My friends in Celtic, here we go, for nine-in-a-row! The consequences of what lies ahead are almost unbearable to contemplate. Win, and we match the proud record of Jock Stein’s team from the 60s and 70s and equalled by Rangers in the 90s. Lose, and until the end of time, Celtic fans will point to this season and wonder what went wrong.
In the mid-90s I attended a function with Billy McNeill and Tommy Burns the guest speakers. Billy looked at Tommy, who was then manager, and implored him to stop Rangers taking the record he and his team-mates won. It was an era with indignity piled on indignity. We were able to endure many setbacks – SIX YEARS without a trophy, but it was the feeling that our historical record could be violated that concerned us most.
History matters, records matter and in Scotland, no record matters as much as this one.
If it was all about the desire and money, SPFL chief exec. Neil Doncaster would be as well bringing the trophy along with him tomorrow, but football does not work like that and we have an example from relatively recent history to give cause for concern.
Having watched Rangers win nine-in-a-row, Fergus McCann sacked Tommy Burns, but he had not reckoned on spending two months trying to recruit a replacement. The players were back training two weeks before Wim Jansen, “the second worst thing to hit Japan” was unveiled.
Wim was a gift from God, but if he walked through Glasgow Airport on the morning of 3 July 1997 wearing a “New Celtic Manager” T-shirt, no one would have paid him any attention.
Rangers had every reason to expect the Holy Grail, 10-in-a-row, would be theirs, but in true David Murray style, they spent a fortune in an attempt to leave nothing to chance. Amoruso, Gattuso, Vidmar, Johansson, Porrini, Thern and, of course, Marco Negri, arrived in a show of financial muscle Scotland had not previously witnessed.
We took a first half lead in our opening league game of the season against Hibs, then lost. We held a halftime lead at home to Dunfermline in our next league game, but lost that one too. What had Fergus done? Meanwhile, inspired by Marco Negri, who was breaking scoring records, Rangers swept all before them.
It took a while, but Wim slowly steadied the ship, aided by a certain Swede and a large number of players recruited on the say of Jock Brown. David Murray, Walter Smith and all the filthy lucre they could put their hands on, could not stop Celtic winning the most cherished title in Scottish football history. Not only did we win the league after a decade, we preserved our name on the record books.
Why should we remember this today? Apart from the fact that any excuse is a good excuse to recall that season, we need to know that we have no divine right to win the league this or any season. Rangers spent lots of money, signed several excellent players, but things happened at Celtic which we had no right to expect. In the summer of ’97 we lost Pierre van Hooijdonk, Jorge Cadete and Paolo Di Canio. What happened made no sense, even today, I cannot explain how it happened, but Rangers would be stopped.
You and I have become immune to “The Rangers (sic.) are coming” mantra every summer. We know corporate Newco don’t really believe it, but it serves to put bums on seats better than “Come along and watch Celtic win xxx-in-a-row, we’ll try to keep Leigh Griffiths away from the goalposts.” It is pantomime, and we are right to not take it seriously, but there is an existential threat.
It goes like this. Steven Gerrard did better than expected in his first season in management and will do even better with the experience in his locker. They retained the bulk of their squad and spent a year scouting players who have arrived this summer.
By contrast, Celtic lost their managerial totem and appointed Neil Lennon, who has to deal with the pressure of sky-high expectation. We lost Boyata and Benkovic. The shadow of Moussa Dembele is still evident, with Arsenal sniffing around our prized prodigy. Scott Brown is a year older and all of our new arrivals are as-yet untested. Lose at Ibrox on 1 September, and the weight of the world will descent on the Comments pages here, as well as at Celtic Park.
There is a key difference between the Celtic of 2019 and the Rangers of 1997. Celtic are a thoroughly professional operation, with skilled operators at every level. The board know there is a chance, however slim, that Newco could turn up their own version of Larsson, Jansen and, erm, Blinker. They know that this cannot be a ‘Best endeavours’ season. Neil Lennon is planning for the unlikely, in order to prevent the unthinkable.
