My friends in Celtic, 10 trophies in a row has been achieved, a level of dominance over Scottish football not known, even under Jock Stein. With the League Cup secured, we have won 17 out of 20 league games, topped our Europa League group for the first time, but all of this will count for little if the league title is not won come May.
By any objective measure, Celtic have improved this season. Had we started this season as we started last, the league title would already be beyond our reach. However, marked improvement is not enough. Newco have made even more significant gains. They have won 16 of their 19 league games, came second in their Europa League group and reached their second major final. A win in their game in hand would put them to of the table by one point.
December started with a comfortable 1-4 win at Ross County, but in the eight games since then we failed to score more than two goals. A late rescue against Hamilton Accies painted over some cracks but the edifice came crashing down as Newco deservedly won 1-2 on Sunday.
We played terribly, lost the tactical battle, missed a penalty and invited crisis into our world. It is likely to be several months before we get a chance to feel better about our league title chances.
Those objective measures of improvement are of no comfort, it is vastly more important how we are measure against domestic rivals than how we performed in previous seasons. The objective State of the Club is impressive. The trophy cabinet is full, most games are a sell-out, and finances are sustainable, despite no Champions League income. We recruited well in the summer and continue to transform young players with potential into valued talent.
We are seeded and favourites to win our Europa League last 32 game, and based on our group stage, there is every reason to hope for a run deep into that competition. Our perspective would look altogether different if only Newco were their usual shambolic selves. But they are not. They are a good team with a good manager who have many of us worried.
Celtic have been getting things strategically right for a long time. The level of dominance we have, together with our financial strength, does not happen by accident. We are a well-run club that has absolutely no intentions of letting this league title slip.
Newco are at their best. They recruited well and have not endured the injury record we have this campaign. They are financially below the water line and will find it difficult to recruit in order to improve their team next month.
Celtic, despite their high points total, have not been at their best. They can and will spend. Several areas of the team will improve. The team that visits Ibrox on 15 March will be ready for the challenge.
Had we won on Sunday, the league title would be considered a given. Much of our chat in the weeks ahead would be about the Scottish Cup and a fourth consecutive treble. Instead, we need to quickly up our game. Situations like this are why we run our business on a sustainable model, with flexibility available when required.
You could make the point that winning everything all of the time is not good for the long-term development of a football team. Without a viable challenge, aspirations are not set as high as they otherwise would be.
It was different when we faced Oldco for the title. Like now, they were forever spending more than they could afford or raise, but their budgets were similar to ours, which meant we had to walk a line between financial viability and being competitive. If having little or no competition is not healthy, the scenario we faced with Oldco was a lot worse.
Celtic are now planning to form a team capable of winning pretty much every domestic game between now and the end of the season. That is the bar required. It will be difficult and there are no guarantees we will win the league, no matter how much money is spent.
The one thing you know about Celtic is that they know how to win trophies; in fact, they have forgotten how to lose them. Enjoy the remainder of this season, it will hopefully deliver a cherished and historic title.
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Morning all.
A Happy New Year to one and all.
FAO CORKCELT 12.36.
Thank you for your good wishes.
All the best to you and your family.
……………….
Happy New Year to all Celtic Folk everywhere.
Ive just had a Christmas and New Year “By Pass”…mostly by reluctant choice due to my health.
Apart from The Heart Nurse being her on Monday, Ive not spoken to a soul since Dec 20th ( Face to Face), but I am just grateful that I am at home and not in hospital.
………………….
Apart from still being gutted from Sunday, I sincerely hope that the Celtic Board seriously grow a pair and take that Manky Mob to task over their LIES about Morleos and Kent. This is the very same Manky Mob that wanted Broony “Done/Banned” at Ibrox after he scored, for simply standing his ground, and having his arms outstrecthed…( Doing The Broony)….There was NO Gestures of Throat slashing and/or Guns to the Head etc by Broony.
Some on here have posted about the young Lad who was Murdered ( Throat cut) at Bridgeton Cross a few years ago. Celtic beat Partick Thistle that day ( 1-0 or 2-1 ?), and as it turned out I walked on my own thru that area literally minutes before young Paul was murdered by a Doped Up Hun called Campbell, just because he was wearing a Celtic scarf.
I knew nothing about it until I left home an hour or so later to go to Bairds Bar for the evening.
I think the young Celtic Bhoy was called Paul Scott ? who was only 16/17.
A few days later I was speaking to a Guy who worked in the Bookies at Bridgeton Cross, and he confirmed that Campbell was Doped Up and Drinking all day, and causing trouble etc…long before young Paul had appeared. Campbell was known for being a Doped Up Nutter in that area.
