I never really understood what was so special about Roy Keane as a player until he came to Celtic, where he opened my eyes for 11 games (his first two performances, against Clyde and Kilmarnock, were awful).
He’s right up there in terms of great footballers I’ve seen play for Celtic, but he’s difficult to feel affection for. Today’s comments are a case in point:
“When [Celtic] qualified [for the Champions League]the celebrations were way over the top.
“I thought they’d won the competition. People were hugging each other, the manager, the coaches, the players.”
And the fans, Roy, Celtic fans were celebrating every bit as much as anyone you watched on television. No one thought we’d won the competition, but we are all aware of the transformational impact group qualification has on our football club. That’s worth celebrating. Fans all did, even if some former players found it difficult.
Brendan Rodgers qualified for the group stage with what was largely the same squad which disintegrated in Europe last season. He became the first Celtic manager to reach this level in his first season.
This challenge, coming a few weeks into your time as manager, is viewed as hugely difficult objective by the club. New managers seldom takeover successful gigs, with an upward trajectory and a list of targets ready to sign up.
The significant achievement in Europe this season, which has largely gone below the radar, is beating last season’s Champions League group stage participants, Astana, 2-1 at Celtic Park, with 11 starters who were all at the club before Brendan took over (one Rodgers signing started the away leg).
By any measure, Astana should have considered their chances that night and concluded, “We were better than them last season, and they’ve not added a player to the team”. (Two of Brendan’s signing came on as second half subs).
Going into this season we turned-over around 10% of what one of Roy’s other former clubs, or Barcelona received. If we had around £450m extra to spend, every season, there would be less celebration at reaching the group stage, as it would no longer be transformational. Maybe we’d be like football fans in Manchester, and only fill half our stadium against a Bundesliga team.
Or maybe we’ve not lost the joy in supporting our team. Neither have the manager, coaches and players.
898 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- ...
- 24
- »
Petec
You have lost me with that Blavatsky reference.
Make it clearer, or just call me a fud or something:)
HH
TGM
They’e left you on that page yersel.
We are on Page 7.
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 15th September 2016 2:38 pm
Raberto67
Prepare better….buy better players, when you have the chance.
———————————————————————————————————
Wow…it’s like talking to a…och, never mind…different strokes n aw that.
HH
THEGREENMAN
They’e left you on that page yersel.
We are on Page 7.
PHILBHOY
Please see my earlier post to the green man and feel free to contact Paul for email etc nothing to hide here .
The green man
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.
Sorry aboot the dubble post!
This is a long post, so get yourself a cuppa before you start reading.
A lot of stuff still being talked about the PLC and Peter Lawwell. Let’s be clear here, Peter Lawwell is the CEO and he acts on behalf of the PLC Board who set the strategy. Basically, he is, broadly speaking, told what do by the Board. He goes and does it and if he meets the targets set by the Board (probably by DD to be honest) he gets a bonus.
The PLC Board have legal responsibilities as set out in the Companies Act 2006. Broadly speaking, these are:
1. A duty to act in accordance with the powers set out in the company’s articles;
2. A duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its members;
3. A duty to exercise independent judgment;
4. A duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;
5. A duty to avoid conflicts of interest;
6. A duty not to accept benefits from third parties; and
7. A duty to declare to the company’s other directors any interest a director has in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the company.
The duties are separate and distinct. However, a director acting in breach of one duty may breach others and may also have breached the terms of his director’s service agreement, the articles of the company, and any shareholders’ agreement.
They also have a Fiduciary relationship; this is a relationship of trust. This places a duty on company directors to act within the best interests of the company, in good faith, and honestly.
A director must comply with his responsibilities and fiduciary duties set out in the Companies Act 2006.
So it’s not a matter of adopting a Don Quixote attitude to compete in the Champions League; they have to consider the business side of the club as well as the playing side. Otherwise you end up like Glasgow Rangers and end up being liquidated.
Like it or not, we have a well-run club who are solvent, can provide a decent team on the pitch and have pushed the boat out to get a top-class manager. The signings this close-season have been good and they will be added to in January and then again next summer. The first task has been achieved – qualify for the CL Group Stage. Domestic supremacy looks to be the next target that will be achieved.
The time to assess where we are and how much (or how little) the manager is backed by the board is this time next year. The quality of players we get between now and then (as opposed to the amount of money we spend) will dictate the level of our progress.
If we get the treble rather than just the SPFL and 1 cup, we will have more than met our target domestically. We have reached our European target; but getting into the Europa League will exceed that.
