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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So Michael Stewart demonstrates he wasn’t a trouble maker or disloyal as a player by, describing how he was disloyal and a trouble maker as a player. Move along, nothing to see here.
John C is worth 20 of that rat
H.T.
He was disappointed too. He was hoping you were turning up but wasn’t sure.
I’m having a good drink today, first time since Dingwall, off tomorrow then working Sat and Sun so had to be today. I want us to win the league as much as anyone but have to say I’m please United won and sheep are winning. Everyone wants completion, well we have it, so bring it on and let’s see what Ronny and the team are made of.
St Johnstone manager has just re-confirmed that he will never have what it takes to be a CQNer
He’s just said that Celtic will win the league
ok – so we have an Old Firm semi after all!
embramike Wonder what the creditors still owed money will think……
til later bhoys off to my mammys
HH
Do Hamilton play on grass or G4?
He’ll be collecting the 250k fine from then soon then?
Awe_Naw..,
You forgot to mention that the board have assisted Focus in vilifying the supporters to the point we have posters who no longer go to games because they don’t want their children photographed and included in the Focus machinations, those supporters that make up the club eh.
Big Cup Winners
As regards working the media big Jock new how to do it
just dig up the dirt on them and let them know he had it in
his back pocket.
Always remember away back in the day Jock used to play
snooker against his father in law in our club and their games
were always interrupted due to people phoning him about
one thing or another.
I’ll never forget him throwing his cue across the table when
somebody told him wee jinky was on another bender screaming
“i’ll swing for that wee bar steward.
H.H Mick
jimmynotpaul
15:23 on 1 January, 2015
4G
Lionroars67
I hope noone’s surprised by Dungcaster’s statement.
He can distinguish between a club and a company, but not administration and liquidation.
He no doubt approved this on his organisation’s website. . . .http://spfl.co.uk/clubs/rangers/
So, unless Sevco goes under, or someone in authority finally tells the truth about the death of Rangers (1872-2012), I’ll be having no part of Celtic trying to compete for a “SHAMpionship” with any team claiming to be the deid club.
SHAMpiones, SHAMpiones ole ole ole. . . .
Doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it?
Jimmynotpaul
Accies and killie have new astro pitches
Good money savers for coaching kids etc
lionroars67-that will be the same Doncaster who said after Oldco died,that they would be keeping a very close eye on the governance of all clubs….
Now we’re confirmed as North Britain when are we going to ditch all the amatuerish small time gigs like bbc Scotland and seperate sporting bodies and just join up the uk bodies. For the good of the country let’s drop all the porochial waffle and get into the fast lane as a nation, GB
Doncaster & Regan were hand picked to oversee the biggest sporting scandal in british history and will continue to aid in the air brushing of it.
kdc-Michael Stewart was cut loose by Man U with a 750k pay off when he was 22,pissed about Hibs and Hearts for a couple of years,done zilch in the game.So i won’t be taking any lessons from him.
lionroars67
15:09 on
1 January, 2015
A very happy and prosperous new year to all CQN’rs
Neil Doncaster below sets the agenda for the up and coming League cup semi
Enjoy your steak pie……………………………………..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30646033
——————————
every other club should just liquidate and start again.
what a lie.
Gary 67 and Blantyretim
Thanks, explains why Accies game is on. Fair play to St Mirren they must have excellent drainage.
If it was the company that went into administration and then into liquidation WHY was the club penalised with a points deduction ?
Did Crapello really speak to a Scottish hack about Celtic?
Anti Celtic crap lapped up by those Celtic fans who are forever greetin faced.
beatbhoy
15:25 on
1 January, 2015
So, unless Sevco goes under, or someone in authority finally tells the truth about the death of Rangers (1872-2012), I’ll be having no part of Celtic trying to compete for a “SHAMpionship” with any team claiming to be the deid club.
