On Thursday I wrote Brendan Rodgers ‘will be a remarkable signing’. One day after the event, it feels very remarkable. Some found it so remarkable they have attempted a smile for the first time since Artmedia took the lead. I’ve even spoken to Newco fans who were engaged by the appointment. The aphorism, a rising tide lifts all boats, feels apt.
Some weeks ago I heard Peter Lawwell talk about the difficulty of landing a top tier manager in our current environment, however, he finished with a positive “But we are Celtic”. People want to come here; managers, players, even tourists. For all the Scottish game’s limits, we are Celtic, let’s not forget.
We’ve used some of that cachet to bring people to the game. There will be more cameras, more reporters, more international media, more TV viewers and many more glutes on seats next season. This will reflect on all.
Our media rights are worth more today than they were a week ago. Consider for a moment how Dafabet and Magners view yesterday’s news? For all they knew when they signed their shirt deals, we could have had Owen Coyle in charge next season, unless his auntie told them otherwise [an old CQN in-joke].
I’m pleased to hear so many comments that this is a sign of ambition, although ambition is always more nuanced than it appears. Ambition every year is to win the league and qualify for the Champions League, that’s always the plan, whether it happens, or if it’s only half achieved. Hopefully the ambition is loaded with a little authority this summer.
Sannabhoy asked me to pass on these comments on behalf of the Kano Foundation to the CQN community:
“To round the season off the Kano Foundation had a visit from Almore to present us with a donation from the Dublin 1916 CQN gathering on Sunday for the sum of £580.
“As you know, this event, to commemorate the Easter rising of 1916, was organised by CQNers Almore and ClogherCelt, and featured 30 CQN members among the 70 scots who travelled over to join the 120 locals at the festivities. A brilliant time was had by all (just to rub it in to the absentees).
“Brian Ainslie, trustee, is pictured here receiving the cheque from Almore and Delaney’s Dunky.
“On behalf of The Kano Foundation it gives us great pride and pleasure to accept this fantastic donation. We appreciate the numerous good causes that are out there and to be beneficiaries of this, and the historically significant events it commemorates, is humbling and makes the efforts of the patrons, ambassadors, volunteers and trustees worthwhile.
“To Martin Connor and Alan Curran, who organised it, we’d just like to say, on behalf of the almost 5000 kids we have taken to Celtic Park, thank you very much. Without support like yours we couldn’t continue to do this. Hail Hail.
“On that note, I’m away for a kip until next season – I’ll need it – we can take 2000 kids next year . HELP!!”
What a stunning community you are. Well done.
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NEGANON2 @ 10:31 AM,
We do need a sustained level of ambition, that’s for sure.
One of my first, if not the first, comments on CQN well over a decade ago was we should not be looking at Rangers as our benchmark.
My thoughts we should be looking at equivalents in Europe and maintain that level. I believe it that was sustainable.
Now, it then so happened that getting into Europe became more difficult. Only one Club from Scotland qualifying, then worse, having to go through a pre qualifying process, where we could face the likes of Arsenal.
At this time the finance and power of the big Leagues were dominating and the gap in performance was increasing expodentially.
Now at that time the idea that we could spend with a “hope” of qualifying for the UCL was patently a very risky strategy.
However a few, mainly yourself but madmitch et al were stating that Celtic were using this process as an excuse to downsize.
You were looked on as naysayers by most of us, myself included as I’m sure you’ll remember. You were of course correct and many of you observations and predictions were proved right.
For myself, when the Champions route was introduced, it opened up a much brighter possibility of UCL Qualification.
At that juncture my original point became valid again, if we looked at our equivalents in Europe and used them as a benchmark instead of Rangers, we would be good enough to win the SPL most Seasons and also qualify for the UCL most Seasons.
Of course this didn’t happen, Celtic were still risk averse and the down sizing continued i.e. You were correct in your prediction of Celtic PLC’s direction of travel.
For me the complete conversion from happy clapper to cynic was after Rangers went bust.
