Empires rise and fall but it is usually not until well after the event that the signs of decline or rise are appreciated. In April 1970 Celtic players took a lap of honour after winning both legs of the European Cup semi-final against English champions, Leeds United, before a record European crowd. They were in their second European Cup final in four and hot favourites to take the trophy again. If ever Celtic looked imperious, this was the moment.
Few watching that lap of honour could have imagined 33 years would pass before Celtic next beat a side from one of Europe’s biggest five leagues. Decline came slowly, a European Cup final loss in extra time, two more semi-final appearances and four more league titles, then decades as an irrelevance in Europe.
Today Celtic are nothing like that force in Europe, but 2018 saw the club secure the domestic treble for the second successive season, the first time this has been achieved in Scottish football. They also retained the League Cup this month and are hot favourites for both league and Scottish Cup. No team has ever been this imperious in Scottish football, not even the Lisbon Lions.
Celtic have lost four league games this season, four more than they lost in the whole of Brendan Rodgers’ first season. They failed to reach the Champions League group stage, losing to what proved to be a poor AEK Athens. This year has seen significant players lost: Dembele, Armstrong and Roberts. Although the latter two were mostly squad players when by the time they left, they still made important contributions.
The club broke its transfer fee record for the first time in 17 years to secure the permanent signing of Odsonne Edouard, but the deadline day shenanigans of Dembele and absences of Leigh Griffiths placed a heavy burden on the 20-year-old. Filip Benkovic was secured on loan from Leicester City but further attempts to reinforce central defence and the right back position have been ineffective, while the predicted signing of John McGinn from Hibs proved to be nothing more than a PR disaster.
Form during the early part of the season was well below standards of the previous two years. It was not until two first half injuries in the League Cup semi-final at Murrayfield to Ebouie Kouassi and Olivier Ntcham allowed Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie to take up central midfield roles, that Celtic started to play with fluency.
Three wins were secured in a very difficult Europa League group, meaning we travel to Valencia in February with a fighting chance of progressing, but you could sense the air escaping from Celtic during December, as eight points were dropped on top of a home defeat to Salzburg.
The question is, was Saturday’s arresting defeat at Ibrox a sign of Decline of Empire, or another sign of retrenchment? To answer that we need to look at the fundamentals.
Celtic are financially stronger than anyone else in Scottish football. We spend significantly more, not just on transfers and wages, but on scouting, sports science, analysis and any other metric you care to mention. We may only be top of the table on goal difference, with a game in hand, but the first leg of the treble is complete and we are the only Scottish team still in Europe.
This season, the rest of the league are getting closer, but if points earned is their measurement, they are not getting any better. Celtic’s lead is small, not because we face better opposition, or because we have fewer resources, but because some in the squad have aged and declined, while attempts to strengthen have not been good enough.
If you are searching for signs of Decline of Empire, keep looking. This is Celtic at the bottom of the curve – with back-to-back trebles, the League Cup secured and resources available to kick on. We cannot win every game, or play well every month. We can’t even win every trophy, but the fundamentals of Scottish football have not changed. Use this week to get in touch with how it feels to be second best in a domestic game. It could be a while before it happens again.
Have a great New Year.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RfwGkplB_sY
I hope Everyone on CQN has a cracking New Year. Happy New Year Everybody.
Oh so another Thule ios way out there.
Nasa Nazis indeedi.
Keep the Faith in The Lord Almighty dying to take away Every Sin for those that Believe in him.
Truth be told why I think Gerry is quality, in that video he pays maximum respect in front of so many by bowing down to the Lord Almighty – That is subliminal Praise that is likely to work mair with the Young yins Today.
Discoland
I would like to dedicate John Prine’s song to you Maggie .. cos it’s your caring heart that was so evident in the words. It was written for you. Besides, John Prine is an objectionable old so and so. Just the way you like ’em!!
I typed a load a words accompanying that last link… then lost it.
So I just copied and pasted what I wrote on our family whatsapp.
Some people just care.
Ma sis is just one of them.
Dear dear,
Sorry for stopping the love.
Alasdair MacLean,
My Dad said Ross County done fantastically well when James was there….. at the get togethers over the festive period. Who knows anything, I know that….I know Nothing and any SELF help group isnae gonnae dae anything for me as I know the motives outlined on the Title itself.
