My friends in Celtic, this is not a happy read. Not since Tony Mowbray was in charge 11 years ago have we been under pressure like this at the end of the year; second favourites for the title by a significant margin.
A 12 game period saw us eliminated from the Europa League at the group stage with only one win and one draw to our credit, our first defeat in the League Cup in almost five years and a number of grim performances in the league that sees us 16 points adrift with three games in hand.
Unaccustomed as we are to defeat, the shock drew protests against the manager and board and worse for players leaving Celtic Park after the Ross County defeat. Neil Lennon looked beleaguered as the board came under pressure to sack him but that campaign was itself undermined by an unexpected win against Lille, helped in no small way by the arrival of David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro in the starting line-up.
Crisis on the park added to pressures off it as the club had to cope without fans at Celtic Park since March. Whatever sporting advantage was lost due to this is nothing to the commercial consequences, that will see the club plunge into debt. Chasing their own Holy Grail, Celtic declined to sell their most saleable assets and pressed ahead with purchases in the summer. It was a gambler’s play we have not often seen from Celtic.
Champions League income was a potential salvation that Ferencvaros extinguished in a pitiful manner. Early season league form gave an indication of what was to come, then the music stopped with the visit of Newco. Celtic did not record an attempt on target and were relieved of the points by a superior opponent.
2020 was the year Celtic won 9-in-a-row for the second time. They started the year smarting from a home defeat to Newco but form after the break was imperious, while Newco did not have the legs for the race, or as their manager put it, did not have the “bottle”. The Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen was held over until November, the final, 11 days ago against Hearts, will live long in the memory.
It was a classic Celtic performance this season. Two goals ahead at halftime, Hearts bossed the second period and took the game to extra time. Again we took the lead, again Hearts levelled, but as Tommy Burns once said, “there is something about this club”. The Scottish Cup was won for the fourth consecutive time, a new record, also securing the fourth consecutive treble and Celtic’s seventh overall. We celebrated history in our homes.
That defeat to Ross County means another club will lift a trophy in 2021, the first apart from Celtic since 2016. More importantly, the record we have tracked for nine years is in trouble. Celtic’s form has improved significantly since that win over Lille, we are now back to playing the way we were early this year, but the gap at the top of the table is significant and we are up against an opponent that has lost only one game in all competitions this season.
You and I have seen Celtic come back from more difficult positions than this against original Rangers in 2007-8 and form at the corresponding stage of season 1978-9 gave no indication of how that title would be decided. But having read the story of each of our 51 league title wins, I don’t think any would match a league win in 2021 – and I include 1998 and 1966.
We are only here because we know there is something special about this club, so ‘hope in our hearts’ is not easy to extinguish, but we will find out more about our chances on Saturday.
I hope you each have a safe New Year and a healthy 2021. Take care, Paul67.
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!!BADA BING!!
Worked the magic for as last time ………..
My Dad used to reckon that Malcolm MacDonald was the finest Celt he had seen (and he saw many in his 97 years).
By the way, I’m not supposed to say this (so said my mate earlier) but the nerves ARE setting in about ramorra. Let’s hope we win by a cricket score or even 1-0.
Bada Bing & VoguePunter,
A tragic day for Scottish fitba.
Well Done whoever made and placed the banner there. Horrible to think your Son or Daughter goes to an event and doesn’t make it home.
My prediction for the morra is Sevco 2 Celtic 3.
Celtic to go 3 up but ending up holding on for the win.
Ismaila shining like a Superstar.
I have no concerns about tomorrow as long as Lenny uses his heed.
With bugger all to do since 4th tier just watched telly, they have been pish recently and even Rangers TV alluded to that.
They think they are playing the same team as at CP, they are not………
They think they are playing the same team as at CP, they are not………
They think they are playing the same team as at CP when they won, they are not………
My grandfather said Malcolm MacDonald was the best Celtic player he ever saw and he was there for the good times and the smashing of the van
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TrqFNcsoahU
Time to Sparkle.
Sorry I have one last programme comment, found one rangers v st Etienne 1975. Gloats over stopping 10iar and in European cup for first time in 10 years.
From my dads collection, said to a friend probably dad going to a game with hun pals. Friend said probably your dad going to support the French, wouldn’t put it past him.
Made me laugh, Wicklow man brought up in County Down with that Nord accent supporting them😂😂😂😂 he could be right👍👍
Really hope our lhads get the heids right for this season defining game.
If we win, it’ll be a very quiet transfer windae as steely Neily predicted.
If we lose or draw, he’s gone: And we’ll get a few new bodies in as a means of distraction/placation by the suits.
If the talk of MobergKarlsson is real, that’d be a good solid acquisition.
BTW; no chance of Welsh starting – Roofe and Morelos are wily operators – Elhamed or Bitton will be in if Jullien stays injured.
Happy new year to all on CQN.
Hope we get the new year off to a good start by skudding the fuck oota the hun.🤘
PrestonpansBhoy.
You seen a lot more of Leigh than me.
He really is a Super Sharp Shooter when up to Lou Reed.
Is the morra the Davie Hay?
That’ll do for me M. Awrabest.
HH
ACGR- 😁😁😁😁
Prestonpan Bhoy
Re Madrid away George McCluskey scuffed a sitter past the post in the first 5 mins may have bobbled just in front of him … down our end of the ground
Archivecfc
Petec
Soro the new enforcer aka Hay👍
EKBHOY on 1ST JANUARY 2021 11:17 PM
I was on the half way line section I according to my ticket stab which I still have. Btw did you buy their programme English pull out says its forbidden to attempt to enter the pitch beore, during or after the match. Really…😱😵😱😵😱
PRESTONPANS BHOYS
Was there not a fence and a moat before the pitch … still we were in that game until the crazy Hungarian ref let them retake a corner just on HT and they scored …. still rankles
EKBHOY
Git behind me kept on hitting on the shoulder with his flag. Ignored him bhoys beside me waited for a Krakatoa, didn’t entertain the wee git. He’s the wan offering a shackle of red wine at the end
PPB,
Soro has the most perfect Timing of a tackle. He has an engine too.
