On practically all measures the club has had a less successful 2013 than 2012 but I’m going to give you a positive State of the Club Report today. 2013 gave us one critical achievement, qualification for the group stage of the Champions League. Winning the league title is, of course, critical for most ambitious clubs, but at Celtic it has become a bit like putting your socks on; it’s something we do as a matter of course.
Overcoming Elfsborg and Shakhter Karagandy was a lot more difficult than it should have been. They are to us what we are to teams at the top of La Liga or Serie A, but our superior resources eventually held good. You get a sense from recent comments by Neil Lennon and Johan Mjallby that the realisation we need to shop at least one transfer window in advance of the period we need players to be effective has dawned.
Next season’s qualifiers will, in all probability, be more challenging, so the hard work necessary to ensure a high probability of a successful outcome should already be underway.
Performance at this season’s group stage was ultimately disappointing after a promising start. We held our own for 80 minutes away to Milan, looking as comfortably as we have been away to a top Spanish or Italian club in 30 years. Conceding two late goals felt harsh. Defeat at home to Barcelona was frustrating. The plan worked perfectly while the game was 11 v 11 and even when we were reduced to 10 men we still had a chance to take the lead, but Barca were hot favourites from the moment Scott Brown flicked out at Neymar. We missed Brown’s influence hugely over the next three CL games.
A tactically impeccable performance at home to Ajax but some points on the board but the three remaining games, away to Ajax and Barcelona, and home to Milan, were abject. It was like all our accumulated wisdom of how to compete in this tournament was lost. The Milan game at Celtic Park was particularly disappointing as it mirrored the manner and score of the defeat to Juventus earlier this year. No lessons were learned.
When Teemu Pukki cheerfully told us he would bring pace and strength to the Celtic attack, but not a bundle of goals, there was a ripple of concern across the support. In Europe, we can often only afford one striker, so he needs to be the type of will look away but have the ball bounce off his bum and into the net.
Recruiting a player who possesses this talent and can successfully deploy it on the Champions League, while he does his weekend business in the SPFL, has proven to be the key challenge for the football department. It’s not easy, but it’s certainly not impossible. We know the issue, we have time and money in the bank, so I don’t see why we can’t find a solution.
2013 was not a time of harmony for the Celtic support. Amid vandalism, flares and multiple Uefa fines Celtic banned fans and donated seats in section 111 to charity. We are 10 years after the Fifa and Uefa Fair Play awards. The road back to those times will not be easy but there is a road back.
In early 2012 I appeared on Radio Scotland, where James Traynor insisted that Celtic were doomed if the SPL clubs refused to allow Newco Rangers elevated access to top flight football. I told him the overwhelming consensus on Celtic Quick News was that we were prepared to pay the price to ensure new clubs start at the bottom of the league pyramid. If it meant more youth players, fewer fans, less effective European competition, so be it.
The predictions of doom were largely misplaced. Celtic have not only been able to reach the Champions League group stage, twice in succession. My money is on them qualifying again next year, while season ticket sales in excess of 40,000 is exceptionally robust in the circumstances.
It was almost exactly nine years ago that I suggested the start of the Martin O’Neill era would herald a Generation of Domination, as Sir David Murray’s financial recklessness would lead to Rangers collapse. Now the only questions is, how many generations are we talking about? None of what has happened since is a surprise. Our progress on the field will not be linear, it never was, but it is assured.
Have a great New Year, you deserve it.
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All the very best to everyone on here that makes this place special.
My wife had our first child in May 2013, and it wasn’t without trouble, but last year will live long in the memory.
Peace and best wishes to all.
KTF
Funny how the Nationalist ‘Proclaimers’ would forego the Hogmanay piss to perform at Jools’ Hootenanny.
Scottish Independence.
Aye, if the money’s right.
Happy New Year everyone.
Sean South from Garryowen.
A Happy New Year to you all and may God grant you all your heart’s desires.
In 2013 this place changed my life, thank you H x
Happy New Year CQN.
Mon the hoops!
ValeBhoy
Grow up son, before you post unionist shite.
Travellerbhoy
If your about your in my thoughts may 2014 bring you all your needs.
Sidney Tim
Nice New year’s message – a sneer for the host. Is that a down under thing or just sheer bloody ignorance?
Happy New Year Paul and all on here whom you gave birth too-some family you have now!
More of a poster in recent times tbh but always great craic reading the many and varied comments from all who post here-am on board for the long haul I think-wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s to a Celtic double in 2014 and Champions League progress come the Autumn.
Usan/Black Isle Celt-
Keep an eye on yer man Kim Jong Un up North-think he’s a Hun!
