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
- »
Jinkyredstar
I was too..
See my post at end of last page
BT @ 11.28
Big game for me to.
First ever time to see the team.
I was 6 and in the Jungle with my dad.
Consequently struggling to see the game.
However some occasion to see the team run out from underneath the building site that was the Main Stand. At least I can say that I have seen the “Lions”.
Bon annees mes Amis et les bampots!!
From
Cqn Grenoble !!
EC67
Nipped round earlier to assist, but unfortunately, he’s misplaced the kitchen floor.
I thought you were too young BT :-)
I’m sure the picture of the team walking through the old enclosure is in a few places – I have a very clear memory of it- might be in a few books
Jinkyredstar.
Was only a kid but remember it.
The picture has big evan standing like a frozen snotter…o)
Tricoloured Ribbon
11:25 on 1 January, 2014
Fridjonsson is nowhere near ready for the first team. Another Balde. In an interview with him a few weeks ago he said he effectively has a pre season to do as the Icelandic league finished a couple of months ago. He also has to get to full time footballer fitness levels. Give him to about February and he will be bench warming.
Winning Captains
Sorry to hear of your bad news
If he doesn’t mind may I suggest you contact
A Ceiler Gonof Rust Supporting Justice and Freedom for the Dam 5
He recently went through similar experience and it may do yous both some good.
Off to bet Efe anytime:))
then its off to paradise to see the Hoops my God we are blessed.
kayal33,
Wasn’t aware of the Icelandic league situation mate.
Happy New Year to you.
Today is the perfect opportunity for the manager to let the shackles off, leave out those players out of form or not re-signing new contracts and give the fringe/youth a chance. Won’t happen of course but we can hope.
====================Forster====================
Fisher=====Ambrose===========Van Dijk=====Izaguirre
===================Mulgrew====================
==========Brown===============Henderson=======
===================Commons===================
=========Forrest=================Balde===========
Subs Zaluska, Pukki, Stokes, Atajic, Biton, Matthews, Johnstone
The reality is the likes of Stokes, Sammi, Ledley, even Pukki will start at the expense of the likes of Balde, Fisher, Henderson.
Either way, looking forward to first game of 2014 and expect a comfortable victory. Is being entertained too much to ask as well??
Happy New Year everyone
And while I’m at it, very best wishes to the many, wonderful CQNers, mine campers, harpic lappers, all, for a great new year ahead.
Meanwhile, commiserations to the owner of the 50 foot inflatable toilet duck that burst in Keelung Harbour, Taiwan, earlier. It seems that security had been bleached, although you would have thought that a 50 foot toilet duck would be sufficient detergent.
Lather than wait until the New Year holiday is finished, organisers have already started the clean up operation, and it soaped to be completed quickly.
THIS IS NO FROM ME, BUT I TOTALLY AGREE!!!
EXCLUSIVE: Spanish giants Atletico make first move for Celtic striker Samaras
I will be very sorry to see Sammi leave CP for any other team. Samaras is by far the classiest player we have had for years. He brings excitement to the match. He despite what the detractors say is a valuable member of the team. He has had two assists in the last two games and only weeks ago scored a hat trick at Rugby Park.
He is consistenly singled out by opposition managers as the player they like least to play against.He is the one player we have who does not look out of place on the big European nights.
He’s going to the world cup as one of his country’s star players. Celtic Park on matchdays will be a duller place without him.
Leigh griffiths .. deary me
stokes is a better player than him. and stokes should really be our 3rd choice striker.
that means we have to buy 2 better than stokes.. we can but we wont.
many has the runt griffiths scored this year ? wolves doing well but canny say iv noticed him being mentioned anywhere.
team for today-if fit
Big mhan
fisher — ambrose — – virgil izzy
biton
matthews brown commons
atajic
balde
subs-rogic,pukki, zaluska, mulgrew, sammi
Let the People Sing – The Malleys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhkdy0AOpaM
Apparently, this is the third 50 foot duck to be lost in Taiwan in recent months. Losing one might be considered unfortunate, two is carelessness, but three?
http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/asia/story/giant-yellow-duck-explodes-taiwanagain-20131231
BB @ 17.21
Loved your 6 point plan for the future.
Much more useful to look forward than review the past.
Point 3 — Charity work should be a no brainer, our USP.
I would push for a £5mill pa target, the SP game at the start of the season showed what can be achieved.
Point 4 — The long term goal should be a second string team with a small stadium plaing in the SPFL using Spanish rules.
AR are the Q+D way of achieving this.
Another route would be a team in the Junior leagues playing for G31.
Only a gap of 50 years. Again they could use the new Second team stadium.
Other ideas:
CSC Development Officer — help spread the word.
