One year ago, we dared hope for an invincible treble but it seemed impossible, even the greats never achieved it. The Lions lost home and away to Dundee United in season 1966-67, while we achieved the treble on only two other occasions. When Tom Rogic dinked a 90th minute winner in the Scottish Cup final you and I knew the level of achievement.
At that point, 2017 went down in our history as a year bettered only by 1967. 2003 came close, but season 2002-03 is remembered fondly for its endearing frailties. Celtic were simply peerless as they secured the club’s fourth treble.
With half of season 2017-18 complete, the first leg of what would be an unprecedented second successive treble is complete, but signs are clear that this team peaked some months ago, despite qualification for the Europa League knockout rounds.
Aware of the exceptional (from a Scottish perspective) demands on his players of completing in every round of cup competitions, a dozen European games and international football, Brendan Rodgers has rotated his squad this season more than any previous Celtic manager. While this was doubtlessly the correct action, performances inevitably took a hit when our two exceptional and experience strikers were watching from the side-lines. In football, you often need to take a backwards step to make long-term gains.
This didn’t really bothered me. I liked watching Odsonne Edouard, Anthony Ralston and Calvin Miller. Being able to win the league while developing talent in this manner is one of the few benefits of being stuck in a small league.
Ultimately, even our top performers struggled to raise their game. Defeat eventually arrived, a timely signpost for the club as they plan ahead.
You and I have studied the structure of the club for many years. We have never known it to be as stable. Income last season topped £90m, the first time it reached this level, and with a fair wind, it could reach nine figures this season.
These riches come with fresh risks. Wage levels have rocketed in line with performances. We can afford our current operating levels – and can even afford an occasional reversal in the Champions League qualifiers, but there is a misalignment at the heart of what we are doing.
In his opening transfer window, Brendan added Moussa Dembele (who was already on the Ronny Deila target list) and Scott Sinclair. Both made a phenomenal contribution to the success which followed. This season, with Scott struggling to recapture his earlier form and Moussa hampered by injury, the big contributions have come from players who were at the club under the Ronny regime. Indeed, of the Celtic team which ended the year, only Olivier Ntcham was a Brendan Rodgers signing.
What we have added since the summer of 2016 is management expertise. Brendan took Ronny’s squad to levels none of us thought possible, but only two of his signings are automatic first-choice.
This is not necessarily against plan. When you sign French youth internationals like Ntcham and Edouard you do not expect them to immediately displace more experienced players. Players do not mature at the same rate – Kieran Tierney got their earlier than Kenny Dalglish, so if the plan is to recruit the best French and Scottish youth talent, patience will be required.
Notwithstanding this, Brendan will want to have more of his own signings grabbing starting slots in the big games. The players who were there under Ronny have made Herculean progress, but that invincible treble was their high point.
On that front, Lee Congerton joined in March as chief scout, a few months after the phenomenally successful John Park era ended. Scouting is as much about relationships as judgement and the environment is not conducive to friendship-making. Park’s job became increasingly difficult, despite his encyclopaedic knowledge of players sound judgement. Over his tenure, the Celtic proposition became comparatively less attractive.
The mere fact that Brendan Rodgers is manager changed this. Moussa didn’t sign for Ronny in January 2016 but put pen to paper for Brendan six months later. It is the job of Lee Congerton to make the most of the Celtic proposition, Brendan Rodgers and Champions League football to deliver players that can push us further in the Champions League.
Nothing of significance has changed in our chances of escaping our playing environment. We will remain in Scotland until at least the bubble inflating football incomes elsewhere bursts, most significantly of all in England. Within months the next England and Wales Premier League TV rights auction will conclude.
Premier League audiences have dwindled since the last rights were issued but Sky TV’s entire existence is predicated on winning a significant portion of these rights. The Premier League is trying to attract bids from Amazon and Facebook, so it is possible rights values could increase despite falling audience figures. But we can hope.
Until then, our role in the world is to dominate the life out of our domestic rivals, qualify for the Champions League and continue to add to the unique story of Celtic.
I loved every minute of being a Celtic supporter in 2017. It was thrilling, captivating and inspiring. Whatever it brings, your club will be an exciting place over the next 12 months. Enjoy it.
