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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Mr Benn!!!!!!
WITS
I don’t know why but I can’t text you , nor phone you, I get unobtainable. Even from a landline. When you text me though, I can reply? Drop me an e mail please so that I have a contact method.
Cheers
jamesgang
Now you know you sholudnt have said that someone will spoil your party and its all your own fault you’ll just have to stay off he blog :-(((
HH
lurgan57
21:19 on
31 December, 2014
kilwilke long time ago, are you still about Lurgan.
L57
sort of , I,m in Derrymacash, but my mum and two sisters still live in Shankill
HH
Dena
Prob should my dear given I’ll be driving!!!
HH jamesgang
Paddy Gallagher 21:11
Small world – will raise a glass to Bridget and my Dublin Mum (same birthday) Annie Matilda 11/11/19 (who passed away Christmas 3 years ago) – may they both R.I.P.
H!H!
Some comments on here drive you roond the benn
Especially when Docs oan :-)
CowieBhoy, no hard to drive you mad.
It’s not a long distance to drive:-)
jamesgang
21:23 on
31 December, 2014
Dena
Prob should my dear given I’ll be driving!!!
HH jamesgang
O dear so you need to keep the radio off as well . get yourself a good Celtic cd for the car in readiness for the show when you get home lol (fingers crossed)
HH
A Happy and Prosperous 2015 to you and yours wherever you may be.
Hail Hail
SJ
Tonight I think I will come out the closet dressed as a sailor.
Well it’s new year
Dena29
Still in Lurgan around the Lough Road, maybe we might have crossed paths at some time
L57
Big J reckons its a stone throw fae Dunblane – big roaster :-)
Hail Hail
Mr Benn aka cowiebhoy
http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/12/31/georgios-samaras-on-why-celtic-will-always-be-special-to-him/
Sammi’s coming home. Mibbee. If only. Probably not.
:-(((
HH jamesgang
jamesgang
Right in there wee mhan. Hahahaha. Have a great one James with the family. See you in the new year, hopefully. :-))))
Weefra HH praying to Wee Oscar.
Dena
Wee Ruaridh is already picking up the auld Tic songs!!
Cowiebhoy
Big lad like you could throw something light and aerodynamic that distance. Doc, for example!
HH jamesgang
Weefra
HH to you youngster.
KTF.
HH jamesgang
Right time to watch the telly, catch you in the New Year!
Some amount of walking away on the blog tonight. Ffs get a grip it’s a football blog.
twists n turns
21:01 on 31 December, 2014
Got it at 8/1, thanks in advance and a happy and prosperous new year to you and yours.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Light and aerodynamic!
You know me so well:-)
Marspapa
You mentioned the Roasters, but what about the Toasters?
Toastedcheesecsc
I hope all CQN posters and lurkers and Celtic supporters throughout the world have a very happy and healthy 2015.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL CELTIC SUPPORTERS WORLD WIDE
GOOD HEALTH FOR 2015
RONNY NOT FOR ME, MAKES THE SAME MISTAKES AND IS TACTICALLY INEPT IMHO
JOCK WITH THE SAME PLAYERS WOULD WALK THE LEAGUE , EVERY PLAYER WOULD KNOW HIS JOB AND DO IT RIGHT OR BE OUT.
THE TEAM HAS NO SHAPE , KAMIKAZE ATTACK WITH NO TEAM DISCIPLINE. ALL OUT ATTACK , NO THOUGHT OF DEFENCE, INTER WILL HAMMER US UNLESS HE LEARNS
AND QUICKLY TOO IMHO
JUST MY THOUGHTS , CLUELESS GOODNIGHT
NO NOT A HUN , FAN NOT A SUPPORTER NOW
Only got 7/1 on that horse
P67 and all at CQN.
Happy New Year and I hope 2015 is all you hope for.
Tomorrow I predict Celtic will be 4 points clear and this
Auld site will be a place of brotherly love and peace,
And an established lurker like myself can sit back and enjoy.
Let the people sing…
marspapa
21:06 on 31 December, 2014
The pleasure my friend has been all mine, no need for thanks and thank you. M just in from the Bingo, empty handy…( but hey ho…:)
M sends her best as do I to you and yours for 2015, I look forward o hearing youor a Grandad again, you’re getting to be an old hand at it…:)
A happy and prosperous new year to the marspapa clan, what a great clan you are.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Paddy Gallagher and
praecepta
and all who have lost someone we have our memories these are timeless treasures
this time of year is always hard when you have lost a loved one remember the good times
HH
lurgan57
21:28 on
31 December, 2014
Dena29
Still in Lurgan around the Lough Road, maybe we might have crossed paths at some time
L57
I’m sure we have then do you get to many games?
HH
big archie
21:41 on 31 December, 2014
Glad you came out the Closet mate…;)
Keep on posting.
A happy and prosperous new year to you, A and the Family.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Just heading oot to visit some family, so
Paul67 and all at CQN
Can I wish you all, and the entire Celtic Family
A very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous 2015
Onwards and Upwards Bhoys and Ghirls
COYBIG
Hail Hail & Keep the Faith all in one :-)
Its beechams time til later bhoys
and in case I dont get back on a big
HOOPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL
HH
Best wiahes to all…even the trolls….hopedully new year brings new tactics..centre half…and sightinga id henseraon..mxmullen. and o”carrol
Dena29
It is a few years since I was last over, for years never missed a home match but with personal commitment at home and the gradually downsizing I just could not make it over plus the fact it was a very long day travelling, but my love for the Celtic will never cease.
L57
O’connell….frwysian alip..just seen kellys heroes!
Spirit of 67
Looks like a ransom note
Do you need help?
marsapa
thanks for the mention HH
Have a good night and let’s hope we all enjoy 2015.
YNWA
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B6MgM1-CAAAzDV0.jpg:large
wee Oscar YNWA
Lennybhoy.
Cheers and best wishes to all your loved ones.
Let the people sing…