How many times have we been here? Miles ahead in the league, League Cup in the bag – or as often, only a minnow to take care off in the final, when some bright spark realises we’re only a handful of wins away from an elusive treble.
Celtic have had more than three great teams in the last 70 years, but anyone with a grasp of history will tell you that trebles are hard to get, particularly for a Celtic team who occasionally have to play teams at Hampden where outfield players are granted goalkeeper rights.
The ’67 team won the League Cup and Scottish Cup before anyone knew where that season would end. Rangers were still very much in the hunt for the league, while only the hearts of Celtic fans believed they would win the European Cup.
By 1969 the league title had become the formality it is now, as had the League Cup – Jock Stein won his first five League Cups as Celtic manager. A Scottish Cup final against Rangers was all that stood in the way of Celtic’s second treble. Big Billy, George Connelly and our own John Fallon with a man of the match performance destroyed our old, old-enemy 4-0.
Only a fool or a liar would tell you Martin O’Neill would overcome a +20 deficit in the league and take both cups in his first season in charge of a rag-tag looking Celtic in season 2000- 2001. It wasn’t so much winning the treble that made this special, or, indeed, the football we played, but the incredible leap forward we made between Martin’s appointment in May and that Glorious Six in late August.
Everyone was stunned, including Celtic fans, although not as much as some others. In a unguarded moment that season, one Rangers fan said to me, “I don’t think I can take any more of this”. All the old certainties came crashing down. A domination, which for the financially blind looked like it would continue for decades, was over.
Martin had the Midas Touch, for a while, anyway, and the treble was secured, but although his team continued to improve for a few seasons, that would be our last full house.
Brendan and the players are new to this. With faith in each other they may well be prone to getting ahead of themselves. There is a lot of work to do to win the Scottish Cup. Should we get past Queen of the South or the Rovers, the trip to Pittodrie will be difficult. And if we cope there, Tynecastle will be equally hostile in the quarter final.
So spare me talk of trebles until May.
Every pantomime needs a baddie and this year’s is Ally McCoist, who, against all precedent, finds his secret ballot activities for a resolution at Newco’s AGM public knowledge. It’s astonishing that we know how McCoist did or didn’t vote. In any other country, ‘news’ like this it would be a story in itself. It’s something private that we just shouldn’t know.
But when the clarion call goes up in Scotland, “”Who are these people” who failed to support us?”, the answer surely follows. Whatever reservations McCoist has about the current regime are his business until he says differently. Behind the headlines, there is little analysis about why he would jeopradise his reputation in order to inhibit King.
There’s the story.
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Ma laddie had ROGIC and 3 nil on Sunday Nice little lump sum!!
SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 29TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:40 PM
The truth is beauty and beauty truth .
“The Donald is a bit more of a sociopathic liar ‘
You have an extremely low opinion of the intelligence of the American voter.
An opinion I don`t share.
I wish the U.S.A. and all of its people well .
If only for the well being of the politically civilised portions of the planet.
Sadly a diminished and diminishing cohort.
Well done, the Rovers. Booked executive suite for next round. Buckie on the rocks, prawn sandwiches, the full works!
Jimmynotpaul, you’re right, Lee was approached by sevco about a year ago.
It was good Lee was not swayed by that sevco mob.
Knowing that joke of a player, Jamie Hamill, was playing for Queens tonight made the result even better.
He is on a par with Lasley in the lack of ability stakes.
samson’s strength was in his hair – hmmmm – maybe that’ll be the end of donald
I have long since accepted that I was being too paranoid every time I complained when we came out as the away team ( one of our 3 home fixtures was only after the split ball fiasco requiring a redraw where we had been earlier given an away tie!!)
The number of people that would now need to be involved in a draw fix would make it unlikely .
However The Season League fixture is created manually and has the opportunity to impact on the outcome of a tight title race.
I used to keep detailed records of the frequency of us having away fixtures after European games , whilst the Forces of Darkness were at home.
As each years data was added , we kept seeing an imbalance that favoured one team over the other. The possibility of the Dark Arts working to favour that one team grew.
I focused my unhealthy paranoia in this area.
It was either
a statistical anomaly
b The FoD were just lucky…….
c a fix
I know if I was in charge of the fixtures I would make sure that Celtic benefitted from the small margins that can be gained by fixing home fixtures in the league after difficult Euro games. I therefore assume that someone who favoured the Dead Team would similarly take that same opportunity to help The Hun.
The Onlooker
can’t think of a delilah
Dallas.
I was hoping you would come on and say that about Hamill, a player who with his style of play must have injured a few fellow professionals.
I couldn’t believe it when I noticed it him who scored.
Next question, Where will Rovers play the tie.
I reckon Hamilton if available. Problem with Hamilton is its a community pitch and consequently often unavailable.
BBC4 Sunday 22:00 –
http://www.tiff.net/films/forever-pure
Looks like an interesting film….
Celtic played West Ham in a friendly at Upton Park around the mid/late sixties . Score was 3-3 if I remember correctly. The hammers had their world cup winning players of course and were a very good side then. It was a cracking game and I think Celtic impressed many of the West Ham supporters and talked highly of our team afterwards. I know it was many years ago but memories pass on from generation to generation.
Incidentally, Sean Connery sat just along from me with his son bedecked in Celtic colours !!
Busy correcting jotters so on catch up.
