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.
406 Comments- Pages:
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Paul67
State of the club report as the decade ended?
8 x Scottish Premiership trophies
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
5 x Scottish Cups
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
5 x Scottish League Cups
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
3 x Domestic Trebles
🏆 🏆 🏆
Celtic Park saw only one victory for dead Rainjurz, and one victory for
Sevco in 10 years.
New midfielder and striker required for warm weather preparation to secure
our second nine in a row.
Time to show the enormity of the gap.
Hail Hail
WESTCRAIGS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 4:11 PM
Did Celtic push Kenny Dalgleish , arguably our best player in the `70s , out of the door ?
Paul 67
You mention young player development as being a positive.
It is also less risky when your opposition are too poor or not even around to offer better quality opposition.
When you buy or develop young to sell for profit and profit is rewarded, then that policy takes seasoned and so more expensive professionals out of the recruitment picture.
On Sunday a seasoned professional saved a penalty (as did our loaned seasoned professional in LC cup final). Another seasoned professional cleared the ball off the line twice, their back up CF is a seasoned professional. We have one sp (SB) on the books who is outstanding but not immortal.
If you mean our recruitment policy is going to abandon looking for future value in order to obtain current value then the proof of that pudding will be seen in the most welcome eating at the end of January.
I’m afraid though that my and I suspect others’ level of scepticism and trust that it will happen has been raised by evasion of tacking the real problem viz curtailing the unsustainable policies of The Rangers that endanger not just themselves but the rest of Scottish football and with it Celtic.
Celtic through Res12 have been presented with the perfect opportunity to insist on change by introducing domestic FFP that would help other clubs be more competitive and reduce risk of the failure that caused the toxic 5 Way Agreement that you know and I know could not have been accepted without Celtic approval either stated or accepted by not opposing.
Tangled Up In Blue recently published shows readers what Celtic have faced historically, Tangled Up By Blue is where we now are by not addressing the systemic reliance on two clubs, neither of whom have shown trustworthiness.
The Demons Brew/Booze & Ones Memory
food for wise suggestion here & to be honest with you all yes I was hooked on the
old demon brew drinking nearly every day & under the impression it was a good
thing to do however after reading & listening to philosophical advise I decided to
give it up cause its true that it effects ones mind set the mind is part of our
Intelligence they go hand in hand & the mind can also be ones best friend when
its in a sober state however it can also be ones worst enemy in an intoxicated
state it can change ones mindset mood into being obnoxious & troublesome
& it takes too long to get out of ones system (48 Hours) & if you have a Car &
Driving License it prevents you from using your vehicle not unless one is a
brainless moron & a danger to other road users in that state of mind & also
its expensive nowadays as well (not exactly cheap) so as the lyrics of an old
song I know states “I’ve got a mind of my own that & nead to enjoy something
that the Mercenaries can’t destroy cause its a case of you want it (No) & if you
get it you will not be satisfied Ethanol (poison) dying untold amount of brain
cells @ a time Ethanol that’s what the Ethanol Mercenaries Vampires leave
behind” Yeah booze addiction is no good in-fact its crap not only does it
screw up ones mind but also it can take its toll on ones kidneys & liver
It also takes its toll on ones ambition or lack of ambition due to alcohol the
honest truth here about alcohol its best to give it a wide berth (body swerve)
its rubbish & is it worth spending a good amount of money on rubbish (No)
It does not make sense nor is it a wise way to go about life its a no brainer
Time is valuable in our lives we should not waist it because of alcohol it does
not make sense @ all ones health is in better shape by avoiding Alcohol
all together its common sense after all there we digress COYBIG Everyone
GLENDALYSTONSILS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 4:11 PM
AKBW
I was at the Benfica game and remember it well . I’m even older than your VHS tape!-))
I would not doubt it Glendalystonsils where you in the Jungle that night?
The Bhoys played well that night that’s for sure three-nil was the final score yes?
Paul67 et al
Wishing everyone 2020 vision for the year ahead……
With no loss of hindsight…
Happy New Year!
PS.
The way to restore trust is by trusting those those you mistrust, to understand intellectually and emotionally the arguments why it’s not in Celtics interest to involve UEFA or the police, yet it is to trust the SFA who have been a party to all that has damaged Celtic historically .