The manager needs to assess what areas of the team need strengthened. I would assume the following as a minimum:
1. Creative and defensive midfielders
2. Centre forward who can hit the ground running – experienced, not young
3. At least 1 centre back; Toure is on a 1 year deal and Simunovic may not develop
4. Left and right back; Izzy is back-up and may be off by next summer. This is Lustig’s last season on current evidence and we don’t yet know how good Gamboa is yet.
5. Wide player to replace Roberts
6. A number 10 – free role, not just a creative midfielder.
So that’s potentially 8 or 9 players. Some may develop from the current squad (Armstrong for example) and some may come through from the younger players (O’Connell, Ralston, Ajer) so it may just be 4 or 5 quality signings.
That’s a lot. Between £20M and £30M in the 2 windows probably if we want to be there by this time next season. Then again, it may be seen to be financially prudent to do it over 3 windows.
Then we have to have them blended into the team.
So even with the best backing from the Board, we are a good bit away from the squad we need to start competing at the top level. That’s the size of the task.
Anyone who thought Brendan Rodgers could do it between May and September either misunderstood the scale of the job or thought he was a miracle worker.
That, IMHO, is why Barcelona beat us 7-0 on Tuesday; because we are miles behind and it will take a while to catch up.
Anyone who wants to come back with “we should have spent the money years ago to start the process” please don’t bother. I think everyone knows that and it adds nothing to the debate.
FAC the Act
KTF
Philbhoy
Good, a bit of a respite from the Holy Willies.
Rabid they are….begin to say the Pet…and they are in…wooft:)
HH
Paul
What are your thoughts on Peter Lawell being one of 15 European Club Association Executive Board Members?
http://www.ecaeurope.com/about-eca/structure/eca-executive-board/
ECA has 220 members from 53 associations, yet this is the same organisation that has forced UEFA into altering the Champions League to the benefit of the wealthy clubs.
Unfortunately the recent ECA General Assembly (Sep 5-6th) was a closed doors meeting that did not allow for scrutiny of how it’s Ordinary Members voted. It confuses me why lower league clubs/associations would vote in favour for these recent changes. Bullet point 3 of its ‘What are ECA’s Objectives’ state…
“to contribute to the healthy development of European club competitions organised by UEFA, by taking part in the relevant decision making process’
Surely this has been proven not to be the case? As recently as March of this year, powerful ECA members were meeting in secret to pressure UEFA.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35707372
ECA, to me, does not fairly represent 220 members and 53 associations. It appears to be a cabal of the wealthy, dressed up as an organisation for all clubs that’s long term goal is to replace UEFA. If that is the case, why then is our CEO one of it’s Executive Board members?
I have only just started looking into the working of the ECA of late but I think it is a discussion, we as Celtic fans should be having. What are we trying to achieve with PL on it’s board? I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
VFR
Aye, its easy to say all that:)
HH
You know sometimes when your trying to post you get a message which says
“You are posting too quick”
Or
Duplicate post detected”
Well I just got one that said
“You are posting shite”
Toodloo the noo!
Burnley78 on 15th September 2016 2:44 pm
Raberto 67
Please stop being ridiculously rational with your posts.
You must realise TGM is still in search of the Seville money !
—————————————————————————————-
Aye, he seems the type.
HH
GREAT NIGHT AT THE PAVILION LAST NIGH WITH FELLOW CELTIC FANS. GETTING A SELFIE AFTER THE SHOW WITH BERTIE WAS THE ICING ON THE CAKE!!
HE NEVER REFUSED ANYONE WHO WANTED A PIC. WHAT A GUY AND A TRUE CELT!! THE ROOF NEARLY CAME OFF WHEN HE WALKED ON THE STAGE.
LEGEND DONT COVER IT IMO!!!
NAS NA RI
When you post on here you need to have a sense of humour.
You also need to understand that because a post is not followed by a smiley face it does not necessarily mean it is to be taken seriously!
So, no offence meant and welcome to the best Celtic Blog ever.
VFR
Sums it up rather well. We have laid the first brick/taken the first step/set the ball running and many other clichés I can think of. We need to build from what we do this season. And the building job is a big task.
vfr800a8 on 15th September 2016 3:05 pm
Good post, but don’t you know The Green Man knows better?
If he says it’s all PL’s fault then all you logical and researched posts to the contrary mean nothing.
Or, he’s a fud.
HH
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 15th September 2016 3:06 pm
VFR
Aye, its easy to say all that:)
HH
But no’ as easy tae type!
FAC the Act
KTF
Very hypocritical from Roy Keane to be honest. When he and Martin O’Neill qualified for the Euros with Ireland they were hugging and kissing each other with tears rolling down face.
He’s now playing his character on TV
Best ignored
SFFS
Raberto67
Excuse me…’Aye, he seems the type’
You have absolutely no conception what ‘type’ i am.