Hey OH, Hey oh.
Celtic is Magical. Your Club Ross County are alright too despite Firing maccy.
As I took Mum Shopping it was amazing to see Celtic in for James. The whole of Dumbarton must have been buzzin’ that Saturday Morning – it wiz in the Record. James didnae join Tommy @ Celtic, Reading was where he joined the Great Tommy B.
James has done alright, even scored against the Hun @ the hate factory – I dinnae keep in contact BUT I know he NJOIS scoring goals, The fact my 3 big Sisters still talk about him, says so much about the Brilliant Community that was Bellsmyre in Dumbarton in the 70s – James moved to the other side of Town before we left Primary school..
Mary, Maureen and Corinne. Family.
Wonderful. And I am so Blessed to have them. And James ma wee Brother as well.
I want the hardest Brexit possible, not the Easiest thing to say.
I know my Dad really cannae go Jacob Rees Mogg but I think he has went through Theresa Mays deal with a really fine tooth comb.
Mum disnae go to Mass anymore but Dad never misses it.
Dad is the Greatest Man ever to have been on this planet after Jesus.
I hope Celtic strengthen well.
Magnificent Sonics and lyrics.
Natural Rebel……
Satan is an unnatural rebel.
UN Selection
The Pope especially and the Queen put out Messages that should be Listened to.
I think it is something like 15000 hours before a samaSUNG screen is likely to go. Please remember I know Nothing.
Samsung 6 currently heading…. I think…. into 3rd year.
It is due to die.
A brand Spanking new S6 or if I am Mad as a hatter I might go 7.
seriously these Companies are taking the proverbial. Thankfully my Bhoy seems a lot mair clued in than so many.
Alasdair MacLean on 2nd January 2019 3:36 am
Jim,
Bangles are brilliant.
Just realised it’ll take me all what’s left of the night to click on all of the links.
…………..
WLAE is Genius sonics.
Black Holes and Revelations
The Wee Angel Fearne.
Eternal Beings are we, EVERYONE of us.
Speaking to Jamesie in Downpatrick, it was obvious that Danny was not the same dude he was before.
If it is any comfort to Danny, me and Jamesie had a massive row and I went on a trek I never thought I could do.
I have I think quite funny video evidence.
Danny you are in my thinking Believer.
mega tune
Recruitment- think most are of the view we need bit of experience up front not just a good prospect. My view is we need a different striker- one with a bit of strength, stature and with an aerial threat but most importantly solid and able to hold up the ball and bring others in. It is the biggest miss in our play since Dembele went and in my view is one of the reason we feck about so much at the back is there is no out ball. I really like OE but hold up is not his strength currently.
Some of our Scottish rivals have found great value in England’s div 1 & 2 finding the likes of Curtis Main and the big lump and Aberdeen for no fee and I’d imagine low wages. Not suggesting we look at them but if you get that for he haw makes you wonder what you get get for 4/5/6m and the chance to join a club like ours?
Good morning friends from a dry, cold, frosty East Kilbride.
January 2nd, the day my liver traditionally breathes a sigh of relief!
morning bhoys from a very cold Cheshire.hh,
Good morning from a frosty Garngad
As Jobo says the Liver needs a break, so I am going to try and stay drink free for a month.
I have Liver detox to do as my liver is 50/50 anyway, so I better start.
We need to move swiftly in the transfer market.
We should have known who we wanted and there should be a few signings over the Line early doors in January, no excuses. We have had 18 months to prepare.
I actually would have hoped to have signed someone by now after only 2 days.
Why would we not, if we have speaking to them leading up to the window opening.
D. :)
`early doors in January, no excuses. `
I agree , no excuses but, perhaps reasons.
JJ
David66 – I was just planning to have a break for 3 more sleeps but good luck with the next month!
Aff oot…
reasons are good!
If Bayo has been targetted,and he is a good striker,going by Lubo,I have no doubts,does anyone really think that £2.7 million is a lot of money.For Gods sake,in todays market,its nothing.He is not even a”Project”.An established player.Why are we not getting this deal over the line,get him out to Dubai,blend in,and debut against Airdrie.Never seen a club that arses about as much.Even Weah,how long does it take?If we get these out of the way,we can turn to our other needs,but no.