East End sporting legacy — support / develop athletics.
SPFL Championship loan player facility in place for next season.
Revisit the plans for the surrounding area — more leisure and hotels.
Happy New Year to all CQNers everywhere, with a prayer that peace will break out all over the world and the poor will not be exploited by the rich and powerful.
Hoping to get to the Big Glasgow Derby game since it will the third attempt to make a home game. As I was about to set out for the Hibs game a tree fell down in the garden and ended up half way across the road outside. It took two hours for it to be cleared away. Then as I started out for the Hearts game my battery proved to have gone flat so the car would not start. One more game missed. Hoping it will be third time lucky and a big Derby Day win.
My New Year’s wish is that we purchase two midfield men to give support to the back four when necessary. It was sadly missing at Inverness. Oh, and a goal scoring front man.
Afoot bhoys..
Hail Hail. .
Happy new year to all of those who remain banned from CP, just for having a seat in section 111
All over the globe, sore heads will be gathering just now to watch the game somehow.
Thanks to 2 guys who will be heading to Micky Gallagher’s bar in Derrybeg, if they are not still there from last night, I will have a ticket for the game today.
In tribute to the late Michael Jackson, it seems I will be going with only one glove on. I last saw it when I was emptying rubbish into the council skip yesterday. Wonder where it’s gone?
Anyway, get your money on a James Forrest hat trick.
Channelislandcelt
Thank you andall the best to you and yours too.
HH
Looking forward to the game today between Glasgow’s only two top flight teams.
A team for today.
====================Forster====================
Lusting=====Ambrose===========Van Dijk=====Izaguirre
===================Mulgrew====================
==========Brown===============Samaras=======
===================Commons===================
=========Forrest=================Stokes===========
Also for next trying to reach CL stage groups.
Sammi and Ledley are certain starters along with Neilly’s love child unless he’s injured again.
Shop windae springs to mind.
Play the young hungry lions who have something to prove.
Otherwise spend another 2million on a Pukki. Bangura, Balde, Murphy.
For whatever reason Stokes and Sammi aint scoring on the park, so why are they regular picks? Someone posted on here that Stokes stats are approx 1 goal in about a dozen league games.
My belief is that neilly is concentrating more on breaking records than playing fast flowing football, the Celtic way.
Shame.
I fear this window will confirm what we know about the club’s ambitions.
Beyond walking the league, not very much.
Shame again.
Still on my hols in North Yorkshire and hoping for a real classy performance today.
Let’s show the world what we can do.
A very healthy and prosperous New Year to all Celts wherever you are.
HH
Mincey.
Happy New Year to all on CQN. I hope your team wins all their games in 2014.
labis
What justification Sammi and Stokes?
Seriously.
Happy New Year to you, by the way.
Please tell me this Griffiths stuff is a windup.
Does anybody else think that only an excuse is wearing thin?
If ‘only an excuse’ and ‘chewing the fat’ are a reflection of Scottish Culture / humour, then God help Scottish Culture / humour ……… I’m sure it isn’t a true reflection, and just can’t understand why it is allowed to continue every year, since it is ‘gutter’ humour (and very amateurish)……the rest of the New Year celebrations were brilliant last night…..thoroughly enjoyed them, and the fireworks……..some crowd in Edinburgh…!!!!!!
Anyway, off to the game shortly………whooppeeee Doooo !!!!!!!
TBB
I hear the price of crispy shredded duck has fallen dramatically on the Taiwan take away market due to an unexpected abundance of supply.
Stairheedrammy
Do you mean the excuses Neilly keeps making for our mince performances and the very poor return from our strikers?
If so, I agree.
Best wishesd for the New Year.
Proudbhoy
Re Griffiths not for me, neither is Stokes. The one major positive I’d say about Griffiths is he shows real desire every time I’ve seen him play; a real contrast with our Ex Hibernian man ?
It’s the first thing that Celtic should look for on their player check-list, desire, passion for the game, call it what you will. But too many of the present team don’t look as if they enjoy playing the game.
First footers at the door!
I’d better get the kettle on!
Only an excuse should be renamed ‘poor excuse’
Tired groundhog day sketches and Jamie Carragher talking with a Geordie accent.
My belief is that you all invent Machiavellian thoughts to our manager. He plays the guys he thinks will perform best and win games whilst trying to build a club squad.
My team
Forster
Matthews Efe VVD Izzy
Forrest Brown Ledley Samaras
Commons & Stokes
Mulgrew for Ledley after an hour then a chance for Rogic and Balde
stairheedrammy
12:24 on 1 January, 2014
Apart from anything else, they keep ‘bringing up’ that deed team……(pardon the phun) ….. can they not just let ‘sleeping dogs lie’ …….