My mate also tells me Terry still lives in Coatbridge, Craig Street.
Best I can do as my mate has no further info.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Vmhan
Oh I will enjoy alright :>)))))
The sweetest league for me that was.
Nobody deserves it more than Lenny
Lennybhoy
Thanks for the reply
Terry currently at the Easter dinner table with the family on his wifes side.
Any help would be appreciated
Families
P
Any lurkers able to report suicide watch over at folly folly?
playfusbal4dguilders on 8 April, 2012 at 20:09:
Your welcome mate, sorry I could not be of more help. Good luck.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Ken Brown ….the Craig Burley of golf
Hail hail
Estadio
Harsh. Ken seems a nice enough chap.
I was lambasted on here for sticking up for Neil Lennon on his appointment as the manager of Celtic FC. Fair do’s amigos, in fact I probably over stepped the mark with a comment like ‘boring gets leave the party’.
Neil Lennon ‘Celtic Manager’ stuck on the door.
I love the emotion of winning, but I pray Neil knows the respect I have for him as a man.
Jock
I know, but he could have been a great and then decided to be a commentator,
Annoys the piles out of me.
Hail Hail
Estadio
Neil has a tough summer ahead, in some ways I think deciding which players to sell is more difficult than deciding who to buy.
Go on Adam , Great tap
Hail Hail
Estadio
Lennybhoy,
seen some of your posts mention CM67…next time you see him, give him my regards. Just tell him the guy from Aberdeen ( a friend of “Ina’s” ) sends his best wishes. :-)
Paddy
Who lambasted you?. I’ll have a word
Hail hail
Estadio
Real Madrid V Valencia about to kick off on SS3.
HH
Moan the Valencia
HH
Estadio on 8 April, 2012 at 20:24 said:
Paddy
Who lambasted you?. I’ll have a word
Hail hail
Estadio
share on F’book or Twitter
I got slaughtered mate, but to be fair I was celebrating his appointment in the face of the ‘Cheap appointment brigade’.
Madridistas are us.
Stick it right up they Valenciennes
Hail Hail
Paddy G
Well I wouldn’t have been one of those, I was like your goodself 100% behind Lenny’s appointment.
Had a few good arguments on here about it, funny how some seem to forget how they were against him now :>)
HH
Phil Mickelson gone out of bounds? Oh dear! :-)
T4
Fantasma is Neil Lennon on 8 April, 2012 at 20:24:
I have just sent him a text, we travel to all the games together. One of the Bhoys you will ever care to meet.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
great word ‘lambasted;.
Hail hail
Estadio
Paddy Gallagher on 8 April, 2012 at 20:29:
I was not one, as you would expect by name.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Go On Scotty.
Hail hail
Estadio
Fantasma is Neil Lennon on 8 April, 2012 at 20:24:
CM67 asking would Ina’s better half have the initials RD?
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Was Big Jock the last Celtic manager to retain the SC ?
HH
If you are lambasted, do you turn into succulent lamb?
Go on Padraig
Hail Hail
Estadio
munchies setting in..
think mini would notice if I ate one of her eggs?
or
more cider
THE EXILED TIM on 8 April, 2012 at 20:31 said:
Not my job to call them out bud, but I hope they are man enough to admit they got it wrong. Neil and his family have stuck by Celtic without wavering or doubt. Much more than some posters on here were able to display without the intense pressure endured by the ‘man’.