Be warned PL,the tacketty boots are ready.Your haw maws are in severe danger.
Turkeybhoy
He is an established player……….
For DAC in Slovakia
Jack Hendry was an established player for Dundee but his short spell at CP seems to be coming to an end unless he can do a Ryan Christie.
They are all projects- no matter the price tag because the project is to see how well they can do for Celtic. Some rise to the challeng- some wilt and most are just like the rest of us- good one day and stinking the next. Unlike the rest of us, they get called out as lazy, disinterested, a coward and a disgrace when they have an off day.
MELBOURNE MICK
Happy New Year Mick
I’m sitting here watching Newcastle Jets v Brisbane Roar. I notice behind both goals there are grass areas with spectators on them. They seem to be part of the stadium.
What’s the script with these areas?
Are they part of the stadium?
Do you pay to use them?
Are they reserved areas etc?
I’m just curious.
KEEP THE FAITH
TURKEYBHOY. Bayos manager has a different opinion of the player than Lubo he says he is very raw and is definately a prospect also if im reading it correctly his club have increased his value which may deter us. The transfer market for Celtic is not an easy place we cannot afford the very best but we can look for prospects the player is believed to be going to Parkhead for talks on friday also we have it appears to have agreed the details on the Weah loan and are just waiting on PSG to sign it off. H.H.
I think some club in England would pay a couple of million for Boyata with 6 months left on his contract
I also think we could get £3-£5m for Sinclair.
There has been previous interest in Simunovic with some reports suggesting in excess of £6m.
I would like us to get shot of:
Gordon
Lustig
Izzy
Hendry
Kouassi
Mulumbu
Hayes
It’s unrealistic to suggest so many will be moved on but getting some of these guys off the books together with several million for Boyata/Sinclair/Simunovic (for example) should allow BR a proper warchest together with the unspent money from the last window
Guys I don’t think Mulumbu has been given a proper chance.
As for some of the rest, they have had umpteen chances, so get rid.
D. :)
Lots of talk about ddv, compper, allan, izzy and the brilliant hendy leaving the hoops this january. That is 3.5 million in transfer fees and likely about 70k a week in wages. talk about a waste of money ffs.
Allan is a decent footballer , not had a chance and he will end up at Sevco.
TONYROME 10-13AM
Morning big mhan i think we should go to Australia and do a bit of research on that !
GUINNESSDOWNUNDER CSC
Dessybhoy
What has he “not had a chance” to do?
He may not have had much of a chance to convince Celtic fans through playing time but he has been long enough here every day on the training ground to be able to convince the management team he is worthy of a shot. Unless, there are other known reasons, it is safer to assume that Allan does no shine in this company and that is why others get selected more than he does.
SFTB
Looked all right at Hibs to me when he played with McGinn and McGeoch, maybe he is one of a number who cannot transition to the demands of Celtic,of course the coaches see the players every day and have the right to call it as they see it, I just think he is decent footballer who will get a club, just hope it is not here.
I have been told Craigen of BT is getting a job at Lennoxtown with one of the academy teams, apparently he has joined at the same time as Damien Duff, I hope this is a lot of rubbish.
Just in case anyone thinks playing in the Slovak league is a marker of quality or not I would just like to say Matic started out playing in that league for Kosice and he’s done no too bad in his career.
I don’t see reason to worry about a player who is not good enough to appear in the Hoops going to any other club. Very few who don’t make it at Celtic go on to be outstanding players at clubs who are rivals to us.
Good luck to those moving on, but I’m only concerned with those who cross the white line for us on matchday. ?
Ddv, Gamboa, lustig, boyata, izzy, brown, allan and benkovic (loan end) all out of contact end of this season. Who has preformed will enough from that group to justify a new contact? Benkovic and he is not ours.
Gordon, compper, bitton, sinclair, aziri (loan end), hayes, malumba, millar all out of contact end 2020. Who has preformed enough to justify another contact. Sinky at a push.
Then there is benyu and kuassi who are in longer deals.
I would hazard a guess celtic are paying out about 10 million a year for not a lot of return. If celtic want to improve it starts with a cull based on preformance
Celtic in the recent accounts paid out £3.5million for onerous contracts, I did ask who has left and did not get a reply, maybe that is what Mousonda has cost us although I think it must have been more than one recipient.