Congratulations to who originally penned: “We shall not be move, not by the Hearts, the Hibs or The Rangers, erm, we’ll not be moved, OK?” Celtic stand alone, our historic rivals, those who half a century ago denied our grandparents, are gone. Do we have a perfect season ahead? Maybe not, but it will be a unique historical joy nonetheless.
Some of the chat yesterday was that the Premiership would be poorer without Hibernian next season, but anyone who watched Hamilton out-pass and out-play them on Sunday wouldn’t think so. Hibs have offered nothing of note to league football for years. Terry Butcher has got practically everything wrong since arriving at Easter Road but his post-match comment, that perhaps his team needed relegation to thoroughly clear the decks.
Whatever Hibs are they are not competition to Celtic. Our domestic competition next season will come from Aberdeen, Dundee United and Motherwell. United and Aberdeen both finished the season poorly after showing considerable promise early on. Expect Jackie McNamara and Derek McInnes to build on their work over the last year.
If you were an aspiring Championship club you will not have welcomed the Accies result on Sunday. Now clear of their administration travails Hearts have the strongest squad in next season’s Championship. They will also be solvent, able to build on their squad and are likely to sell more season tickets than anyone else in the league.
Hibs’ newly recruited chief exec, Leann Dempster, is potentially the clubs most important recruit in 10 years. She will surely attempt to fit her successful Motherwell template onto the Edinburgh club – and may even have more resources at her disposal.
Queens and Falkirk know they are up against it in their bid for promotion next season but they are two well-run clubs who will have an influence on who does go up. I’m not even prepared to consider anyone else for the promotion spots, some just don’t have the players, some don’t have the management, some don’t have the money to end the season. Some are afflicted by all three ailments.
With the potential of a rejuvenated Hibs making next season’s play-offs, Premiership clubs will spend the next 11 months anticipating the very real possibility that it’s odds on that two clubs will go down next season. Accies and Dundee look more than a match for St Mirren, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Partick Thistle. While Celtic will win the league comfortably, we’re likely to see intense competition between Motherwell, Aberdeen and United for the ‘Best of the Rest’ badge, and between the other eight clubs to stay up.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his tome, All the Best.
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SFTB @ 13.29
You have mail.
:¬)
CelticCliqueNewsCSC
PL probably engages in abstract “satisficing”…….and hopes for the best.
Its not the managers who need rotating very four years its the PLC Board…. PL has been there way too long and with the approval of the Great Desmondo is part of the problem not part of the solution IMO.
Falling attendances=falling revenue=less CL success=falling attendances=falling revenues=less CL success…
…..until you are left with a yes man manager, a team of the calibre Lou Macari left us and 10K in the stadium.
It is what it is……
Serious question
since the second tier of scottish fitba is now ranked higher than the CL group stages, is it not an injustice to continue calling it the second tier
Should we not rename it the bankruptees and relegation fodder championship* (dont forget the asterix)
I bet Hamilton are pure dead beeling that they got promoted.
ffs csc
….PFayr – You’re right,what i am saying is due to lack of ambition i would prioritise the Treble ,rather than get a home and away doing again.
Ryanbhoy 84-seemingly Challs and Mike Ashley carved up a deal with the Sevco jerseys,seemingly the club only receive 70 pence per jersey.
Delaneys dunky
After the hootenanay i dropped you and ryan a wee mention along with a few others i had the pleasure of meeting , once again thank you and ryan for keeping Kelly company , she thought youz wur brill ;))
TOSB
Could’nt fault any of that , thanks for all your thoughts and suggestions
celtictom
13:42 on 27 May, 2014
I’m with you, a Summer league would hugely benefit Scottish football. The calendar could be modified in WC/Euro years to allow a break. It can be done if the will is there. If Scandanavian countries can do it then so can we. An spin off benefit of summer football is a better TV deal. Sky/BT fill their schedule with a lot of rubbish during the summer months so having a focus on Scottish football whilst the ‘greatest league in the world’ has their summer holidays would make it more attractive to the.
Sevco fans will be delighted at Hibernian’s relegation as they can make a pilgrimage to Easter Road next season – the venue for the new club’s first ever cup final
#Ramsdens
Bada….. If there is noambitio and focus is domestic, then things can only deteriorate……..
No ambition… where the hell was the effin spellchecker?
I was trying to explain to my sons the other night why I dislike Cptn Blood butcher so much (remember big Billy was ready to knock him out after 3-1 game at CP ?) and it got me thinking about some of the english players they signed at the time, they were made for that mob, roberts, hurlock the hammerthrower, hateley, that annoying wee shoit wilkins, PG, to name but a few. They all seemed destined to wear that jersey. Only reason they have to detest our signings from down south, (thinking mainly Sutton and Thommo) is that they regularly done the trick against them. Theres definitely a cultural difference here and it seems to me that most of their signings bought into it pretty quick.