HT…..you deserve it mate all the best to your loved ones.
Paul67 many thanks again…port in a storm,hh.
smquc,
That’s a lovely wee post buddy.
You take care.Hope you’re baby is well
vale buoy, 00:38
Jools’ bash is recorded at the start of December.
Happy New Year to all with Celtic in their hearts, wherever they may be
Burghboy
Bet you and 2 others for first post of 14.
Well done.
Got enough from bet Fred for new ironing board for Mrs Shuggy.
Owe you a pint. Where do you drink ?
A New Year……we reflect….
Grandson Aidan in primary 1
Doing homeworkers with his Mum
All about the concept of rhyme and poetry
Had to get 3 rhyming words…
House and mouse. Vg
Night and fright. Excellent.
Bucket and f……….t
Of course Papa Shug gets the blame.
True story.
HH
VP
Cheers ma pal, we’ll get a catch up soon!!
Hamilton Tim,
Happy New Year to you buddy.
bigshuggy
I cannae ink of anything else thatnr
At Boolavogue, as the sun was setting
O’er the bright May meadows of Shelmalier,
A rebel hand set the heather blazing
And brought the neighbours from far and near.
Then Father Murphy, from old Kilcormack,
Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry;
“Arm! Arm!” he cried, “For I’ve come to lead you,
For Ireland’s freedom we fight or die.”
He led us on against the coming soldiers,
And the cowardly Yeomen we put to flight;
‘Twas at the Harrow the boys of Wexford
Showed Booky’s Regiment how men could fight.
Look out for hirelings, King George of England,
Search ev’ry kingdom where breathes a slave,
For Father Murphy of the County Wexford
Sweeps o’er the land like a mighty wave.
We took Camolin and Enniscorthy,
And Wexford storming drove out our foes;
‘Twas at Sliabh Coillte our pikes were reeking
With the crimson stream of the beaten Yeos.
At Tubberneering and Ballyellis
Full many a Hessian lay in his gore;
Ah, Father Murphy, had aid come over
The green flag floated from shore to shore!
At Vinegar Hill, o’er the pleasant Slaney,
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,
And the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack.
God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy
And open heaven to all your men;
The cause that called you may call tomorrow
In another fight for the Green again.
Mott the hoople ?
Happy New Year!
Tri Ribbon
You too pal and keep me posted for when you’re coming over!
Oops…
bigshuggy
I cannae think of anything else that rhymes with bucket :-)
HH
BGFC
Fritzsong. No just openess and honesty
1st I have ever seen Paul post something like that.
Maybe there is hope for 2014
Peace and kneading to all in 2014
TCR
Happy new year ma pal
Aye back in Canada and over 4 hours til new year for me.
Q. Would that meeting with the bold George in Saltcoats have been around 1976?
And as they moved along the street up to the barracks door.
Teuchter
Happy New Year! Health and Happiness to you and yours in 2014. The year of the Horse
Year of the horse???
That doesn’t bode well for our January signing prospects!!! :-)
Tricoloured Ribbon
The wee man is fantastic and always has been.
The wife still on the meds but a lot better than she was.
HH and thanks.
16 roads,
Happy New Year to you and all in Beal Feirste.TAL.
A great crowd had gathered outside of Kilmainan.
hamiltontim is praying for oscar
00:40 on 1 January, 2014
No it changed Minx1888’s life for the better…:)
All the best to you both my friend.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Happy New Year to all on CQN.
Lets hope 2014 brings us what we want. It should be an interesting year and provide more laughter (at the dead club and its tainted image). We may even get a striker that scores.
Happy new year to you all.
May 2014 bring you plenty nourishment for the ole soul.
Happy New Year to one and all.
A special place for special people.
Big love.
Logical
tricoloured ribbon
00:52 on 1 January, 2014
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Thanks a million TCR,Happy New Year to ye chief,and to all the Derry Tims.
We are going to kick on now.
God bless the Celtic.
To all my fellow Irish Celts-God be good to you and the Celtic in 2014!
Lennybhoy
Happy New Year to you, M and C. God Bless and Hail Hail
Teuchter,
No,funny was talking to my sister just before the bells about that.
Beyond belief.Talking about life slipping away.Was around 1973-74.
George and Jeanette,in their seventies now?
Those people,the salt of the earth.
Gone to my bed…Happy new year to all,hope that all our friends and family in pain
get relief this year…….awe you lurkers get yir erses oan here.hail hail to the greatest club
in the world….still sober ..wit kind of noo year is this? :O))))))))))
Voguepunter,
Happy New Year