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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Bobby……
Good spot! Although, as you say, there is something quite fitting about that ‘error’ ;). Yes, I’ll spell check myself from now on!! …… Snobs!! Ha ha
Re ledt sided player-I know NL was asking about Tom Ince in the summer, going back to Liverpool for £6 mil now…..
lionroars67
09:19 on 2 January, 2013
ernie lynch
09:05 on
2 January, 2013
‘You using a story to have a cheap shot at the SNP…………surely not’
Hardly.
I pointed out on here when the proposal was first announced that it was no more than a transparently cynical move by the SNP to ingratiate themselves with the Irish Catholic immigrant community and the whole ‘joint memorial’ and ‘two communities united’ guff was revisionist nonsense.
It’s good to see their manipulative, self serving agenda is being challenged.
Gary Mackay Steven
Andrew Driver
Ryan Fraser
Three left wingers who would add something to our squad and give us an option wide left, especially Mackay Steven.
Kayal33
You’ve never been a fan of Paddy, so not surprised you want to see him gone. I think Neil knows his qualities and is happy to have him as a player who has his weaknesses but is a useful member of the squad. He outshone every member of the team on Wednesday.
Izzy? He is on a sticky wicket. Matthews, although a RB, has looked better than him at LB this season. As I said, LB or LM is good thinking from the management. My favourite performances in the SPL this season have been v St Mirren (5-0 and 2-0), then Kilmarnock 3-1, although the Motherwell game was an excellent game. Overall best game for me – Spartak Moscow at home, with Commons and Samaras were at the top of their game.
Lustig is becoming this year’s Ki Sung Yong – a very player, but we lose or draw a suspiciously high amount of games when he starts.
PF AYR
And there you have it-UP OVER GOAL suggests an adventurous,attacking formation,and you point out the obvious flaw.
We would get kicked off the park!
Should Neil go with that line-up,and we got kicked off the park-and,as a result,don’t win-he would get crucified on here and elsewhere.
TACTICAL NAIVETY!!!!!!!
WE ALL KNOW WHAT THEM MOTHERS DO!!!!!!!!!!
Meet them man-for-man,win our battles-but take the flair outa the side-and people will be moaning about being blinkin’ bored.
Quite rightly too.
It’s not easy being a Celtic manager when you have to win,and you also have to entertain.
My Dad lived through the barren years-he believes in the win-at-all-costs mentality,and I cannot blame him for that.
I’m a child of the sixties,the late years of the Lions,the Quality Street Kids,the renaissance under Billy McNeil,and the marvellous team that Davie Hay assembled.
Watching them was a joy. Watching us HAVING to face down teams nowadays,not so much.
But it’s still EVERYTHING………..
up_over_goal
11:38 on 2 January, 2013
Was a fan of Paddy but he’s done nothing in 2 years. I now just see him as a barrier to youngsters, like McGeouch for example, getting a chance.
Highly temperamental and sexed Huberta &
COATBRIDGE PAPER BHOY
Welcome aboard
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS 11:23 on 2 January, 2013
I get to Cardiff occasionally as well. Good place. I’ve watched a few matched in Dempsey’s.
mcstays-ma-hero
Same to you Welcome aboard
stillcatchingupcsc
https://twitter.com/LarssonStatue/status/286428859258257408/photo/1/large
Kayal33
With a total playing time of 340 mins, he’s hardly been a barrier. With one assist, he equals Kayal this season, although your namesake has racked up 1250 mins to achieve it.
PFayr – Sevco are in a dark place, however they remain the second biggest draw in scotland. In the long term view, the worst thing that can happen for the money-orientated is that the sevco support lose their interest, dry up, and go and find another passtime. Anyone who wants to make money out of scottish football are generally of the opinion that they need sevco playing in the top division with a strong support, they need to keep the support happy, and they need to maintain their interest. Hence the blanket coverage.
This includes the SFA, the SPL, the media, broadcasters, and yes, probably the Celtic boardroom. Though they thankfully appear to be maintaining a very neutral stance, not taking any action which overtly supports or otherwise the sevco phoenix.
I wouldn’t worry unduly though, there’s a long way to go and many dark years to suffer before we see them back anywhere near the top. The sevco support is currently being carried by a strong feeling of righteous indignation which is maintaining the passion and regularly filling grounds. This won’t sustain the support for 3 or more years of painful progress at rain sodden pitches in front of sub 1000 crowds.
As an indicator, look to how many SPL players take the plunge to div3 (or div2) this summer on a free transfer. I’ll guarantee more will turn them down this time around, as the ability to convince themselves that they are actually ‘rangers’ who played in the SPL, world record title holders, grows ever more difficult to grasp.
….PFayr 11:22 on 2 January, 2013
“Ibrahim….another failed trialist…
“Have we had any success on this front ?”
Not sure why you consider him to be a failure. He was unable to break into the strongest part of our team. No shame in that.
Good luck to the boy.
McSTAY’S MA HERO
No need,bud.
Some people will call you a hun as initiation-you ventured into the darkside with your first post during moonhowler hours,so I just hit you with moonhowler pedantry.
We are very much a different breed-I would offer you Associate Membership,but the last fella ran away…..
But I have to say,it was a belter-had I written it,I would have claimed it was deliberate!
