My friends in Celtic, a year ago I signed off on 2010 by saying, “I have never spoken to less confident Celtic fans ahead of a game against Rangers than I have this week”. Celtic had won only five of their previous 10 league games, seven of which were at home, but with a squad ravaged by injury, they found a formation which over several games dominated Rangers.
After three defeats and an Ibrox draw against 10-man Celtic, Walter Smith eventually got it right and beat Celtic at Hampden. The league challenge floundered in a scrappy defeat at Inverness, the home team fought for everything and found some vulnerabilities in Celtic but the season ended on a high with the first trophy of the Neil Lennon era as the Scottish Cup was won at rain-soaked Hampden against Motherwell.
Neil Lennon, Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn all had to deal with more serious events than football in the first half of the year. Bombs and bullets were sent to Celtic’s three Irish stars, prosecutions are pending. These events put Scotland on the international news circuit in a very unwelcome light. First Minister, Alex Salmond, promised to take action but instead of tackling a century-old anti-Catholic, anti-Irish tradition, his government passed a law which criminalised all sorts of non-sectarian, non-racist activity.
Despite this initiative taking on flagship status for the Scottish Government, Salmond has steadfastly refused to re-gather and publish information on sectarian attacks in recent years. Policy has been made without reference to facts.
The new season brought great promise. Neil Lennon had a year under his belt and was no longer up against Rangers’ most successful manager, instead he would face rookie Ally McCoist, but a humbling by Sion, ultimately neutralised by Uefa, and poor early season league form saw the manager consider his position.
A home defeat to St Johnstone and an utter collapse at Ibrox set the tone, but it was Kilmarnock’s three goal lead which caused Neil Lennon most concern. The story of the second half comeback at Rugby Park is likely to take on legendary status in years to come, but as with much in life, it contained prosaic events. Celtic came out of the dressing room like a condemned team and failed to register a genuine attempt on the Kilmarnock goal for 25 minutes. Anthony Stokes struck a free kick which would have been stopped by most defensive walls but the Kilmarnock version was made of butter and Celtic had a platform to stage a comeback. Killie’s reserve keeper, Jaakkola, failed to reach Anthony’s shot a few minutes later and Celtic were level six minutes after they realised they had a game of football to play.
In their next game Celtic failed to score at home to then-bottom Hibernian, allowing Rangers to open up a 15 point gap over their rivals, who by then were in third place, although with two games in hand over Rangers. Celtic then went to Motherwell and promptly fell behind, our season hung by a thread, but it was that guy Stokes who again had the stomach for the fight. Anthony equalised within minutes and Gary Hooper scored a late winner.
Celtic have not dropped a point since, while Ally McCoist and his boss, Craig Whyte, now look like the rookies they are. They have lost three of their last six games, completing a collapse at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.
A year ago I reflected on the 46 players who played for Celtic during 2010 and suggested we would be better starting with a blank sheet of paper. The league challenge ended in failure but 2011 didn’t. This year ends with a coherent team strategy which could deliver the first sustainable and successful Celtic team in 40 years. We have a young squad, on wages the club can afford, with a scouting and management team that have delivered a clutch of players destined to achieve an enormous amount in the game.
Despite the energy and excitement around Celtic Park, attendances are down. Football is not as fashionable as it was three or four years ago. For much of the season, we play in a cold, wet, environment against well-organised but defensive teams; it’s a hard sell. We all know fans who have drifted from the stands, large areas of the stadium are now scarcely populated unless Rangers are visiting, which will impact income and subsequent expenditure.
Still, the shambles of 2010 has gone, Celtic look like a club with purpose and the tools to move forward with confidence. A two point lead at this stage of the season is largely symbolic but it’s a deserved honour that your team deserves.
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I promised myself that no matter the time or the state of sobriety that I would post tonight.
As the clock struck 12 my mum, my sister and I had our own wee huddle for my da.
This post is to thank a few decent Bhoys who took time to text/email me around a very difficult time. BT, MWD, Bundoran Bhoy, Lennybhoy and especially bjmac. The goodness of the Celtic family shines through in men like you, be proud of who and what you are and have become.
A thank you also to Kit and Estadio who’s posts on CQN brought tears of pride to my eyes.
Finally, wee Mick I’m proud to have you as my friend for the past 20 odd years thank you.
Happy New Year Paul and all on CQN from The Singapore CSC. ( Singtims).
Tell all the huns you know…..
hamiltontim says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:07
I ‘m a gambler by nature mate,
I bet your Mother is very proud of you?
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:07
Hey, Sit down. I cannae see the game!!! :-)
CRC
hamiltontim
All the best to you and yours buddy.
MWD Make mine a treble.
PS. Hawd those memories tight and never let time fade them.
My fourteen month old wee yin isnae well. Pour wee soul has all sorts of minor ailments of the coughs and colds stable.
Hence her and her faither are currently watching In The Night Garden. Instead of catching z’s.
However….
She Has just bent down to pick up her teddy, farted, smiled, looked at me and went ooooooooooohh!
Happy new year indeed. Utterly brilliant!
Hamilton Tim
Myself n Four Green Fields are thinking of you n your family at this time
MWD n CRC all the best bhoys for 2012
Paul67 n the rest of CQN all the best n hail hail
CRC
I’m standing up very much diiking theHUNS and if you dining like it yae can lump it.