That explanation needs to be made public for the good and integrity of the game but most deservedly to Celtic shareholders and supporters at large. I think they are big enough and mature enough to handle the truth.
Celtic are either about more than the money or they arent.
We either value integrity and will fight for it or we dont value it.
A house divided cannot stand.
Happy New Year to all Celtic supporters on CQN.
I watched some of the Leicester v Newcastle game on BT.
I don’t know his commentator’s name, but it’s the same guy who does most of their Celtic games.
Very, very different style that merely described what was happening and who was going what.
No snide remarks or agenda laden narrative. Completely different.
The Ryan Christie allegation made by the wee diving cheating fanny is not conclusive
yes his hand was near his gentiles part of his body however Ryan’s hand was not
making a suggestive manor of trying to grab them so his allegation is false & unfounded
& that wee cheet has got a cheak according to a fellow poster who remarked yesterday
that said accuser tried to grab Christoper Jullien gentiles in the same match & also
memories can be short as well if we cast our minds back to the match @ Ibrox the
same accuser tried to kick Broony in the groin he also kicked out @ Ryan Christie
& stood on Antony Ralston so Celtic should defend Ryan & also appeal if the so
called appeal panel make a ridiculous decision which should be thrown out
& not once but twice Morelos stood on CJ foot in front of the 4th official &
right near where my seat is
A very very happy New Year to all on CQN, Celtic are the football establishment in the SPL. I am cool with that because they have established themselves since the appointment of Martin O’Neill. The Celtic establishment has been around since the days of Willie Maley and I would like to see that establishment pop its head out from the parapets now and again and generate a few headlines……if Celtic is really so close to their hearts. I am not against the idea of an establishment per se and I support entrepeneurial initiative but our economic leaders” are so conspicious by their absence when the club is getting pelters that it makes it miles easier for our assailants. Lennon is faced to do all the media work and it takes its toll….Is there even a Celtic chairman nowadays? Or is he from a Sandie Shaw song which was co-written by a guy from Glasgow.
Anyway fellow timaloys out there I bid you all a happy-healthy &
prosperous 2020 COYBIG Everyone & Good Night
Glenda…. No worries
HH
AKBW
In the old enclosure in front of the stand. The old jungle was the only part of the ground(as it was then) that I was never in.
We have won 8 in a row.
Despite the board not because of the board.
Win number 1 was after administration and a points deduction.
Wins number 2 to 5 were won when sevco were making there tortured way to the premier league.
Win number 6 was won when sevco finally reached the big league. And we had Brendan.
Win number 7 was won when Pedro was running things.
Win number 8 was a struggle.
Win number 9 (hopefully) will be a struggle.
Our first 9 in a row under Stein was a glorious achievement.
Failure to win 9 in a row this season will be a desperate failure.
Come what may, at the end of this season lawwell should go. and he should take his pocket calculator with him.
@ AN DUN on 1ST JANUARY 2020 3:40 PM
“P67 and The Celtic Undergound have said the aim in this window is to get players ‘with the aim of winning every remaining domestic game of the season’.
That sounds like it’s come from someone within the Club.
So that’s our yardstick for this transfer window.”
Might be too little too late. Again, reactive as opposed to proactive. We wait till Sevco catch up and then aim to do something about it. Ridiculous ‘strategy’; although I doubt there is any strategy at play at the club.
Westcraigs 6.09pm
On that basis …
During this millennium all the Huns titles were “won” while breaking the rules
So from the year 2000 we are going for 20 @ row
Or does improperly registered players not count ????
While the Celtic board operated within the rules of the association
May I wish you all a happy New Year and more importantly a healthy one. It is far too easy to get caught up in “ME” ans Me being happy.
Please take a moment to think how fortunate we are and remember those who are not so.
KINGLuBO
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 1ST JANUARY 2020 3:37 PM
HOTEL DE PARIS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 1:39 PM
Pay peanuts.
Get monkeys.
———————————————————————————————
I presume you consider a pay packet of £3.5m commensurate with the role of CEO of Celtic PLC, a business with annual turnover considerably less than the Tesco at the Forge Retail Park.
I suggest you may wish to research the pay packets of the CEOs of the English Premier League Clubs. You may wish to start with Newcastle United.
Hoopy new year ghuys n ghirls 🍺🍷🍺🍷HH
GFTB – bravo.