Paul67 et al
As others on here before me stated, there could well be a demand for a bigger league this time next year. And, like others on here, I have been an advocate of such a league for quite some time, the four game format failing when away teams fail to engage. (Compare the crowds the Cup finalists were able to generate) One visit a year is plenty for most teams. Of course what we did not know, or I didn’t at least, was that there was a contractual obligation re the old ‘Old Firm’ re four matches a season. Neil Doncaster mentioned it recently in reaction to the furore over the actual TV deal we have now. He stated it had been in situ for over ten years before The Fall, but has anyone actually seen said contract? The reason I am asking is because if, rather than as has been described, (to justify certain agreements) it merely included ”the right to show four ‘Old Firm'” matches through the course of the season. A right which simply ended with their demise.
desertbhoy
14:09 on
27 May, 2014
Bada….. If there is noambitio and focus is domestic, then things can only deteriorate……..
That is my fear mate,the Russian Roulette 4 week Transfer Window,if we qualify for the CL ,is a flawed approach.Before anyone shoots me down,I am not advocating a wild spending spree ,buy players that we need before Pre-Season,a striker,a playmaker,back up for Izzy and maybe a CB.We seem to have the same discussion on here every close season.HH
A key strand of Celtic’s strategy is winning recognition as a truly European football team. Aside from the short financial benefits, the thinking is to place the club amongst the influencers in the Game at the European level, and thus direct the nature, timing and shape of big changes, the biggest of these being the removal of national boundaries to competition.
We’ve tried knocking on the door. We’ve tried shouting through the windows. We’re now renting the basement and working our way up the stairs.
Enough of lousy analogy.
Celtic’s focus is, and necessarily must remain, visibility and impact in European competition.
Take it we didn’t guarantee the Tv companies at least 4 games a season against Hearts or Hibs, funny that eh Mr Doncaster.
SFTB
I was totally dejected this season , 2 cup finals at Paradise and not even a sniff at them :((
Btw if we’re at the 5s can i be in your team , the bruises on the backs of my legs have just cleared up from our last encounter !! lol
Good afternoon CQN
Met Billy Stark this morning in the Beardmore hotel
What a gem of a man
How’s my neighbour D D from down the hill
Hope all is well
Hail Hail
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Home > Columnists > Christopher Gallagher > Celtic Manager Search – Murat Yakin – An Alternative Option
Celtic Manager Search – Murat Yakin – An Alternative Option
Published May 27, 2014
Chris Gallagher
Chris is an avid Celtic supporter with leanings towards Juventus and Boca Juniors. A student of film and popular culture, he has an interest in politics and music. Inspired by leaders, his favourite players include Paul Lambert, Juan Román Riquelme and Alessandro Del Piero. Chris is the producer and host of the 90 Minute Cynic football podcast. You can find him on twitter @TheGallatron.0Murat-Yakin
Chris Gallagher continues his look at the alternative options for Celtic as they search for a new manager for the Parkhead hot seat.
It was the Champions League qualifiers and Celtic had been drawn with FC Basel. It seemed a tough but winnable tie and as a Celtic fan I was confident of progression to the group stage. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be and as Celtic started on the road to Seville, Basle would go on to give a terrific account of themselves in the Champions League, getting to the second group stage.
Two players that stood out in that campaign were the Yakin brothers. Hakan was an attacking number 10 and at the back was the stalwart Murat Yakin. As Celtic look to appoint a manger in the wake of Neil Lennon’s departure, they could do worse than approach the former FC Basel centre back.
Murat Hakin
Yakin has been a manager since season 2006/07 when he took over at 2nd division FC Concordia Basel. He had spells at Thun and Luzern before being appointed as manager of FC Basel in October 2012. Taking over from Heiko Vogel, Yakin lead Basel to two Swiss Championships and a cup success. Under Yakin’s management, season 2012/13 saw Basel reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals, and in season 2013/14 they got to the quarter-finals of the competition.
They also performed admirably in 2013/14 season’s Champions League, defeating Chelsea home and away, garnering praise from Jose Mourinho, which is no mean feat…..because he’s a bit odd now.
Murat is a cool customer. Composed and informative during press conference, there is an air of humility and arrogance rolled into one when he speaks. He’s a manager that wants to be in control and has at times been at odds with the Basel board, making demands that he believed would improve the progression of the club. Yakin’s contract was dissolved by mutual consent in May 2014, as he looks abroad for his next managerial move.
Tactically Aware
Screen Shot 2014-05-26 at 22.56.05
****Courtesy of WhoScored.Com****
Murat Yakin likes to play possession football, which is to be expected when managing Switzerland’s biggest team. Last season Basel had on average 51% possession per game, with their home ties seeing them with 55% per game. A pass success rate of 81% shows that a Yakin team is defined by accuracy, with a quick pass and move style that would be attractive to the Celtic faithful.
