When Celtic won their first 7-in-a-row by a 10-point margin in 1972, there was scarcely a cloud on the horizon. The also collected the Scottish Cup that season, lost the European Cup semi-final on penalties and, but for a mishap against Partick Thistle in the League Cup final, would have completed their third treble.
A year later, the league-winning margin was cut to a single point and although 9-in-a-row was famously achieved in 1974, the seventh consecutive title would be the last truly dominant Celtic league win for 16 years.
Jock Stein’s team of the mis-70s was vulnerable in ways your Celtic team of today is not. Stein was brilliant and changed everything about Scottish football when he arrived at Celtic in 1965, but the longer he stayed, the closer his rivals could ape his methods.
At Sean Fallon’s funeral Mass, Alex Ferguson mentioned that he and his wife would deliberately go to the same restaurant Jock and Sean dined at on a Saturday evening, so that the young Rangers player could quiz them both on the game. It was a school day for Ferguson. People watched Celtic, copied their tactics, scouting and preparations. By 1974 Stein’s advantage was gone.
This interpretation of Scottish football history was clear in 1997, when Rangers matched Celtic’s “9”. Their golden era was not the consequence of a radically different manager, but of sheer financial power, power that unlike Stein’s in 1974, remained in place as Rangers planned for 10-in-a-row.
There has been little consistency across our current 7-in-a-row. Three managers and countless players (not the 44 used in league campaigns between 1965 and 1974). If you were to try to match the current Celtic formula for success, you would attempt to replicate their scouting, sports science and maybe their playing style, but most of all, you would need a business plan that produces income which can, on occasion, reach £100m.
Like Rangers in 1997, Celtic today have a financial advantage over all others in Scottish football. Unlike Rangers in 1997, Celtic do not have anyone readying themselves to match their investment in the team. While Fergus McCann and Jock Brown were busy signing Henrik Larsson and the like, no one in Scotland can come close to matching Celtic’s £9m investment in Odsonne Eduard, or their £52m wage bill.
Nor should they. Under Fergus, Celtic worked their way close to Rangers turnover. By 1997 there was still a gap, but it was bridgeable without putting the club into peril. Even without Champions League football, other clubs are years away from getting to within striking distance of Celtic.
This position of strength is a consequence of professionalism throughout the club. Look around as you walk up Celtic Way tomorrow. Picture in your mind the next stage of the regeneration of the old place, with the hotel to your left, and a museum and visitor centre.
That Champions League income is important, but we have been busy in the background. The cumulative value of the Dafabet shirt sponsorship deal that was signed BEFORE Brendan Rodgers appointment and revolution in 2016 was worth as much as a Champions League group stage qualification. The renewal of Dafabet’s sponsorship for seven years, announced this morning, is worth an absolute fortune. Add to that, New Balance, the Magners sponsorship on the back and other key partnerships with Eden Mill, Intelligent Car Leasing and others, and you see a football club underpinned by strong finances, before it sells a season ticket or scores a goal.
One Saturday night In the early 1990s (not on a match day), at the Walfrid Restaurant, our table was served a main course without potatoes. The spuds duly appeared with the sweet.
This is an obscure observation to trouble you with today, but it encapsulated everything about Celtic of that era. We didn’t have the organisational knowledge to server potatoes with the chicken instead of the carrot cake. How could we hope to recruit, develop and tactically deliver success on the football field?
There are reasons why potatoes came with the carrot cake – it is not because the kitchen staff didn’t know better, just as there are reasons why we are ‘knocking it out the park’, on, and off, the park these days. Getting things right in any organisation is not quick, easy or cheap. It takes planning, training and several iterations of learning from mistakes. We were a shambles. We are now a thoroughly professional outfit in every area we operate. Look at what our commercial team are achieving in contrast to what happens elsewhere.
That is why we are going to win the league this season. It’s why we will win “10” and it is why we will continue to win successive titles for the rest of your life. This success is not built upon the wisdom of Jock Stein or Brendan Rodgers, it is a consequence of planning to win, and never lose again. Ever.
While Peter Lawwell is hugely important in the operation, it goes well beyond him now. You will find the same unforgiving demands at every corporate contact point. These commercial deals take the risk out of making expensive managerial appointments.
I have concerns about our prospects against AEK Athens – a stronger opponent than we are capable of facing in the fourth qualification round. The chances of a third consecutive treble should also be given perspective. We have escaped ‘one of those days’ in two years of cup competitions, that does not mean we are immune from them.
