Teach them how to win the league with style and within budget

1046

I wasn’t at the 4-2 game against Oldco on 21 May 1979, when “10 men won the league, tra-la-la-la-la.”  Martin42 is still dealing with the consequences of going without me, but I endured the 0-3 defeat 20 years later that saw the title go to Ibrox.

In the intervening 19 years the authorities in Scotland have done their best to ensure we do not have a potential league winning game between Celtic and either of the Rangers group of clubs, but here we are.  There may never be another opportunity.

That Celtic team in season 1998-99 started poorly with new manager, Jo Venglos, working among one or two strong personalities in the dressing room, but by the springtime we were flowing and a title challenge was on.  When we met Newco on 2 May, a win would only give us an outside chance of the title.

Then came the news that we would play with a rookie, Scott Marshall.  The result wasn’t Scott’s fault, but the chance added a pressure to a defence which already had Stephane Mahe, for some of the game, anyway.  We could not handle the pressure.  Oldco stuck to task and won comfortably.

This was a time when titles in Scotland were decided by sheer brute force.  David Murray’s Rangers’ aggregate income for the four seasons which followed Celtic’s title win in 1998 was £180m – but they spent £282m, an average loss per season over four years of £25m.

The Rangers way of doing business was working.  It delivered titles and denied you and me football success.  There were many reasons to dislike how they did business.  Liquidation would take another 13 years, but the consequences of financial irresponsibility were always inevitable.

Newco will walk into Celtic Park on Sunday with their own version of Scott Marshall, Jak Alnwick, who has made just two senior appearances (no clean sheets) since arriving in Glasgow 18 months ago.  We need to make sure he endures a torrid afternoon.

After watching Graeme Murty earn two draws at Celtic Park I have a bit of respect for what he can do there.  He should not be underestimated, few managers arrive for their third visit undefeated, but the man is so embattled right now, his ability to prepare a team must be significantly impaired.

By contrast, Brendan Rodgers gave a tactical masterclass in the recent games at Ibrox and Hampden, costing Murty any chance of securing the Newco manager’s job long term.  For Brendan, Sunday is all about getting the job done as early as possible, before preparing the squad for the cup final, which is only three weeks away.

I know it’s greedy to ask for too much when we are within touching distance of a second successive treble, considering we only won two in 48 years before last season, but I really want this one.  Let’s do it for everyone who was at Celtic Park on 2 May 1999, or who lived through the years when David Murray and Dave King sat on an Oldco board which lost £35.3m with a turnover of only £44.8m.  Contemporary times show that some lessons cannot be taught too often to those who refuse to learn.

The same people are strutting around our game with the same sense of entitlement.  Show them how to win the league with style and within budget, Celtic.

Raffle to play in an 11-a-side game at Celtic Park, closes 15:00 today, Friday 27th

An incredible opportunity to play on the hallowed turf at Celtic Park around the end of the current season 2017-18, in Club sponsor Intelligent Car Leasing’s match.

You will be provided with complimentary Celtic kit and receive the full match-day experience including arrival through the front door, access to the dressing room and proudly walking down the tunnel to enter the famous field of play.

Both squads will be managed by a former Celtic player. Date 16 May, 11:00 kick off. All monies raised will be donated to Celtic FC Foundation, a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (number SC024648).

To enter the raffle, make a minimum donation of £5 to the Foundation at this MyDonate page.  Then send your donation confirmation email to this address: celticquicknews@gmail.com

The opportunity to play on Celtic Park is just beyond words.  I did it a few years ago, the memories will live forever, as will the photographs.  The experience of preparing in the dressing room, as so many greats have done before, was fabulous.

You can enter for yourself, or gift the prize to someone you know aged 18 or over. Competition closes in just a few hours at 15:00, so enter now!.

Good luck!

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  1. A. Matt Damon – Bournesouprecipe

     

    B. Sharon Stone – Basi Instinct

     

    C.

     

    D.

     

    E.

     

    F.Tom Hanks – James Forrest Gump (run, Jamesie, run)

     

    G.

     

    H.

     

    I. John Hurt – The Elephant Man

     

     

    GOODNIGHT!!

  2. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    A-Matt Damon-The Bourne Ultimatum

     

     

    B

     

     

    C

     

     

    D

     

     

    E-Molly Ringwald-The Breakfast Club

     

     

    F-Tom Hanks Forrest Gump

     

     

    G

     

     

    H-Catherine McCormack Braveheart

     

     

    I

  3. Delaneys Dunky on

    BP

     

     

    My local team in Partick were Rangers.

     

    Ibrox was much closer to me than Firhill was. When I was a wean, I knew they had scored because I could hear the huns roar across the Clyde in Partick.

  4. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ARTOFWAR

     

     

    I reckon my score in that round will be so low that you’ll beat me by default. Clueless about films,I barely watch telly.

