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.
[calameo code=000390171ece27dd9e54e lang=en page=98 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
872 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- »
Hughes replaced Chalmers in away leg in Kiev, according to ‘125 years of Competitive Matches’
This is a good book, but could have been made better.
Morning all.
A very happy New Year to everybody on CQN and Tims everywhere.
Feeling a bit fragile! Might have to nip out for a Guinness curer!
To all those going to the game – enjoy.
HH!!
On the Barrow bus with barrowbhoy the bus is rocking there is even live music at the moment, three piece band, guy with a guitar and two waiting for a shot its mental
winning captains –
sorry to read your news there. Poor show to start the year.
Tom,
Happy New Year fella.Hope this a better one for you.
Dontbratt
Well I got a diff answer, so they both can’t be right.
Happy new year to all. Did not drink that much for a change so can make the game!
Winning captains -happened to my daughter just before Christmas -terrible experience which will take some time to get over -she is determined to move house
Ill check the celtic football companion. What year was it guys. 70/71?
Its the first dry day in Greenock for…well for years as far as I can remember- hope its the same at Paradise today for the big Glasgow Derby
get there if you can bhoys
Emdae know if the games on in St Pats hall or the Knights club in Coatbridge?
mmmmmmmmmm Oh aye. Awraa best btw!!! <:0)
Tom
11.03
LNS not fit for office. Probably holds a high position in another …..er……’club’
Do the pubs still close in Scotland on New Year’s Day?
Scarf- check
season ticket- check
car keys- check
waterproof jacket- check
waterproof trousers- check
Wooly hat- check
I remember the days that I only needed the scarf
Nae hangover this morning….heading to the game today with my bhoy and his pal….first since the hip op…..hope it’s a good one.
Happy new year to one and all….now get in a few players and ship out a few….
Kikinthenakas
Happy New Year to all from a sunny Dunfermline.
Off to the big Glasgow derby with my lad. Looking forward to a good day out and hopefully seeing Celtic continue its unbeaten run.
BT
It was 67
Stairheedrammy,,
What about the carry out..?
Tricolored ribbon
Nooooooooooooooo, lol, used to, back in the day.
To all going to Celtic Park,enjoy your day and hopefully you’ll see a few goals.
Prediction..3-0.
TR- that goes without saying
Tony D,
Those were the days eh?
To go to Paradise without a swally was unthinkable! Amazing when you think about it.
Happy New Year everyone!
If brekky is anything to go by…..things could be good.
Just made and scoffed some meaty cumberland sausages, bacon, fried egg and big mushrooms stuffed with spicy Mexican cheese and bacon……delish :P
The cheese was hot and has left a nice wee warm glow……..reckon it needs doused with some cold beer soon.
Enjoy the game bhoys and all the best to you :)
Thought Fridjonsson would have been available.
Not ready for action? Hope this guy’s not going to be another bench warmer.
Just done my pre-match clothing check and I can only find one glove.
Any of you guys seen a glove?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2531987/EXCLUSIVE-Spanish-giants-Atletico-make-Celtic-striker-Samaras.html?ico=sport%5Eheadlines
tonydonnelly67 et al….
I dug out of my archives, The Celtic View dated 27 September 1967.
The Celtic team for the Kiev game was indeed the Lisbon Lions.
TD o)
Final league match 70/71 may 1st
Celtic 6.1 winners home to clyde.
Team
Simpson & Williams. The rest was as started in 67. Faither led team out with evan taking over. I remember the game. Enclosure had been removed and a pic of them walking diw stairs to pitch was in one of the playing for Celtic annuals
Blantyre Tim,
Happy New Year to ye.
Kikinthenakas. Enjoy the game wi yer new running gear.
HH
Skyisalandfill
Still in the hobbling gear!
Getting there tho…looking forward to getting to the game tho…
Good wishes to you and yours in 2014
Kikinthenakas
Aye and you
HH
TCR.
I intend to..going to open ksc before heading to paradise..8-)
Whilst reading through that Celtic View from 27 September 1967, I came across the following article…
“NEW ENCLOSURE” (referring to the new covered jungle)
Some of the supporters who have been in the habit of taking up stance under the new enclosure have been a bit alarmed at the apparent shaking of the structure during matches.
They have written asking what causes it, so we got in touch with the contractors fro an explanation.
We can assure the supporters there is nothing at all to worry about as the explanation from the contractors shows :-
A spokesman said : ” The banging of feet and hands on the metal sheets at the back of the enclosure give sthe impression of vibration. This will be eliminated shortlyby the building of a five feet boundary wall along the length of the structure.
The roof of the enclosre moves slightly (said the spokesman) merely because of acertain play that is allowed for exceptionally strong winds”.
We hope this re-assurance wil put the fans at their ease and they’ll have many years of happy viewing beneath the up-to-date structure”
During the wild storm of January 1968 half the jungle roof blew off!
GREETINGS FROM GRECEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
HAPPY NEW CELTIC YEAR!!!
HOW ABOUT THIS?
EXCLUSIVE: Spanish giants Atletico make first move for Celtic striker Samaras
BT, DBBIA, Tony,Gordon
The Clyde game – defo the Lions led out by Ronnie Simpson – I was there !
Hoppy New Year
skyisalandfill
Happy New Year Big Yin :O)
And to all on CQN
HH
Happy New Year to all my friends in Celtic.
Feeling a wee bit delicate, tripping the light fantastic til 4 this morning. There may have been alcohol involved.
Great night though I would rather be at home preparing for today’s match.
An ole DBBIA regulation 5-0 today to start the New Year.
Can someone make sure BSR gets off that kitchen floor and puts some clothes on?
EC67
LookingforwardtotheupdatesforiegnCSC