The cold facts are, we have better players than anyone else in the country. We have a manager who knows how to win leagues, “has an eye for a player”, and who slipped back into successful ways better than many expected.
We have already spent £12m this summer and will continue to spend, without the need to bring money in, or qualify for the Champions League. The manager will also have funds to fill gaps which emerge in January.
Celtic are as dominant as they have been in their 131 years. The stadium is sold out for most games and you have been unable to buy a season ticket for weeks (availability remains at ALL other grounds in Scotland, if you are looking for options). Our commercial deals are competitive with any similar club in Europe. Wages escalated alarmingly under Brendan but we are not over paying or at risk, there is money in the bank and talent on the field.
Having got into this position, we need to deliver this season and next, then build a monument to 10. Something big, that will serve as a tourist attraction for decades to come. And when we’re all in our old age, we can point to it and say to the kids, “I was there!”
Enjoy the season!
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Neil Francis Lennon,
He faces so much, He is Our Leader, Most didnae want him Primarily because we didnae want to see him Put through what he went through before.
Lenny is a Lion already.
“I’m guilty of Love in the first degree”
Well 8 huns and me on a road trip today! If they start their stupid songs I just sing with them and they quite down, no to keen on my version!
We’re up to our knees in Ebt’s
Surrendered then we died
We are the Brigton silly boys
BORROW BORROW.
A new day has dawned, and the sun it is oot
So what are we doing? and what is afoot?
Get ready for glory , for it’s our time to shine?
We’ve done it before, we’re going for nine.
9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣
🍀⚽️
*Rogue question mark after shine
🍀⚽️
Good morning, friends, from a bright, sun kissed East KIlbride. The NIne starts today!
Since we already have a hat trick of poets my post will not be in verse!
Happy Flag Day to all CQNrs and let’s all get behind the Bhoys.Wonder how many non-Happy Clappers will be among the Perth team?
Happy birthday to Jamesgang. Belated I know but always behind nowadays even on the other channel 😁.
Yes
It’s Celtic time again
🏆🏆🏆🍀🏆🏆🏆🍀🏆🏆🏆- Tbc
Good morning fholks from a sunny Costa del Sol.
Enjoy the match today if you are going and don’t forget the Kano bucket collection.
Here’s to a second nine in a row.
50 summers ago was the first pre season I can remember.
Rangers were going to beat the Celtic this time according to every media portal available ( the newspapers and shoot magazine and the BBC / STV back then ).
The wise guys on the supporters bus knew it, as did the ‘clever old fellas who always moaned about Celtic every Sunday outside the chapel after mass…… 9 year old me was concerned. Very concerned but a bit confused.
Sure Rangers record signing £100,000 paid for Colin Stein the previous season had scored a hat trick against, then minnows, Cyprus at the end of last season and the had bought a couple of other ordinary signings in. Yes they had recruited an exciting new manager 18 months previous and he was going to get his second full season in charge with his own team and his own methods established….but something seemed odd that everyone was seeing it so good for them and so bad for Celtic, even worse our ‘supposed’ own folkown folk were worried and moaning about it all.
They were definitely going to stop our efforts at 5 in a row. A feat not achieved in over 50 years. A ferat almost unthinkable 5 years earlier when Celtic had won just 3 leagues in the previous 40 or so seasons.
9 year old me was struggling to see this making sense.
My Celtic had just won their second treble in 4 years and beaten Rangers 4-0 in the cup final. Rangers had won nothing since 1966.
My Celtic had brought through 4-5 quality young players added to a strong winning base and Rangers had patched up their team with journeymen plus the hero Stein.
My Celtic had a winning way, a team who knew how to win and were not tarnished with decades of defeat and negativity.
It didn’t add up but the Scottish Daily Express and the Evening Citizen were clear on it, and the clever old men on the bus and at the chapel thought so too and so I approached the season with even more trepidation than logic said I should…..more so when we lost the first league cup group game at Ibrox.
