My friends in Celtic, pause for a few moments and peruse your domain. On the field of play your favourites matured into accomplished football players. 2011 ended with an acclaimed Joe Ledley header confirming what we already knew, Celtic were the best team in the land.
Despite ‘losing’ the previous three league titles Celtic held firm in the January transfer window; a difficult decision. We needed to win the league – at any credible cost – but without jeopardising the financial stability of the club. More than sporting form was under debate on these pages at the turn of the year, continents were shifting.
Since 2004 readers of Celtic Quick News have read the gospel of financial responsibility. Bills need to be paid, debt cannot be allowed to rise year after year without enormous consequences. Back then we asserted that Rangers would crash and burn. By 2008 we predicted they were on course to go out of business. This message was not always welcome among our own. It was mocked by some, who demanded ever-higher spending to match the Murray Millions, but on 1 January 2012 there was scarcely a Celtic fan alive who didn’t think Rangers were going out of business. It was only a question of when.
When the crash was confirmed, on St Valentine’s Day, Scottish football embarked on a remarkable period of soul-searching. Rangers last owner, Craig Whyte, had a plan, which we explained in some detail in 2011. Whyte subsequently revealed he met with SPL directors, Neil Doncaster and Ralph Topping in October 2011, told them the likelihood that Rangers would go into liquidation, and asked them to back a plan to catapult a Newco-Rangers into the SPL.
The plan was nonsense. Whyte should have been sent away with told to pay his bills but Doncaster was oceans out of his depth. A fait-accompli would be presented to the SPL clubs, vote to change the rules and elect a Newco into the top flight, or deal with “Armageddon”.
Football eventually did the right thing, as many, perhaps most, Rangers fans wanted all along, but hundreds of scribes attached themselves to Whyte’s Cunning Plan, which was presented as a bastion of responsibility, not the work of deception it was. The fight-back started on these pages. Soon it encompassed fans of every club in Scotland and the SPL clubs have no choice but to stick with the established rules.
Rangers creditors voted against a CVA and liquidators were appointed. Pop, and they were gone! Football fans of every colour, who has endured defeat to Rangers but still asserted that expenditure must be limited to income, enjoyed three seconds of glory as they turned to the bling-addicts beside them and said, “Told you”.
A man from Yorkshire with a group of partially-known investors nipped in ahead of various groups of Rangers fans to secure the assets of the club. Evidence suggests he believed the club would achieve a CVA (the assertion that “the history, the tradition, everything that’s great about this club is swept aside” if they were to be liquidated confirms this), but he bid more than any group of Rangers fans for the liquidated assets so ended up with an opportunity to issue himself with 5 million shares worth 70p each a few months later. Beautiful.
We’re on our own.
Celtic began as the solitary voice at SPL meetings speaking against Whyte’s plan. They were not responsible for the demise of Rangers, but let the record show, when the moment of reckoning arrived, the Celtic board liquidated the Old Firm.
On the field of play we were a well-oiled machine. Our first league title in four seasons arrived with consummate ease. Kilmarnock showed what a well-drilled team could do in the League Cup final, with a little help from a last minute blind-spot when Anthony Stokes had his legs whipped from him in the box, but let’s be generous, you know it, I know it, we would have missed the penalty anyway.
Last minute Hampden penalty decisions would crop up again in the Scottish Cup, when the whole Deliberate Handball rule was cast asunder, but refereeing is always been an emerging art in these parts.
The new season, our first ever as the only superpower in the Scottish game, held one major challenge – qualify for the Champions League. Four wins in four qualifying games was better than expected, so the team who were slapped by Sion, attacked by Atletico and usurped by Udinese a year earlier, were in the Champions League.
Be generous to those who dismissed our chances. One poor guy writing the ITVFootball tweets wrote “Bye bye Celtic” on the day we were drawn against Spartak Moscow, Benfica and Barcelona. Based on the evidence available, it was a fair call.
