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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Jees Louise don’t you all get it? Scotland is a racist country and it’s getting worse not better.
It’s isnt a surprise.
but with your super optimistic ways …
you are a light in the dark….
carry on wee wick…
Braw
Was just reading.
Top target confirms Celtic as next destination
Manchester City winger Patrick Robert has opened the door for a return to Celtic after revealing to the Manchester Evening News that manager Pep Guardiola has left him in the dark over his future at the Etihad Stadium…
NegAnon2 on 3rd August 2018 9:37 pm
Jees Louise don’t you all get it? Scotland is a racist country and it’s getting worse not better.
—————————————————————–
No shit sherlock
KEEP THE FAITH
It’s isnt a surprise.
David17,
I expect Brendans Strongest possible team. The Press will make the comment about Leigh but it is about Every Player.
It would be harsh if Cristian is dropped, IMO.
SID 1888…
It’s funny watching the wee groups forming again in work.
Something I’ve not seen since their olde club died.
The watp attitude is fermenting, the best way slap them down is on the park.
My fenian smirk is still in their faces.;)))))????
Yes Scotland is a bigoted shithole and you lot are funding it. Gain yersels
Gaun
Bless me father for I have spinned
Friday night and no music?
Here’s a new Celtic song:
https://youtu.be/-rCeygWexyA
And spinned forever and ever amen
NegAnon2,
I hope Everyone knows they, When there is no hope left…. they can turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thats the big thing now dude.
I’ve been attacked in my Sleep.
I’d fight anything because I’m a dafty. Impossible fight.
You are ok if you are not a Believer and say this to others.
When you become a Believer.
Get the Full armour of God on.
Protestant or Catholic.
I’ve Called on Jesus 2 times and he has made the place Peaceful after hellish experiences.
The name is Power. Yeshua.CSC
Compare and contrast the media coverage, bordering on hysteria, given to alleged anti semitism in the Labour Party to the non coverage in Scotland of hate crimes against catholics. A gross over exaggeration in one instance and a complete denial in the other. Those who control the media control the narrative regardless of the truth.Hh
weell done to the Dandies….
Burnley FC Police
@BurnleyFCPolice
11 Std.Vor 11 Stunden
Mehr
Thanks to supporters of both @BurnleyOfficial and @AberdeenFC for making the 2 games some of the best I’ve worked. The atmosphere at both games was great. Thanks also to @NorthEPolice for their hospitality in Aberdeen and I hope you enjoyed your visit to us. Now… @istanbulbfk
smiley that is the way to do it thing
Braw
A wee song about growing up in Castlemilk.
https://youtu.be/bArK2Ypv7A4
The BBC Scotland website is doing a photo retrospective of the Garden Festival in 1988.
Sadly they don’t seem to have this picture.
http://alturl.com/m4hqj
Note…I.m sure they’re gutted so I’ve sent them it so they can update their records.
Hail Hail
Matt
Gordon64 on 3rd August 2018 9:54 pm
Compare and contrast the media coverage, bordering on hysteria, given to alleged anti semitism in the Labour Party to the non coverage in Scotland of hate crimes against catholics. A gross over exaggeration in one instance and a complete denial in the other. Those who control the media control the narrative regardless of the truth.Hh
————————————————————————————
Spot on Gordon when was the last time a rabbi was spat on in Glasgow? How much outrage do you think it would raise? No offence intended.
KEEP THE FAITH
Matt Stewart – absolutely brilliant photo
Hail Hail
Googly Duped
Feed the new Bear.
Great movement sofar all across the Team.
Hopefully get my 5 Celtic First half goals this Season.
Matt Stewart on 3rd August 2018 10:04 pm
The BBC Scotland website is doing a photo retrospective of the Garden Festival in 1988.
Sadly they don’t seem to have this picture.
http://alturl.com/m4hqj
Note…I.m sure they’re gutted so I’ve sent them it so they can update their records
Hail Hail
Matt
——————————————————————————–
Matt I’ve got that one too with me and my son in front of the display. It was the day he made his first communion.
KEEP THE FAITH
Let them shove their 800 tickets
HH
Phil
Sid1888/TonyRome
In the thirty years since I’ve come through some sheugh but that pic has been a constant, suddenly emerging from a wad of about-to-be-discarded rubbish on more than one occasion.
My only disappointment is the cordon rope across the lower middle.
I’ll now follow through on my oft started task to use photo editing software to remove it.
If it goes well I’ll repost it.
Hail Hail
Matt
Delaneys Dunky on 3rd August 2018 10:03 pm
A wee song about growing up in Castlemilk.
https://youtu.be/bArK2Ypv7A4
………………………………………………………………………….
Happiness, like going to a fitba game. Thanks for the link.
Watched so many of the Castlemilk links by Simon. Awesome.
We are all Good.
That has got to be the shortest close season ever. Bring on tomorrow and the beginning of an epic treble treble. Hh
Roll a Number —–8
Kevin McKenna rumour again…
Gordon64,
I Sincerely Hope So
That Leader we will Win Forever.
FFS.
Bada Hope you are well big mhan. Hh
I can see Her
JOBO BALDE.CQN
Pete
Green Brigade classic.
https://youtu.be/FSK2XTx8IQg
Pete
Sorry
https://youtu.be/FSK2XTx8lQg
Pete
Not wanting to play Discoland by Gerry Cinnamon.
Garry so you know, that link has been blocked.
???
BB
Hope it is not to Celtic rumour. Worse than Jack Hendry.
Football fans dont pay to promote hate. scottish society is full of scumbags, football is not immune to these scumbags, the bigger problem is civic scotland is invested in making it a footballing issue. The starting point is wrong and so any follow up action will fail.
Scotland needs to admit anti-irish hate, black asian etc… is an issue in our society that needs address. The minority are regularly abused for thier ethnicity and are much more likely to fall victim to all manner of hate crimes as a consequence.
If i was to report the amount of times i have been called fenian in my live time it would be going into 5 digits at least. Whats worse is half the time the offenders did not think anything of it.
The other problem is civic scotland targets the poor folk singing bad songs at football games Then says its tackling the issue, aye alright guys, but i have came across this shite in the work place, in public arenas at functions etc… from very will educated people and people with money all the way down to folk that have nothing.
A hostile majority that undermines a minority will always trigger a negative response from that group e.g. disconnect and rejection of majority values, more connection with own ethnic background. If the majority respect the difference (different but equal) then we would be getting somewhere.
Its ok to be different, i actually enjoy meeting different people from different place with different values etc… I am no better or worse that anyone
HH
Pete
Can you open that link?
I cannae on CQN
Talk to the Emerald Isle Prince and Danny.
If not this Time. If the Almighty allows, Next Time.