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.
Have you ordered your CQN Annual yet? Get it here!
1,546 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- ...
- 41
- »
MWD we better not remove it. Its really well done their media guy is not happy
Thindime
Photoshop can’t even help.
Great read on CQ
.
I think the Reference to the Last ‘Derby’ Not Old Firm Game is Very Significant ..
Summa
Summa of Sammi
I think the word ‘ever’ is more significant.
Hail Hail!
Love it when Andrew Dickson makes a complete tit of himself on twitter, he just can’t help himself. Same with Tom Miller.
Tony Hamilton must have a right old laugh at them.
corkcelt
17:43 on 31 December, 2012
Still laughing at that one, hilarious!
mickbhoy1888
17:35 on
31 December, 2012
That would be the ideal scenario, but it would allow the LL / SFA to drive their agenda through. I feel we need resist them at every stage, highlighting and challenging their every pathetic attempt to resurrect the ‘beast’…..
Paul 67 / All,
A happy NY to you and to everyone that makes this the opinion leading footie website.
Also , a big shout out to the unsung heroes who have done so much for the Wee Oscar appeal , the Kano foundation and numerous other initiatives.
One of the great things about the Celtic support has been the way that they have ‘adopted’ charitable causes in the last few seasons which have helped to bring joy and hope to others.
Last season it was the Good Child Foundation, and this season it is Wee Oscar.
As a club we are definitely going in the right direction, and one observation I would offer relates to the chat on here earlier today about the success of the zonal defensive system.
This has worked well for us , as we have the players capable of playing it.
18 months ago , we only had two six foot plus guys in our defence , and three if Sammy played. ( excluding the keeper).
With Big Vic joining the team as a regular, and Lustig doing similar, we can now play a zonal defensive system at corners knowing that we we can four big guys across the six yard box.
Praise must go the manager and big Johan as defensive coach for the hard work they do in this area.
Similarly , we should also praise the work that Stevie Woods has done with the keepers – not just big Fraser, but also Lukasz, who looks like a back up keeper who can be relied upon when needed.
We also have a midfield that works well, with support from the manager.
Our offensive set pieces are also a great success, and have underpinned our CL performances.
Perhaps the area where our team could still improve is up front.
Out of all the signings made by NL , it is up front, where our success rate is poorest. Hoops has done exceptionally well, Stokes can score goals domestically, but Bangura, Brozcek, Murphy, Miku and Lassad have scored less than 10 competitive goals amongst them.
So, my question is , given the strides made in the defence and goalkeeping positions, by introducing specialist coaches, should we do the same in attack, and look to have a coach for the strikers ?
Thoughts?
Deary me …. Glasses beckon
Great read on CQN today. Fabulous.
May I wish all of you a great time seeing in the bells. Normally a teary eyed few moments not this year.
Paul67 as always I hope you and your family enjoy a great Hogmanay and a prosperous new year
That goes to all of you as well except the trolls of course…..even the gossip merchants …primary school teachers and bearded gentlemen. The trolls year is guaranteed to be sh*t so I am not going to lie.
Hope to hear my song ringing out at the bells.
HH
GL2
Naw!!! No way!!! It’s not the zombies official site that’s not happy withit??? Is it? I thought it’d be Chris brown loafers or money feefff fae ZST. But official The Zombie FC established August 2012.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
MWD
Ntassoolla
17:54 on 31 December, 2012
====================
Not sure if “afraid” is the right word. I would suggest that he’s obviously very aware of the reduction in crowd numbers. A wee bit of playing to the audience, albeit in a more subtle way than Mr Charles, might just put a few more bums on seats.
A wee bit of sabre rattling prior to the Lord Nimmo Smith enquiry wouldn’t go amiss either.
Just popped onto the newco website to see if there was any reaction to our club website. Couldn’t see anything, but my eye was drawn to an ad stating the obvious…
“Ibrox: an atmosphere like no other.”
I agree entirely.
Hail Hail!
I have to say fellow Celts I took a very cautious view of the “last derby” remark, the subsequent “offence” taken and apology demanded.
I hope I’m wrong on this one and that your go-ahead optimism carries the day.
bournesouprecipe
Its beyond photoshop to revive any life into that thing !
Zombieshop
Enjoyed your pictorial analogies of 2012 and look forward to more in 2013
Hail Hail
Clashcitybhoy
With the money paid out to acquire the strikers you have listed,we could have bought Jordan Rhodes,you get what you pay for.HH
Bourne
Thank you….I think! ;-)
margaret mcgill
18:06 on 31 December, 2012
“the Celtic board liquidated the Old Firm”…….hmmmmmm no”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
hmmmmm…yes ……. I’m convinced the Celtic Board saw this all coming from 2001(Brian Quinn, in particular) and devised a specific financial / youth development / transfer strategy (unpopular in certain quarters) to ensure we would survive the ‘aftermath’ …… Turned out to be a sound strategy …..!!!!