It is nothing short of fantastic, in the literal sense, that we qualified out of that group. Even now, halfway through the season, Barcelona have lost only one competitive game, when Victor Wanyama, Tony Watt and their pals ripped up the form book. It took Barca until the 93rd minute to secure a win over Celtic in the Camp Nou, or they would have three competitive draws on their record for this season, one to Real Madrid in the league, and a meaningless draw against Benfica being the only two.
I honestly thing we have overachieved in Europe this season. Neil Lennon and his players got everything right. The corner and free kicks from Charlie were immense. No one in Europe does better (some supporting evidence here). Forget the more fancied thoroughbreds, Charlie Mulgrew is our Moneyball player, a team full of them and we’ll win the Big Cup.
Victor’s leap and Tony’s finish will be replayed in our minds for years. Despite leaving ample hints, the DVD didn’t materialise at Christmas. Georgios has scored in all of our five European away games, a record.
Expectations will rise as a result of these achievements but we got so many things absolutely right in this Champions League campaign the odds against doing so again next season are high. Celtic will need to start preparing for next season’s Champions League now if they are to have any chance of remaining in the tournament next Hogmanay. If we were operating at 90% capacity we would have finished bottom with one or two points. As for Juventus, bring them on.
These end-of-year reports are often a lot less encouraging. 2010 was far from easy reading, the distance we have travelled since 2010’s is incredible. Celtic end 2012 as one of the most admired clubs in the European game. We develop great players, compete against the best better than anyone else, and have a sense of purpose which will never be extinguished.
Take care and may 2013 bring you all that you hope for.
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paul 67.i think you are in a bit of bother.never mind you left out VOGUEPUNTER you left out JUNGLEJIM,now when he gets in and starts reading back.hhhhhhhhmmmmmm
Aye and whit aboot me Paul, you inna HUFF.
Awerabest PJ
celtic bhoy
Especially those of you who are on your own or those who have lost loved ones, hopefully the memories will sustain you.
———–
Well said a special thought at this time to those who have lost loved ones
VP-Jools is the mhan,a regular guest on Hogmanay.Mrs Bing oot to Vogue, never been a fan of this night.hh
Everyone, have a great new year wherever you are.
Paul, thanks for this wonderful site, not a day goes past when I don’t read CQN! Have a champion new year!
SffS
Right, shower time then off out to a party. A happy new year to all CQN’s and your families I hope 2013 is as exciting as 2012 was.
Papa john-hope you are well ,have a good new year.HH
Paul67
Big congrats on 2012. Good work all round buddy. Like JJ I prefer to leave new year wishes until New Years so see you then.
Hail! Hail!
MWD
Paul 67
Thanks for the great blog & keep up the good work telling it as it is.
to all CQN readers hope the new year brings you everything that you hope for .
Paul 67
Thanks for the work you have put into this terrific blog.
A happy & healthy new year to you and all on CQN. HH.
taggsy
Please don’t make it first week in August.
MWD
Paul67:
Not had much time of late to get on the blog, a relief to you and some I suppose. However, I cannot let the year pass without recording my thanks to you for bringing an informative forum on all things Celtic and some things non-Celtic e.g. the demise of oldco. I smelled the liquid from St. Hunus Day, it just got stronger and stronger until it drowned me…:)
I wish you and the Family a peaceful 2013 and that your team wins the league…again!
To my many fellow bloggers and especially to those that I have had the pleasure to meet, drink and been merry with, I wish you all Athbhliain faoi mhaise dhuit. There are too many to mention for fear of missing somebody. However, Johann Murdoch, thanks again for allowing me to attend an enjoyable evening at CP, I will for ever be in your debt.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
TimsinOhio get well soon buddy. Hope Laura is runnin hand and foot after you. ;-)
Johann Murdoch – didn’t realise you were coming along buddy. See these real names. I get awe mixed up. You booked your Girvan & Belfast accommodation? Looking forward to it buddy.
