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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And one other thing, I will never ever give in to the trolls.
United we stand…
All for one and one for all…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Hamiltontim
and the very same right back at ya
HH
Oldtim wishing you health and happiness in the year ahead -and to all
*see you soon !*
jamesgang
20:23 on
31 December, 2014
Dena
You should have stuck to today!
Take care my dote!
HH jamesgang
Havent looked at todays yet…. :-)))
might just leave well alone if yesterday is anything to go by
HH
If the trolls had a get together -would it be called T in the park?
To all Hoops wherever you are in the world, and to Ronny and the team,
Have a healthy and prosperous 2015. All the very best for the New Year.
Lawwellsaccountant:
“Norweigian scum” (sic)? You should be ashamed of yourself.
No wonder the likes of El Diego Bhoy and others have decided this place just isn’t worth it any more.
I asked this earlier, with a response, not yet a done deal ?
17:26 on 31 December, 2014
Just over 6.5hrs until transfer window opens :-)
How come that laddie fae that other team is already away ?
Hail Hail
I have watched BBC Scot, STV news, which included an interview with mctrowell, all saying it was a done deal
Now I am being Pedantic, how can this be the case when window has opened ?
Have Brentford given that mob money pre January, to allow them to meet Dec payroll ?
If so what are SFA doing about it, ? Is it within the rules ? Where that mob insolvevent and needed the money for such
What rules may have been breached ? If any, or why a transfer window in first place ?
My target is SFA if this is already a done deal
Hail Hail
St eff and eldo
Best wishes to you and yours.
We did indeed outlive the worst of the huns a b dc the worst of times.
We feck in won.
Ou r day did come.
And is us that are the top boys now.
Y p s r.
Hahaha
There ain’t a hun I know that even attempts to say anything to me
It’s feck in magic.
God bless those gone past.
They kept it lit.
To all my fellow Celtic supporters wether you be aTroll, or like myself a simple Malcontent or a member the much bigger faction ” The Stepford Celtic Supporters Club” I wish you all a happy New Year and may we get all we wish for this coming year
lurgan57
SFTB’s, I wish your Brother better health soon.
Good Evening.
I am not a fan of Hogmanay and am no great believer in the turning of the Julian calendar from one year into the next and so don’t tend to lay too much emphasis on ” The New Year” malarkey.
However, irrespective of my curmudgeonly attitude, later tonight 2014 will be gone and 2015 will be ushered in by many with toasts, cheers, best wishes and hopes for what the next chapter of life brings.
No matter who you are, who you support, don’t support, happy clap, nay say, lurk, post or even troll I wish all who frequent this blog a happy, successful and peaceful future.
My commiserations and sympathies go to those who have recently lost friends and loved ones, and my congratulations to the new parents and grandparents who have shared their joy on these pages.
If I have a wish or two for 2015 then on a personal basis it is that my family and friends stay healthy, well and happy in the forthcoming year and that in general the world sees a lot more peace love and understanding,
Yes, I know that sounds holier than thou but is not meant that way. If more people in the world shared a meal and a pint and showed their fellow man a little more kindness then we would all be having a better party.
For Celtic — I hope that all involved with the club remember and take to their heart the idea that Celtic Football Club was formed with the intention of providing a social focus and a truly world class football club for the people of Glasgow and beyond irrespective of race, creed, nationality, social standing and position — and that that same football team would achieve unparalleled success whilst making a charitable and financial difference to the lives of many unknown people who were underprivileged and struggling.
There is always much to celebrate in being a Celtic fan, and I believe much to celebrate in being part of this internet community where friendships have been forged, companions engaged, laughs shared and yes differing opinions exchanged over many a dram or none.
A lot of voluntary work and time goes into the activities that are started or taken forward on this blog with many many people getting involved in all sorts of ways.
To one and all I wish everything that is good in the future and my thanks for keeping this curmudgeon entertained in 2014.
HH
BRTH
OldTim, a bit early for a treble, sticking to singles currently, moving to doubles soon, trebles by the Bells:-)
Dena, only with a splash of Bushmills :¬)
Does anyone know when brth will be on.
Cowiebhoy
thats a very good question to which I dont have the answer
but no doubt it’ll be above board :-)))
HH
Is anyone else having problems with Firefox tonight, I’m having to use IE
Enough trolling for me.
Best to one and all.
Thailand time and kano in my thoughts.
Keep it lit
Cm on the hoops.
Doc.
The drink bit was what I was thinking of, but I like the sound of a treble,football wise.
Dessybhoy
Me and Clint stole it from a Russian airbase.
It went okay for us.
That’s me off oot with my siblings? cargoed up and rearing to along with jtt, his good lady and bhoy.