Challs himself hit the nail on the head “if the CVA doesn’t go through,the history,tradition (sic) of this Club dies” there’s yer dinner.
Happy new year to all tims- hope the jelly and ice cream has plenty of reason to re-appear next year- and a pox on the laptop loyal- they know who they are
Stevebhoy.
Rm have a thread on it.hh
Im heading out soon and wont be online later so I would like to wish you all a very happy new year and hopefully after the success of 2012 we might even have a success in the CQN coupon in 2013….. Ok im pushing it.
Cheers everyone
Bada
Sir Daftie….”We would like to wish the new Rangers all the best!”
….and there’s yer pudding!
margaret mcgill
18:06 on 31 December, 2012
“the Celtic board liquidated the Old Firm”…….hmmmmmm no”
=====
Don’t agree at all, unless of course in this instance you mean “bored” instead of “board”.
!!Bada Bing!! 18:27 on 31 December, 2012
Challs himself hit the nail on the head “if the CVA doesn’t go through,the history,tradition (sic) of this Club dies” there’s yer dinner.
Exactly. This should be highlighted at every opportunity – I have NEVER heard this mentioned by the media since the CVA was rejected.
A fantastic Celtic year.
And we have been able to watch it unfold from the comfort of the CQN stand.
I thank you, Mister Paul Brennan.
stevebhoy
18:20 on
31 December, 2012
Just popped onto the newco website to see if there was any reaction to our club website. Couldn’t see anything, but my eye was drawn to an ad stating the obvious…
“Ibrox: an atmosphere like no other.”
====================================================
You’ll get a similar atmosphere if you hing aboot the back end of a coo.
Was just listening there to the news, and ‘aggressive’ sales calls was mentioned…
I had one last week…..
This guy comes on the phone and went into a speel about how beneficial it would be for me to take out a maintenace contract for my SKY equipment…..when he ‘took a breath’, I said
” I’m not interested”……..
He then went into another speel, starting with “what do you mean, your not interested…are you not interested in saving money ..?” ……. At this point, I had a wee smile to myself, and decided to liten to him for a wee minute…..lwhen he stopped rabbiting on, i said….
“listen, ya wee shoite…if my SKY box goes faulty, I’ll throw it in the bin and, if you’re there, I’ll throw you in beside it” …… I still don’t understand why he found it necessary to hang up on me ….!!!!!
Are we allowed to talk about them yet ?
I may hold off on that til next year.
Leigh Griffiths 26 goals in 59 apperances for hibs…lad must have something…apperently the collum guy who sent off- policeman(brough) is a cop….the times reporter mark walker describes “top” referee collums performance as awful….collum nows the time to get out cos your useless
The great thing about Celtic fans is that they’re never really happy.
2012 saw the old Huns die (well they are being liquidated ) while we got through a really tough CL group in to the last 16.
Yet some on here stil want the club to give some sort of credence to the zombies by making statements about them.
Make no mistake the Huns are dead and not coming back any time soon.
Charlie is over making sure that Ticketus and their backers get as much of their money back as they can before they depart Glasgow.
How much they raised is still a matter for debate but watch out for another administration or a sale to “real” Rfc types
Will the zombies pay twice as much to watch Div 2 football?
When Bill Miller got a peek at the real books -he ran the proverbial.
It will take a long time for the zombies to get anywhere near us and we all know they don’t do being second never mind fifth,sixth or worse!
So lets all just sit back and watch the show!
It ain’t going to end any time soon!
In January lets hope we are in the market for a killer CB and not another china doll like the ones we have at present.
We also need a CF capable of playing with his back to goal and win headers – which would give us an alternative to our pass and move option.
Whatever happens we will win the league and hopefully the cups and get a bit further in the CL !
It will be a great time to be a Tim – so why not enjoy it!
HH
dushanbe bhilly bhoy
18:32 on 31 December, 2012
Silly Billy
Why isn’t the new year moved to Dec 21st and the calander adjusted to suit this.
And who currently owns he history of the vikings.
I want to treat myself in the new year.
S
croppybhoy
18:41 on 31 December, 2012
EXCELLENT POST, AND SPOT ON ……..
Fanadpatriot. Apology for post after benfica defeat. A poor attempt at humour after painful defeat. Happy new year to all. Back to lurking
May I just say
To all A HAPPY NEW YEAR when it comes .
As for the newest CLUB in Scottish football ,they shall forever be known by me as Sevco 2012 as this sums them up with no room for confusion .Name and date when formed anything that went after is immaterial .
As we have witnessed from the Sevco 2012 fans ,they struggle to grasp reality when given too many names ,so better to stick to the one .In their defence it seems they are not alone the MSM and SFA seem to struggle too .
A Happy and Prosperous New Year to Paul 67 and all CQNers.
Hail! Hail!
Edwardburns55
Honestly can’t remember,but it’s like family on here,disagreements are soon forgotten .HH