Brendan Rodgers resigned in February 2019, a day before a crucial league game at Tynecastle and four days before a Scottish Cup quarterfinal at Easter Road. Celtic had around 24 hours’ notice that he could be moving, that was crucial in planning how to cope with two visits to Edinburgh that could have seen us out of a cup for the first time in almost three years and facing a crisis in the league.
I know there are a lot of raw memories from last season, but Neil Lennon stepped up big time then, and in the months that followed Rodgers’ departure, taking the next available five domestic trophies.
Neil wanted the job permanently, Celtic only wanted him on an interim basis, so they agreed that he would take the job until the end of the season on condition he was considered for the permanent role.
I spoke to ‘sources close to Celtic’ when those events were unfolding. It is fair to say that in late February 2019, few at Celtic expected Neil Lennon to get the gig come the end of the season. Having appointed footballing and commercial success in Rodgers, they hoped to be able to snag an equally qualified candidate.
What became evident over the three months that followed, is that Rodgers was an exception to the rule – he came because he was an actual Celtic fan, he moved on because he was also a football man, and that’s what 99% of the games’ heroes do, folks. There would be no box office manager this time.
Appetite for another over-achieving young European, like Ronny, was low. The spectre of the most intense person to walk the earth (from Cork) lurked, as ever. There were candidates who took small English clubs for a brief moment into the sun that is the Premier League, but none had managed a club of our size, with our challenges and expectation to win.
Unlike the deliberations in 2016, when Rodgers was appointed, no one felt hopeful at the direction of travel the recruitment process was going. No one at Celtic would ever say, “We ended up with Neil”, but it’s how I viewed it.
Despite how Eddie Howe is viewed in the rear view mirror, 99% of us were delighted at the prospect of him taking over in the summer, I wrote, “the best English manager in the game” at the time. When we return to the market after Howe’s rejection, it was roulette time. There was no indication Ange Postecoglou would be more successful than Ronny Deila or Neil Lennon, but as in February 2019, a second ‘Rodgers-type’ appointment was not going to happen.
Five months in, I cannot believe how well Ange has done. We are on a path I have faith in, recruiting talented players who excite and are within our budget. The crucial difference between Ange and Pedro Caixinha, who before coming to Glasgow took his club to the CONCACAF Champions League Final, is hard to spot.
They were both roulette wheel appointments, sometimes the ball lands on your number, more often it doesn’t. On the positive side, you get to spin the wheel, maybe there’s a Pep 2008 waiting for you, but that transition from Rodgers to Lennon, seven consecutive trophies to five consecutive trophies, was one for the ages. Replacing an entire management team midseason is a business interruption even an Ulster medical testing lab cannot whitewash.
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Sevco’s Sakala scores hat trick in Zambian World Cup qualifier.
GREENPINTA @ 4:26
Say what you like about the huns, but if they appoint GVB only days after slippy went its good planning.
It seems they were prepared and had mitigation in place.
How long did we dither ?
HH.
—–
Yes agree, it is certainly quick-planning, only time will tell if it is good-planning.
What it does again illustrate is the Ibrox new ‘Aye Ready’, i.e. “win at all costs & under any circumstances” whether financial, social, or, moral, seemingly kicks in automatically.
They have shown to be reckless, feckless & ruthless – we rightly shun the first two, but a measure of the third wouldn’t go amiss…..now & again.
Tontine Tim @ 5.13
You may have got that wrong. As I remember, the Yugoslavs were delighted when Ormond left Tommy Hutchison out of the team – he came on as sub and gave an assist for Scotland’s equaliser. A draw was not enough because of goal difference. The wee mhan might have made a difference though I think he was past his best then, though still better than Willie Morgan.
If it is the Conference Euro Cup for us this Season – Lets go win it.
AngeTrajectory.CSC
I still think if we have All our Top players available then the excellent Bayer Leverkusen might get a bloody nose at home.
NoFear.CSC
P 67 says…..
“Replacing an entire management team midseason is a business interruption even an Ulster medical testing lab cannot whitewash”.
There are 9 counties in Ulster, 6 of which are situated in “Northern Ireland”, the remaining 3 are situated in “Ireland” (i.e. Co. Donegal, Co. Cavan, Co. Monaghan).
Does that mean there are 2 Ulster Medical labs and, if so, which of the 2 medical labs are you you referring to Paul?
Asking for a friend ;-)
JHB et al,
To a certain extent every manager is a gamble. Even the biggest names can fail.
It was always likely Slippy would go at some point. The huns obviously were alert to this and had a list of preferential names in place. ( Those in work and those out of work )
Compare and contrast.