Wholeheartedly agree, i wont be attending the semi final, nor will i watch it on TV
As IMO you are agreeing to the whole sham by watching said game, not to mention that the bigotfest this game can become has ran its course as far as i am concerned
I have no problem with anyone who disagrees with my view nor am i telling anyone what to do in relation to attending Celtic games
Awe_Naw_No_Annoni_Oan_Anaw_Noo
15:12 on
1 January, 2015
BCW
If you sell your best players, bank the money, disenchant your best players and coaching staff, cooperate in the criminalisation of the support, stay silent on the governance of the game, downsize on the playing side, increase salaries on the back of the above for non playing staff, make up policy on the hoof and to suit. Then the only fans still turning up are those that hope the ‘punt’ eventually works out or the faithful who cannot accept/see that the above is about Old Firm realignment.
=====================================
Ah nice wee barb that “punt”…………..
Did Celtic , break the mould, take a chance or a “punt” on Mr Stein ?
Suppose you think Capello is right to label Celtic a “long ball” team ?
Thanks for the “Faithful” tag…………you seem to think it’s a negative ? Apologies if I got that wrong, the written word is sometimes easily misinterpreted. I’d be interested in your ideation of that sentence.
Embramike
Nothing …if it’s in the rules book that they are happy to adhere to
The NEw yeaR’s Day (NERDS) Celtic Quiz:
Anyone fancy trying to answer the most obscure Celtic questions that my fiendish mind has come up with?
All answers relate to Celtic players not from the British Isles.
5 questions starting at 15.40. Finish in 30 minutes
5 points for first correct answer before a clue is posted – 3 points for any other correct answer before the clue.
3 points for the first correct answer after the clue – 1 point for correct answer after the clue has been posted
My decision is final so no dissent will be tolerated.
Premier League
Team Name P GD PTS
1 Aberdeen 19 11 40
2 Celtic 18 22 39
3 Dundee United 19 13 37
4 Hamilton Academical 19 13 36
As it stands.
What a joke. We are 2nd, 3 points ahead of Hamilton Academical after 18 games.
i am feckin ranging with doncaster.
when is our advert placed in the herald ?
FGF
Happy new year
Doncasters statement is a nonsense and self contradictory
It’s what happens in such circumstances
saint stivs
Ad will appear on Sunday 25th January.
Apart from the ” long ball” comment anyone think that Capello’s current assessment if our European standing is inaccurate
This statement from Doncaster should trigger alarm bells in every boardroom who value sport over corruption,I was not aware that Nimmo Smith was asked to make a decision on oldclub/ newclub, for him to say clears this up is wishful thinking and requires to be rebuffed by the clubs, in our case over to you Celtic we are watching.
lionroars67
15:31 on 1 January, 2015
beatbhoy
15:25 on
1 January, 2015
I also wholeheartedly agree ….. They are deed, and we should not be playing zombies.
So, after Doncaster”s ” absolutely” comment, it is inconceivable that any Celtic supporter will attend the shame semi.
Of course, perverted logic and selfish intentions will justify those, ” Ah just support the team” guys, who have absolutely no thought for the game itself, just self indulgent jollies.
Off to meet a couple of true Celtic and football supporters.
5 points for first correct answer before a clue is posted –
stepane mahe,
rico annoni
didier agathe,
joe kennoway
abdul salem
i think i won
NERDS quiz:
Question 1 –Based on his first name, which Celtic player brought Love and Peace to Parkhead?
dessybhoy
15:38 on 1 January, 2015
Copy of statement from Doncaster..??
It takes an advert from the celtic support to point out the obvious. Meanwhile our board are complicit in corruption.
embramike
15:19 on
1 January, 2015
From the Neil Doncaster interview …
So the official take from the SPFL is that Rangers Football Club continues, it’s the same club?
“Yes, it’s the same club, absolutely.”
So that’s it bhoys – straight from the horse’s mouth!
Wonder what Celtic’s reaction will be to this comment – anyone ???
Indeed the dichotomy between encouraging and assisting Res12 albeit behind the scenes and Celtic being a member club of the SPFL and having representation on the SPFL board in the form of Eric Reilly requires explaining
HaresandhoundsCFC
….pfayr supports weeoscar
Happy New Year mate .
Sick of it mate and sick of us letting it happen .