Take care and thank you for all your support. I hope you each have a Happy New Year and healthy 2018.
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT NOW! CHRISTMAS JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Celtic authors, Stephen Sullivan and Stevie Murray for a special festive episode – Christmas Jumpers for Goal-Posts.
Stephen Sullivan is a former Celtic View reporter who wrote the much-lauded Sean Fallon biography, ‘Iron Man’. He is now the editor of FIFA.com.
Stevie Murray has now written two books on Celtic – ‘Ten Men Won The League’ and ‘Kenny of the Celtic’ – and he is a respected and authoritative voice on the club.
Treat yourself to a signed copy of Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and you will receive a copy of That Season on Paradise signed by Bertie Auld, just order the Jim Craig book at CQNbookstore.co.uk and we’ll do the rest…
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Paul67 et al
Just like to take the opportunity to wish all CQNrs a Happy New Year, (especially if you are in Australia) and best wishes for 2018. The Celts will go from strength to strength.
Thomthetim-Condolences to all re the loss of Seamus. Sad times.
THOMTHETHIM FOR OSCAR OK on 31ST DECEMBER 2017 7:01 PM
Never easy to lose a best friend
God Bless
HH
Thomthetim.
Sorry to hear your sad news.
Condolences to you and your loved ones.
Hail Hail
BURNLEY78 on 31ST DECEMBER 2017 7:27 PM
:-))
Nothing more needed to be said
HH
BIG PACKY on 31ST DECEMBER 2017 7:45 PM
Well if given the opportunity …………………..
I wouldnt
HH
TTT
Sad news. God rest.
Just watched The Invincibles, terrific stuff. Now watching Harry Potter, he will have to be truly magical to out do some of the magic performed by Rogic and Roberts last season. HH
CQN………… puttin’ it up thum for years.
Good.
SETTINGFREETHEBEARS
Canny blame the police for that if indeed the victim moved his hand to his waistband. Not bearing in mind what they had been told to expect.
But the whole scenario is mind-boggling. It’s verging on conspiracy to murder.
BMCUWPs,
Happy New Year,
‘Celtic’s income last season topped £90m.’
You may be right but about the harshness. This just seems to be following an all too predictable course. I think I remember you saying that it would be ironic if Celtic come out of this debacle in a worse condition than Sevco?
It seems to me that we have wasted an opportunity to put Scottish Football into the 21st Century.
The players are being made to look like numpties in Europe by a failure to recruit talent and tactical failures on the park. They looked fed up and drained. The players are reflecting what is going on at Lennoxtown, in terms of (proposed) signings and tactics.
I watched the majority of yesterday’s game and it was dreadful. Is this the best we can produce?
Projects on and off the park. Blueprints for hotels, autobiographies after one season, KPI’s and a arrogant silence on all things Sevco?
Hopefully we aren’t being taken as complete mugs :)
Anyway. Over to you PL and Brendan…
Happy 18th to you CCB and the rest of the gang;)
Bateen Bhoy on 31st December 2017 7:51 pm
Ye aff tae Stonehaven??
Have a great night and all the best for 2018 when it gets their.
HH
TC45
bobby, dena, gerry, feck it im gonna watch thanks ghuys at least i know we didnt get beat.hh.
DENA29
I know you’ve been through the mill in 2017,but you all came through it. I hope 2018 is less stressful and still has you smiling.
HH and a cyberslurp of yer favourite yard of ale.
Batteen Bhoy met up with the German Bhoys after the game, they were definitely unimpressed with the football but loved the banter and the social aspect. They thanked everyone for their help and are still Celtic fans, their parting words to me were “Hebcelt Hail Hail ” Have a great New Year
BMCUW
I would take the “reaching for his waistband” assertion with a pinch until the evidence is studied. Imagine having a drink at home with your family and you amswer the door and are told to raise your hands by a voice claiming to be police. If you don’t comply immediately- bang!
TTT,
Sorry to read of the loss of Seamus. He’s in a better place.
I’ll light a candle tomorrow.
HH
A really good article by Harry Brady on Celtic Underground.
The average modern player covers approximately 30% more ground than a player in the 1980s.
