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. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    WEEBOBBYCOLLINS

     

     

    No,I was pretty concerned myself!!!

     

     

     

    The person I was concerned about was my Mum. Fortunately they arrived the day I’d turned the corner.

     

     

    HH

  2. Delaneys Dunky on

    1 John Wark the Kingsway Hun haha

     

     

    2 Kerr

     

     

    3 Gillespie

     

     

    4 Barca

     

     

    5 Payton

     

     

    6 Big Morton

     

     

    7 Coventry like chrysler

     

     

    8 McLeod, McGarvey

     

     

    9 Penarol

     

     

    10 Tallagh’s finest Shamrock Rovers

     

     

    11 Rudi Vata

     

     

    12 Paul Elliot

     

     

    13 32

     

     

    14 Coyne

     

     

    15 Toulouse

  3. BMCUWP

     

     

    C and O delighted you are home and on the road to recovery!

     

     

    Both send their love!

  4. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    PHILBHOY

     

     

    Cheers,mate. Thank them very much,please. You’re a lucky big fella to have two smashing women in your life-but hey,you make your own luck in this life!

  5. Mahe the Madman on

    1,,,Who did Billy Mc Neill say was the epitome of a true Celt in Ipswich before a friendly game ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,, ( Saint ) Johnny Doyle

     

     

     

    2,,,MON sold this goalkeeper to Wigan for a reported 300k ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Stuart Kerr

     

     

     

    3,,,LIam Brady signed this centre half who would go on to score 6 goals for the club over four seasons ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Malky MacKay

     

     

     

    4,,,Big John Kennedy made his Champions League debut against which club ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,,Lyon

     

     

     

    5,,,This former striker also counts Oldham , Middlesbrough and Norwich among his former clubs ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Chris KIllen

     

     

     

    6,,,In the 98 – 99 season he was the number 11 and was integral to stopping the 10 with his performances earning an international recall ,,,?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Morten Wieghorst

     

     

     

    7,,,Upon leaving which club did JIm Brogan join ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Coventry City

     

     

     

    8,,,In a European Cup Winners match in 1980 against Romania’s Politechnica Timisoara which two Celtic players were ordered off ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Roddy Mc Donald and Frank Mc Garvey

     

     

     

    9,,,Which Brazilian club did Celtic play to celebrate the start of their centenary season ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Cruzeiro

     

     

     

    10,,,In 1986 which team that also plays in hoops did we face in the first round of the European Cup ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,,Shamrock Rovers

     

     

     

    11,,,Which of these players made the most appearances for the club ?

     

    Paul Elliott

     

    Regi Blinker

     

    Rudi Vata

     

    Thomas Rogne

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Paul Elliott

     

     

     

    12,,,Which of these players scored the most goals for the club ?

     

    Tommy Boyd

     

    Darren Jackson

     

    Paul Elliott

     

    Paul Telfer

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Darren Jackson

     

     

     

     

     

    13,,,At what age was Paul “ The Maestro “ forced to retire due to injury ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,,32

     

     

     

    14,,,Top scorer during the 94-95 season ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,John Collins

     

     

     

    15,,,Which club was Bobo Balde signed from ?

     

     

     

    Answer,,,Toulouse

  6. BMCUWP

     

     

    From now on, first thing in the morning, they might ask me how I’m doing, instead of “Any news on Mick?”

     

     

    Love them both!

  7. Mahe the Madman on

    The baldies 12

     

    MIT 20

     

    BMCUWP 28

     

    AOW 27

     

    SFTB 29

     

    GARY67 32

     

    DD 22

  8. Sorry Big Packy,

     

     

    No I’m not, Partick punter and Senga is a nickname my school pals gave me a couple of years back

  9. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Bloody hell,seven points pulled from the wreckage there,I think.

  10. Mahe the Madman on

    AOW,, if you wish to stay in the hunt and the bhoys are cool with it we could skip the pics and move to next weeks general knowledge round which i have ready ? Your call ?

     

    You might never get another shot at the title ;) ?

  11. SENGA thanks for the reply, had a cousin called senga, who lived in valleyfield ,have not seen for forty years.hh.

  12. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    MAHETHEMADMAN

     

     

    Absolutely. Why should ARTOFWAR have to take a step back simply because he’s gone to the effort of helping compile the quiz?

     

     

    Go for it,John.

  13. Delaneys Dunky on

    Senga

     

     

    Tims fae Partick like you and I are the best Tims. I was born in Rosevale Street. Token Tims in that orange hell hole street were our family. Was character building S. ????????

  14. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    SENGA

     

     

    While you’re here,does Wednesday 20th June sound ok?

  15. Mick, I think you are still under the influence of powerful drugs.

     

    How else would you be beating me?

     

    Drug cheat, lol!

  16. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    Hmmmmm,film characters.

     

     

    And your chosen subject is? Anything but film characters,I’ve never watched enough of them.

     

     

    (Gets excuses in early-for being a Philistine!)

  17. Big Packy,

     

     

    No worries BP, there’s been few times I’ve been more than convinced I was related to or childhood pals with a good few on here. Really doesn’t matter, Wearefamilysistersledge csc HH

  18. BOBBY MURDOCH'S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on

    ARTOFWAR

     

     

    Beginner’s luck,and adrenalin.

     

     

    Whatever works.

  19. DELANEYS DUNKY cant stand you glory hunters fae partick support your local team cmon the thistle,smiley thing.hh.

  20. mike in toronto on

    if the zombies finish third .. any consequences? do they have an extra qualifying round to play … something like that?

  21. JC2 on 27TH APRIL 2018 8:50 PM

     

    Only a wee kick from johnny Doyle

     

     

     

     

     

     

    10 men win the league

     

     

     

     

     

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H64BOxqZh6Y

     

    ———————————

     

    Absolute magic. Was just transported back to 39 years ago. My memory of the Murdo goal had him a lot further from goal.

  22. Delaneys Dunky on

    Mahe

     

     

    Sorry pal, I am out. My 4 weans think I am a weirdo, because I don’t watch TV or movies. Huvnae a clue who any of them are.

  23. Gooooooood Evening CQN

     

    Firstly,

     

    Michael – they have taken you away, home ???

     

    Roy C, very well done your bhoy (Paddybhoy 1888’s Bhoy also has that role)

     

     

    Now

     

    Paul67 – I was at both games mentioned

     

    But

     

    IT CAN OR WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN

     

    (Yes I’m shouting)

     

    If we win on Sunday,

     

    IT WILL BE A FIRST TIME , AGAINST A NEW 6 YEAR OLD CLUB

     

    DONT FORGET THAT

     

    oh

     

    And I will miss this one, the team we will play means nothing in my world

     

     

    Hail Hail

  24. Mahe the Madman on

    Jobo when looking at the pics glance to the right and it lets you know what were looking for nudge nudge :)

  25. matt Damon- Pvt Ryan

     

     

    Sharon Stone- Basic Instinct- dk charac name

     

     

    Full Metal Jacket dk actor or role

     

     

    Die Hard – Alan Rickman Hans Gruber

     

     

    The Breakfast Club Molly Ringwald dk

     

     

    Forrest Gump Tom Hanks eponymous

     

     

    Shawshank redemption Morgan freeman Red redding

     

     

     

    Elephant Man John Hurt John Merrick

     

     

    Braveheart Murron dk actress

  26. A. Matt Damon

     

     

    B. Sharon Stone

     

    C. R. Lee Ermey

     

    D. Alan Rickman

     

    E. Molly Ringwald

     

    F. Tom Hanks

     

    G. Morgan Freeman

     

    H. Catherine McCormack

     

    I. John Hurt

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