I like Neil Lennon. If Neil Lennon is talking about football, I shut up and listen. But I respectfully disagree on other subjects. If the last three years have taught us anything it’s that Celtic don’t need oldco or newco Rangers. Unequivocally, Celtic Park is quieter since Rangers liquidated, the level of competition we previously had added many to the gates, none of us feel the anxiety of genuine sporting challenge, but so what?
If Celtic sell 40,000 instead of 50,000 season tickets are we mortally wounded? The accounts would suggest otherwise. Does it mean we cannot compete in Europe? I refer to Neil’s record. Does it mean we cannot attract quality players? Well, it means we will not be able to attract some players, but I’m more than happy with the calibre of players we’ve recruited at the moment. Good riddance to the parts of Celtic that went out the door when Rangers were flushed down the Liquidation Lavvy.
I’m going to cut Neil some slack. I’ve been among Rangers fans and been generous enough to acknowledge income will rise at Celtic if newco ever reach the top flight. It costs nothing to be magnanimous.
What we do need is competition, the like of which Aberdeen have given us in the league this season and they and Dundee United may provide next season, if current trends continue. Congratulations are due to Hearts, who won the Championship before the clocks went forward, an incredible display of dominance, but as our two cup wins against them this season (3-0, 0-4) proves, they are miles away from providing the level of competition we see from Aberdeen.
Don’t have time to get dragged into a larger debate at the moment, but whenever Scottish football next turns its mind to strategic development, how to bolster Aberdeen and United should be top of the agenda. I enjoyed our four games against United this month and the recent league game against Aberdeen. More of them would be welcome.
We have a league split at the moment, where the top six hive off to play for the title, but it comes with only five games to play. An earlier split, allowing us more games against those at the top, while creating more opportunity for teams at the bottom to pick up points from their peers, makes more sense. Especially if more commercial income could be shared with the likes of Aberdeen and United.
Have you ever walked up Ben Nevis? Will you ever do so? It’s a big task if you are starting from scratch. When is it safe, what do you wear, what if something goes wrong, how long will it take, what about nourishment along the way?
The Ben Nevis Huddle delivers much of what you need on a plate. The Foundation have it all in hand. You get to walk up the mountain with a couple of hundred other Celts. They let you know what you need to know, check the weather for you and generally look out for things. They have left no one on the mountain. Yet.
What’s more, you get to do it in the name of Celtic FC Foundation, for our work with autism, downs, the homeless and destitute, those marginalised from our society, and those living in third world poverty.
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Do stv manage to bleep out the vile words used by the Huns during live matches … No .. They don’t hear them
Anyone know the script re Delahunt? Is he history if so why? H H Hebcelt
Looks like SSB is the Davey Cooper myth love in tonight world class player my arse, world class bigot.
World class player who went to Motherwell?
Gimmi a break Ffs.
Hebcelt
Sacked because his surname has Hun in it, the peeple are deeply upset every time his name is mentioned
San Diego Bhoy 18:06 on 23 March, 2015 thebarcamole 17:52 on 23 March, 2015
What Paul has stated above over what Neil Lennon has said, is easily referenced online in an interview.
In this instance, I feel Neil has brought criticism on himself………..
I am not aware of the ‘recent’ (on-line) interview, and hey, it’s not too difficult (for the author/writer) to reference such when castigating said individual, surely?
That is not the sole issue though; the denigration of NFL is gathering pace on here eh!
Short memories or political revisionism???
Aye, he brings it on himself!
Appreciate the response.
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Delahunt to be replaced by Chris Graham.
Well, why not?
TBM
There is mention of the mullet which would suggest it is a recent contribution from Neil. Anyhoos it doesn’t matter when it was said its the content of said article that is anathema to me.
Given what Neil went through he, more than most, should know that the last thing that we should want or need is that club anywhere near us.
HH
hebcelt
18:13 on 23 March, 2015Anyone know the script re Delahunt? Is he history if so why? H H Hebcelt
Seemingly it was an email he sent…..allegedly..
I don’t watch stv news or read red tops but by what I read on here the bad press we get has cranked up a few notches since the GSL has reappeared . It’s only going to get worse
BT so defo offski? H H hebcelt
tonydonnelly67
18:15 on
23 March, 2015
Looks like SSB is the Davey Cooper myth love in tonight world class player my arse, world class bigot.
World class player who went to Motherwell?
spot on TONY.relative played at CLYDEBANK at same time as him,he refused to wear a green bib at training.