12to 15Kilometres a game compared to 8 to 10 a game.
Also in the 1980s players ran for 25% of that distance compared to 50% today. So physically it’s not the same sport as 30plus years,ago. The Celtic team of 88/89 had player 13 games fewer than the current team.
I think it’s fair to say we are not comparing like with like.
I hope the players enjoy a well deserved rest.
Hail Hail
Bateen….their = there…ffs…..auto-correct, my worst enema !! :))))
TC45
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 31ST DECEMBER 2017 8:07 PM
Cheers :-))
2018 can only get better
best wishes to you and your lovely dad for 2018
HH
I know the last month and CL group games have been a bit disappointing. As has the number of draws this season. But all that is overshadowed by the previous 11 months domestically. An outstanding invincible treble we are never likely to see again in our lifetimes ( Wee BGFC apart) and a run of 69 games unbeaten. Wow! If BR had said he would bring us this success I doubt one of us would have ran to the bookies and backed the managers words. We have been fortunate to be a part of this success and should all be grateful for being alive to enjoy it.
Yes we can do a little better again domestically raising our game up to that which we became accustomed to last season and we could definately, as a team, improve drastically on our CL performances if we are lucky enough to qualify again.
That is now our challenge. I hope BR has targeted 16 donestic league victories and an undeafeated SC run to win another treble.
COYBIG.
Hail!Hail!
MWD
I am like a broken record
We live in terrific Celtic times
Funnily enough the poster who posted about “corner tinkers” has not been back in, probably away back to folly folly thinking he is smart, take a look out of your window ya clown thankfully I have a great family and for me (& everybody else) family is first
Hope every Cqner poster or lurker has a great 2018
This past year a few on here have had some grief in their lives and I hope m pray if they get any positive from Cqn it’s a great thing to be a part of
I hope this poster doesn’t mind me posting this but Weet Weet Weet if it wasn’t for this place we would never have spoken ….. take care J
Am heading to the Thistle in the new year because of you :-)
Hail Hail
right bhoys n’lhassies last wee rant of the year for me.
see me see newspapers and tv and pure PISH.
a few months ago i happened on an article in scotland re some guy who learned that if you rent a house and pay a few months rent it is very difficult to get evicted.so he set about doing just that and got away with it for a long time.someone told the newspapers and eventually he was exposed.the article informed us that one of the properties he had rented was near to where MICHELLE MOAN used to live.not one of her many properties. in fact she had moved away several years prior.now what this had to do with MM was beyond me. a bit like REGGIE BLINKER not paying parking fines.
fast forward to today and a tragic plane crash in SYDNEY.6 people dead,lots and lots of family members shocked and sad.lots of friends in a state.so SKY NEWS informs us that the company whose plane crashed is used by lots of FAMOUS PEOPLE including PIPPA MIDDLETON.
PHEW PHEW AND MARE PHEW.what a relief to hear she was not involved.she is probably not even in OZ.but just think what effect that would had on all our lives if she had died.boy o boy i would have had to sit down with a cup of tea and 12 sugars.
ok glad to get that out before start of anti KAFF…celebrations .
heyhen2 vodiesupthebackwhen yirreadycsc.
ps i know how to spell MICHELLE ,S name but she is always MOANING.
I always find New Year such a melancholic time of year, despite my melancholy I would like to wish you all A very happy, healthy and prosperous 2018.
To those who have lost a loved one this year,stay strong and I hope that your feelings of sadness at their passing will be replaced with thoughts of joy, albeit tinged with sadness, when you think of the good times you had together.
I’m away to listen to some Joy Division and the Smiths but before I going will leave you with this little song by the great Kris Krostpherson.
https://youtu.be/_1xDEMWkRJk
CLOGHERCELT
F..k it,I’d have thrown them an anchor,and to hell with it. Easier to deal with the consequences amongst the hordes than deal with our fans continually asking WTF?
Really,did we see a helping hand being offered in the early 90s? Naw. They tightened the noose and even got their placemen in the SFA and the banks to boot us as often as possible while we were down.
I genuinely don’t think we helped them out but we are guilty of omission. We should have done,we could have done,but we didn’t.