Looking at how Murat sets his side out, he’s another manager, like Tuchel, that adapts to different competitions, changing formations depending on the opposition. Domestically, Basel switch between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-4-1 formation. When playing 4-2-3-1 Yakin has his team cover larger amounts of space on the field, leaving no specific zone weakness, the way they would have playing a 4-3-3. Flexibility is key, as he tends to play a defensive midfielder within the three attacking midfielders in Europe, whereas at home he uses a more creative player.
Yakin likes width within his team with the majority of play coming down both flanks, again a trait that is familiar to Celtic fans. The left hand side of their midfield saw 39% of all their attacking play, with the right hand side having 36% of all their attacks. Against Chelsea away, Basel played a 4-2-2-2 formation, relying heavily on their wide players and the support of Frei and Diaz in midfield. At home they played a 4-1-4-1 with Salah, who later joined Chelsea, and Stocker again Key, again showing the importance of Basel’s wide players.
Yakin demands high energy displays from his players, which is shown by how he sets his team out. A high number of interceptions per game, 19, as well as 21 tackles per game would mean that the Celtic players would be expected to play a high tempo style all over the pitch and not just in the final third.
The Future
Murat Yakin is a manger that would bring a different style to Celtic Park, a style that would entertain the fans and bring success domestically and in Europe. His exploits in the Champions League and Europa League this season have been excellent, with a home and away victory over Chelsea a major highlight.
Leaving Switzerland as a Champion will leave Murat in good stead to further his career at a new club in a new country.
Could Murat Yakin be the next Celtic manager? It seems the former Swiss International has many suitors, especially in England but how many of those clubs can offer Champions League football? Murat Yakin would be a progressive choice for Celtic coach and would ultimately use success at Celtic as a platform to progress further.
Although he wasn’t as good a player as his brother, he’s be a terrific choice for the Parkhead hot seat.
Do you think Murat Yakin is the right man for Celtic? Is he a viable option? Comment below or tweet us @90minutecynic
Follow Chris on Twitter: @TheGallatron
BaselCelticfeaturedScotlandSwitzerlandticker
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4 COMMENTS
Mike Bhoyle
May 27, 2014 at 12:46 pm
Excellent,informative article….well done.
Have to confess..I didn’t know a thing about the guy…I do now.
His pedigree is very good indeed…and…football wise…looks a great shout.
There is a potential flaw,however, and that’s his “attitude”.
Celtic FC does not take kindly to managers who have an opinion and “make demands”…
Other than that, though, and it’s a big THAT…..
He looks a very good candidate.
Well done.
Reply
sam mckeown
May 27, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Would he be ok about losing his best players each season.
Reply
geoff
May 27, 2014 at 12:51 pm
I also don’t think he speaks english
Reply
John Paul
May 27, 2014 at 1:46 pm
Looks an excellent candidate. FC Basel have been a recent success story and a team to fear if drawn against them in Europe. I like the cut of this guy and would be happy if he took over at Parkhead, definitely. Brings a different slant on the game, was a great player himself and would add a touch of class that Celtic fans’ love.
Reply
Leave a.
Clarence Seedorfmsy soon be available.
Seedorf may
‘We’ve tried knocking on the door. We’ve tried shouting through the windows. We’re now renting the basement and working our way up the stairs’
– somebody’s been watchin’ ‘Silence of the Lambs’
DBBIA/ClariceStarlingCSC
Celtic Mac- I posted a few weeks ago that if Sally was still Sevco manager,they wouldn’t come out their League next year,and League Reconstruction would happen for Season 2015-16.I think there is more chance of that now with Hibs also going down.The incompetent Doncaster proved again last week,he doesn’t know the rules,he is very fond of quoting.He said part of the 725k,was to clubs to pay for TV facilities,gantrys etc.The rules state it is up to the clubs to provide and pay for such facilities.He is a clown.
celtictom
13:42 on
27 May, 2014
traditionalist88
Summer league I know is a personal preference. Our European games start in July; it would make sense to me to have the league start prior to this with a shutdown over December, Jan and Feb.
Condense the season with more midweek games at the start of the season when schools are still on holiday to free up time to work round the World cup and European championships.
I agree to a point with the fans saving the game, this season has shown there is an interest if teams like the ones you mention show a little improvement but I fear this will be short lived. Aberdeen and Dundee utd do not have and never will have the budget to challenge us, in the same way we lack in European terms.
We are in a one horse league that does not fill the Celtic fans with excitement. So whilst these teams may improve their gate by a few thousand Celtic will continue to loose a few from ours.
There are no easy answers but the way things are going for Celtic is not good, we are on a downward spiral that no one seems able to sort.
HailHail
===================================
I suppose the question regarding the league is, can Aberdeen, Dundee Utd Hearts & Hibs(eventually) as the best supported clubs of the rest, rise to challenge us?