Niel Lennon is no longer employed by Celtic Football Club and is free to give his opinion on Scottish football and as we are supposedly living in a Country that values free speech I have no problem with him saying what he thinks is right.However,I think it might have been prudent for him to remember how he was treated when he was Celtic manager and the fact he had to have a body guard.The rest of us still living in Scotland and who support Celtic are still being treated as second class citizens by the Scottish football authorities.I am unhappy that we continue to be kicking bhoys for people who dont believe in fairness and justice and only appear to be interested in turning a blind eye to the goings on over at Ibrokes. H.H.
When Judas signed for the huns,2 players went straight to Souness and said they wouldn’t play in the same team as the ‘f……b…….’ .The players were Cooper and Jimmy Nicholl….allegedly
I was told this by a player who was at Ipox at the time.
thebarcamole
18:18 on 23 March, 2015
I lurk on CQN frequently. If there is “denigration” of Lenny on these pages, I certainly haven’t noticed it.
My only point, is that in this instance, what Lenny is quoted as saying is disappointing to say the least.
It doesn’t change my view of him being a legend in his years as a player and gaffer.
Hebcelt
No idea mate
Just mouthing off in disgust at the Sfa and the Guidetti charge
Thanks everyone for all the e mails about Dublin 2016. I am doing my best to get back to everyone and trying to work out all the abbreviations.
I get most of them YNWA etc but some of them have me confused.
I will set a date before the end of the week. I thought maybe a GAA club for a meal. Looking at ways to keep costs down as much as I can.
The email, if you are interested is in coming over to mark the centenary is
dublin2016@mail.com
Yours in Celtic,
Clogher
Embdae heard fae excellent CQN’r SOAL. ?
gearoid1998 18:19 on 23 March, 2015 TBM
There is mention of the mullet which would suggest it is a recent contribution from Neil……….
Never c & p all of your post, and with no intention to deceive; please read again what I am stating ……………
Where is the mention of said statement attributed to NFL in the leader???
Political, personal, or what???
Do you like him now less than you did last year???
Revisionism!!!
Bombs and Bullets, aye but that was months ago!!!
As ever, at least you responded. Cheers.
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Now cmon chaps. This is racist Scotland. We are now into thoughtcrime etc in Scotland where words are made illegal or offensive because the racists want the, to be made offensive.
It is laughable in the extreme. But let’s see celtic come out and fight it.
Yeah right.
And it will get worse this. If they can’t get at us on the pitch they will off it.
Racist racist Scotland.
Neil Lennon has my utmost respect and admiration,for all he achieved as a player and a manager,and for what he went through because he was one of us.
None of the above is in any way diminished by his opinion on having the huns back. Even though I disagree with him. (Not for the first time either!)
Legend,as far as I’m concerned.
Speaking of legends…
HAPPY HOOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY
to BERTIE AULD!!!!!
Souness gave his first team talk on Judases first appearance, and when he was done Cooper said “what about the get into these Fenian B—–ds you said the last time we played them” Souness said “that was then this is now” and that was the end of Cooper at Ibrokes, but he didn’t go to LIVERPOOL, Arsenal, Barca, Real, AC, or Inter, he went to Motherwell! Sais it all really, average player.
And a bigot.
Bada bing
Nicholl and Cooper were both sold only a few weeks after Judas trapped at the Death Star.
In Cooper’s case it seemed strange, he had been a first pick with 33 appearances the previous season.
Coincidence? I don’t think so…..
Kevonbhoy
Congratulations to your daughter, a tremendous achievement. A credit to her family. One of the great things about Celtic Football Club is that its’ founder Brother Walfrid was himself a teacher, a practician of the philosophy of the Marist Brothers, and a believer in the value of both sport and education. Many of my best teachers were Celtic supporters, who wanted us to do well. Celtic players like the late John Cushley and John Divers were teachers. Our Manager Ronny Deila is also a teacher, so a great tradition lives on. Well done Lucy!
TBM
I did find the timing of today’s article to be a bit strange too.
td67,
Regards Cooper, I was in Fir Park when he turned to our support and gave us the V sign. I was also at Hampden when he threw away his runners up medal. He hated us.
parkheadcumsalford
Oh he was a bigot, have no doubt about that, nearly as bad as the bus driver.
Bontybhoy 17:50
Do you expect a team who are 26 points behind a team who finished 76 points behind us last season to be competitive with us?
Those beeping huns at STV.