Now, we didn’t have to be better than Arsenal to qualify for the UCL nor Rangers to win the League. We had to be better than Malmo or Aberdeen.
To my mind a totally different set of circumstances than when our policy of budgetting for Scottish Football was pretty much a necessity.
The bar for winning the SPL and getting through the UCL qualifiers had dropped significanly from meeting the Arsenal or competing with the Financially doped Rangers and their honest mistakes.
We were in fact IMO, a shoe in, but as you predicted, the downsizing continued.
So you sure have some very salient points to make, and I don’t blame you for hitting them out of the Park at every opportunity.
But for me the appointment of Brendan Rodgers and the “promise” of a nett spend on players, ushers in a sea change in thinking.
Brendan Rodgers will come in with strong ideas, a strong backroom team and rip our squad and Lennoxtown apart.
If the main shareholder… ergo the Board have “seen the light” and have bought into this, as seems to be the case, I see no reason to start ripping away at the senior Management.
We’ll need some continuity and a steady ship during the re-build and criticize as we will, they have IMO always given us that.
I could yet be proved wrong (again) but…
Lets review again next Season by all means, but let the much needed (radical) changes to the playing side take priority.
It should be fun!
Hail Hail
Stokesy finding his form in perfect time for the Euros 2016?
Let’s hope so!
Rangers Record FC: Shameful Hampden scenes are a direct result of hateful stereotyping of our fans by jealous rivals ”
In other words…”No one likes them, and yes they DO care”
Then he ends his “article” with…
“It’s becoming a pattern, and it’s one that must be stamped out.”
Oh the irony.
willie vass has some interesting pictures of the 2nd rangers board members up in the stand with Stweart regan
http://level5pr.co.uk/
Address: 26 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, G2 4BG
Phone: 07899 947 354
E-Mail: info@level5pr.co.uk
Who are Level5PR?
Rangers legend Walter Smith and former Celtic star Murdo MacLeod officially launched Level5PR in January 2015.
Level5PR is a media relations and sports management company created by former Daily Record Associate Editor James Traynor and Stephen Kerr, former journalist/producer at Radio Clyde and press officer at Rangers Football Club.
Well Anthony Stokes certainly picked the right game to turn in his best performance for quite some time.
Delighted.
As he was undoubtedly!
HH!!
I’m thinking about painting the fence today. What’s the weather like? (Same weather as East Kilbride)
I looked at rangers media last night.
Good god in heaven – every other post is an expletive riddled insult to other posters. All the wee spats on here are literally nothing in comparison to what appears to pass for discussion among them.
I also spent a bit of time on twitter reading various Sevconian opinion on yesterday’s events. I truly despair for them. No self awareness whatever.
In the long run I think this deflection is going to condemn them to more misery. They continue to suck up the bull crap. They continue to look at the naughty squirrel running across the lawn while in the big house the wizard of Oz pulls the levers and continues with the illusion of grandeur. The daily record is now an unashamed sevco fanzine with some other stuff in it to keep the news desk in a job. The bbc and stv are cowering in a corner lest they get their careers ruined by the permaragers.
They are fooling no one but themselves.
Apologies for the mixed metaphors…..
PRESTONPANS BHOYS
I was up at the TO this morning,I’ve still got my
seat,I’m right next to the standing section,I’ll be
able to keep my eye on the young dafties see that
they don’t set off sparklers or God forbid sign song’s
that enrage the away fans.
Nye,
Well th TO told me that my seat is getting pulled out, they have moved me to 110 KK in the “standing section “. Hope I’m not the oldest one there :-)
BOBBY MURDOCH’S CURLED-UP WINKLEPICKERS on 22ND MAY 2016 10:45 AM
STSTIVS
Post the word “Sevco” and see how you get on.
You won’t. It’s banned as sectarian.
As is “Zombie”
Ive never got emotional about any other club other than Celtic. In fact i can sometimes enjoy other games more because i’m not emotionally involved.
Maybe it was the 114 year wait for the Cup.
Maybe it was the undoubted influence of the Celtic on loan players to Hibs.