If you want to cross words with me….it wont last long, fire away
If you want to wind it a bit…fine.
When did you suddenly become the voice of reason on CQN?
Did Paul67 present you with an official title?
I must have missed that.
NAS,,,
Thanks for reply.
You a hun? ;)))
Raberto67
You have just come bumbling in with your big clown shoes on.
You have been here 5 minutes, and you think you know whats what.
Do one….and thats me being polite
TGM
Mibee he is Raberto Nilloc?!
A good Scottish name, after all.
TGM
There is ample evidence of how easy a club with Celtics lack of non match day income and alternative revenue sources can go down the tubes if not managed carefully.
Europe is littered with examples of clubs from the non top 4 leagues who have either hit similar difficulties or have right sized.
Few have done it as well as Celtic from a tiny to population in a non competitive league. The last 12 years has been incredible and the last 5 with no significant domestic rivalry even more so. Perhaps only the Portuguese with their Brzilian links have done better on field.
Easy to focus on one aspect of a CEO role. But generally across the piece he has managed our position fairly well. We were a financial basket case in the Seville era as most are aware.
The lack of wider ambition in aggravating / leading for change in football governance in Europe is my gripe. In particular in competition format and how it affects non big TV markets. For me that should be a huge bonus area for Celtics leadership. It matters to fans long term and to shareholders alike.
Spending a million or two million or even 4 million on one third rate centre back or another holding midfielder won’t address the big picture issues.
We have brought a coach in to galvanise the club / support. If we were in 5 of the 6 groups we might have actually even qualified for the 16. It would have made no difference medium term however it would have been fun.
We can win 10 in a row managed properly with our current approach but the real prize is a football structure change which our club can win from not just signing and unhappy Everton midfield guy.
For me this is where the focus of the Celtic board needs to be this next year or so.
VFR800A8 on 15TH SEPTEMBER 2016 3:05 PM
Good post. I personally think we are 1 step ahead of where we expected to be – I’m not sure qualifying for the CL this year was necessarily expected. We have some catching up to do and to do so requires the cash. Will we ever be able to win the CL? Not unless there is a complete overhaul to the way Euro football financials work. We should be able to compete however.
Raberto67 on 15th September 2016 3:10 pm
vfr800a8 on 15th September 2016 3:05 pm
Good post, but don’t you know The Green Man knows better?
If he says it’s all PL’s fault then all you logical and researched posts to the contrary mean nothing.
Or, he’s a fud.
HH
_________________________________
OK, the Green man is now know affectionately as Elmer.
Burnley78
Thats a good post bud.
But its simple…..we need to be smarter to cope in adverse situations, on the field, and at board level.
HH
The green mans theory on football improvement… Buy better players.
The green mans advice on how to achieve world peace…gonna no dae that you pair. :D
HH
Philbhoy
Anything is possible on CQN, my burnt pastry radar is on alert.
HH
The Green Man says SACK THE Board on 15th September 2016 3:12 pm
Raberto67
Excuse me…’Aye, he seems the type’
You have absolutely no conception what ‘type’ i am. -*That’s why I said ‘seems’ – look it up.
If you want to cross words with me….it wont last long, fire away – *You think PL controls all our finances, you have no sword.
Yer defo a fud though. Nae seeming aboot it.
I’m out, the real world beckons.
Philbhoy – aim higher than being a sidekick to a bampot, I’m sure you have it in you.
HH
Clydesider
Surely far better being on the inside as things are evolving than being outside with no influence.
For far too long we have been inactive in this area.
If we are not engaging and simply agitating from outside the cabal we will have no prospect.
Hear about the guy with no cash but desperate for a sex change?
He jumped from a high flat and landed with a fud. ;))
TAKEMYMOTHERINLAWPLEASEcsc
Geordie Munro
I knew you would have a quip to hand:)
But….its that simple…buy better players, the rest is just superfluous icing on a huge cake of PLC nonsense.
World Peace….no such product exists:)
HH
Raberto67
See ya
Dont hurry back
RABERTO67
And who are you to come on here for the first time (mmmmmm) and call one of our most respected Posters “a bampot”
Shame on you.
Or welcome back mair like.
Has DD just bought the club ?
Is PL a new appointment ?
Was resolution 12 a blog fantasy ?
Was Sir David Murray and his cronies part in bringing our club to it”s knees to be glossed over by the plc rigid belief system groupies ?
And if you know your history ?
HH
Its pity we didnae have rubber dolls during the war. Our forefaithers could have hung a couple to guide in the german bombers and we,d have saved a fortune on the floodlight leccy bill.
Tgm,
Ha! I canny help it ;)
I’m looking forward to your book on how to beat the 100m world record, entitled Run Faster Ffs!!! ;)
HH