  5. Didn’t realise you wanted the film as well

     

     

    GARY67 on 27TH APRIL 2018 9:46 PM

     

    A. Matt Damon – Bourne

     

     

    B. Sharon Stone – Basic Instinct

     

     

    C. R. Lee Ermey – Full MetL Jacket

     

     

    D. Alan Rickman – Robin Hood Prince of Thieves

     

     

    E. Molly Ringwald – The Breakfast Club

     

     

    F. Tom Hanks – Forest Gump

     

     

    G. Morgan Freeman – ??

     

     

    H. Catherine McCormack – Braveheart

     

     

    I. John Hurt – The Elephant Man

  6. Mick, it’s films, no telly. :-)

     

     

    You go to the local cinematica and they take many Roman coins from your purse so that you can enjoy being pissed off by other folks poor behaviour whilst watching the flicks.

     

     

    Haven’t been since I ended up beside the `full motion experience cnuts’ whose seats not only moved about all film they had enough food to fill an Hercules mercy plane.

     

     

    Bassas!

     

     

    At home you only have to account for yourself.

  7. Hi Delaney’s,

     

     

    Made up you’re back on your feet again, you’ve had one tough gig G. I’m a fraud really, moved in 1970 to the westend so I’m no really kosher but i feel it, I love it warts n all. Rosedale St is still insane place to live in, two Greek pals stuck there for 6 months, hated it. Not nice area or atmosphere but hey they get away with it anyway.

     

     

    All the best G and you take, I’m well away with it with my favourite white widow?x

  8. Mahe the Madman on

    Final Podium

     

     

    1st Gary67 41

     

    2nd SFTB 36

     

    3rd BMCUWP ( welcome back ) 32

     

    4th AOW 27

     

    5th DD 22

     

    6th MIT 20

     

    7th The Baldies 16

     

     

    Thanks everyone and our apologies for any blips. Less movie related from now on also.

     

    Hope you enjoyed and see you next week.

     

    Well done Gary67.

     

    Thanks AOW.

  9. Mahe

     

    Brilliant quiz again. Think I’ll stop going to the pub on a Friday night. Much more fun laughing at your family, who think they’re quizmeisters, coming up with all sorts of rubbish.

     

    Anyway, if I add my score to the baldies I think we might win…

  10. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    DELANEYSDUNKY

     

     

    Join the club,mate. I even got a two year exemption from the company who collect TV licences.

     

     

    Late 90s,have a telly,and got fed up with threatening letters from this mob. And visits,where I pointedly refused them entry. Simply stated that I did not have a TV on my property,and therefore did not require a licence.

     

     

    Of course,they had to go too far. Pointed out that I was breaking the law by watching TV without a licence. This is about their 10th letter,btw,and it was gold.

     

     

    Yep. They had accused me of criminal action. Asked a lawyer friend,who agreed they’d cocked up. “Write to them,point out their heinous suggestion,and ask them how they intend to help,restore your good name”

     

     

    Two year exemption,a letter to be shown where I was not liable for a licence,regardless of whether I actually bought a TV in the meantime.

     

     

    Got a job wi Sky. Big TV downstairs,one upstairs,two satellite dishes put the back,and a liveried van in the drive. Three times I told an inspector I don’t need a licence,mate.

     

     

    “But I can see your telly fae here!”

     

     

    “Aye. Have a look at this instead”

     

     

    Bought a licence three days before that letter ran out. Just as well.

  11. Jurgen Klopp turning into Eric Cantona, talking about Ox’s injury:

     

     

    “It’s just a shame. It’s not fair. That’s how life is sometimes. If you get a lemon, make lemonade from it.

     

    “That’s what we have to do, what Alex is doing. He’s a positive person. He will be back.

     

    “I told him already we will wait for him like a good wife when a man is in prison.”

     

     

    ?????????

  12. Mahe the Madman on

    Gutenberg please join in.

     

    The more people the easier it is to justify to the wife !

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Dallas from earlier,

     

    doing research I found this

     

    ” In a gathering at Ipswich Town Hall before a friendly match, Manager Billy McNeill (Manager) paid homage with the following memorial tribute:

     

    “Johnny Doyle was the epitome of the phrase ‘a true Celt’.”

     

     

    Hail Hail

  13. Since our rather fortunate 3-2 league win at Ibrox we have played 5 league games with 2 draws , 2 wins and a defeat. To say we haven’t set the heather on fire this season would be a major understatement. Hh

  14. Delaneys Dunky on

    Senga

     

     

    Lemon Haze night here. Loving it’s painkilling qualities that no prescribed drug can offer me after a hard weeks work. Wonder stuff. Only us dafties know it’s qualities.

     

    Robert Nesta Marley CSC

     

     

    Feck yer Rosevale LOL 102. Shower of knuckle dragging neanderthals. Look forward to seeing you again soon in the Celtic end of Pertyck.

     

    HH

  15. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MAHETHEMADMAN and ARTOFWAR

     

     

    Thanks,lads. Thoroughly enjoyed that. Got seriously stuffed in the last round,but so what?