It’s gone now,bud. We can only hope they eat themselves,cos we passed up our chance.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG. a special happy new year to a fellow glenbogian.lol.
CLOGHERCELT
Is that a hint that it’s yer lad’s 18th?
If so,HAPPY HOOOOOPY BIRTHDAY,young E.-afine lad and a credit to your Dad.
Night all.
Enjoy.
Hail Hail
Hello all on another hogmanay
So… with nary a swally, today I’m musing on close ones I’ve lost this year, and in the last few. I step out the back for a smoke and this heart-stopping ball of light seethes over my head and splits into two. A meteor, allegedly…. incredible to see.
And I’m look up to the lost pals and smile…. ye missed me ya fannies
Big Packy
You are at the wind up
Coatbrig (Summerlee) is a different state from the Boig :-)
FAVOURITEUNCLE
Aye,I’ve heard that about her,something to do wi the company she keeps. Never had the pleasure though.
TalktaemylawyerCSC
GERRYFAETHEBRIG. summerlee yes fond memories but glenboig on a saturday night no contest.
BMCUWPs,
He’s 19 now and living near to Celtic Park and studying.
Proud SB Holder!!
He’s looking forward to joining in the Scottish custom called Hogmanay, whatever that is?
I’m off to relight the coal fire:)
I haven’t seen Macjay on here for a while. I hope he’s well?
Till Later, Mo Chara
My best wishes to all of you and your families for 2018. Have a great new year.
As for corkcelts recent posts they are reminiscent of the move on and don’t rake over old coals approach that Scotland wants to take.
Celtic had and have a moral and legal obligation to tackle the corruption. We had been cheated for years and we have all the evidence we need. Celtic have said nothing and it’s clear, very clear, they wanted to prop up the Hun. The only rationale reason for that is money. Money before morality.
Which brings me onto Paul. 2017 was a great year for Celtic. But there are the same signs coming from the club now that have ever brought us down. The same contempt for the support, the unwillingness to invest and the ever whining about being unable to compete with England. There are worrying signs on the pitch too.
But we can count all our money and feel smug and complacent. And you know when you read Pauls stuff you are hearing what th board think.
Let’s hope that Brendan has enough power to get what he wants and needs.
But I ain’t holding my breath.
HH
No Stone Unturned at Glasgow Film Theatre. | usheru
http://www.usheru.com/cinema-listings/no-stone-unturned/...
No Stone Unturned is screening at Glasgow Film Theatre. Check out the trailer and more on usheru today.
JIMMYQUINNSBITS
“They’re coming to take you away,haha!”
I think you’re allowed a wish when you see a shooting star. Make it a good one.
Bob Dylan wrote a beautiful song about it,but typically more in regret for a lost chance than a forward hope.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aXTElsREny4
Make a wish and make it big. And forward.
KEVJ, know ped d???y , hadn’t seen him for a few years , met him in bookies in High Blantyre about a year ago told me he just lost his wife tragic . Told me it was very sudden very young to lose your wife gutted for him . Didn’t know he was your B I law or if it was your sister who died . Have a happy new year mate tell ped am thinking of him and he has as good a time as he can Weet weet weet same to yourself bhud, kev will be talking on phone to Maureen after 12 thanks for asking happy new year to all on the blog for 2018
JIMMYQUINNSBITS on 31ST DECEMBER 2017 8:23 PM
They missed you and you miss them :-))
its the way it is
HH
P67 — come off the fence and tell us what you really think?
Lots of nudge nudge, wink wink …
You suggest we have had our issues but offer little regarding the future.
Plus you push the 2017 angle but forget the year of two halves dimension.
We are going backwards at the moment.
The CL debacle — three losses at home for the first time ever has now influenced our SPL form just as was mentioned but discounted at the time.
Big four weeks coming up.
Another poor bout of squad enhancement and we will be toast in the August CL qualifiers — we need big ambition, big horizons and big decisions.
Finally we need to start planning for a new captain. We need a whole new cohort of leaders on the park.
We currently live too much in SB’s shadow.
He has been a great servant but we need to move on.
Neg2 8.31pm
I enjoy your posts don’t ever agree but why should we all agree :-)
Hope you and yours have a great 2018
Still think we reside in good times :-)