It’ll be a good reb night. Have great one.HH
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan supports Oscar Knox, MacKenzie Furniss and anyone else who fights Neuroblastoma
That from one who doesnt celebrate the “New Year” was quite beautiful and sums up everything I feel only much more eloquently thank you
TBB :-)))
HH
Doc
This year as you know I organised for some Celtic legends to appear on the blog – and appear they all did.
Due to the most unfortunate of circumstances both myself and Celtfish were left with a huge amount of work for the event we staged in March at Kerrydale Suite.
There has been one poster on here who continually throughout the year has been making snide wee remarks against me and my motives re me contributing to CQN.
The other night was a straw that broke the camel’s back.
We publish Celtic books as a team and share any reward or risk. However we have tended to make it work and do various non commercial things as a result. As you know we assisted Big Yogi and provided all publishing services for free as he was about to be fleeced. Ask Yogi yourself.
On the events we have used the books to help stage various events and no-one has made a single penny from these events. A huge amount of work was put into CQTEN and none of us asked for, received or expected anything in return. Those photographs of the kitchens in Malawi are reward enough.
The other slur relates to a Celtic legend who these days is vulnerable to say the least. CQN has assisted privately as much as we can mindful of intrusion on his privacy. Apparently he never actually appeared on CQN – it was a con.
The easiest legend for us to get to appear on the blog is this man – who has become a friend. His long term friend who assisted in writing his book – written a number of years ago not for commercial reasons but to provide a sense of worth to someone at rock bottom – assisted in his posts. You are aware of how this is done.
That book sat around for years until CQN this year decided to publish it – to assist, to help. Commercially no other publisher would touch it – we did and mostly for non financial reasons.
But you know most of that. Which gets me to your question – work has been progressing and we had hoped for an early New Year launch. Work has also been done on CQN 11 with the intention of opening some more kitchens Malawi.
Before any of that the matter referred to needs to be resolved and that is going to happen very early in 2015.
Hope everyone has a good New Year.
Hi Folks, I wish all of you Tinternet Bampots, a Happy,HOOPY and Prosperous New Year, Health and Happiness and God Bless all.
Awerabest PJ
My best wishes for 2015 to all.
There’s a certain regularity to some outbursts and flouncin’……………
All the best timdom for 2015
And here’s tae a successful fitba year
Night night
Saint Stivs
Ha ha, I watched that as well
Saint Stivs
20:28 on
31 December, 2014
St eff and eldo
Best wishes to you and yours.
We did indeed outlive the worst of the huns a b dc the worst of times.
We feck in won.
Ou r day did come.
And is us that are the top boys now.
Y p s r.
Hahaha
There ain’t a hun I know that even attempts to say anything to me
It’s feck in magic.
God bless those gone past.
They kept it lit.
——————————————
Saint…………………..well said
And winning captains don’t let em get you down. And thank you for all your hard work.
Brogan Rogan Trevino and Hogan
Along with countless others on Celtic Quick News, you and I both lost a parent this year. Loss of a loved one is a terrible Cross to bear and you never ever get over it, all you can do is learn how to cope with it.
Perhaps we should stop and remember all our family and friends who have passed away this last 12 months
Eternal rest grant unto them O Lord
Martin42
dena29
You just get better sooner rather than later kiddo. KTF.
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
So after 421,decisions of yes, no, maybe,definitely,what do you think honey ?, no I think we should stay in tonight. ok we are going. Etc. etc.
It looks like we are staying in tonight.
She gates it when I say. “Whatever you want darling. I am more tgan happy to do whatever you want.I am easy. I am happy to gou out and I am happy to stay in with you”
2 houtrs ten minutes until the bells I tbink we are staying in.
HH
Gates=hates
To all my friends and that includes ALL POSTERS whither I have met you or not, I wish you good things in 2015,
I hope the gods are good to you and yours and,
that Celtic win at least the domestic treble
A Happy New Year to All,
Martin42
Dessybhoy
your firefox is only yours. Its like your car for the internet …nothing shared about it.
HH
So I guess the drink and the time of the year gets you to reminiscing a wee bit.
Remembering those important to you, the constants in your life, family , friends , still here or passed on to a better place.
For me, I am thankful I still have my parents and a real close family, wonderful missus and 2 great kids.
There always is a place in these thoughts for my team.
Another constant.
Another love.
A crazy club , loved the world over .
Truly the most amazing story of any Fitba club.
Like everything we love, they infuriate, irritate, frustrate , let you down.
But you never desert them, you love them more.
Celtic, my team.
God bless them and God bless all Cqners and Celtic men and women worldwide.
Truly, a club like no other!
Mention for CFC on University Challenge …
I tried awe naws bell there.
Nae answer.
I Think He Is Away oot