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

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

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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  2. Gordon64 on

    Winning 7 league titles in a row is a feat worth celebrating. The fact that we could eventually get over the line against the tribute act does not for me make it any sweeter. Hh

  4. Delaneys Dunky on

    RC

     

     

    My mammy widnae let a 13 year old me go to a game against the devils team and fans in 1979 4-2 game. I think it was Tiger Tim who told me 10 men won the league. I went to my first game v huns as a 14 year old, Scottish Cup Final 1980. My mammy was correct. Huns are scum. Fought them all the way to the Gorbals till the Cumbie came out tooled up to hauner us, and chased the Brigton Derry. Mental day in Glesca

  5. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Roy, the 1983 top of the pops episodes are on BBC 4 through the week.

     

     

    I record them then fast forward through the mince that is in each episode.

     

     

    There are some great bands in each episode .

  11. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    The 4 2 game was the day after my 16th birthday .

     

     

    My parents forbade me from going to games against the now defunct club. Like most of us , we never crossed our respective formidable mothers.

     

     

    They were flying out to Majorca that night at 9pm. They did not leave for the airport until half seven.

     

     

    If their flight was at 7pm , I would have went to the game. Cela Vie

  15. Gordon64 on

    Dave ‘the Castlemilk charlatan’ King has now missed the deadline to buy out fellow share holders. What punishment will now bestow the convicted fraudster in bonnie Scotia ?

  16. Delaneys Dunky on

    BMCUW

     

     

    Listening to Stand by Me by the Almighty Clash. Sounding as fresh now as them schooldays lovin The Clash. Sandinista time. The most underated album ever. Every puffer’s favourite album. ?????

  21. Delaneys Dunky on

    If you tolerate this, then your children will be next.

     

    I was taught to sort it at source. I am a fenian pacifist by choice.

  22. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    DD, I wasn’t planning to stay down, but if you have a plan, I could be tempted bruv.

     

     

    Monday off sounds good to me.

     

     

     

    HH

  24. !!Bada Bing!! on

    The 4-2 game is the best Celtic game i have been at, last seasons Rogic winner in the Cup Final was fantastic and emotional, Sunday is all set to do similar

  25. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Delaney’s , if you go onto the Joe Strummer Foundation site , they have some cracking t shirts for £16 & £3 postage.

     

     

    There is a really good revolution rock t shirt in white & red and one in black & red

  29. Gordon64 on

    Bada I wouldn’t put Sunday’s game anywhere near a par with previous league winning games. Hh

  30. petec on

    Sorry for the denominations MEGA LOVE

     

     

     

    CELTIC… STOP dradual increases in every price please……. Especially when you post Awesome results.

     

     

    I’m @ Celtic because of my wee Laddie, yer not being humble to the Support.

  35. Dallas Dallas where the heck is Dallas on

    Roy, thanks for some great tunes and photos tonight.

     

     

    The photo of Danny running beside roll out the barrel, was my favourite .

     

    good night all and sleep well.

  37. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ROYCROPPIE

     

     

    Ah,Beggar’s Banquet,and the beginning of the feast.

     

     

    Let it Bleed,Sticky Fingers,Exile on Main Street.

     

     

    Had it not been for the execrable Their Satanic Majesties Request,Between The Buttons would have its deserved recognition for setting it all off. Or maybe it was Aftermath.

     

     

    But four belters. Like Stevie Wonder a few years later,Music From My Mind through to Songs in The Key of Life.

     

     

    Stunning runs of quality.

  38. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    DELANEYSDUNKY

     

     

    Aye,there’s some weird stuff filling space on it-but wow,there’s some top drawer Clash there too.

     

     

    I think my copy is in my parents’ loft,like most of the good stuff. You see,I never planned on being away this long!!!

  42. Big Sean F on

    Gordon64. Not an expert but they will be cold shouldered. Will not be able to raise cash/float.

     

    That’s the size of it – they are well beyond financial reputation/ damage,Won’t matter a jot if King bank rolls.

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