What was also shameful by the Police and The Courts was that Campbells Family ( one or two local Aunties), tried to cover up the Murder by washing his clothes etc. As far as I know, they didnt face any charges although Campbell was Convicted, and put in a Scottish Prison, however….some time later Campbell was trying to seek Political Status and wanted moved to N.Ireland Jail ?
A certain Minister “Mo Molam” ?, SUPPORTED Campbells request, and attempted to have him moved to N.Ireland !
If I remember correctly She was a Labour MP or Minister at that time, and she saw it as part of The Good Friday Agreement ?
Not one single thought for young Paul and/or his Family, by that MP/Minister…NO remorse from Campbell etc.
When I had as much info as possible of the Place and Timing of Pauls murder, I quickly realised that, I MUST have walked past the same Bar ( The Windsor), where Paul was murdered outside as he walked past. Of course it could have been me but Ive always thought that Campbell was looking for an “Easy Target” that day, and NOT a grown man like myself, as I was also wearing my Celtic scarf…maybe I am wrong ?
I also remember speaking to 2/3 Thistle fans on our way along, maybe that also helped , if Campbell was already lurking and waiting….who knows ?
It was/is cold blooded murder of a young innocent lad, nothing more, nothing less…I cant remember the length of service Campbell got, but hes probably out long ago ?
Political ?…….My Arse !
HH
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST JANUARY 2020 9:25 AM
We should be treating the Scottish football supremos , their organisation , their employees and their trophies with the utter contempt they deserve .
————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Hi and a happy new year to you.
I agree with your above last paragraph, and would say perhaps a bit more ‘show of muscle’ in addition.
The 9iar/10iar is indeed a self-inflicted burden, however it is THE goal to a majority of the support.
8iar is of course no failure, however in Scottish football, indeed Scottish society in general, context is everything. In politics for example, it’s not how badly we in Scotland are being governed in the sole pursuit of independence, it’s always a case of proclaiming that England is worse – so too in football when all the trophies are not landing at Ibrox. The belief that honours won by Celtic are devalued and “tainted” because of the absence of Rangers, firstly in the lower divisions for four years, then as a weakened club for two, is overtly espoused by their masses and managers, and indirectly by the media, in parts of England as well as Scotland.
Gerrard was a masterstroke by King, aided and abetted by many in and around Liverpool, not for his managerial credentials, although he is seen as the heir presumptive when Klopp moves on, but for the power of his name. Players come to Ibrox because of him. Players play for him in a different way because he is someone they’ve admired in a glittering career – I suggest an accolade will be worth more them than one from an ‘ordinary’ manner. It is in Liverpool’s long term interest that Gerrard is successful – with the league title ‘monkey of their backs’, they probably look forward to reverting to their previous and successful ‘bootroom’ policy of appointing managers from within.
I am not in the “everything is Peter Lawwell’s fault” brigade (not in the Green Brigade either), however I do believe that there have been mistakes made in the last five years. If the Ibrox club can strengthen from a position of weakness & turmoil, both financial and administrative, why haven’t we done so from a position of financial and administrative strength? Regardless of Gerrard etc, they should still be 3/4 years behind us.
They put all they’ve got, and all they can borrow on the park and in the dugout – can we really say the same of Celtic?
Mc Nut.
Very good post.Total agreement.
HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO ALL TIMS WORLD WIDE.
Controversial , to some , look at current attitudes on nationalism and the nation state.
Relating particularly to Ireland , Poland and UK.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INcBu8koOeU
Thought provoking .
Happy new year to everyone.
Weets.
Great post earlier.
Big jimmy.
Hope everything picks up healthwise.
☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘
NALLY 81
If you’re around….apologies if my post last night came across as being aimed at you…it wasn’t.
Happy New year and HH.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON @ 10:55
Thank you for posting that link – indeed thought-provoking. However I see a younger generation more than ever addicted to self-importance, individualism and consumerism. If this really was the Machiavellian aim of global corporations, starting say with Coca Cola to now the Facebooks, Twitters and Instagrams of the world, then I am sorry to say it has been almost 100% successful. The Global Village is a fact, and like the Atomic Bomb, cannot be uninvented.
After he left, Liam Brady made a few observations about how strange the football culture was up here. He said that the football establishment and the MSM were against Celtic and the dislike was political and religious. He went on to say that being Celtic manager was like no other football job. This was because there was an expectation that the manager should be the leader of a tribe.
On a related point, I have not a clue whether or not the Celtic Board is comprised of decent, moral individuals. I suspect that some of those on here who hate, yes, hate the Board don’t know either. What is an objective fact is that it is a successful Board.
Another thing, last Sunday I spoke to a supporter who mentioned Res.12 in the conversation. Never before, in any conversation about the club has a Celtic supporter mentioned this to me.
Happy new year everyone.
