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.
You can order a hard copy of CQN Magazine, issue 5, with credit/debit card or Paypal and buy direct from the UK for only £3.50 + £1.50 postage and packing. Shipping costs £2 to ROI, £3 to Europe and £4 to elsewhere. Click on the link below to order.
Click here to view the new issue of CQN Magazine online for free. You can support the online edition by making a discretionary donation here.
1,206 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- ...
- 32
- »
Margaret McGill says:
1 January, 2012 at 01:43
===============================================
Peggy……
Twas infinitely better than anything else on e.g RTE 1, 2 or BBC Norn Irn.
be careful what you wish for…..
Seems that BBC Alba was the best TV, by all accounts…
…ironically, some great keltic music on BBC Scotland after the Bells.
Have a great 2012 from me in Central Asia (Tajikistan).
DBB
All the best to Neil and the Bhoys for 2012
Thanks to Paul and all the regular contributors to this great Celtic site for the entertainment, information and range of opinion on all things green and White – I just can’t get enough.
My thoughts, love and best wishes to all those here who have suffered loss during 2011 or the pain and concern of ill health to themselves or loved ones. I hope 2012 brings happiness and good health.
3 points on Monday please
hail hail
Beechbhoy
MWD, thanks a lot. Really appreciate the gesture!
TimsinOhio, ditto. Oscar seems to have half the world praying for him right now :-) I’m not really a religious person myself but I respect every single person who takes time to think of him and wish him well in prayer. Who knows, it might just make the difference!
good morning bhoys and ghirls…
just home and trying to catch up…
just let it be put on record that i love everyone on here who respects my right to be a jake… o))
to the rest of you….
I’m not that bad tbh…..
God bless everyone of you…
Hail Hail and Keep the Faith..
Knoxy,
As MWD has already said, if you need anything, let us know. We are a family and you are part of the family. If we can do something to make a difference you can be damn certain we will.
Knoxy
make sure you get a hold of support groups in the area..
MacMillan to a great job and will offer any help you need…
belfast@macmillan.org.uk
great place to start…
Not been on for a while but just want to wish all on here a Happy New Year…hopefully in 2012 I will get a bit more time to contribute again to the site..
God bless the hoops..
Cheers BT! And TimsinOhio again!
Everyone on here really has been great.
Ok gonna hit the sack, there’s only so much sleeping you can do in this place with all the beep beeping going on, not to mention nurses walking in while your asleep and ‘mid scratch’ HAHAHAHAHAHA! (the wife loved that story next morning)
Goodnight all and happy new year once again!
YNWA
BT, MWD & Timsinyyz:)
Just back from the rub a dub dub…..on the tinto with my cava as a back up should i make to midnight (doubtfull).
Knoxy, as i posted a few days ago, wee oscar is in our thoughts in Toronto; there but for the grace of God; keep yer chin up amigo.
Right, where’s that cava;)
slainte
tony
knoxy
any advice you need give them a call…
Tony..
have a great time when it comes mate..
BT
BT – cheers amigo, i hope you and yours have a good 2012 and look forward to you visiting sometime:0)
To, WDH, Lennybhoy, PFayr, Bundoram bhoy, VMhan, and the intense MWD, i look forward to seeing you all in the merchant city soon.
We’re on the one road!
slainte
tony
Happy New Year fellow Tims
Onwards and upwards
Celtic always….
.
BlantyreTim..
You Spell Jake..Jakey..Ha Ha You must be Drunk..
Just opened My First beer of 2012..15hrs Late..so Happy New Year USofA..
Summa ft FeelingBetterCSC
A Happy New Year to All, especially CQNers.
Thank You Paul67 for providing this awesome platform.
2012 is going to be turbulent away from football but Celtic will, hopefully, start to bring us our most sustained period of success since Jock’s incredible feats.
I hope and I Pray that all CQNers and Celtic fans have a Peaceful New Year, especially those in troubled places.
A special Prayer that young Oscar and all kids affected by these terrible things can make a full recovery.
Onwards and most definitely Upwards.
Paul, a Happy New Year to you and all of a Celtic persuasion, may god bless you all. Thank you for a fantastic site, and a great place for us all, posters, lurkers,and ocassional posters alike to air our views, gripes and opinions, whether right or wrong.
We should all be grateful to you for opportunity to vent our views as only Celts can.
Hail Hail and god bless you all. let 2012 bring us what we wish for
id like to see ledley play left midfield when izzy
gets back, they would link well and joe could
cover emilio pushing foward. just a thought..