Ironically, if we are on a downward spiral we may meet in the middle, and crowds may increase as a result! Clearly, we have to avoid that.
I do think too many people bought the Armageddon line though. Financially, Dundee United are in their best financial position for ~18 years – they no longer *need* to sell their best players. A big change. Likewise with Celtic through two CL qualifications and some major player sales.
It all comes back to the financial situation and you have a point – how long are we going to keep accepting a pittance from TV when the value of the Scottish contribution is far higher than the return and our games are moved to Saturday/Sunday mornings to fill schedules?
For all it is knocked we have a professional league with several clubs with large supporter bases, maybe its time for a united front from fans across Scotland to save what is our national game. Money talks…
I’m Neil Lennon (tamrabam)
100% with you on the tv deal. There can be little value to Celtic in the current set up. The only way I can see Celtic getting anything close to what they are due is by selling their own games. This would increase our tv money significantly and allow a reduction on entry at the gate.
I am one of the fools that pay’s around £100 pm to sky, I see there recent adverts are promising 40 live SPL games next season……..
So £1200 a year from me to watch around a dozen games, ffs Celtic wake up!!.
I am but one person, how many others do the same?. Even allowing half of this for my daughters tv it still amounts to £600 that I would gladly send Celtic’s way season on season. I do enjoy the premiership but MOTD gives me the fix I need.
Then of course there is the extra subscription to BT sports (which I have held back on) for any other Celtic games. Leave aside the club for a second, where is the value for the supporters that need to buy two subscriptions costing unto £1000 a year for around half of the games Celtic play?.
HailHail
An international search party is now officially looking for DC King.
That’ll blow a hole in the ole Fighting Fund.
Ryanbhoy 84-seemingly Challs and Mike Ashley carved up a deal with the Sevco jerseys,seemingly the club only receive 70 pence per jersey.
——————————————————————————————————–
56p, after tax. They’re bound to be paying tax…
“We’ve tried knocking on the door. We’ve tried shouting through the windows. We’re now renting the basement and working our way up the stairs”
Have we no tried hiding in the wardrobe?
Just met a young man called Gemmell while aff oot for some messages.
Asked him if he’d had a nice weekend. Great and/but hectic. The game broke up the weekend. We agreed it wasn’t the best game ever witnessed in Lisbon.
I told him how chuffed he’d made so many folk on here. I think it’s the ‘ordinariness’ of these ghuys in terms of how they conduct themselves that makes them so extraordinary to the rest of us.
My day is made! Big time!
HH jamesgang
Celtictom, or a new guy might look at Celtic as the ideal platform to build a reputation with a world famous club.
The league is not the sales pitch. Europe is.
4 qualifying games plus 6 champions league games. If we come 3 rd in the champions league group there’s a potential for at least another 2 to 4 games. The difficulty is getting that 3 rd spot.
I know the revenue to get to the Europa final doesn’t compare with a last 16 Champions League place on the face of it but 9 more games represents more ticket sales more merchandise more pies etc.
The league is a secondary competition that should be used to develop some youth talent.
We already sell a European season ticket in the form if the champions league package. If I were the club, I would look to a European season ticket. Difficult as there are so many permutations but it could be done via a voucher card system? You buy a card with say £300 worth of credit and select European matches as you go. Match tickets would be guaranteed as £33.33 per match. The club could sell premium rate tickets and have some set aside for individual matches.
Despite what Farage tells you Europe is the future. !
No Sevco games on BBC Alba next season.
Possible reasons:
1. They die again !
2. No Gaelic phrase for ” honest mistake.”
Who gives a f***what sevco charge for their jerseys or how much they get. Ffs.
More Francis Dolarhyde than Jame Gumb I would say.
Think I’ll tip Raith Rovers and Dumbarton(my other team) to come up from the championship next year.
If this league is as good as Sevco,the media and Neil Doncaster are making out,why would Hibs,Hearts and the forces of Darkness want to win their way out of it?
Bada Bing
Will not be easy for yon ol’ new club even with their hand picked, Juventus-style, men in black.
SFTB
No, ultimately that would involve sooner or later coming out of the closet, and the game in Europe really isn’t ready for that.
setting free the bears supports Res. 12 & Oscar Knox
14:31 on
27 May, 2014
“We’ve tried knocking on the door. We’ve tried shouting through the windows. We’re now renting the basement and working our way up the stairs”
Have we no tried hiding in the wardrobe?
————————————————-
Come out of that closet you!! : )
McBhoy
14:34 on
27 May, 2014
Who gives a f***what sevco charge for their jerseys or how much they get. Ffs.
—————————————————————————————————–
Simmer down, was meant to be a humorous observation. Missed it’s mark though, clearly…
iki
Gaelic for penalty has an unfortunate sounding ring to it in English