I loved the Leicester City story as much as any of you. Well, maybe not just as much. Leicester’s title win was astonishing, but it was no fairy story. They outperformed far wealthier clubs, sure, but this was achieved by spending the kind of money Celtic couldn’t dream of parting with.
Apart from their league win, Project Leicester was typical of the financial chicanery which has been prevalent in English football for so long, and which Financial Fair Play seeks to end.
Right now they are in freefall. If they go down, loaded with an underperforming squad on eye-wateringly high salaries, they will find it impossible to downsize sufficiently to give anyone sitting around the King Power Stadium boardroom table that they will be able to achieve stability in the Championship.
Once you drop out of the Enland and Wales Premier League, the biggest parachute in the world simply isn’t big enough. Two of the three Championship relegation places are currently occupied by recent Premier League clubs. Aston Villa, twice the size of Leicester but with a far smaller wage bill, are currently 17th. Leicester will look ominously at Blackpool, 14th in League Two, and appreciate how rapidly a Premier League relegation fight can turn into something altogether more serious.
Claudio Ranieri is a football hero, but even from the outside it has been plain to see that something has been seriously wrong under his control in recent months. His comments before the Sevilla game, “we know they are the better team”, spoke of a man who didn’t believe in himself or his players anymore.
It is never easy to spot when a managerial hero should move on from a club where he’s loved, exect in hindsight. Clough was the greatest English manager, but stayed on far too long at Nottingham Forest. Relegation was his reward.
Jock Stein’s sacking as Celtic manager in 1978 was shabbily handled, as was the way at the club back then. I was too young to know the best of Jock’s years at Celtic, but I remember the grief he got from the terraces during his last four seasons, when Rangers (remember them?) won three titles and two trebles.
No one will tell you they got on Jock’s case back then, but it happened. Football fans in the 1970s took no prisoners.
Looking back, Jock stayed too long at Celtic. He produced miracles for five years then managed decline for eight. He should have taken the Manchester United job when offered. Clough squeezed two League Cups out of his squad in 1989 and 1990 and should have headed for this hills right then.
As for Claudio, he should have bowed out a champion in May. He didn’t have managerial alchemy after all, it was inevitable that performances would return to his normal trend this season. Someone at Leicester had to take responsibility. That’s football – and it’s not even a modern aspect of it.
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Mick, did you see my post about Taz?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5S7gzmWQAA77yJ.jpg
Pick it out…
HH
Peter Lawwell controls every aspect of Scottish fitba, including the Tim Murty in charge at doomdome.
StateAidCSC
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5QGSyDWcAAEfjX.jpg
Always watching over us…
HH
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5QGF4_XUAAL8Hd.jpg
Danny the Boss
HH
Udinese away, James was so impressive.
Every time he gets a haircut, the young Man looks like, younger EVERY time.
He Loved that goal last week, Fantastic Day
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ThfWyY-v-Rs …..and now for something completely different………..estrellas de areito
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5K9B04WYAQflcB.jpg
Karma’s a bitch…
keeponkeepingonKarmaCSC
RC
Stevie Murray was magic for us till injury. Loved him for too short a time.
Lazy youtubing, the next one is just quality.
I could be Happy
ART OF WAR
No, must have missed it, have you been there?
H.H Mick
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5K54kmXUAEff_3.jpg
all that’s missing is big Lustig wae a burst ball on his head…
HH
http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/teams/celtic/celtic-swooped-after-moussa-dembele-failed-spurs-medical-1-4375678
Celtic
Lubo.CSC
DELANEYS DUNKY
Agree, and he would have been sensational in Brendans
team, pass and move expert.
H.H Mick
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5I4R-gWAAA3dpG.jpg
Tommy
HH
Mick, i wish.
Foodie Rick Stein was there and he came across a wee sushi guys restaurant that was awesome.
It was in the middle of nowhere but the wee sushi guy made it an immigrant story of success/ achievement.
Was wondering if you came across it.
RC
They named a stand after the Hertz man Jardine. Daniel Fergus McGrain needs recognition by name somewhere in Paradise.
Drumchapel’s finest son.
HH
macjay1,
That is incredible. Moussa is one of the Strongest ever players.
The African Bhoys are so aware of Celtic.
Magical.
https://youtu.be/ATucV4Ugqsw
Boolavogue
arebelhandCSC
Just looked it up – Masaaki’s Sushi, Geeveston.
MM
My da took me to Stevie Murray’s first game in a Celtic shirt. I think it was a reserve game. My dad said he would be our new Bobby Murdoch.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5I3r8wWYAAp3mD.jpg
Tommy fills the subway…
BroomloanRebelsCSC
DD couldn’t agree more, love him HH
Roy- stunning pic. thx.
The excitement going to see the Celts is there, it hasn’t been like that for a long Time.
Decent Rangers Supporter said to me you must be bored…. I said No, I’m just enjoying Celtic playing quality Fitba.
JJ
PETEC on 25TH FEBRUARY 2017 12:59 AM
One of the comments cast some doubt on the accuracy of the article , Pete.
I wouldn`t know , though.
Foodie & Rick Stein…..in the same breath…..AoW…..wash yer mouth out…..he is a fish affecionado…..;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5EBdYbWQAAlan9.jpg
I was doing back flips at the top of the Celtic end…
OurshyCSC
ART OF WAR
No, but would have loved it, seafood in Tazzie is second
to none.
Visited the historic prison and asylum in Port Arthur,such
a sad place and so many Scottish and Irish names on the
wall plaques, one poor wretch ended up in there for 17
years, his crime, he stole a coat, ffs you steal millions
nowadays and they give you a knighthood.
It was also the place where 35 people were slaughtered by
a nutcase with guns years after it was turned into a
historical monument.
H.H Mick
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5D41F0WcAUdGU7.jpg
Hail Cesar
HH
petec- haven’t met a Decent Rangers Supporter in about 4 years.
Plenty of sevcoites though.
But even the Sevs are jumping ship.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5D29WsXAAAorlm.jpg
Jinky scores at the penny arcade
tippingpointCSC
Mick that’s brutal.
Wonder what the punishment was for stealing a magic hat!
macjay1,
There will be a lot of Jealousy if Celtic turn down bids of £30Mill.
:))))
It is always, and should always only be about a Players development.
That wee Island, once again, has given us the very Best in the World, IMO.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C5DvFn_WcAAr2Tp.jpg
Willie Wallace
HH
AoW
Every decent bluenose I know fae growing up in Knightswood have chucked it. Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun is filling a void for some. Harry Wraggs and Yoker for others. Celtic for their grandchildren.
HH
AOW
:-))))