Except Baker Island who have 15 minutes to go.
Hail hail
Years of corruption = not astonished.
Player facing ban = astonished.
Un f**king believable.
CFC Complicit since 2012 and not the club we all thought it stood for.
Hello again all you young rebels.
After my last post there my internet disappeared , i suppose a bit like
the Celtic midfield in the hun game.
So back to my winching days or as MACJAY suggests , wenching, i like
that, remember a wee wench doon the dunny wae a wee stunner now
thats what made you a man.
BIG JIMMY
Don’t know if you caught my post on last blog? as usual i was still in the
traps when the new one came up, but basically get yourself out, even
for a few minutes, everybody needs some one to talk to.
H.H . Mick
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST JANUARY 2020 10:55 AM
Do you believe this stuff? For 50 years after Irish independence the two main parties were nationalist, patriotic and corrupt. The main Irish export was its people. For some, it was the Ireland of the ‘The Quiet Man’ but for others it was backward and miserable.
From @paullarkin
The Front of the Bus: Peter Lawwell and The SFA http://www.thefrontofthebus.com/2020/01/peter-lawwell-and-sfa.html
MCNUT on 1ST JANUARY 2020 10:29 AM
There is a healthy need to look at our performance on and off the field and offer reasonable criticism , preferably based on facts.
Pointing out mistakes made by management , players , even supporters is simply the stuff and the fun of being a football supporter and always has been.
And then there is the ulterior motivated mob who have a separate agenda which has nothing to do with the well being of Celtic F.C.
Resolved to be more positive this year but have to get this one off my chest.
Just to put some context on the earlier chat about Mark Scott’s murder …..
Jason Campbell was transferred to the Maze in late 1997.
Mo Mowlam was six months into the job of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Realistically, she couldn’t have known about the sensitivity of this case.
No such excuses for her deputy, the Minister of State for NI – Adam Ingram.
Well known Orangeman and a nasty piece of work.
Happy and healthy new year
Right Baker Island.
Yir tea’s oot
MCNUT on 1ST JANUARY 2020 11:30 AM
You refer to Coca Cola
Wonder why obesity is a major problem in rural Mexico.
Ex president of Mexico , Vicente Fox.
In 1964, Fox was hired by the Coca-Cola Company as a route supervisor and drove a delivery truck. After nine years, he had risen to the top, serving as the President and Chief Executive of Coca-Cola Mexico; after six years in this role, he was invited to lead all of Coca-Cola’s operations in Latin America, but Fox declined and later resigned from Coca-Cola in 1979.[32] It was during the Fox’s leadership of Coca-Cola Mexico that Coke became Mexico’s top-selling soft drink, increasing Coca-Cola’s sales by almost 50%.[33]
From John James
The Retribution of Morelos
When Morelos engaged in the cut throat signal he was not as seemed evident threatening the match officials. He was not despite Traynor’s lies responding to racial slurs by the Celtic support. He was not, as Traynor risibly suggested, signalling the end of the game.
The truth of the matter is that he was threatening retribution on Celtic players. I have two independent reports that Morelos kicked Ryan Christie with such force between the legs that Mr. Christie required emergency surgery. Morelos is also alleged to have attacked another Celtic player so viciously that he missed out on the CFC flight to Dubai.
This is not a football matter. This is a criminal matter. Morelos was quickly bundled out of Celtic Park by Rangers* security personnel.
El Buffalo is an uncontrollable animal who should be banned sine die from Scottish football and imprisoned.
The Celtic Board met yesterday to divvy up their bonuses. Will they act or brush this under the carpet in the interests of maintaining the commercially expedient ‘Old Firm’ money spinner?
If two reports are correct, Morelos’ aim was unerringly accurate to devastating effect. If he used his studs as is suggested the damage may be permanent. Had he aimed his kicks of retribution at members of the Celtic Board there would have been less damage due to their conspicuous lack of cojones.
Who would be surprised if Morelos gets away with this and that the Celtic board, who cannot make a buck from it, take the Resolution 12 broom from the closet to sweep it away?
Addendum
A third source has now confirmed that there was a fight in the tunnel as instigated by Morelos. He confirmed that John Kennedy stepped in to defend the Celtic players in no uncertain terms. Mr Kennedy has been described as ‘hardy’.
However the third source has also provided an insight on Neil Lennon that I am loath to publish in an open forum.
If it’s accurate the board may be considering Mr. Lennon’s position. I will reveal all in a password protected article. I had hoped to roll out the new password tomorrow. Events have precluded a day of rest for your humble correspondent.
FRITZSONG on 1ST JANUARY 2020 11:52 AM
Maybe the main export in those years was related to the hip pocket nerve . No ?
Never met any more nationalistic than Irish ex pats.
And why not .