MWD
Paul 67 and family and all CQNers,
A Very Happy and Healthy New Year to all.
Thanks for keeping me up late on soooo many nights to read all of the most interesting, informed and compelling posts. It would be unfair of me to specify which ones I enjoyed most, and there were many,but I do look forward to another year with a great many highlights in our Celtic world
Supersutton,
Are you starting your corner count from zero or do you count per season?
A snow covered, cold, zombie free Cape Cod CSC.
Evening Bhoys & Ghirls.
Hope u have a good final night of 2012 and enjoy 2013 and the further downfall of the compliant media.
I will raise a glass to you all when the time comes.
HH
CRC
CRC, enjoy your evening, my wish for 2013 would be a journalist worthy of the name in the Scottish sports media. In other words a fair media who scrutinised everything, not what we have. Otherwise agree, another downfall, maybe two!!
Evening folks.
May I wish all of you a happy a prosperous new year. Many thanks to Paul67 for this excellent site. I have spent many happy hours (mostly lurking) on this fine blog.
Also very many thanks to all of the regular contributors to the blog who freely pass on their thoughts and knowledge to make the site such an enjoyable and interesting place to frequent.
HH
Dan
Off to get ready for the Bells, so just to wish EVERYONE a very Happy New Year …. Except the bhuns, since they are adamant it is not a new year, merely a continuation of the old one …..!!!
CNQers, Paul and Celtic fans across the world, all the very best for 2013. For me
2012 will be hard to beat, unless we are 3-0 up in injury time come 25th May.
I raise a glass to you all
With any luck Only an Excuse should be good for a laugh tonight, sure is plenty of material to choose from.
TET
Should be a Sevco special!
Sorry for introducing a sad note but would as many as can say a small wee prayer for Tommy Fitzgerald, Clonmel. Tipperary. Tommy was killed in a tragic accident a couple of days ago, he was the most fanatical Celtic Supporter I ever met. He was known far & wide all around this area as Tommy Celtic. He was laid out tonight in the Hoops, Funeral Home decorated with Celtic scarves and tri-colours etc. Knowing the lad he would appreciate being remembered by some of the wider Celtic Family, thanking ye all in anticipation.
corkcelt
I will raise a glass to Tommy Celtic tonight.
RIP Tommy Celtic
Condolences to all who feel your loss.
MWD
corkcelt 22:03:
Tonight I will remember Tommy Fitzgerald from Clonmel, may God Bless his Soul.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
RIP Tommy Celtic
Doc
Should be, hopefully it’s funny, and with any luck, chuck will be demanding an apologie, you can bet your last penny that he won’t ask Celtic for one.
…………………………………………..
corkcelt
Will do.
HH
Never mind all this new year nonsense
transfer windae will soon be open.
RIP Tommy
Happy New year to all bolggers and lurkers alike.
I’m working tonight behind the bar at the Celtic club:) private function so i’m not sure what to expect. Fingers crossed for a few well oiled slappers:0).
Are bartenders allowed tae drink when they are workin???? Anyhoo i’m no a real bartender so full speed ahead i say.
slainte
tony
TET, He won’t take Celtic on, youre right, he’d loose and he knows it.
Hope the Only an Excuse Team rip into them, as many have said, they are comedy gold.
Corkcelt-Tommy Celtic HH.
Glass raised for Tommy, may he rest in peace.
slainte
tony
Torontony 22:12:
Happy New Year to you and yours mate…your allowed to drink, tis a special time, real Barman or not…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
A very happy new year to Tims worldwide. 2012 was a great year for the Celtic, but it was just a warm up for 2013
CORKCELT.god bless TOMMY CELTIC.i call my son CELTIC EDDIE.
BIGJIE.if you are still about can you do the biss with “only an excuse” and post it tomorrow for all us ENGLANDERS.
Tommy Celtic,
Rest in Peace, will think of you and many others at midnight tonight
RIP Tommy Fitzgerald from Clonmel