2014 saw Celtic win their third consecutive league title, but we didn’t reach either cup final. A period of significant change got underway during the summer when we said farewell to Neil Lennon.
Neil took over from Tony Mowbray, his first managerial appointment after working with the Youths at Lennoxtown. His first season was the one that got away. Defeat at Inverness with the title within their grasp, Walter Smith’s Rangers took their third successive title against the third difference Celtic manager.
Three months into the next season, Celtic were 10 points behind a Whyte-McCoist inspired Rangers, but that was overcome, with interest, by Christmas. Celtic went on to win the league by 20 points, although 10 of them were as a penalty for Rangers incurring an insolvency event.
Thereafter it was plan sailing for Neil. He never looked back in the league and reached the Champions League group stage twice, progressing to the knock-out stage on the first occasion. He learned the managerial ropes at Celtic and did enough in his four years here to establish himself as a European-class manager. He was our third unqualified success in four appointments.
By this summer it was evidence to all, including Neil, that significant rebuilding was needed. The job was handed to Ronny Deila.
Ronny’s first challenge came in the Champions League qualifiers in the form of Legia Warsaw. Despite the record books showing Celtic progressed after a 3-0 default home win, Legia wiped the floor with Celtic home and away. Celtic looked like a team of strangers, unfamiliar with the system they were asked to play.
That was, of course, true, the system was unfamiliar, but it’s execution was miscalculated, the on-field results were deserved. The Champions League playoff round against Maribor was unusual inasmuch as Celtic dominated the away first leg and deserved more than the 1-1 draw, but the Slovenians arrived in Glasgow with their game face on. Celtic were outplayed and out of the Champions League.
Things slowly got better, although home performances against Motherwell (by my measure the worst) and Hamilton Accies (who were impressive), and latterly Ross County indicated there is still a long way to go.
Ronny’s Celtic found their feet in the Europa League, where they finished second behind a very accomplished Salzburg. The away performances against Salzburg and Astra gave an insight into how things could be for this Celtic team.
It was, to say the least, disappointing not to qualify for the Champions League. It denied the club millions of pounds and shaded our trump card in to be used in attracting players, but in reality we’re not a Champions League team this season. The Europa’ gave us an opportunity to play European football on our level, pick up coefficient points and extended interest after Christmas (if you’re young this won’t mean much, if you’re my age, you’ll recall this being our Holy Grail).
Inter Milan await in the next round. They are also going through a rebuilding exercise and are as vulnerable to lesser-resourced teams as Celtic – so unlike Juventus two years ago – we have a sporting chance.
The tactical direction of the club is visibly distinct from what went before Ronny. Is this a good thing? Probably. Neil Lennon and his players over-achieved in their first Champions League season on a scale it’s difficult to measure. That squad had no right to reach the levels they did; theirs was a herculean effort. Play Matthews at left back, alongside a central pair of Wilson and Ambrose. Put Miku up front, with Mulgrew and Ledley in the middle – then go beat Barcelona. It was beyond impossible.
Barca, Ajax and Milan were prepared for Celtic last season; we finished bottom, out of ideas and direction on that stage. We needed to change, same again wasn’t going to wash.
Ronny’s played a high-pressing game, mostly with players who are unaccustomed to the demands of this game-plan. This has been a mistake on several occasions, most notably against Legia and Maribor. He’s working on player fitness, but in all likelihood it will take the next two transfer windows before he can craft the squad into the shape he wants it to be.
We’re halfway through the season and, with Aberdeen playing before us tomorrow, there’s a chance they could go top of the table, for a couple of hours, anyway. That’s not good enough, by any measure. Notwithstanding the revamp, we should have done better in the Champions League qualifiers and we should be further ahead in the league, but the fundamentals remain intact:
We needed to start post-Neil Lennon with a new tactical strategy.
Trying hard not to be disrespectful to Aberdeen, but we’re going to win the league.
We’re in both cup competitions.
We remain in the Europa League.
I was happy with the direction we took in appointing Ronny Deila and remain so. The problems of the last six months could be classified as First World Problems. We’ll get over them, while others watch on from the Other Worlds.
Have a Happy Celtic New Year, strap in and enjoy the ride, I promise it’ll be a great one.
Sale on at CQNBookstore, fill your stockings.
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My wee Portuguese bench pal tells me haul has been getting big lics from theit mheejia and is on the cusp of breaking into the team.
Saint stivs.
Sorry that’s not good enough
You are a non troll pretending to be a troll
Please put a NTBP for non troll but pretending after all your posts, just to avoid confusion
Ladies and gents
Match report below from new year past. This was 19 years ago. It SA the new year old firm game (as it was called with no contention from anyone back then, it seemed. To me it was simply ‘the Huns game though’).
I missed the first 10 minutes. The guy running me in got the jail and I had to find a plan B. not easy in 1993 on new years day….. By the time I got in we were already humped. Great John Collons goal in this game, brilliantly worked free kick gave us a wee spark of hope for about 5 minutes, then a 60 yard shot snuffed out the flame.
