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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bankiebhoy
The Hootsman have the enigmatic T English working for them ..enough said
it is however marginally better than The Herald ..which is just Hun news …
a bit of a Hobson`s choice between both
like being asked to chose between a kick in the knackers or the heid
….PFayr says:
1 January, 2012 at 11:52
In the real world the bidding will most probably start at 4 and finish at around 6M. As we all know the press will report this in euros, yen, lira or whatever currency makes it look more, they may even add the saved wages in order to report it as a saving of over 10M….
Wishing CQN and everyone a happy, peaceful and prosperous New year
….PFayr says:
1 January, 2012 at 11:52
apart from the Scottish media and the huns …does anyone else consider that they`ll get anymore than £6m for Jelavic
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________Not sure if he is wanted by anyone in the EPL, Roy Hogdson didn’t seem too interested at 6 million. If he stays i believe they will not sign anyone else that is art from a couple of bosmans maybe
choose even
PF
Re Jelly.
Surely to god every commercial agent, even the wee “Bay City Roller” throwback realises that they NEED money.
So who is going to pay top dollar for him? Big Eck perhaps……!? But then what has he done to raise the asking price? he’s scored a few penalties and is decent but I’d be surprised if they got their own money back on him.
Of course I’m not factoring in the scottish “marketing campaign” where the message will be belted out that he’s a 9/10 million (zlotties) player.
HH
A very happy new year to all of my celtic friends and others who either read or contribute to this fine site.
A special mention to Paul who has expanded the mediums to include video and the brilliant CQN magazine. If we were to write a “State of the blog report 2012” it would surely highlight the tremendous progress and success of the Celtic Quick News community. [I have resisted using the term brand :-)
Lubo.
maccargo says:
1 January, 2012 at 11:45
Did the Post bother to elaborate on why CW would take a 1.5m hit just to get the fee up front .
If all is rosy over Govan way why does he need the fee up front ,could there be a little cash flow problem .
I wonder how low CW can afford to go for the up front fee .
hail hail
happy birthday Blantyrekev…..
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 10:54
excellent , more power to your keyboard. I have a few freinds who have been forced into administration, the one thing that is gauranteed is that things are never the same as before.
Crdit lines are tightened and all business relationships are renegotiated.
My glass of chilled fino is tasting better by the minute.
HH
Bliadhna Mhath Ur don a h-uile duine
TBhoy
:0)
CraigyBhoy88 Craig Ewing
In recognition of Celtic finishing 2011 top of the league, the 2 Chinese pandas have been renamed Jo Led Lee and Wan Nil Win.
fergus slayed the blues says:
1 January, 2012 at 12:05
Alas that was all that was available online…..
maccargo,
So is that a a case of managing expectations downwards or another example of Whyte needing cash now?
Jelavic came for £4M or so and really hasn’t done anything stunning since. OK he has a decent return against poor sides, aided by a fair few penalties. But he hasn’t shown anything in Europe or at international level and his performance in the derby won’t have enhanced his reputation any.
Happy Birthday to Blantyre Kev!
When he grows up he will be a fine figure of a man!
Anyone care to guess what his stated handicap will be this year?
Gordon_J backing Neil Lennon says:
1 January, 2012 at 12:19
Both I believe. On thing is for sure, whatever amount he goes for will not be the figure bolded and highlighted on most papers the next morning.
Mac
May I wish all Tims out there, a very healthy happy New Year and may we taste success this season as well. That would be brilliant. Remember, nothing succeeds better than a budgie with no teeth.
All the best to one and all, wherever you may be and here’s to a big result against brother Yorkston’s mob tomorrow.
Hail Hail
KINGLuBO
Morning and HNY to all.
That Rangers might be prepared to take a massive (15% or so ) discount on a transfer fee for Jelavic says HUGE things about their financial position.
Most significantly it raises the key issues of whether they can trade their way out of their current position and more significantly about their ongoing solvency. One of the reasons , perhaps , why their accounts are so late and no AGM called.
While the tax case loss would blow them out of the water it seems to be that the case itself is throwing a smokescreen over their general trading position.