MWD :-))
hamiltontim says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:07
Good to catch up with you for a few beers the other nite. I hope 2012 brings you and your family many fond memories of your Dad and a wee championship for the Bhoys
HH
CRC
Moonbeams WD. Kano 1000 \o/ Supporting Neil Lennon 100%. says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:16
Aye ye need to join Fat Bhoys Slim 3, even when you sit down I cannae see? :-)
HH
CRC
All, sorry to rip the back passage oot of it but I just tweeted Paul67 a pic of wee Oscar getting blood tonight in the hope he will re tweet and it might help encourage more to sign up!
Well, here’s the link which I hope works? It’s the first time I’ve ever tweeted a pic so I’m kinda testing the water here as much as anything else…
http://lockerz.com/s/170405637
Hail Hail
Knoxy
I don’t want to go down the road of naming individuals – all the very best to you all, good night!
MWD …you too!
This may have been posted before..Keevins ..
hun fart in a trance
If dear old Lenny wins the league this season Celtic supporters should rub their noses in it big time like puppies who just shat in the living room
Knoxy2000
I promise to start giving blood again this year n Oscar n all of you are in my prayers
Hail hail
p.s. that’s a re-run of the 1967 european cup final he’s watching there!
;-)
knoxy2000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:23
What hospital is Oscar in mate?
Paddy
It was thoughts of your posts that I recommended Jersey in the aftermath, she loved it so thank you.
MWD
You were someone that I asked to do a special thing. As it turned out I couldn’t let anyone see it but its a measure of what you are that I asked you in the first place. Thank you.
Bundoran
What can I say. I’d never met you until Thursday night yet I felt like I was going to meet a brother. You have a special gift a warming gift and its something that as a 20 year old man (cough cough) that I’ve only seen evident in Tims. Be very proud of yourself.
Right I need to head back to a middle class party in middle England but tomorrow I’ll be visiting the auld yin and I hope you’ll indulge me for a few moments upon my return.
Hamilton Tim
Was a pleasure meeting you, glad my words could help even in a small way
Hail hail
Bundoran Bhoy, good man!
Paddy G, Belfast children’s hospital (incidentally the only children’s hospital in the ‘UK’ without an MRI scanner ffs- but that’s a rant for another day!!)
Knoxy2000
isn’t anything to thank me for, it’s a small amount of my time to help
hail Hail n god bless Oscar n you all
happy new year bhoys lets hope 2012 brings some cheer to the good guys.
get our quality stirker and centre back in asap, no last minute stuff, set the tone
move on the unused players asap, cut this squad down to 21 players
hail hail
knoxy2000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:30
(incidentally the only children’s hospital in the ‘UK’ without an MRI scanner ffs- but that’s a rant for another day!!)
Count me in for £100 big pal, lets get it sorted :-)
HamiltonTim
You’ve brought a tear to my eye, mate – the first tonight! I won’t say anything else on here but be assured we will share many happy memories in the future. VMhan was posting last night about the comments on here suring the 1st half and early 2nd half of the game at Rugby Park earlier this season – it took me back to our first meeting…a friendship confirmed….
I will finish with something that will most certainly bring a smile to your face, check out my post from earlier, I’ve even linked it to make it easier ;-)
http://www.celticquicknews.co.uk/?p=7398&cpage=7#comment-1235952
hh & Hoopy New Year – it is sure to be a better one mate.
bjmac
Happy new year to Neil and his family.
Happy new year to Paul 67 and his family.
Happy new year the Celtic family world wide.
Hope it is a prosperous new year to one and all.
x x
Right bhoys back to my party with my bro Four Green Fields
all the best bhoys for 2012
Knoxy
That picture of your amazing lhaddy going through such a horrible detestable disease really knocked me for six. Anything I can do. Anything. Please give me a shout via email. You can get it from celticquicknews@gmail.com
MWD
Bundoran Bhoy – KANO 1000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:38
All the best to you and the Mellys bud :-)
Paddy G,
There actually is a fundraising page for it which I considered posting before but I am still in 2 minds whether or not to peruse this…
http://www.mriscannerappeal.org/
Yes it is a great cause and it is an essential piece of kit but why should WE be raising the money for the NHS to buy something? Where is the minister for health? I need convincing that it is a cause to put some time and effort into. Also it is a LOT of money to be raised!
Hamiltontim.
I was just hoping you didn’t want me to check the spelling and grammar.
:-)))
Totally understand buddy. Way to personal for the eyes of a Jedi.
Wish your mum a happy 2012 from me.
Hail! Hail!
MWD
Best wishes for 2012 to the best little club in the world!
Hail hail
knoxy2000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:45
It helps people like me who feel helpless to help my friends when they need me most.
Bjmac
I’m quite sceptical about people though I do try to see the good I always have done.
In a pretty shite year, you were a highlight. Killie away and how we, the Celtic support raised a club from its knees, will long live in the memory.
For Maggie
” winter kept us warm”
Going to bed now, in Glasgow for a pint on Wednesday night, god bless all..:-)
Knoxy,
Just to let you know, wee Oscar has a congregation of 1,000 plus at Fairfield Christian Church in Lancaster, Ohio praying for him every day.
MWD, looks like I’ll be in the old country sometime between Feb 11-19.
Just popped the cork on a 2007 Clos Du Bois Cabernet. A 2008 Four Graces Cabernet is breathing / ready and I will shortly raise a glass or many to all the good people I have met through CQN and to the many more I hope to meet in the future.
God Bless Neil Lennon for bringing the ” Thunder ” back to Paradise.
MWD
Thank you buddy and that’s from my ma.
Happy New Year and God bless you – one and all
Hail hail