     

     

    The nature of pub quizzes is,be prepared for it all. And if it’s something you know eff all about,is that the fault of the quizmaster,or yourself for having a blank in your knowledge?

     

     

    The only difference between a difficult question and an easy one is that you know the answer to one of them.

     

     

    Don’t change the format,lads. Next week’s picture round might be of reggae stars,or my mates. Chance we take.

  16. You’ve been told what you can do so that’s a defo. You’re on the mend and that’s the best bit buddy, seriously so glad you’re feeling much better KTF HH

     

     

    ps a bit hammered here so I’m on the mend too, Herbie Hancock tune but I canny forward it auldtart csc

  17. Well done Gary67!

     

     

    Next weeks picture round will be weather girls past and present.

     

     

    Should get Bada Bing playing.

     

     

    Either that or obscure foodstuffs from Europe.

  18. Mahe

     

    I do join in, just don’t post the answers, sorry mate.

     

    We’ve got a mixed bag in my house. Me, I think I know all the Celtic and music questions, my wife comes up with some random crackers and my daughters, well, despite being quite intelligent know the square root of f*** all when it comes to it.

     

    Have a good laugh at them trying though…

     

    Really early start for you on Sunday so hope you don’t sleep in and enjoy the party.

     

    Hail Hail

  19. Delaneys Dunky on

    Gutenberg

     

     

    Don’t be shy. One of us baldy bassas will win Mahe’s quiz one week. Wish he stuck to Celtic and General Knowledge. TV and Movies are as alien to me as Ibrox and hun kulchur.

     

    Mon the Baldy Tims! ????????

  20. DD,

     

     

    That is a nice night. Need to be careful where I’m going but that’s a belter! Talk about it more about haze v widow depth when we meet up?x

  21. Oh look there’s Gordon in to cheer me up. lol

     

     

    Looking forward to Sunday. First time I have attended a game against Sevco, Last game I met their supporters was when they followed a team called Rangers and it was a fabulous occasion.

     

     

    4 horsemen, Hooper, when will I see you again. Tombstones etc…

     

     

    Just a laugh out loud day.

     

     

    My bro and his son travelling up from Newport for it so looking forward to a good day/night.

  22. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ARTOFWAR 2158

     

     

    Aye,I know. But apart from when I’d take my niece and nephew to watch the latest Harry Potter,the last time I was in a cinema was 92 in Stafford.

     

     

    Lethal Weapon 3. My girlfriend at the time was a bit younger than me,smashing lass,and no airs and graces about her.

     

     

    “Michael,lets go and see Lethal Weapon 3,kick some arse and then hit the pub”

     

     

    “Works for me,doll”

     

     

    That was the one,I think where Rene Russo kicked some ass. I was impressed. Never saw it in the f…..g picture round though.

  23. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Mahe, thanks for the reply.

     

     

    Our beloved Johnny Doyle passed away in late 1981 . We played Ipswich in November 1981 at Portman Road . That would tie in with Big Billy’s comment about Johnny .

     

     

    When we won the league on the last day of the 81/82 season, our support sang we won the league for Doyle.

     

     

    Regarding the negative comment earlier about Jo Venglos. For about 6 months of the 98/99 season , Dr Jo had us playing some good stuff , with the late Phil O’Donnell in great form.

     

     

    Those of us who saw Lubo in his spell with us , will always appreciate the extremely special ‘dud Czech ‘ (copyright Shug Keevins ) Dr Jo signed for 300 grand.

  24. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    SENGA 1011

     

     

    I had a quick flick through HH-aye-YouTube stuff. The only choob I could think of that was appropriate for you was Rocket!

     

     

    But then I found this. Didn’t even know it existed. Got a feeling MIKEINTORONTO might be interested too. Herbie tribute to Miles,full album.

     

     

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sd5o-uIhgPY

  25. Art of War- made me laugh , i sent BSR a fantastic pic of La Ralston, he might get it sorted for on here ;)

  26. Delaneys Dunky on

    Mahe

     

    Thanks for the effort you put in to bring a great bunch of Tims together on a Friday night, and keep me out the pub. Dinnae be giving me tv or movie questions. Celtic and music are what I know about.. Hahaha

     

    ??????

  27. DD

     

    It’s funny, everybody I know loves a quiz night, even if they get beat.

     

    Doesn’t stop the arguments tho afterwards, when the losers still knew best.

     

    Anyway back to fitba, tonight I wish we’d won last week just so we could have a blast on Sunday regardless.

     

    However, if we win on Sunday, I’ll be glad we lost last week.

     

    Fickle eh???

  28. ok, decided, next week is music, sorry BADA! :-)

     

     

    BMCUW – will not go into cinema now, ignorant bassas everywhere. Just don’t know how to behave.

     

    Had to get therapy years ago when I had to take the wee mhan to `Alvin and the Chipmunks – the Squequel’

     

     

    Shit there goes my right eyebrow twitch again…….

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