Looking back it’s easy to spot; that moment when an imperious manager peaks before tumbling over the edge, but at the time this moment is almost impossible to see. The moment Jock Stein peered over the mountain was absolutely impossible to identify at the time.
Celtic qualified for the 1970 European Cup final by beating English champions, Leeds United, home and away, and were hot favourites to lift the trophy for the second time in four seasons. They were about to win their fifth consecutive league title and would go on to make record a world record nine-in-a-row, meaning there was a mountain of ‘evidence’ obscuring the peak from view.
We were the most feared side in football in April 1970 but that team’s time as a European heavyweight was over. Stein remained a further eight seasons but he never beat another team from one of the large European leagues. A 1975 win over a relatively obscure Boavista was his best result* in the period before he was replaced in 1978.
The reverence Jock is rightly held in by all Celtic fans now was tested during the 70s when I remember tactics and even minor decisions, like substitutions, were being questioned by large sections of the support. It all ended in ignominy in 1978, fifth in the league and sacked in a clumsy and misleading fashion.
Jock was still a good manager and did well with Scotland but he should have moved on from Celtic years earlier.
Fans of other clubs will always see the moment of inflection before those too close to the event, but even Arsenal fans are now politely making the case that their once-supreme manager is no longer suitable for purpose. Anyone suggesting that Arsene Wenger was finished in 2004 would have been certified. His team had just won the league undefeated, the first team to do so since the 19th century. They won the FA Cup on penalties the following season and reached the Champions League final a year after that, but they have not lifted a trophy since 2005. Wenger was a fine 2004 vintage but has disappointed since.
After a slow start at Manchester United, Alex Ferguson has managed to remain at the top for 20 years. His most important ability appears to be to know when to change coaches, players and tactics. It has long been said that the best managers were not great players as they needed to acquire a conscious insight on the game which gifted players inherently knew. Perhaps enduringly great managers are not even tactical geniuses, it’s more important that they can just spot a few.
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Remember being a teenager?** The excitement of waiting for news of the latest pop charts was big news for some. You can relive your youth buy BUYING ROD STEWART’S single before Sunday.
* In European competition, between beating Leeds and when Jock left in 1978, Celtic eliminated Kokkola, Waterford, B1903 Copenhagen, Sliema Wanderers, Ujpest Doza, Rosenborg, Turku, Vejle, Basel, Valur, Boavista and Jeunesse d’Esch. They lost to Ajax, Inter Milan, Ujpest Doza, Atletico Madrid, Olympiakos, Sachsenring Zwickau and Wisla Krakow. And Feyenoord, of course.
** CQN demographics suggest for most of you, your teenage years are now a distant memory.
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Phil Mountbatten ?
A complicated business .
Born in Greece. .Greek Orthodox but converted to C of E in order to marry Betty Windsor
Father was Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark— connections to Germany / Iceland / Norway / Denmark and Scleswig Holstein..
Mother was Princess Alice of Battenberg . Born in the UK . German descent . A schizophrenic . Became a nun . Helped ” save ” Jews in occupied Greece . Honored by Israel for her heroism .
Oh! Leaving for game in 30 mins but just had to take Immodium.
Think I may have caught something reading last nights night shift.
MWD
Oh, it ‘s OK ……. penalty awarded / scored……LOL
Turned over to EPL game, to watch football….
.
I Don’t think l have Ever Really Bagged CQN or Said its Changed or l No Longer Like it..
Because I am a “it’s what You make it” kind of Person.. I believe in “Live and Let Live”..
But I Honestly think Paul67 should Consider Closing the Blog.. Say between 12pm and 6am GMT..
What I don’t Like about the Current Stuff in this Timestamp..is its Just a Free for All..
Any Poster Who genuinely Say they Like this Blog then Abuse the Hosts Hospitality.. Not just Once but Time and Time again..
Let them have there “Discussions” on the CQN Facebook page between they Hours..Now that Would be Interesting..
This is Not a Rant..
I Just think Our Host is Being Abused by People that Should clearly know Better..
Summa
montrose 1 inter 1
something no right there
HH
Spot on Summa, I see the same rules apply in third division. Rule one of the alternative (hun) rules book. If we are struggling award us a penalty incase we cant score. Funny how this never happened in first few months, Wee Chuck been greasing some palms down in the third?
KLV
Miki67
I was always taught to question everything and never believe what you read. It’s a pity for the sevconians that this has not been part or their ethos.
Except Santa of course.