Champions League football may or may not happen this season, but we will not collapse “like a pack (sic) of cards” if we miss out. The show will go on, because we have planned for such an eventuality. Average attendances will hover a touch below capacity, we will continue to improve.
If you are too young to know how special tomorrow’s Flag Day is, bore yourself talking to an auld yin’ for a while. This success has been worked on for decades. It is a result of denial and restraint, while lemmings were heading for the cliff. It is a milestone in history. It is a beacon that shines a green light far beyond Celtic Park. It is a wonderful thing.
Enjoy it.
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Anybody else notice how prominent sports direct was being advertised at the sevvy game last night. Stevie g interview, pre match, they were on the back shot screen and pitch side.
Wonder if it was a result of big mikes recent victory
GER57 do you do irony?
Much of what is said is opinion posing as fact because “I am a better, or more informed, Celtic fan than you.”
Spartim
Ger67`s comment is not ironic . There IS evidence to support the first part of his claim and the second part is just an example for clarification`s sake.
JJ
Neverhappy.csc
some roasters on here.
We are in a good place off (5 way aside) the park and there could be some improvements on the park. Will we go out and spend 20m ? who do we drop? sign another striker for 10m and who does he replace? chuck Broonie in the bin and bring in a replacement for 10m? bile yer heed as my Gran used to say.
Eboue will replace Broonie for periods this season would be my guess and see how he does, up top LG and Moussa being made of glass is a concern but that should not detract from a very exciting season starting tomorrow. Ebouee, Benyu, Christie, Allan, Morgan, Hayes, Jonstone and Gamboa all vying for a spot in the team, not to mention Jack Hendry and Ajer bedding in, lots going on with the squad never mind new players.
We could spend more but to what end? I will never get my head around the club saying nothing and accepting the years of cheating. Celtic mean more to me than the board so I will be there tomorrow knowing we were cheated like the rest of the Bhoys and Ghirls,
This site used to be fun, before the cast system started, Happy Clappers and ?????
Have a good one ladies and gents.
KLV
Hot Smoked
So they arent acting like they’re better than anyone else? just for clarification?
Spertim
Who are the `they ` to whom you are referring?
JJ
Spertim? That must be said in a posh accent :-))
Essex Edile, meant 16 years between 72 and 88.
Almore, good.
BMCUW, will watch out for him.
Auldheid, indeed.
Turkeybhoy, AEK did well in the Europa last season. Reasons to be cautious.
Jamesgang, OriginalSadies’, Mike, I always throw a State of the Club Report up the day before the first league game (although I think I missed last year). The prognosis has not always been cheery, but when the State is so healthy, I don’t see why I should feel inhibited from saying so.
Bournesoup, thanks.
Chairbhoy, too true.
Dessybhoy, EBTs and DOS were not used during the 9 in a row period, that we know about.
PAul 67
The bank of Scotland bankrolled Rangers to the tune of £80 million of debt
Spartim
You don’t do quote marks, do you?
Paul67
That we know about, nor do we have a complete list of who was in reciept of them, I wonder who is on that list?
Ger57
You’ll find out
Just wait
Jamesgang
Errrrrre…… yes I do!
Like always
Next?
It was the old fashioned brown paper bag that was used during their 9 in a row, allegedly.
Good to see Paul67 replying, a blast from the past
Soh gers are we
Ger57
I dont think it is too much of a stretch to say that DD invested in the hope/expectation that Celtic would move – either to the EPL or to a Euro league – and we would make a piss pot full of money. It was talked about on here for years…
When the zombies went into liquidation, we were told that things would be different …. things were going to change …. the SSM would sort them out …. it would be taking candy from a baby (acutally, I think P67 sqaid it a child on a donkey could cpature the castle)…. but then…. nothing … slience…. no changes and not an objection from Celtic… as time after time, the zombies won every battle (except on the field) … the secret 5WA … the sham that was LNS … the recent punt to the CAS ….
And, when us negatonians questioned why Celtic did nothing about the cheating …. we were told … keeping powder dry …
now that 7 years have passed, ad the realization that the zombies were basically not punished for stealing titles and money, nor will they be punished* those same happy clappers are signing a different tune ….. Celtic are small and powerless to stand up to the cheating and corruption …. basically, nothing can be done about it,, so we just have to live with it ….
so, if that is correct, even though Celtic are streets ahead … we can not always count on their incompetence… . we can count on a leauge being bent to help the zombies … and, eventually, they will improve, and will close the gap …
do I think they could win a cup this year? yes. As P67 suggests, trebles are hard, as, in the cup, one bad day (or even one bad half) and you are out.