Sftb/Natknow
Many congratulations to you both, a fantastic achievement!
Great result for Rovers but personally (and selfishly) I’d have preferred a trip to Palmerston.
Night all.
Enjoy.
Marrakesh
I remember that trip to Middlesbrough.
Mental.
Sin City Bhoy-sitting in Monte Carlo hotel just now, we’re here till Thursday I would need to ask the boss but I’m sure I could sneak in a couple of beers mhate:-)))
Jimmynotpaul, Airdrie might host the Rovers game.
Hamill is a nae use nothing fae naewhere that knows hee haw about hee haw.
One of these players who make a living from football while not offering anything positive.
All tattoos and muscle with very little ability. He looks the part then gets the ball at his feet.
One game at Celtic Park, he was trying to wind up Broonie and failing.
At the end of the game both were near the shy line in front of the South stand. Broonie made a beeline for Hamill. Broonie shook Hamill’s hand and refused to let it go with the latter looking peed off as Broonie laid into him, verbally.
EMDAE OUT THER able to get the blaze channell??
JEROMEK67 @ 10:04…
That 3-3 game in 1969 at Upton Park was Bobby Moore’s testimonial.
Before, during and after the match I found the West ham supporters very friendly and sympathetic to the Celts.
anybody got any info on the under 19 match v Man City next Tue. Where and when? Thanks H H Hebelt
Well done Albion Rovers although a couple of lads I know will not be happy.
The scenes from South America today and Syria across the news this evening leave me with nothing but a sense of weariness.
I hope God cares for the living as well as the dying.
Twitter is saying that Christiano has made a massive personal contribution to the Brazilian tragedy fund. Hopefully it will bring some comfort, if only money could bring about peace in Syria.
NATNOW
Take it Yesterday was Early session in USHER HALL
Was in the Upper Stand.
One of my bhoys girlfriend picking up her 2nd Masters
Wish her thirst for knowledge had rubbed of on him.
: > (
Now where did i put that program with everyones name
While I know that criticism of Hamill is well merited, it is strange (to me) but true that his family come originally from the Garngad, I used to know his late aunt well and she filled me in. They moved in the 50s or 60s as part of what we used to call the overspill to Irvine.
The family, like most of the “good and the bad” were right good Tims. Hmmm,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (as one was wont to say on here of old.)
JUDE2005 IS NEIL LENNON \O/ on 29TH NOVEMBER 2016 9:50 PM
If your laddie is in Manchester tonight then a finer man you couldn´t hope to meet.
HH
Boro game was mad, runnong battles on pitch , while game was being played…….
The Bobby Moore testimonial was IIRC the first ‘ over the border’ away game of the newly formed Ardrossan Garryowen CSC and we had a full bus! Can’t comment much about the locals but their pubs were friendly and their ‘bitter’ was crap . Still had a great time !!!
Well, young Deccyrollercoaster only back at football training tonight for the second week, having recovered from his second knee dislocation in less than a year ( both knees done) has now completed the treble with one of the knees gone again. Ambulance called and off to hospital with MrsCRC.
At least he got his LMS8 week 14 pick in early doors:-)
HH
CRC
Gordon 22.20
Bobby Moore testimonial………yes of course, my memory is poor. Thanks for info.
SFTB well done to your lad
Natknow well done to you sir too.
MiT happy birthday mate,
So its Albion rovers,
Onwards and upwards Celts we live we learn and we improve just a wee bit.
HH
Fairhill Bhoy,
if you are still around,can i suggest a visit to the Chocolate bar in NYNY,
some cracking chocolate martinis and a few chocolate beers to try
SFTB
Congrats to your lad who obviously takes his brains from his mothers side :-)
A fine achievement
HH
CRC
MiT
Never mind celebrating yer birthday, get your LMS team in!!! :-)
Happy Birthday
HH
CRC
Fairhill Bhoy-
I have another busy day tomorrow work wise, with an appointment 1pm at the Cosmopolitan. No fekkin jokes from you other lot about pool boys either…!
After that I’m free till 5pm, so could meet you around 2pm at the venue of your choice for a couple of cheeky ones. Bring the missus by all means if she fancies a lunchtime cocktail an awe, Timettes are my favourite people on the planet.
If you have access to email, drop me a line at nicpri28@gmail and I’ll give you my mobile no.
MIT. Many happy returns.
Congratulations Natknow. SFTB congratulations to your son.
CRC. Hoping your bhoy makes a recovery.
CRC. Meant quick recovery.Doh
MIT very very Hoooooopy birthday Bhud – enjoy
SFTB Bhoy & Natknow – respect to both
CrC, Deccy looking for sympathy, so he can get all the winnings :-) good luck to Deccy & MiT
Bada – unashamedly I was one of the Celtic fans oan that pitch, having earlier been attacked by a group of numpties when I was with my Auld Da – I didn’t run away then either :-) trumpets
All the best to Deccy, CRC, we’ll need a keeper once CG decides to chuck it :(
CRC hope Deccy has a speedy recovery big cyber hug to him
Cowiebhoy thank you for the tea and company it was much appreciated
HH
Dena29
The privilege was all the young Cowie teams :-)
Hebcelt- game is on BT at 1.30, City website might be best for venue, maybe at their Academy?
Cowiebhoy- HH , the big fat guy needed sorted out that day…..