Keep posting,mate-we can compare notes about Peter Grant,whom I saw make his debut with a crunching tackle against the huns at Ibrox.
I waited his whole career for another one…………
I see the ole Hidden Persuaders have come out into the open. Desperation, I imagine. I am referring in particular to today’s front page of the Herald. Headline:O.. F… Trying to equate the task of a deid team fae Govan, somehow plying their trade in the lowest tier of Scottish Football, with that of the leaders of the SPL. Beyond parody. (Oh, by the bye, I didn’t buy the rag, that used to be a good newspaper: it was being given away free in the local bookies and there were very few takers, by the looks of things.)
Beram Kayal is a legend in his own mind.
He is a
Lustig is up there with FF for POTY IMO
Ibrahim at Kilmarnock may have the benefit of playing against teams not putting the boot in and playing defensively. :-)
Buona fortuna!
up_over_goal
11:45 on 2 January, 2013
That’s 340 mins someone else, someone who may have a future as a first team player, could have been playing. ;-)
That 340 mins also includes our two home defeats this season!
Kayal has been poor this season but has improved recently, still not back to his first season best though.
Steinreignedsupreme
Surely he wasn’t signed to provide him with employment for 12 months and for him not to make any meaningful contribution during that period
It may not have any slight on him not to make it into our team ….however if that’s not a failure then I struggle to work out what is
Steinreignedsupreme
Pfayr
Been to quite a few development squad games, he played very well in all the games I attended, surprised he didn’t get a few more starts but I believe his core fitness wasn’t up to it, shame but good luck to him at Killie, think he will be a good signing for them.
Re left side mid, Johnny Russell all day long……
PARKHEADCUMSALFORD
Very few people in your part of Ayrshire can read………..
Player who I had great hopes for.
Over the past 18 months , he has been injury prone .
This has affected his performances.
He has also been very poor since be rewarded for his earlier Celtic performances with a bumper new contract.
Personally , my support for him as an individual is diluting.
He thinks he is better than he is.
Time for him to resurrect the form and attitude that he brought to the team in his first season.
A67
Bobby Russell Would that be the loughswilly pub between Boden ST and London Rd or Bonners pub in Arrol Place. also im sure Adams had a big scrap yard in the railway yards .were part of the Velodrome stands now .also good luck to Ibrahim on his move to Killie.like a lot of youngsters face didnt fit or didnt get a chance,yet he plays 2 ticking time bombs,like Rogne a
Kayal33
Whatever you think of players, it’s important to keep an open mind. I’ll admit I’m not a fan of Kayal, and wish Celtic could afford to play with more flair in the side. At the same time, if he plays well, I will recognise it, e.g. v St Mirren.
Of the players who have started more than 10 games, Paddy still has the best points ratio – 35 of 39 collected. If you’re going to blame Paddy for a defeat where he’s been brought on in the 79th minute you have lost your reason.
Paddy has had one bad game this season. Watch the Hibs game again. He had 10 meaningful contributions in the short time he was on. I challenge you to find one thing he did wrong. The way he caught up with Maybury and the tackle – expertly done. Had Kayal tried that, it’s a certain yellow all the way.
Kayal has NOT improved recently. His last 3 games have been mediocre at best. Can’t shoot for toffee, can’t pass, can’t dribble. Can tackle, can harry – that’s it.
If he plays today and plays well, great, but he hasn’t earned a start imo.
STEINREIGNEDSUPREME
If you’re down for a Saturday,let me know please.
Be a pleasure to meet up!
If it’s not a Saturday,give me a fortnight’s notice and I’ll book a day off.
And mibbe another day to recover.
Left click…. Thanks for the welcome!
Bobby….. Peter Grant…..now that’s a subject all of its own!
Time to go……Paradise awaits!!
Wrap up warm for the footie today me thinks.
Looking forward to the game, hopefully a decent crowd to get it right intae these Murderwell shysters.
Kayal and Wanyama in centre midfield today to combat the hammer throwers.
Mon the Hoops!
RobinBhoy
heading down to KSC to meet a couple of buses, one from south and one from north..
Blantyre is green and white
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=rHx3L7tv5X4
I was just about to set the recorder for the live match on Alba today but Ross Co v ICT has been called off!
Partick Thistle and Falkirk matches also cancelled.
Andrew67
Who you abusing?:-))
….PFayr 11:58 on 2 January, 2013
“Surely he wasn’t signed to provide him with employment for 12 months and for him not to make any meaningful contribution during that period”
That’s stating the obvious is it not? Clearly he was signed because, like every other signing (just as it is at every football club) he was brought in on the basis he could do something.
It didn’t work out because we are particularly strong in the area of the team. He was no more of a gamble that Ambrose, Kayal or Wanyama – three out of four is a brilliant return. Why focus on the negative?
Who would you have dropped from our midfield to give him a run in the team?
PF
Kayal…he isn’t wrong either…
….pfayr 11:20
Perplexed?
This is zombieland, they will show that mob because that is what the country wants. Showing us reminds them how far they have fallen and we cant be having that!
Steinreignedsupreme
No one therefore he was a failure …or do you consider him a success if so why ?
Can I make it clear I wish the lad no ill, in fact the opposite
Also my comment was based upon the ” trialist” system as a whole
BT
Ah HT’s favourite :-))