THEBARCAMOLE
Managed to avoid blue taxis on Saturday. How’s life out there?
My nephew and his pals are heading to the Manila area for a month in May/June. Board yer house up,mate. Lock yer drinks cabinet. In fact,booby-trap it.
Best get out to yer wee Icon and pray…
I always assumed the term “Hun” regarding Oldco was because of their nefarious history. The “Evil Hun” was a common description of the German armies of WW1 especially after their brutal put down of any Belgian resistance in August 1914. Oldco have a history of institutionalised bigotry, denied of course, which finally led to their manager standing on the park in the mid 70’s to tell the gathered hordes that the policy of not signing players because of their religion was over. Evil Huns indeid.
San Diego Bhoy 18:23 on 23 March, 2015…………
Really don’t want to drag this out but I don’t know what you have been reading on here; for me, there has certainly been a hardening of attitude re NFL on CQN…………
No worries though eh, he brings it on himself……..
Regards & Hail Hail
TBM
Macauley red card transferred to Dawson.
Have the SFA changed their stupid rule yet?
Answers on the back of a needle…..
Item on the new, washable £5 notes on Reporting Scotland.
Gives a whole new meaning to money-laundering.
the glorious balance sheet-the guy who told me re Cooper/Nicholl,was a pundit on Clyde recently,now a manager in SPFL League 1…..allegedly…
TBM – The article was on Goal.com an International Soccor website….
” “The Bolton Wanderers manager believes his former club Celtic have suffered due to a lack of competition in the top flight since their greatest rivals’ liquidation in 2012
Rangers’ return to the Premiership is ‘essential’ for the health of Scottish football, according to former Celtic manager Neil Lennon.
The 54-times champions re-entered the Scottish league system at the fourth tier in 2012 after going into liquidation and currently play in the Championship, one level below the top division.
Rangers are 26 points behind league leaders Hearts, however, and Lennon attributed Celtic’s disappointing recent showings in Europe to a lack of domestic competition.
“It’s essential for the game in Scotland that Rangers get back to the Premiership as quickly as possible,” Lennon told Goal. “They are struggling but new people have come in who I think have the best interests of the club at heart.
“[New manager] Stuart McCall had a fantastic record at Motherwell. They need to get back to the Premiership for the state of the game up there – in terms of revenue, crowds, competition.
“It’s important and I think that’s why Scotland has struggled [in continental competition]. Celtic need it as well – the competition has been missing.”
Lennon guided Celtic to the knockout stage of the Champions League during his four-year spell as manager but revealed that the overall decline of the Premiership’s financial situation had necessitated the sale of key players.
“It all depends on Celtic,” he said. “When I was there we ended up selling the crown jewels in terms of Victor Wanyama, Gary Hooper, Fraser Forster, Joe Ledley, Georgios Samaras.
“It’s very difficult to keep churning out those players but that was the financial situation. There’s no doubt the Scottish game is significantly weaker – Hibs, Hearts and Rangers are in the Championship and they were a big loss in terms of revenue, crowds, quality and competition.
“It’s lacking at the minute, it’s not in a great state. There’s seven or eight teams in in the Premiership who have average gates of 4-5,000 and with that it’s very difficult to compete with other European countries.”
Lennon, who now manages Bolton Wanderers in the English Championship, predicts that smaller European countries may look to combine with their neighbours to create more competitive leagues.
“There is talk of amalgamating leagues – the Dutch league, they’re starting to fall behind a bit, but Belgium have had a resurgence at national level,” he added.
“The Eastern bloc as well – you never see any of those teams participating in the Champions League these days. These countries are trying to make a play for having a fair crack of the whip in terms of revenue or even amalgamating some leagues and creating a better standard.”
Hail Hail
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS
18:36 on 23 March, 2015 THEBARCAMOLE
Managed to avoid blue taxis on Saturday. How’s life out there?
My nephew and his pals are heading to the Manila area for a month in May/June. Board yer house up,mate. Lock yer drinks cabinet. In fact,booby-trap it.
Best get out to yer wee Icon and pray…
Hope that they have better geographical diviners than you M……………….It’s 800 kms south but no matter, they will be welcome here once Broony has checked them out ……….
Regards & Hail Hail
TheBhoyfaeMaryhill………..
I’m glad that Guidetti is being charged and this is being brought to a head, now there is no hiding.
They are HUNS.
And they are deed.
If found guilty, then all hell will break loos, well it had better.
Nothing from the compliance officer on the Hearts players singing f u Rangers?