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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VFR
Born in Pertyck decanted to Knightswood. Educated in Saint Paul’s, Corpus Christi and Saint Thomas Aquinas Jordanhill. Of course I am posher than a Drumchapel bhoy. See you for a champion breakfast tomorrow bro.
???????
Morning on what looks a not bad day in G20
Welcome back BMCUWP. I noticed on my return here last week that he was not posting and Assumed he had finally and deservedly been red carded but gather I have to be nice to him as he has been ‘confounding medical science ill.’ Seriously, welcome back Mick- will see if I can book the days for Cheltenham for next year when I go to work next week!
As for teaching ‘them’ how to win with style etc- six years Newco and its followers have shown not the slightest inclination to learn anything. They just want things to be as they were – them winning things by spending other people’s money. I would be less inclined to diss Gerrard’s likelihood of joining them as it is the kind of eyecatching stunt that was oldco’s stock in trade from the point it announced Souness as manager 32 years ago.
The thing is this part of their, er, strategy works to some extent – come Monday morning whether we win 10 nil or we have still not clinched the title they will be the big story in both mainstream and social media including numerous sites and blogs which have Celtic in their title. As long as we win and stick to our plans they can have all the back pages they want.
Away for my shopping
Jimbo67
BLANTYRETIM
Thanks for the update,bud. Pleased to hear that he’s back to normal,then!!!
R.I.P. Wee Alfie Evans
AOW
I am up for a post match McChuills meet. See you there pal.
YNWA
Leftclicktic
Have a great day Big Chap with young Daniel and the rest of the family..
KTF
I prognosticate a 4-0 win at least tom arrow; could be more!
KTF
DD – Knightswood is very posh when juxtaposed with The Drum!
KTF
VFR
Prognosticate is a wonderful word. But you call me posh? That Saint Pius was a great school too. My cousins are all professional Uni educated because of Saint Pius Drumchapel.
Being blasted out in a caff in Navigli , Milano .
On here now-
https://youtu.be/wqbEsS5kFb8
SOUTH OF TUNIS
The Honeydrippers track is a frequent flyer on my FB page, great tune that never gets old:))
DD – WOTD for Monday will be Prognosticate! ??
Juxtapose for Tuesday! ???
KTF
DELANEYS DUNKY on 28TH APRIL 2018 12:09 PM
I’ve only got the 2 degrees and an MSC!
St Sixtus and St Pius have stood me in good stead!
KTF
this time tomorrow we will be 2-0 up.
i can feel it.
SOT
Very much doubt I will listen to a better song today than ‘Impeach The President’ Magic track thanks.
I can see Alba!
VFR
Just suppose we are juxtaposed.
Great Super Furry Animals tune.
Great Welsh Bhoyos.
Almore
Failtè
Hipster behind the bar with a Napoli accent has got taste –
Are You Glad ?
https://youtu.be/rnYKh72NXig
Stuart Cosgrove on BBC radio Scotland repeating the nonsense that the spine of the England side joined Souness at Ibrox to “have a crack at Europe”.
Must still be to soon to talk about the money.
CV
English teams were banned from Europe at the time due to ‘ Heysel ‘ I think.
HH
Have another espresso as the hipster drops this –
Hank Mobley 1960 -Wynton Kelly on piano
https://youtu.be/IyRWhz0UtBI
Off to meet the mad mental ole Inter codger for lunch. Osso buco con polenta washed down with a bottle of Barolo .
Gone !
VFR
Knightswood & Drumchapel
https://youtu.be/dmCZ4f8NhOk
Liam Gallagher has really upped his game with his new album. Smokin the good plant now I think?
SOUTH OF TUNIS
You’re in good spot there, I would walk a long day to hear any decent tunes in the cuffs of Basel:))
Unless fuzzy Goa trance is yer bag:))
DD & SOT – listening to Rag’n’Bone Man special release for Record Store Day: “Don’t set the world on fire” and “George has got a friend”.
Released on yellow 12″ vinyl and won’t be released on an y other medium.
Next up is the mono v version of “Pipers at The Gates of dawn”.
KTF
DELANEYS DUNKY on 28TH APRIL 2018 12:01 PM
AOW
I am up for a post match McChuills meet. See you there pal.
YNWA
——————–
I’ll head in and catch a few after the game G.
Been a long time since Munich.HH
DELANEYS DUNKY on 28TH APRIL 2018 1:04 PM
Liam Gallagher has really upped his game with his new album. Smokin the good plant now I think?
__________________________________________
To be fair, he was starting from a very low base.
KTF
S o T
Buon appetito!
Heading back to Italia tomorrow and will be there until October. Land in Pisa at ko time – bad planning!
HH!!
Hi Bhoys
BMCWP glad to see you back may your health improve daily.
A wee bit of sad news bhoys I have been told that THEE Bobby Murdoch’s mother has sadly passed away.
She saw her son play in paradise and will now join him in heaven.
May God love and keep her.
R.I.P. Babs Murdoch (give you bhoy a hug from me).
KEEP THE FAITH
Son’s away for the weekend – so Vale park for game against Carlisle – I wondered where clint hill ended up
https://twitter.com/DFImpressionist/status/989920642697965570
DELANEYSDUNKY
I’ve been impressed with LG new stuff. Glad he eventually realised he can’t write for toffee,so hired someone who could.
Meantime,all I’ve heard of NG new album sounds like Ricky Martin. Jeez,Noel.
TALLYBHOY
Grazie !
Buon viaggio domani .
Ole codger is as high as a kite . In 7th heaven at the thought of his beloved Inter screwing Rube . I’ll take lots of fazzoletti in case it doesn’t happen .. That said I wouldn’t put it past Napoli ( the best team in Italia by a mile ) to blow it v Fiorentina tomorrow .but then being Napoli they might leave it till the last day of the season and the home game v Crotone . I can see it -1 up , get a penalty , miss it and lose 2-1.. It’s the way Napoli are .
Tonight promises to be lively — a packed house and maybe a momentous result !!!!. Speriamo .
Auguri !!!
Babs Murdoch
R I P
You made a difference to the history of our great club.
VFR
Rag n Bone Man was warm up to Radiohead in Glasgow Green last year. Dynamite set.
Sipsini
Magic pal. See you in McChuills tomorrow post match. ???????
Steve Reynolds
Happy heavenly birthday to pablo
DBBIA kept your memory alive this week with Beatles lyrics pal☘️☘️☘️☘️