DINNAE give him space to Shoot either.
Every Scottish Team is very hard working but will tire without the ball.
To end the Madrid story. We hitched a lift to Madrid, booked night in a room, went to the game and couldn’t find it again, too pished.
Spent the night beside a bin woke up and found a CSC bus and they took us to Glesga for £20!👏👏👏👏think it was from Partick
And we offered £20 we were not charged before anyone jumps in😄
Without the ball you Tire mentally.
Impose Celtic on Sevco Neil.
That Random ba’ will Win the game.
A CEILER GONOF RUST on 1ST JANUARY 2021 11:09 PM
Happy new year to all on CQN.
it is like highlander tonight.
a legend returns,
they talk about favourite whisky and gifts from you,
and out you appear.
god bless you
carnoustie golfer.
Revved up and excited about the game now
ibrox has always been a hard place to come away from with points but we are meeting them at a good time.
Jullien will be a big miss and I’m afraid we need a Duffy more than a Bitton tomorrow.
If we can resist their early half flourishes and be ahead or level after 60 minutes, we will finish stronger. We have a better bench to bring on when the game opens up.
My Moniker, Stephen of Derby is a bit misleading. When I put that up years ago it was because my local was the Derby Inn in Mossend. I was introduced to this site by Kevin. I have watched the pages for years. Always intrigued. The place to be for Celtic chat and debate. (Healthy in my opinion). Sometimes its a wee bit intimidating for the average, down the London road wae a bottle kinda guy, but overall a great place to talk Celtic. I am not a hun. Somebody will ask. Ill be honoured to have my credentials questioned. I am a massive fan of David Turnbull and hope he tips it in our favour tomorrow
STEPHENOFDERBY,
Welcome to CQN.
Are you a Tim?
😀
STEPHENOFDERBY ! Welcome!! Do you know Darren!! Smiddy of McCormacks !! ?? A Bellshill legend
A wee bit controversial maybe but I would have Ntcham in the side for Ibrox.
I feel he could revel in this fixture
Drop Christie and have a midfield of Soro, Turnbull & Ntcham
Just my thoughts
Happy New Year everyone!
Hail, Hail!
Wishaw tim, yes I know Darren and used to be in Mcormicks on a Sunday when Shebeen were just staritng out. Had some great nights in there. The Derby was great as well. All the same bhoys frequented both. Like I say, posting here isn’t easy because most people seem to be highly educated and awful clever. I just love the hoops. Canae sleep because of the game. There is no old firm but I still like to put down every new incarnation! Peter thanks for asking and no I’m far too pretty to be a hun……and in no that pretty hail hail bhoys
Hard to believe it’s only two weeks since the SC Final. We were so bad for the second half of that match that I conceded the league was gone and was happy to take our quadruple treble and go again for next season.
Soro and Turnbull look to have turned things around though so once again my hopes are raised.
We’ve had our hopes raised a lot this season only to be taken back to reality again with a brutal performance.
Sevco will be a big step up for the likes of Turnbull who will find space at a premium today.
I hope we win buts it’s a case of hope, form wise and what we’ve seen so far this season, particularly in defending set pieces, leaves little grounds for genuine optimism.
Good Morning CQN! (said in a Robin Williams GM Vietnam type way)
Can’t sleep, heads spinning, just praying Neil gets the selection right which for me means definitely no Bitton or Frimpong in defence. We can beat them with the right team, tactics (I know) and a fair bounce of the ball – over to you Mr. Madhun…
Anyway, we all know Eddy’s due us a performance and could it be today – well he’s 6/1 first scorer with BetFred and they are doing double delight and hat-trick heaven which means if you back the first scorer and he scores again they double your winnings and if he scores a hat-trick they treble it….. 🙏
COYBIG
Hello again all you young rebels.
C’mon bhoys and ghirls up you get, it’s hun humpin day.
It’s been a Rebs in the garden day today and there seems to be
a fair bit of optimism around these parts from the Tims I’ve
spoken to so far.
Lenny’s team selection will be interesting, three at the back or
four? two up front or hopefully not, just the one?
Soro and Broony in the midfield ?
Who knows, but whoever plays I’m looking for total commitment
from everybody.
Back to the tunes now, and hopefully stay sober enough to watch
the game after midnight here.
COYBIG.
H.H. Mick
Gooooooooood morning cqn from a still freezing Garngad
I’m sure I seen a polar bear walk past the windy when I pulled the blinds.
Right fry up made for the whole house, the bhoy and his girlfriend are here and the grandson, still all in there bed right enough but this is quiet time to ponder the game.
But what’s to ponder really, whatever 11 Lenny picks please just feckin put in a shift, match their fitness levels and runs, win our 1 to 1 battles and our class should shine through. We have to take any chances that come our way as there wont be as many as against other spfl opposition.
Do that and we should be good.
D :)
Here we go again…………………….
:))))))))))))))))))))))))
Oh and welcome StephenfromDerby
Dont be intimidated by some on here, yes they might be better educated or used their brain better than some but we are all Tim’s and we share more than 1 common goal.
Celtic
Kindness
Love
Etc etc etc
I have met a few and know a few and to a man they are all top notch.
Hail Hail
D :)
Another cracker in store
;)
:0
Aye!!
Ps StephenfomDerby be very wary of anyone telling you “they luv ya tae bits”
D :)
STEPHENOFDERBY
Welcome to CQN HH !