After the game I got chased for my life (probably not an exageration) up Duke Street. I was with my brother and my mate. The looks on their faces as we ran just ahead of a red white and blue lynch mob will never, ever leave me. Sheer terror. there were thousands Nd thousands of them (was their allocation at the old CP about 20,000?). They just kept coming, as far as we could see in the gloom.
We hid in the tenets factory till they passed.
It would be impossible to describe this game to someone who wasn’t around at the time. It was the day the race to the bottom ended, it was the beginning of the end for the old board,
Ironically, going into the game, I thought we had a chance! As they say, it’s the hope that gets you in the end.
The report below is from the independent. One of my worst ever days as a Celtic fan. (just to cheer things up :-) fecking new year, always gets me like this!)
——
Sport
Football: Celtic blame anticlimax for disorder: Rangers rampant amid unrest
DAVID MCKINNEY Monday 03 January 1994
Celtic . . .2
Rangers. . .4
CELTIC are likely to escape severe punishment following scenes of disorder at the Old Firm match at Celtic Park on Saturday which saw three supporters running on to the pitch and others in the main stand aiming vitriol and missiles at the directors’ box.
The fourth meeting of the season between the two rivals unleashed brutal passions not seen from either set of supporters since the infamous 1980 Scottish Cup final.
The most worrying incident from Celtic’s point of view was the supporter who had to be bundled to the ground by the collective efforts of John Brown, Richard Gough, the police and stewards as he ran towards Ally Maxwell, the Rangers goalkeeper.
The Scottish Football Association, which has options ranging from a fine to ground closure, awaits reports from the referee, David Syme, his supervisor, and David McLaren, the SFA security adviser, who also attended the match. But yesterday Jim Farry, the chief executive of the SFA, hinted that punishment could be lenient when he said: ‘The SFA will retain a sense of balance and perspective.’
There was a heavy police presence at the game and it is likely that the governing body will appreciate that the home club did everything within its power to obviate danger.
Kevin Kelly, the Celtic chairman, said: ‘It was bitterly disappointing both in terms of the result and the trouble but we hope to identify the culprits and ban them from the ground.
‘We will consider whether the stewards and police might have acted more quickly and will have our own information to present to the SFA. I feel the fans’ optimism then disappointment was the root of the trouble.’
Celtic were indeed victims of their own high expectations. The team had suffered just one defeat in 14 league matches and had not conceded a goal at home under Lou Macari. In contrast, Rangers have severe injury problems and have been stuttering since the start of the season, yet were three goals up within the first half hour.
Stuart McCall dissected the home defence to allow the imposing figure of Mark Hateley to run unchallenged for the first goal. A similar move saw Neil Murray burst clear and when his shot was saved Alexei Mikhailichenko followed up for a second goal with just three minutes on the clock.
The Ukrainian added a third for Rangers after 28 minutes and a fourth came in 76 minutes through Oleg Kuznetsov. John Collins raised Celtic hopes with a goal in the first minute of the second half but a second from Charlie Nicholas was no more than a consolation.
Goals: Hateley (1) 0-1; Mikhailichenko (3) 0-2; Mikhailichenko (28) 0-3; Collins (46) 1-3; Kuznetsov (76) 1-4; Nicholas (81) 2-4.
Celtic (4-4-2): Bonner; Grant, Gillespie, Wdowczyk (Biggins, 61), Boyd; Byrne, McGinlay, McStay, Collins; Nicholas, O’Neil (McNally, 51). Substitute not used: Given (gk).
Rangers (4-4-2): Maxwell; Pressley, Gough, Brown, Stevens; Steven, McCall, Murray (Kuznetsov, 70), Mikhailichenko; Durie (Huistra, 82), Hateley. Substitute not used: Scott (gk).
Llawwellsacountant. I can understand that you dont rate Rony as a manager and that is your right to have your own opinion.However,I doubt if you know very much about the man personally so to call him Norwegian scum is a shocking turn of phrase for a Celtic supporter to use in this the season of goodwill to all men or at any other time. H.H.
am away to read back (a bit) might take a while
HH
Just popped in to wish everyone a happy new year -quiet night for me (hopefully) babysitting my grandsons.
Sack The Board – NTBP
I wish a couple of hot toddies, a cosy bed and a splendid new year ahead to the quite wonderful Dena.
Awe_Naw, :-)
Winning Captains, are you ignoring my question?:-)
New format of the site, any news dates?
Dena29, in case you missed earlier, ST arrived back here today.
Saint Stivs
19:38 on
31 December, 2014
Be scared of the Greenock raven
That’s all I am saying.
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Saint , an easy going guy like me ……………
Have a good 2015 , all the best to you and family …..
just think of all those bitter huns we worked with during their 9
and laugh at them , karma for us ma man……………..hail hail
SOAL
I was not the Bernie Taupin of the last effort :-)
HH
Jfh
I also think his faithful through and through crap doesnt sound like a Celtic man to me
Dena
Get well soon my Dote.