Gftb.
I agree with you and you agree with me. You just don’t know it yet.
I have sad repeatedly on this site that we have won every title since 2000.
Why haven’t our board done anything about the cheating?
Rangers knowling and deliberately and systematically cheated on an industrial scale, aided and abetted by the football authorities. To this day our board have done nothing. Do find this acceptable?
The scandal is not that rangers cheated. They have always cheated. The scandal is not that the SFA let rangers cheat. They have always let rangers cheat. The scandal is that our director’s have done nothing.
Our board do not care about the celtic supporters, managers and players. They do not want to upset the Apple cart.
It is and always has been about profits and bank balances.
Your comments support my argument.
FrannyB67 6.54pm
One of the bhoys I was with on Sunday got dropped off at the Eagle on our way home… tried to entice me in but was trying to be sensible as working on Monday, place was mobbed and full of Hoops tops as expected … got a text later and the night was going well even though a poor result
The Blogger & Westcraigs … I “think” most Celtic fans know the score … likewise other Celtic fans shouldn’t disregard their cheating while undermining our legitimate trophies
I can only type for myself … am delighted with Neil this season (& last) roll on Patrick Thistle in the cup, back on track in the league with a wee February last 32 to look forward too :-)
If you are not a troll then you are just really, really thick.
Unless Celtic have a cast-iron and legally watertight case that can stand up in a court of law it SERVES NO PURPOSE WHATSOEVER TO MATCH THE HUNS STATEMENT FOR STATEMENT.
For reasons discussed yesterday CELTIC WILL NOT WIN IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION IN SCOTLAND.
Troll on if that’s your bag.
If you’re a Celtic supporter you really need to wisen up.
Jose M. today.
” I was rude , but I was rude to an idiot “
HOTEL DE PARIS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 6:42 PM
Thanks for the advice.
Perhaps you should research the pay packets of footballers.
Perhaps even with Newcastle Utd.
Twenty odd years ago , Celtic were bankrupt.
So , how we doing today ?
And who can we thank for that ?
Macjay…eh! The fans?
Sorry for butting in… :o)
” The Board are doing nothing “.
Earlier today , reference was made to the tragic murder of a young Celtic supporter.
A prime responsibility of Celtic FC is to care for the welfare of our supporters.
After Sunday`s hatefest , does anyone imagine that such violence cannot be repeated ?
Would this be part of the thinking of our Board when decisions are made in relation to what could and probably would be perceived as an attack on a Scottish institution.
Could violent retribution follow ?
What do you think ?
WEEBOBBYCOLLINS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 7:42 PM
Macjay…eh! The fans?
Sorry for butting in… :o)
================================================
Aye , OK .
:-)
Twenty odd years ago , Celtic were bankrupt.
So , how we doing today ?
And who can we thank for that ?
——————–
50,000+ \At home supporting card carrying socios ?
and millions of supporters overseas ?
the CEO just sets the business direction and executes, it is not difficult, he is not worth anything about a token salary of say £100,000. the job should be an honour held by someone who wants the best for all celtic, not just the boardroom.
Peter Lawell was responsible for selling Dalgleish.
SAINT STIVS on 1ST JANUARY 2020 7:45 PM
OK
So Celtic supporters are responsible for and take the credit for our current financial ” bonanza ” .
And logically must also take responsibility for creating the near bankruptcy of twenty plus years ago .
Correct ?
THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 1ST JANUARY 2020 7:55 PM
Peter Lawell was responsible for selling Dalgleish.
==============================================================
I know that.
Because the son of a pal of mine was in the year below him .
THE HANDS CANT HIT WHAT THE EYES CANT SEE
I think that’s harsh. Had the Turnbull deal gone through we’d have spent £15 million last summer excluding loans for Forster and Elyounoussi.
We’ve won 17 from 20 which compares well to any other season this century. Our failure last week I believe was more tactical than down to player recruitment.
Regardless though, it’s only the half way stage, we’ve plenty of time to do this job.
collie dogleash
Barking mad.
McJay, i must be filled with much festive cheer because for the first time ever I really did laugh out loud at something you typed on here,
that was funny.
howling at the moan here.
Paul67 Absolutely spot on and a Happy New Year to one and all
67ECW