Could the fears be justified and the worst be about to happen ? The papers went into overdrive….Colin Stein was better than Pele…
My Celtic recovered in the league cup group and won the first final I personally ever attended beating St Johnstone 1-0.
My Celtic went on to win the league by the modern day equivalent of 20 points vs our nearest rivals.
My Celtic beat the champions of Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, England en route to 1970 European Cup Final in Milan that season.
Davie White was sacked after 2 trophyless years at Ibrox.
Bobby Davidson (the ref from Airdrie) was the only thing that denied Celtic a 3rd treble in 5 years.
50 years on it is the same…..only different and better…..
The media still hypes up the rangers even although they died and their ghost is on life support.
Celtic folk still like to moan and groan and think they can do better than those running the team or club. Even when our success on the park is remarkable and the stuff we will speak of 50 years on is happening before our eyes…
Just like in 69/70 we will have our moments when we lose, but if ever a season needed and wanted our club to be together as one with fans and players uniting to drive us to an amazing feat then it is now.
I can’t wait for 3pm today to see the special guys that are Neil Lennon and Scott Brown, from their very different backgrounds, lead my Celtic / their Celtic / our Celtic to something truly remarkable in this season ahead.
Matt, superb ,ramblings of a genius mind
Up the hoops
Fly the flag ,fly the flag
Burnley fabulous post.
G-D.Many years ago I was on a Works outing to golf in Arran to which a few had invited guests and on the boat back some party tunes were being sung in which I,being an old bloke knew all the words,joined in,and then someone said ‘Gie us wan o’ Your songs.Being an ICI outing I was the token Tim so started up Soldiers are we and found myself on the deck literally and a guest trying to strangle me!
Fortunately for me not him he was battered by all and a new rule introduced…No Guests!
Funnily enough similar happened on the way back from a Kilwinning Rangers Scottish cup tie but I knew there would be one dissenter and was ready and he was too late.
The Moral…They don’t like our tunes😁😁
It’s flag raising day and it will be raised by the wives of 2 deceased Lions
It’s also Kano Bucket collection day.
So dig deep and we’ll get our reward on the pitch, hopefully.
Tommy Wright’s team are not in great form and they are defensive minded to begin with is we know what to expect.
At least 11 men behind the ball, agricultural tackling and hoofed clearances. They will be hoping to turn the Huggies-wearing section of our crowd against the team. I don’t think that will work on opening day- so I am predicting a 3:0 win for our troops.
Christie or Edouard to open and I have a sneaking fancy for Jozo to be channelling Big Billy again today as his missus raises the flag.
Can’t wait.
Burnley78
Great post .
St. Johnstone was also my first cup final. Our only goal came in 2 minutes so it was a long time to play out to see a Celtic team win my first trophy.
Jozo and Julien are suspended. Biton and Ajer the likely paring at CB, Mbombo and Ralston as FB’s.
Probably play Griff and Eddy from the start up top.
Lots of good attacking midfield options in our squad, Lenny’s spoilt for choice there.
HH
Ccb we are better singers, they only know songs of hate! Anyhoo in this particular group I know I am safe , they are well educated. I should know I have been educating them the since 2009 when I discovered Rtc and Phil.
St johnstone will play a 7-3-1 lineup today.
7 at the back
3 man midfield.
With the Ref up front hoping to poach a goal..
Hello this is WEE BGFC. On the motorway hurtlin toward birmingham en route from London to Celtic Park.
HH
Apologies forgot to mention another great blogger .Posthumous mention for Paul McC. Another genius who simplified things for me the original member of Densa!
Heading out early for the start of the league campaign. It’s going to be an epic ten months.
All best wishes to Celts everywhere.
♫Don’t blame us if we ever doubt you. You know we couldn’t live without you.
Celtic, you are the only, only, o-only.♫
Here we go, to 9IAR! Still three to go!
Come on the mighty Glasgow Celtic!!!!
Gerrintaethum!!!!