We knew NFL was a ” dead man walking ” for at least 5 months. It seems we had no plan and our ” negotiations with Eddie Howe were an absolute joke and frankly it was humiliating how we were strung along.
Like it or not it seems the huns were prepared and have acted decisively. If rumour is true they have immediately replaced a favourite with another favourite.
The result will be :- their fans will be happy, moral will be high, continuity and more importantly their club will be seen to be in control.
On this occasion there is nothing for us to laugh at them.
HH.
INIQUITOUSIV on 13TH NOVEMBER 2021 4:59 PM
SAINT STIVS
JinkyRedStar. and Tontine Tim.
————-
your memories are brilliant, ta for sharing.
I think its a generational thing, but trying to place our european history in context of the greatest games or individual performance I think many of the games get lost in the mists of time. you definately keep them alive, and in great details, I did not know the tv coverage was one of the deleted, shame.
sum wffer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pa7
79Caps
Jimmy dismantled England at Hampden in ‘74, just prior to the World Cup in Germany. That he’d didn’t kick a ball in the tournament remains a total disgrace, Ormand was leaned on. The whole ‘rowing boat’ nonsense used as a cover.
Nae way Bayer Leverkusen merited a 4-0.
The only thing is, they now know how the Celts play.
Celtic are free, as Leverkusen are, to display a fitba extravaganza.
I cannae wait to see how well we dae over there, no offence to St Johnstone and the Semi Final.
CELTIC
Good performance and result for Scotland last night. Calmac looked very sharp and full of energy.
Scotland sitting on 14 points for the play-off seeding places and even a point from Denmark would be invaluable, so still a lot to play for on Monday.
Correct JRS, Hutch was a totally different player tae the wee mhan and Wille Morgan couldnae lace his boots. If any player was past his sell by date it was Denis Law.
Greenpinata on 13th November 2021 5:44 pm
Europe is where its at.
We have been very poor, I don’t need to tell you how Amazing the Atmosphere is when Celtic are ON IT.
The BBC done somethings right.
Dave Clarke – essential mix – Zoning into the noo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqWNjzjUogQ
1994.CSC
Petec,
European football gives us so much that Scottish football cannot.
It is the prize a team gets for doing well in their domestic league. It should be valued and cherished,
HH.
HH.
Tom McLaughlin on 13th November 2021 6:16 pm
Good performance and result for Scotland last night. Calmac looked very sharp and full of energy.
Scotland sitting on 14 points for the play-off seeding places and even a point from Denmark would be invaluable, so still a lot to play for on Monday.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
It was excellent, that tackle on Callum was annoying and we have worries when playing against teams who have nothing to lose.
Callum was the Man.
The Guy is Awesome.
i watched all the scotland game again, stand out again were callum, keiran and mcginn.
the two bummed up guys paterson had a few good moments and good running, but he is no tony ralston.
wee billy, half as good as callum, but he will get better, if he ever gets games.
GREENPINTA @ 5:44
our ” negotiations with Eddie Howe were an absolute joke and frankly it was humiliating how we were strung along.
——–
Agree with everything you write (watch out, you will be called a hun), except for the above.
My take is that, yes we did hold on inordinately trying to clinch the Howe deal – if it had come off it would have been written that “Celtic held their nerve & were prepared to go the extra-mile to get the right man”. I believe in principle we had Eddie but that he could not in the end persuade his backroom to come with him…he has said as much himself. The reason? The West of Scotland.
Ange came in pretty quickly afterwards and so obviously as the Howe negotiations progressed a back-up candidate was being sourced.
The two Neil Lennon transitions(“19 &’21) hold more questions for me.
Greenpinata,
I hope big ragamuffin stylee that Ange will bring the most coveted Silverware.
This new 3rd Cup will do nicely.
I Wullnae be able to go (if outside UK) as I refuse to be vaccinated. Personal choice.
Not posted for a while but have really been enjoying watching the Bhoys since Ange took over. All this passing it out from the back frightens the beejeezus out of me at times but I’ll learn to live with it if we keep playing the “Celtic way”. Was quietly confident we’d win the title this season even before “Slippy” suddenly decided he wasn’t as happy as he claimed a couple of weeks ago. They’ll have little or no money to spend in January unless they gamble by selling (always assuming anyone wants to buy any of their ageing and petulant misfits) so good luck luring a decent manager in with that starkly depressing financial backdrop! My prediction is a messy meltdown at Sevco and the hoops to win the league by at least 10 points. COYBIG
St Stivs,
If Billy Gilmour was offered to Celtic for 6 Months. Only an idiot would refuse.