S
The UJ was taken down from the City Hall in Belfast aver a democratic vote was taken by democratically elected representatives.
The result was 29-21.
Nationalists have the majority of 25-21 in Belfast with the Alliance party holding sway. Their offices were attacked, petrol bombed and threats given out.
Do the people in George sq today not believe in democracy or only in democracy when it goes their way?
SffS
Man City ripping Newcastle apart. Hopefully it’s a hammering as I hate Newcastle and their manager and their owner.
SffS
I watched that triumphalist procession type travesty of football for about 2 minutes and then switched off.
Gloriana’s finest bellowing their hatred in dumb obeisance to that which they have no comprehension of, just simple bigotry by rote.
Odious.
Afternoon bhoys from a damp hun free mountain.
Miki67
That was the bit I didn’t know.
I admit it was slow, but there was other bits that have never been told.
And I’m no surprised it’s been taken down.
Santa is real.
This much I do know. Some things are sacrosanct.
SFFS –
I agree (re Newcastle) although I do have the game on my goals galore coupon so something like 1 – 7 would be nice.
http://rutube.ru/video/6b60af9baa4b5dbfc5efe22d36e11df4/#.UMx2VWtYCSO
This is what you get now.
Even though it’s a Russian site it’s been blocked today. What’s the point? Everybody knows now.
I suppose we just can’t be seen to know. How Orwellian.
times 2 sffs.
KLV
The live updates article will be up at 14:30, could someone leave a note here?
Thanks.
hi bada
good night thursday pal,but the lager oot the toon is awful,i was ill friday,that bhoy of yours is a smashing big big fella and a credit to you
HH
Celtic sign Milik, an 18 year old Pole for £3m.
Mr Z may confirm, but a few weeks ago said he was a great player with top clubs all over Europe after him.
SffS
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2248554/Celtic-sign-Arkadiusz-Milik.html
SFFS
I’ve got a 30 year old pole in the garden holding up the washing line – start at £4m
All 6 SPL matches at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. Doesn’t feel so cold as it has been of late. Heading off in hour for the walk to paradise.
My last game of the year before heading south. Looking forward to an entertaining game with hopefully a decent crowd.
S
Has Milik signed? I had heard he was due ti sign for Stuttgart, but Newcastle were sniffing too.
SFFS / Snake – if it turns out to be correct looks like a great bit of business – well done to Lenny and the Bhoys
armageddonCSC
3m for an 18 year old, the bhoy must have something.
Celtic very much investing in the future.
Milik- just wow if true!
Great back post defending by Santon. 0-2
Mr Z – any further info on this news mate? Looks like we’ve stolen a march on a few English clubs.
Hope nobody tells him he can’t play in the Ramsdens…..
T4
Any team lines for today?
NeilC, I,m in a booth in the far corner. There,s a place set for you.
Full breakfast with stornoway black pudin.
HH
It doesn’t say he has signed, invited to sign, hopefully we get him.
If we have signed Milik then well done to CFC.
£3 million for an 18 year old is a fair sum – but he seems a terrific prospect, having already made his debut for Poland, and scoring.
If he turns into another Lewandowski – that will do for me.
Hoops on his way soon perhaps?
HH!!
http://youtu.be/t1Jf2waSHow
Milik goals
Any truth in Milik, striker from Poland rumour?
Sounds like an extremely exciting move, Hope its true. Ashleys Southern mob are 2 down should be about 5. Don’t know if its just me but I’ve grown to detest that slob.
Words like medical, Bundesliga club in this link
http://www.gornikzabrze.pl/aktualnosci/wydarzenia/151212-arkadiusz-milik-otrzymal-zgode-na-testy-medyczne-w-klubie-bundesligi
If Milik signs which he hopefully will,it has to be the end for Stokes, and probably some others
I heard Stokes was off in January anyway
This could be a masterstroke if indeed the boy has signed or will sign.
Celtic will give him the platform to develop at a higher standard.
He will score goals in the SPL and hopefully in Europe and enhance his own reputation at club and International level.
At his age he will be another bought for a significant sum and with resale value.
Celtic again showing how business should be done.
If Celtic have pulled this off with so many clubs watching it is nothing short of incredible given the clout of the English sides.
That article says, “Board Gornik Zabrze SSA reports that Arkadiusz Milik received permission to participate in medical tests in a German Bundesliga clubs. Miner’s young striker will fly to Germany straight from the grouping of the Polish team in Turkey.
Make of that what you will, who knows?
corkcelt
What’s a cork fella doing in the premier county