Do yourself a favour don’t read yesterday’s blog.
HH jamesgang
I expect today is a turning point for the Ibrox club and Park, Letham , Taylor will align with King to eventually take control by end of Jan. This will ensure promotion and SPFL next season with investment.
We have downsized everything at Celtic : Players, Salaries, Expectations, Attendances apart from Mr Lawwells £1M/ package.
Commons will leave in January and VIrgil is 50-50
The end of year report is not forward enough looking to face the reality that the CEOs mismanagement will mean a negligible gap come the summer and a rejuvenated Newco is our biggest threat.
We will have had 4 seasons to go forward and have went backwards instead. At least Mr Lawwell will be £5M better off for this wonderful achievement.
Cheerio CQN
All the best when the bells
ring for 2015
The bells
For whom the bell TROLLS
the_huddle
20:00 on
31 December, 2014
I might be wrong about Scott Allan but posters are aware of what league he is starring in?? :O) Were you creaming yourself over Ally Crawford last season and now that he’s made the jump up to the SPL?? You wouldn’t even believe what he was on per year :O)
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You never know he might do an ‘Andy Robertson’ for us:-). Btw who’s Ally Crawford?
HH
Forever Celtic. Always Celtic.
In my soul.
Thanks for 2014.
Onto 2015..
HH
Back in from taxi duty , obliging the grown up Borrowers who hang about here all the time. Couple of glasses of red, Still Game , hopefully keeping the mood light to keep the melancholy at bay. By the way , a few zoomers out on the streets tonight not just talking keech on here.
it’ll be happy days all round this time the morra !!
dena29
Awe “G”, you get better asap to ensure your at the next home game. Hope your felling better in the morning. Happy New Year to you and your family and will see you at CP soon. COYBIG.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Scum is an adjective we use to describe zombies not the Celtic Manager.
Lawwellsaccountant….. Poor show mate
nakasammi
20:09 on 31 December, 2014
the_huddle
20:00 on
31 December, 2014
I might be wrong about Scott Allan but posters are aware of what league he is starring in?? :O) Were you creaming yourself over Ally Crawford last season and now that he’s made the jump up to the SPL?? You wouldn’t even believe what he was on per year :O)
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You never know he might do an ‘Andy Robertson’ for us:-). Btw who’s Ally Crawford?
————————
Scott Allan has already done the Robertson route he ended up at Hibs for free.
Ali Crawford plays for Hamilton, scored against us this season
Just spent a nice hour listening to a documentary about the song “Danny Boy” in the company of my auld maw.
Quite appropriate as we remember my father who died over 20 years ago now and hope for improved health of my brother Danny, named after him, who has spent his 60th birthday, Christmas and now New Year in hospital instead of heading for Gweedore as he’d hoped.
I’ll drive my mum home now and be back to my own home for the Bells. So I’ll take this chance to wish all of CQN a good 2015 and hope that we too can improve by retaining our best qualities and avoiding our worst.
Hail Hail
Can I be a troll please? I’ve always wanted a big green hairy wart on the end of my nose, black crooked teeth and big,long, pointy fingernails.
Kinda like a hun but much more handsome………….
Old Donegal Mammies – salt of Gods earth.
O dear a few malcontents yesterday afraid I must admit to scrolling past most (slapped wrist) but thats the beauty of a blog everyone is entitled to give their opinion
so a big thanks to Paul67 for giving us this place to agree to disagree or agree to agree or…. well you know what I mean Thanks Paul
should I bother with today?
Thank you all for the get well wishes , it takes quite a bit to keep me off my feet but hope the worst is over
Jamesgang should have waited for your reply 15 minutes I’ll never get back
TBB does beechams flu plus count as a hot toddie :-)))))
doc glad your ticket arrived safe …. thanks again
HH
Glendaly
Sorry you can only be a pretend troll
Sftb
All the best to you and your family mhate.
KTF
HH jamesgang
First beer coming up.
Have a good one, everybody.
Electronic. . . Get the Message.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7sVSSb2mU4
SFTB and Dena29
Best wishes for the new year to you both.
To all Hoops Supporters werever you are, All the best for 2015,
ffs thought the match was on today – a whole day to wait – looking forward to it
WeefratheTim
Thanks Weefra I’m definitely much better
it’ll take more than the flu to keep me from Paradise :-))))
HH
Good evening Ghuys
Just a quick look in to wish you all and yours a very and happy and prosperous new year when it comes.
I hope and pray that 2015 is good to you and that your Team is successful.
God Bless you all.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Dena
You should have stuck to today!
Take care my dote!
HH jamesgang
Just come on to wish everyone a happy new year.And a treble this year.
Right!! Who mentioned trolls and got lawwellsacountant climbing out of his hole?
Early night I think, to every bhoy and ghirl, have a great new year, even the negative ones, every tim is a good one at the end of the day.
To the lurking and not so lurking huns, hope next year is everything you deserve