MATT STEWART on 2ND AUGUST 2019 10:26 PM:
Really enjoyed that. Can’t wait for Part 2
Good morning from a sunny Costa del Moray. I won’t make today but will watch it on the telly. I hope we lay down a marker today.
Off to Cluj on Monday to see my oldest Bhoy, oh and off course the famous Glasgow Celtic. 😄
Burnley 78
I liked that post.
Time for me to catch the Arbroath Emerald Express.
Cheerio for now,
JJ
Hello this is WEE BGFC. We have a potential disaster the M6 is closed.
HH
SFTB 08:44
“They will be hoping to turn the Huggies-wearing section of our crowd against the team.”
**************************
…..Or the Pampers Dampeners 😃
🍀⚽️
Still waiting for the official start to the new Season…
… when Fred Dobbs boards the Iron Horse bound for Paradise. 🚂
🍀⚽️
WEE BGFC
According to latest reports, The Southbound carraigways are open. Hopefully Northbound soon.
Reports say it was caused by a crazy dude driving South on the Northbound Route. Seems a lot of Plod cars attending, so don’t know if there is more to it than that.
Good luck
🍀⚽️
Burnley 78………….
Enjoyed that. Thanks for sharing.
HH
Good morning from Lochaber, and happy new season to CQNers near and far.
Burnley78 at 8.30am, a joyful post to read this morning. A belter.
Thanks, TBB
So at the grand old age of 52 and a half I finally made it across the sea to Ireland yesterday.
Smooth ferry sailing to larne the boat was packed out with tourists. Busses and busses of Chinese. Approaching the port you have no doubts there are people holding on to a kulchur with a flagpole in every garden.
Drove down . Quite interesting. Wrong turn at Dundalk I got to drive past the stadium. Quite nice.
Then onto ballymahon and center parc. Quite excellent.
Every family has at least one person wearing a gaa top. The chat is all about the games today. Not seen a Celtic one yet.
Then there is the accents. Wow. Nobody understands us. Ha.
Missing today’s game. But I want to pack more into my ticks in the boxes life is too short list.
Ignore the naysayers. Celtic to win handsomely today.
Hail hail
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
They come from bonnie Scotland, they come from county Cork,
They come from dear old Donegal and even from New York,
From every street in Glasgow they proudly make their way,
To a place called dear old paradise and this is what they say.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league.
There’s Fallon, Young and Gemmell who proudly wear the green,
There’s Clark, McNeill and Kennedy the best there;s ever been,
Jim Johnstone, Murdoch, Chalmers, John Divers and John Hughes,
And sixty thousand Celtic fans who proudly shout the news.
Celtic, Celtic thats the team for me,
Celtic, Celtic on to victory,
They’re the finest team in Scotland, I’m sure you will agree,
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league.
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
We’ll never give up till we’ve won the cup and the scottish football league
fading away into the distance……………………………
🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵🎵
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK0RnPPvBqI
He was offered the job in the showers – that’s gotta make it into a GB song!
And back to the league!!
My birth was marred by being at the same time as England won the world cup, but blessed by being the end of Celtics first season in the nine in a row. As a child I never knew anything else but us winning the league. It was a total shock to me when it came to an end.
To be truthful I don’t remember much about individual games back then, my memories are more about the old man getting me a new strip, or one of those key rings with a wee pull out book of the Lisbon lions. I remember getting a seven in a row flag which I still have to this day and a wee enamel badge that said the same.
Finishing my coffee just now, looking out at the sunny day with a tingle in my 53 year old stomach. Few pre match pints the off to paradise. Thanks to my long gone old man for putting the green and white into my blood.
QF
3 hours till kick off and pleased to let you know that we have our first CQN Coupon of the season –
> Jobo – Ross Co
> Gerrtfaethebrig – Blackburn
> Pogmathonyahun – Millwall
> Awalkacrosstheooftops – Bradford
> The Exiled Tim – Doncaster
> Bobby Murdochs Curled Up Winkelpickers – Peterborough
> Lennybhoy – Stoke
Burnley 78, thank God for some common sense and positivity .
Hail Hail