Rumours abound that they are not paying suppliers etc and unless Whyte is stockpiling the cash which would otherwise be used to pay their debts as they fall due the directors are running a serious risk of trading while insolvent. A practice which could render them personally liable for the Companies debts and open to action to have them disqualified as Directors. Mr. Whytes past would suggest that the DTI aren’t likely to take a lenient view of any such trading on his part.
I have suspected for a long time that the spectre of trading while insolvent is why so many of their former Directors bolted so early. Perhaps they had less faith in the valuations of the assets on which their “solvency ” is based than the accounts suggested.
AS BRTH points out in the last page an administrators job is to trade the company back to profitability. To nurse an ailing patient back to health.
There are times though , whether the patient is DOA at the Administrator or doesnt respond to treatment on the Administrators treatment table, that you have to pronounce the patient dead.
Who knows how 2012 will pan out for them . I don’t think anyone does. There are too many variables.
At the very least its likely to be fun to watch.
Happy Birthday Blantyrekev.
Was trying to find the youtube video of the wembley fives tourney a few years ago. Would love a repeat of that.
Have a great day.
Lubo.
Happy New Year to one and all from a very sunny Stonehaven!
Happy new year Paul67 & all CQNers.
Hail Hail
Happy New Year to one and all.
I picked up an interesting wee snippet from, of all places, the Mass Bulletin, this morning.
I guess it was aimed at those of us who over indulged this past week.
It said, ” It’s not what you did between Christmas and New Year that causes the damage, but what you do between New Year and Christmas!”.
I thought it was quite clever, anyway.
So, take care of yourselves in 2012. ( almost a wee rhyme).
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000 says:
1 January, 2012 at 10:54
Brilliant post.
Paul, Happy New Year to you and all of my fellow Tims on this very fine site! Keeps me going here in SW Germany.
Championees2012CSC
Happy New Year to all……….!!!!!!!!!!!!
Been reading back…….If they go into administration, will the taxman lose out, since they are not a secured creditor…..?
Happy new year Ghuys,,,hope we all have a gr8 2012!!
Hail hail
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000
I enjoyed reading ur post about my Grans cousin Malky Macdonald.
Hail Hail
Just watching WBA against Everton – I think I would rather have a hangover – it would be less painful
A very happy new year to all of you (yes even you Notthebus).
I largely agree with Paul but as always the dark cloud on the horizon remains our Board’s utter lack of ambition – until that it dealt with we are always in danger of throwing away a winning hand.
G’day Celts que pasa?
Sober as a judge today as I never had a drink last night, I was practising as I’m off the bevvy for the month of January, the pubs in and around Blackpool will be taking a big hit :¬)
Estadio enjoy the NY’s day lunch with the family, stick with the weans and partake in a bit o craic with them, it’ll be more fun shun!
Vinny
HH
Jhilday
At that price for a new laptop with a years warranty you should be fine. Hope you can watch and listen to many hoops victories through it
Stairheed
:0)…Would you want this Tumshie in charge of YOUR Club?…:0)
Afternoon Bhoys
Happy new year to u all and here is to a championship winning one
Hail Hail
thecat says:
1 January, 2012 at 12:51
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Kano 1000
I enjoyed reading ur post about my Grans cousin Malky Macdonald.
Hail Hail
***********
My father used to rave about Malky Macdonald and how great a player he was.
I actually saw him play in an Old Crocks game, at Lochburn Park, home of Maryhill Juniors.
He was well past his playing days, of course, but my abiding memory of him is being hemmed in at the corner flag by two opponents.
With a quick shuffle of his feet, he was strolling along the goal line, with the two guys left staring at an empty corner flag.
Genius.
A happy new year to all, hope it’s a better one
Paul67, a heartfelt thank you for this blog – hope you and the family are enjoying a well-earned rest.
Now, back to current problems. Wife insnae speaking to me and am no sure why. Should I ask – again – or evade the enemy; I.e. go tae the pub?
JimmyQuinnsBits says:
best leavin her alone and go to the pub
SwanseaBhoy,
Nearly as funny as the Only An Excuse version of Whyte
Stephen B,
Good enuff for me buddy… Am off. See yous laters.