He is a real player like Callum. Pass&Move.CSC
PeteC
lets see if Stevie tries to take him to villa, partner with mcginn.
?
So unchosen humans are all off to live in space colonies, to save the earth?
Says one of the richest men on planet earth?
https://www.rt.com/usa/540203-bezos-earth-population-limit/
shaking my head productions dot com
Billy Gilmour is a Chelsea player.
I’d welcome into the Celtic squad as we go through so many tough games – The SFA/LRA would be in meltdown.
CS.CFC
I agree with Petec’s Billy Gilmour comments – that his mother is adverse to a certain colour should not be held against him – as for her, she is a pea-brain….there are tens of thousands of them in the west of Scotland alone – most of ‘us’ wear something blue without a thought – it does not belong to ‘them’ – they use it for their own purpose, as they use the Union FLag and the Armed Forces.
Aston Villa: Steven Gerrard confirms coaching staff with Gary McAllister as assistant
nuts, they might someone good in.
JHB
Blue is my favourite colour. Sky blue to be exact.
I find it pleasing to the eye. I didn’t plan it. It is was it is. Football allegiance doesn’t come into it.
TOM MCLAUGHLIN @ 7:29
A favourite of mine too, together with navy-blue……but seeing the GREEN & WHITE of a Celtic team running out of the tunnel has ALWAYS given me goose-bumps…..& always will HH.
i aways wear blue, matvhes my eyes.
i never wear red orange or purple though.
i do like alret and light blue
my fav is cyan – colour of the sky at sunset
youoleromanticyoucsc
I know it may be ‘old hat’ to revisit the John McGinn ‘thing’ – but someone earlier mentioning him brought back memories.
There were three protagonists closely involved: John, Brendan & Steve Bruce. Brendan & Bruce have never commented directly, however we have heard from John.
Correct me if I am wrong, didn’t he say that Brendan could not guarantee him first-team football and Steve could – wasn’t that the crux of the whole matter?
I am sorry we don’t have him – an Ange-Ball team could have been built around him….perpetual motion, a perfect fit!
jota turns on a sixpence
Saint Stivs on 13th November 2021 6:52 pm
PeteC
lets see if Stevie tries to take him to villa, partner with mcginn.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
I’m thinking Stevie G will be on a couch soon.
I was surprised he jumped as Celtic are in transition.
No Funds No Parrrrrty.
Old Skool Ragamuffin!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st_QK8WchVk
I agree with Petec, and JHB, about Billy Gilmour. 👍
Debates will always ensue about any football player.
Gilmour needs a workhorse type of player playing close to him, as Callum also does, as Maestro needed MacLeod, as Burley needed Lambert, as Petrov needed Lennon and Lambert, because of the workload involved, and many more.
Suggestion; the hugely talented David Turnbull should take the late Tommy Burns route to the leftback position, not because DT is a bad player in midfield, but because his style seems a wee bit cramped, and with DT taking a few steps back, the area in front of him will leave more space for his clinical released passes forward for our 2 strikers, probably bring G-Mac out of his shell and onto a scoring run, his goal v DundeeUtd was Larsson-esque imho, indeed everybody in front of DT will be able to cash in on DT’s timely, clinical launches, don’t know about DT’s defending, but I’d have him stationary as his hugely talented vision could be priceless.
Juranovic has a robust, dynamic, energy level, a workhorse, and his huge skill set might just lift the obvious load from Callum, and transform him as well. Again, my only worry for this would be DT’s defensive abilities, but it would need Ange and his team to impress upon DT, to ‘not’ cross the halfway line. One forward launch from DT, would create a mindset in fans that, tippy tappy, has to be deleted. Hopefully.
Billy Gilmour might just be a Tom Rogic replacement. Eventually.
When I first saw Billy Gilmour, I thought he was a young, Brendan Rodgers !!!
Maybe I need new glasses?
Or maybe I’m just a spaceman who needs to go back to his colony?
Eye.
hh ✌
Lulu on the wheel to a Glasgow contestant “we arra peepel” Mmmmm ok.
She then goes from a ridiculous accent to a Glasgow one.
Get a grip hen.
D :)
joe ordinary,
Respect Bro – these Bozos have it Coming.
Their Agenda is Dark & Demented.
Picked the wrang side.
The Amazing Celtic Support is always there.
A wee word to the DJ.
Playing Livingston and droppin’ YNWA is diluting .
I am sure it is because of so many who have Treble Cleft this World.
Save that Sonic for when we need it. IMHO.
joe ordinary on 13th November 2021 8:24 pm
F*ck that eye!!!
God Bless KevJungle.
Red Card Red Card ,Failed to declare outside earnings .£15.000 Cheating bassa