But, unlike most on here, I think they will be a lot tougher in the league this year than last (when, we were not running away with it until a few weeks to go in the season)… and, if the happyclappers are right, and the league is as it always ways, they will get every hand to ensure that the gap narrows even more this year …
I think we have improved from last season … but, from the little I have seen of them, I think they will be better this year as well; … and the old saying is true … it is hard to get to the top, but it is much harder to stay there …. and no one has ever stayed there permanently.
* and before anyone says they were punished … they weren’t. the liquidation was a consequence. Not a punishment.
all I am saying is that, if we are going to proclaim on the state of the club… we cant do what the zombies do … which is pick and choose the facts that we like and report only on those … we have to deal with the good and bad … and do so honestly and fairly.
Have the huns released a statement; commending those who defended their own last night, a la Hampden humping from Hibs?
I smell shite
Let them eat Potatoes
Marie Antoinette CSC
Let’s figure out our business continuity plan. This is most important as it will decide our budget on all aspects Celtic.
Ok first things first
Whit are the guns daein?
( first time I typed this on here was 2007/8 I think)
Our club bought into the ‘civil unrest’ bollox spouted by Reagan/Doncaster.A pitched battle and 2 attempted murders in last 2 home games involving Sevco.We need to refuse the 800 tickets on safety grounds, and also expose them.
Huns
Actually Naw I’ll stick to Ma guns
Paul67 some people on here think you’re a fraud like me. Most don’t. Thoughts?
P67 … fair play for coming on … I dont always agree with you, but I still appreciate you providing this opportunity for us (happy clappers and mineshafters alike) to discuss …. I hope this finds you and yours well.
Great article Paul67 and not that I needed much more to get me in the mood for seeing Flag Number 7 raised tomorrow anyway – it has fuelled me up a wee bit more.
I never tire of telling my son, son-in-law and nephew (and all their pals) to soak these time up properly.
I was taken to a couple of games in the Lisbon year but don’t remember too much about them. The first game I remember in detail was a Hibs game at Easter Road in 1968. I was 8.
It was 1-1 with about 15 mins to go when Hibs got a penalty and Joe Davis scored to make it 2-1. I slumped to the ground in tears. Our school class had a couple of Hearts fans but everyone else was Hibs or Celtic – roughly 50/50 split – and you didn’t want to be going into school on Monday after getting beat by the Hibees.
Anyway – I didn’t have that problem. Jock brought on Yogi who ran riot in the mud on the left wing, scoring 2 goals and making 1 in the last 15 and Big Billy scored a header….5-2 for the bhoys and all was good.
Looking at the rest of the 60s, all the 70s and all the 80s collectively, Celtic won so much….the 60s and 70s speak for themselves but even the 80s where some observers would think Aberdeen were dominant – not so – we won more Leagues than them and same amount of Scottish Cups.
All of which meant that I was going into my 30s in the 1990s only knowing real Celtic success domestically (we had obviously regressed in Europe since the 60s & 70s).
Must admit I wasn’t ready for the 90s which were crushingly unsuccessful. We know now how much debt that the old huns got into and the associated malpractice that would eventually kill them as they tried to win the Big Cup but it was hard going experiencing their media backed hubris and jokes about our biscuit tin. Enter wee Fergus and other good men came in and the rest is history, but I will never forget the rude shock to my Celtic supporting life in the 90s. I vowed then to milk any future success.
This is the future success and this is our time. It’ll be like this for some time to come and we should all make the most of it.
Bertie Auld is my favourite Lisbon Lion but Danny McGrain is my favourite all time Celt.
I cannot wait for Danny (who knows a thing or two about winning League Number 7) to raise the Flag tomorrow.
Enjoy Your Day Bhoys!
Hot Smoked and Ger57
Wasnt sure if Ger57 was male or female, or not gender specific etc
Spertim, sounds like im from morningside :-) I think i was watching the previous version of well known Celtic fan Gerard Butlers 300 and mistakenly thought it was clever, but as Ger57 and yourself pointed out, im really not.
Do you mean quotation marks “”?
Paul 67
Paul I thought that your article was fine and well pitched. However, there seems to be a group of posters on here which do nothing but moan about you and about the themes in your article.