But that was some game yesterday. When the Hibee fans sang “Sunshine on Leith”, what a lump i had in my throat.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/UEAte4Klb6c
Worth a watch. Few swearies.
OUR LADYS RC CHURCH ACOMB YORK ENGLAND.
200 club winner.MRS A STOKES.
GONE YIRSEL HEN.
Watching the goals from Hampden,there is a shot
of the Hibs fans before the winner,a wee lassie with
face painting and her hands moving towards her
head……it’s as if she knows what’s coming but can’t
believe it……effin magic!!!!
Well just finished catching up on CQN – Some great stuff :)
The ole lithium battery on the iPad is taking a hammering. Was at 6% when I finally retired this morning. Back to 100% first thing this morning, and as I check now it’s 67%, yes 67 :)))
It’s just the way things are going right now.
What a great weekend. Gonna recharge before tackling some Hun media.
Oh my aching sides.
Some brilliant posts btw. Best CQN has been since I joined. Hail Hail everyone.
Rangers or Sevco,or whatever there name is,these day,seem to employ people ,with agenda ,of getting innocent people,into bother,with there lying,One incident springs to my mind,not so long ago,seemingly,McGregor there goalkeeper was drunk,along with his girlfriend, she was assaulted, police showed up,he ranting and raving,blaming Celtic Supporters for the assault, turns out the both of them were lying,that my friends in Leith, is what you are up against, any congratulations on your victory yesterday,I thought that mob would have beaten His,accept my apologies Hibees,
Can anyone remember a better weekend (newborn children aside) when we haven’t even KICKED a Ball?
Ive no even had a drink either.(Work)
http://www.philmacgiollabhain.ie/lunch-at-the-k-club-and-sunshine-on-leith/#more-7546
FRED COLON @ 10:41 AM,
Yes, I believe you are right Andrew Smith is looking towards the continuity myth straw clutchers and acertaining these tenious links as facts.
Now you will see some examples “across the world” quoted, nb Florentina… Leeds Utd… etc. But you will not see an equivalent and you will always see a “flawed” process.
The question we should be asking ourselves is why the SMSM have to go “across the world”.
There are many examples of Football Clubs going into administration in Scotland… plenty of… and let’s face it, that’s what we are talking about isn’t it, Scottish Football Clubs in administration.
And although there is various processes the key one is simple…
If you come out if administration you continue as the same Club.
If you are Liquidated you cease to be the same Club. The Football Club disapears or starts up as a new entity.
As I have stated already there are numerous examples already in Scotland. The process was well established and was in line with SFA and UEFA directives.
What we must ask ourselves is; why the SMSM must trawl the “world” for examples of flawed process to justify the Rangers continuity myth.
If the process was carried out correctly one example in Scotland would suffice…
Hail Hail
Just watched Sportscene I think it was John McGinn “we Hibs’ed it” brilliant, Wallace & Kenny Miller looked fine to me as they trotted off the park, hope Rod Petrie takes Traynor & co the whole way with their lies, and finally great too see Anto & Liam Henderson with big smiles on their coupons, well done bhoys !
French commentary on the winning goal yesterday
https://mobile.twitter.com/lequipe21/status/734049251987193856
Yon Willie (Billy shoorly?) Vass has some great photies of the currant board………
the nodding donkey has to be the epitome of pompous guffery currantly………….
Bada Bing
Did you back Stokesy 1st goal ? I think you pointed out during the week he was 15/2 to notch first…. Apologies if it was somebody else but after 3mins yesterday I immediately thought of that post
It’s time to congratulate Hibs once again and the magnificent backing of their supporters yesterday.
Well done to all !
TIWIO…
Has there ever been any “Game of Shame” which didn’t involve Rangers losing?
————–
Spot on. HH
Timbhoy
The incident you are alluding to concerning McGregor the hun goalie and his burd, turned out to be quite a different story.
He alleged that he was assaulted by some Celtic fans, but what actually happened was that it was his wummin who gave him a doing.