HAIL HAIL
forster
mathews rogne mulgrew emilio
forrest brown VW ledley
hooper sami/stokes
options a plenty Happy New BeeR
We begin 2012 where we belong……… On top.
Happy New Year to all CQN groupies, posters and lurkers.
More power to you keyboard Paul.
From the great Garden State.
Very happy new year from a dark but dry morayshire to all on cqn and in the wider Celtic community.
Particular good wishes to Paul for this fantastic addictive drug and
To those who face testing circumstances in the year ahead.
At work until 2 (that whisky wont make itself you know) then a small libation may ensue.
Let’s win the treble this year. HH
Morning All,
A very Happy New Year to one and all and in particular to Mr 67 for providing us all with this wonderful site.
Nice to see young Thomas start the New Year with some sensible comments….
THOMAS ROGNE last night revealed the Celtic squad have banned any title talk after jumping above Rangers at the SPL summit.
The Hoops moved two points clear of their bitter rivals thanks to last week’s derby win and are now favourites for the league.
But fit-again stopper Rogne, 21, won’t be talking up his side’s chances after seeing Old Firm boasts backfire in the past.
Victory against Dunfermline tomorrow would make it 10 wins on the spin for Neil Lennon’s side in the SPL.
However, Rogne said: “The title hasn’t been mentioned by the players and it won’t be – not until we play the game where we can clinch the championship.
“We need to win many more matches until we can get to that situation. It’s too early to talk about it.
“We are on a good run at the moment and want to keep it going. We want to get the 10th victory on Monday – and if we don’t do it then we have to start all over again.
“Our form has been good and the win against Rangers was important.
“But we are not getting carried away. Any talk of winning the league in January doesn’t make sense.”
The Hoops have added to their squad with the capture of Swedish international defender Mikael Lustig.
The full-back has arrived on a free from Norwegian club Rosenborg and Rogne rates the 25-year-old highly.
He said: “I have watched Mikael hundreds of times on TV and he is a very good player.
“Mikael is tall and plays at right-back or right midfield. He scores a lot of goals for someone in that position.
“I don’t know where the manager is going to play him but I suppose he is tall enough to play at centre-half.
“I just hope to stay in the team and away from any injuries.”
Mac
Some interesting points in this from the Scotsman comparing transfer negotiations amongst other things…..
Having loudly and repeatedly said that he needs to freshen up his squad, Rangers manager Ally McCoist will this morning see the transfer window open.
It is not overstating things to state that McCoist’s immediate future and that of the Ibrox club are dependent on the business Rangers do this January.
McCoist has painted himself into a corner with statements such as: “I would like to strengthen forward areas – I feel we need to get one or two in, maybe more if we could.”
Yet he is acutely aware that owner Craig Whyte is also between a rock and a hard place: “I have spoken to Craig and he knows what I would like in an ideal world, but very seldom does that happen.”
Overshadowing everything at Ibrox is the forthcoming tax tribunal decision. One scenario is that Rangers lose the case and if, at that point, Celtic are still ahead in the SPL title race, Whyte might decide that there is no point in throwing more good money after bad, and put the club into administration this season.
Rangers would be docked ten points, and the league title would almost certainly go to Parkhead. Top players would have to be sold but, with the club restructured and McCoist signing fresh new talent, the damage would not be long-lasting.
The alternative scenario is that Rangers win the tax case, Whyte settles the outstanding smaller tax debts, and McCoist and his cohorts sign a couple of inspirational players who guide Rangers to their fourth-successive championship.
In either scenario, signing players who will “animate” – McCoist’s word – the club and its supporters will be crucial over the next 31 days.
As McCoist said: “There is no doubt it is an important window for us. Only time will tell how important. I think we all need a boost. It would be good to sign people.
“There will be activity in both directions. I have been told if players leave I will get some of the money. I would hope that would allow me to buy a player that would animate the support because they need a boost as well.
“If we don’t then we just have to get on with it. I would not be throwing my toys out of the pram. We have good players here and we would get on with it.“
Given the importance of new signings, it is instructive to look at how Rangers conduct transfers and perhaps contrast their methods with their Old Firm rivals.
McCoist’s biggest relationship is with owner Craig Whyte, and they clearly set the tone. Head scout Neil Murray, his assistant John “Bomber” Brown, head of football administration Andrew Dickson and director of football Gordon Smith – a former agent, it should be remembered – all have input.
The modus operandi at Celtic is well established. Lennon and his coaches and scouts identify a player, with the manager always making the final decision on targets, and then chief executive Peter Lawwell, after consulting with the board – i.e. main shareholder Dermot Desmond rather than new chairman Ian Bankier – does the negotiations with agents, whether the deal goes through or not.