I don’t think you should have to reply to them to justify yourself. It’s your blog and you can express your feelings and don’t feel you have to justify yourself.
When in a week we progress successfully into the next round in the CL, when we have all our players back from the world cup and no-one has been sold despite the efforts of the MSM, then a fantastic commercial sponsorship is announced. this is the time to report on the progress of the club.
Turnover up to record levels and you use both previous years and our nearest rivals as a comparison to demonstrate to demonstrate our good performance.
I work for a global communications company and our chief executive produces Quarterly articles such as yours comparing our figures against previous quarters and our main competitors.
Celtic are steadily improving performance in all areas and some people cant take these facts and will moan and moan and spin negatively about the club
Scroll by these people and don’t try and defend yourself on your own blog.
Celtarella
Run with the Crows?
Do these Craws have their wings clipped or have they replaced the Bulls over in Pamplona? :-)
HH
Bigbhoy
Paul puts an article up which is then subject to scrutiny and discussion – much of which will be the ‘negative or contrary’ view or in many cases what has not been said – it’s the lifeblood of the blog. However when some stray into personal attacks and belittling other supporters – that’s what I feel is unacceptable.
Go Tell the Spartim
Gerard Butler … we dont mention that bugger on here … he has been following me ’round my whole life like a bad penny … wherever I go, I look over my shoulder there he is .. In fact, there are so many similarities, people often mistake us for each other … just a few of the stirking similarities ..
MiT – middle name … Gerard
GB – obviously, Gerard
MiT – born in Paisley
GB- also born in Paisley almost 4 years to the day after me
MiT – moved to Montreal as a youngster
GB – moved to Montreal (but, whereas I moved to TO, he returned to Scotland)
Mit – studied law
GB – studied law (not many people know that, but he got kicked out a week before getting called to the bar)
MiT – dated Cameron Diaz
GB – dated Cameron Diaz
MiT – devilishly handsome
GB – not so bad, as long as he keeps his weight in check
All of the above is 100% true …well, except for the bit about me dating Cameron Diaz… and maybe the devilishly handsome… but, the rest…100% gospel …
I just dont get why all the women swoon over him … I got my call to the bar …. I’m sure, he’s handsome, and rich, and famous … but come on, he’s just a pale copy of the original gerard from Paisley (MGiT)
:)
TEUCHTER ÁR LÁ on 3RD AUGUST 2018 3:38 PM
Naw. They sat upon a wa :)
So Police Scotland can film Celtic supporters at CP and away stadia in Scotland. They can travel to Norway as part of their Football Violence Unit, on the team charter btw. They can accompany the Onion Bears and the OO during their parades. But are nowhere to be seen when the Huns are swinging knives and laying into Croatians outside Ibrox. We cannot seriously consider sending 800 Celtic supporters over there.
The unacceptable life blood of the blog is Old Firm hunnery
MIT
Coming from a guy who’s very happy watching what’s happening on the park, I would like to say that you’re spot on in noting that any kind of state of the club report should include Res12, Incompetent governance and what we are doing about it.
Hope you’re well.
HappyShafterCSC
DAVID17 on 3RD AUGUST 2018 3:46 PM
Aye!
My point exactly
Scottish police can track down the address in Croy of the Celtic supporter letting off a flare in Kazakhstan but need public assistance in tracking down the murdering hun outside Ibrox. Tubes. The lot of you.
DESSYBHOY on 3RD AUGUST 2018 2:21 PM
Paul 67
The dead club’s 9 in a row also included a DOS illegal, and the use of EBT’s illegal, hardly a fair comparison to compare it to the Jock Stein led 9.
———
They paid cash in hand during their 9IAR I’ve read previously, Goram was paid £1k a week on the books and the rest in cash apparently. Also suspect they deposited money into accounts in tax havens for the likes of Mojo, Hateley and Basil Boli. It’s highly unlikely Minty started his reign of cheating in 1999.
Celtics performance is about success on the pitch like it or lump it. A double treble, treble treble or infinity treble will not make the shareholders interested in the dividend scream with pleasure. I am happy when the shareholders are happy as long as they are not asset stripping or taking too big a cut.
On the other hand if you want to maximise the available profit you need to be in the Champions League and plan to be there each year.
My criticism is that we are risk managed away from long term sustainable and massive turnover to short term parochial medium growth.
Does anyone disagree with the manager that he squad is lower in quality ?
Why are we lower in quality? Decisions have been made to sell players and not buy adequate replacements despite having more money than ever before!