Nice peepul.
HH!!
James Keatings would have enjoyed yesterday also. Getting released by us after his recovery from a bad injury then a few years later playing his part in beating sevco in the cup final must be some feeling.
Pat Stanton must have had great pride in yesterday’s performance and result.
The official hibs ties were a lovely colour . The sevco club ties looked like the British flag
Has nobody blamed Efe yet?
TALLYBHOY
Nae stranger yerself to women who give the famous a kicking.
BMCUW
Yes indeed!
I will need to recount that story on here sometime.
HH!!
“More like Doris Stokes” was a txt I got from a Sevcoite yesterday when they were 2-1 up an Stoksie had just missed.
“Don’t F*** wi the spirit world” was my reply when he made it 2-2. :-)
Any comments on the Sabbath Hootsman article?
Has PL’s paw prints all over it — possibly too many of them.
No mention of the rocket he is alleged to have received from his boss.
On the basis of how was the situation he was watching ever been allowed to develop?
Interesting to see the next steps — we really do have huge potential
Is the Irish Raj now going to get fully involved and help build the club?
Some ideas he might want to look over.
Euro football is a must — it is not a nice to have.
CL / EuL — no matter it is full on with a view to make a name for ourselves.
Charity, good works should be our primary focus — £5mill pa target.
To make the most of the possibilities we need to play good football.
We need to be good neighbours — work for the East End.
A great start would be investing in facilities and support for the area.
Training — first team — back to Barrowfield.
Full sized indoor pitch — build it close to CP.
Build more stuff close to CP — work the stadium surrounds.
We are currently amateurish at this — pay the living wage and train the staff.
Virtuous circle for all to see — a growth agenda is a matter of vision.
Big push for CL football this season — we didnt lack the talent we just lacked focus and direction.
We use all the unspent income from Southampton to build up the squad.
We get smart with our wage rates to clear out the mid range wasters in the squad.
Trim the numbers and add in some on higher wages.
We can afford 4 / 5 on £40K per week if they makes us better.
We cannot afford 16 / 20 on £7 / 9 / 11K week just to sit on the bench and in the stand.
Text book case of people working tight limits to the detriment of everybody.
Use the bonus system to make things dynamic — £5K / £3K / £2K / £1K is £77K for a SPL win.
Biggest publicity for the club in the last 3 years — SP game on the Sunday 3 years ago.
We need to do much more of this — we cannot just take, we need to give.
The legacy of “PL — the Bonus years” has been toxic to the club.
Hopefully things can move forward — BR being a very big first step.
What is this Armageddon they speak of?
Since the huns MK1 were liquidated 4 different teams have won the Scottish Cup as well as 4 different teams winning the Scottish League Cup. We now have teams who are able to compete in cup competitions because there is no cheating bully, living outside their means, to hamper fair competition. That is why it is imperative that We and all other Scottish football fans NEVER forget the years of cheating and why they ultimately died. It has nothing to do with bitter obsession it has everything to do with fair play and the Corinthian spirit that should imbue all sport.
Why did the huns invade the park?
Because they can’t take losing a dance-off…
https://twitter.com/RyanGalvin_/status/734056948497297408
Dallas
I forgot a young James Keatings was with us till he got quite a bad injury and didn’t break through
McGeouch, Keatings, Henderson, Stokes & Stubbs, not a bad wee Celtic connection
Media Watch
A couple of years ago Pat Nevin pledged himself to a personal crusade against sectarian songs. Did he ever – even once – called out the new team’s supporters yesterday? Of course he didn’t.
Last night Beeb man Brian McLauchlin showed much more courage than you normally get from that quarter. He clearly implied that the SFA had a case to answer over the pitch invasion. His fellow panellists, including Nevin, looked on ashen-faced.
Very interesting Andrew Smith article today. He said that the loutish behaviour of Sevco directors at the Cup semi was the critical factor in DD’s decision to up-size for next season.
Sandman
I think that Hibee dancing was in Call Me Gerrys clip from yesterday