At Rangers there appears to be a different way of doing things. “Negotiations are a bit of a team effort,” said McCoist. “There is nothing set in stone. Craig has done some and there are one or two we have done ourselves. The early negotiations with Lee Wallace, for example, were done by myself and Andrew.
“Gordon is here to help me. [He] will come up to me with a list of players. He is very much a factor in helping me and the team.”
The signings by the McCoist team so far have been mixed. Wallace and Dorin Goian have undoubtedly been rewarding, but the same surely cannot be said of Juan Manuel Ortiz, Alejandro Bedoya and Matt McKay – or been-and-gone triallists Sunil Chhetri and Jele Lalpekhlua, for that matter.
In this most important month of McCoist’s fledgling managerial career, it is not just his acumen which will be tested. The whole “team” signing set-up at Ibrox will come under scrutiny. Rangers fans can only hope it is the right approach.
Happy new year to one and all. One of those waking up and touching arms and legs Im alive and in one piece moments. A well behaved laddie was I apparently lol.
Good morning, fit like? and a Happy New Year to all Celtic fans, supporters, customers and shareholders fae Turra toon.
Don’t know if Jobo will be up at this time, so the weather in Turra (not EK) is fine and dry.
Here’s to a Hoopy New Year for our team.
Curly (and she who must be obeyed)
Wishing all CQN’rs and the wider Celtic community a very happy, healthy, prosperous and champion new year.
All the best for 2012
pyfinl
Ha ha uclry
every time I see that ‘fit like’ I smile and giggle brings back so many memories of working in aberdeen
Vit r yu sparkin boot
ha ha
maccargo says:
1 January, 2012 at 07:44
Morning m8,
That will be coming from Neil, Thommo and Johan, make no mistake about that.
I don’t expect Motherwell to do a thing against them, they really are a shocking team when it comes to letting a team win.
I sense Celtic will go out on Monday and play a fantastic game against Big Jim’s fair playing team. Yorkston is a part of the establishment but the more fair minded managers we can get into this League the better it will be.
Danny Lennon and Kenny Shiels seem to me to be genuine football men who want their teams to play football the way it should be played, I hope Pat Fenlon is also a success at Hibs because we need these guys to do well rather than regurgitating the same crap managers between SPL teams.
Happy New Year
petec says:
1 January, 2012 at 08:12
Agreed, hopefully Neil is drumming into them the need to just keep on doing what they are doing. Also don’t expect anything from the Motherwell match but their next one is away to St Johnstone and that is a different matter entirely.
Let’s just keep winning though and anything they drop is a bonus!
Mac
happy new year to everyone from the “Free State of Turkiye”
Happy new year to all CQNers from a bright and dry North Ayrshire.
Thanks again for last night’s laptop advice.
Good morning to all.
Thanks to Paul67 and all the CQN posters for providing me with a ring-side seat into Celtic, from my distant vantage point in Milton Keynes CQN is a God-send
I’d like to wish everyone a happy New Year, may the new year bring you health and happiness. (A good measure of the happinness will be delivered when the Bhoys win the SPL)
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all CQN’ers a very happy, healthy & prosperous new year. The same wishes are also offered to your families & friends.
Paul67 has given us such a fantastic platform to air our views on our beautiful club, a club that brings such wonderful, mad & sometimes downright mental people together, especially on here.
Onward & upward for us all !
Hail Hail
maccargo says:
1 January, 2012 at 08:35
I can see them dropping points there and that is before their January sales. ;)
The main thing is Celtic keep on winning and although the single goal wins are every bit as crucial as multi goal wins. A resounding win on Monday would send out a message.
We have a very fired up squad of Young Men as the post by Fred.C.Dobbs last night showed.
Fred C. Dobbs says:
31 December, 2011 at 22:32 (page 8)
Sammi really is in the zone.
Paul67,
A guid New Year to you and your loved ones. My thanks as ever for this wonderful site. Long may it flourish.
CQNers and all those who have Celtic in their hearts,
May we all enjoy this coming year and may our manager and team do us proud.
Happy New Year to all CQN’ers and their loved ones.
knoxy2000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 02:23
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
——————————————————–
like the wee mhans trews ,not so sure about that top:O)
See you can’t get him away from interweb.
A lovely pic of the wee soul,all the best to him this and
every other year.
Hail hail.
Happy New Year to all on CQN.
Hail Hail
Why was Caldwell doing the ‘Broony’
for that penalty,big diddy?