It`s not just about Ireland. It`s about the moral and political decline of the West .
A Happy and Prosperous New Year to one and all. Let’s hope we can put our troubles behind us, have a good transfer window and go on to nine in a row.
HH
Dear oh dear, 1st of Jan and putting up a link to a climate change denier while your own country burns. I suspect that nutjob also believes in The Rapture and that dinosaurs were a trick played by Satan to confuse us about the earth’s 5000 year existence. Utterly batshit crazy.
Happy New Year Everyone!
To Paul and family, every CQNer and all Celtic supporters looking in may I wish you all a very Happy New Year. Having supported Celtic for most of my 80 years, I have enjoyed great times including being present at three European Finals, Scottish and League Cup Finals, parading of the Championship trophies on so many occasions and the Lisbon Lions years, all wonderful times. I also experienced poor times, but I have never stopped believing in my team and despite the poor feelings of the last few days, if God spares me, I will continue to be a faithful Celtic supporter. Keep the faith, lhads and lhassies, I believe there are more good times to come.
Back to Basics – Glass Half Full on 1st January 2020 11:56 am
‘Jason Campbell was transferred to the Maze in late 1997.’
###
My recollection is that though the transfer was agreed it was stopped by Donal Dewar.
And I’m not sure how much Ingram had to do with any of it. The transfer was requested by the PUP supposedly at the request of Campbell’s family who were UVF members. Mowlam acceded as she didn’t want to jeopardise the Peace Process. David Ervine later admitted that they were wrong to make the request as Campbell’s crime was not political. I think there was also some blowback from the loyalists themselves who didn’t want to be associated with Campbell.
Regarding his crime itself I believe a number of eye witnesses had identified Campbell to the police before he had even got home.
YOGIHUGHES
Luv that nom de plum, he must be the unluckiest Celtic
player ever, absolutely unplayable when on form, and to
miss out on the 67 final must have been heartbreaking.
And apparently still attends every game, now that’s a
Celtic mhan.
H.H . Mick
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
FRANKTERRY on 1ST JANUARY 2020 12:23 PM
Dear Frank ,
I hope your year improves.
Same to you mate, and I mean that genuinely as I’ve seen the devastation that the fires are causing in Australia. I hope you and your family are all safe.
Henrik1967 – thank you for posting John James’ latest.
Freely admit I find his stuff entertaining.
Long way to go before any of the rumours of what happened are substantiated but … if I may indulge in some mischievous horizon scanning …..
[ Caveat – some big “ifs” but may tickle those anxious after Sunday’s game ]
If Afraido did what is claimed the big money transfer is OFF.
Highly unlikely he will be allowed to leave the country AFTER he is charged with an indictable offence. So no China.
No UK team will go near him with his record or this hanging over his head.
For anyone who thinks an EPL club would touch him, I give you three letters – VAR.
What else is happening in the January window?
Well Sevco are back in court on 17 January with their old friends, Sports Direct.
Who knows, perhaps the final damages figure of X millions will, ahem, crystallise?
Oh, and HMRC issue many bills and reminders in January.
Just saying, Magnus.
:)
Hail hail
the TRIPLE TREFLE
https://i.ibb.co/DMLjtMr/46190782-1205580692925559-7407544586630856704-o.jpg
WEET WEET WEET on 1ST JANUARY 2020 12:10 AM
Haven’t been on here for years, but your post brought back so many memories of good times and family gatherings of folk long gone that I must say thank you. Hail, hail and Happy New Year to you and yours, Cheers.
FRANKTERRY on 1ST JANUARY 2020 12:40 PM
Thanks for your kind wishes . All safe and well. Thank God.
Same to you and all yours.
Ernie – cheers. You’re recollections not wrong.
As for Ingram, nothing published at the time (they may release papers decades from now)
but he knew the territory in Scotland, was duty bound to support and advise the SoS, and his persuasions were well known.
Hail hail
SAINT STIVS
A great photo . Even big TG looks mesmerised by Jinky’s trickery!
CONNAIRE12
80 years young and still as positive about the bhoys as i am.
I suppose we can garner our experiences over a multitude of
years, and still be exited about our new generation of stars.
Yes we have a hurdle to get over with the hubristic huns finding
a way to stifle our style of play, but you will know from days past
it was always the same down through the decades, big brutes
versus football players.
How many times like me did you ask yourself,” will Celtic ever beat
those bassas? but here we are 150 odd years between us and Celtic
have been the best team in the world in my time and yours.
So really a loss against a financially corrupt ragers, i suppose it will
always hurt but at the end of the day? well ,thats what matters.
H H Mick
Happy New Year
I’m not a regular reader of John James stuff but have read very varying opinions of him on here , so I’m never sure of the veracity of his offerings.