John Greig said his biggest regret in football was being handed the European Cup Winners’ Cup trophy in a dressing room and not in front of fans. What should have been an iconic moment, with images forever displayed on walls, was little more than an afterthought.
Chances are, at some point today, you, me, Neil Lennon, Scott Brown and the rest of the players will receive a text message, “9 in a row, official”, we will do our best to celebrate the moment, but it should not have been like this. The occasion had the making of our most endearing memories as Celtic supporters, and for that, there is regret, we missed out. For once only, Scott Brown will know how John Greig felt.
Nine-in-a-row has been filled with fabulous memories created by some of the greatest ever Celtic teams. For me, it started as we followed the live within our means strategy I always held dear, while ominously acknowledging the threat of four-in-a-row from the spendaholics.
When we were three goals down at Rugby Park in October 2011 that threat felt all too real. Without a double from Anthony Stokes and a third from Charlie Mulgrew, or even Paul Heffernan’s open goal chance to win the game for the home side on 88 minutes, so much of what followed could have been different.
It took over eight years for that feeling of doom to return. Our domination was never in threat, but history was. 29 December 2019 will remain in Celtic fans’ memory for longer than it probably deserves. That was the date a feeling that we might be in trouble returned. We have every chance of winning our fourth consecutive treble and you would not be against us doing the same again next season, but although we didn’t know it at the time, the title destiny was out of our hands after the players left Celtic Park on the end of a 1-2 defeat.
A lot of CQN’ers who were here for the start of this run are no longer with us. I made an offhand comment to one of that number in 2012, saying, ‘Celtic will never lose another league title in your lifetime’. I regretted this, as it was meant as a flippant take on our comparative position in Scottish football, not on our own mortality. But here we are, growing older with Celtic’s dominance, if anything, more secure than ever. That flippant comment remains valid for an untold number of us.
You, your parents or your grandparents may have celebrated a European Cup win and nine-in-a-row first time around, but Celtic’s position in 1974, when we first won nine, was significantly weaker than it is today. Today, it feels like we are ready to kick on to another level.
When the news comes, remember the struggles of getting here, not just the hard years during the 90s, but the years of loss under ‘prudent’ [solvent]spending plans. As a Celtic supporter, you suffered the defeats, the lost trophies and their divisive consequences. You deserve your chance to celebrate nine-in-a-row and a crack at 10 next season.
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and to all lurking huns GIRFUY
Just a wee quiet thank you to Celtic FC, players and staff.
AYE ……………… THAT’LL BE FECKIN’ SHINING BRIGHT. C..O..Y..B..I..G!!!!!!! GLASGOW’S GREEN AND WHITE.
Have been off the demon during the week for the last month or so, in an attempt to preserve my body (and mind), but stuff that today/tonight, thank feck for modern-day media because I’m having a (virtual) party tonight with the guys I go to Celtic Park with, the guys I should have been with yesterday for Trophy Day.
Happy NINTH to all Tims.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1259063126525464577
Let me be the first to congratulate celtic on winning 20 in a row.
We have won every title this century.
The image:
“Chances are, at some point today, you, me, Neil Lennon, Scott Brown and the rest of the players will receive a text message, “9 in a row, official””
The reality:
“Dad, call you back, on the toilet.”
“That’s us champions, 9 in a row”
Great memories.
The best thing about nine is that it’s a step nearer ten . The huns will never match our achievements in Europe or domestically . Their heads must be exploding!
Fantastic Celtic 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Thoroughly deserved.
There was never any real prospect at any time of any other team winning this league.
Our form after the break was imperious. The pressure got to Thems and they cracked. Big time.
While it may not have the drama of 1986 or 2008, I’ll enjoy this one as much as any other, particularly as they absolutely believed after their win against us at Xmas that the league was theirs.
HAIL HAIL THE CELTS ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done the CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hail Hail to all my fellow Tims on this momentous day.
Would never have imagined this day back when we managed to stop their tainted 10. How sweet it is.
Keeping the faith has been rewarded in full measure
Fabulous, just Fabulous. Congratulations to the Nine And Only Famous Glasgow Celtic.
YeeeeeeHaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!
Congratulations, Celtic. Great to celebrate 9 in a row for the second time.
Paul67, I always felt that, if the Quality Street Gang had come through, we would have gone from strength to strength in the 70s. 2 genuine world class players, potentially 3, Danny, Dalglish and George Connolly, with the likes of Davie Hay, Vic Davidson and Macari, too. For whatever reason, it never materialised. Just reciting those names…….
What a remarkable, unique and historic achievement.
Congratulations to the incomparable Glasgow Celtic and its truly world wide fan base.
And to paraphrase Old Lodge Skins……………..
Thank you God for making me a Tim.
Hail Hail
Championees
9iar
On to 10iar
Yasss
Phil.
Jim White on Talksport having difficulty in presenting his show. To be fair it must be hard to do so while spewing in a bucket.
The only talking head they seem to be able to locate to chip in an opinion?
Step forward …
Kenny Miller!
On Brother Walfrid`s Birthday 18th May 1840
Well done Celtic
HH
Let it sink in
Well said Paul.
Congratulations to the Bhoys .
From someone who was at Brockville the last time we did 9
Hail Hail
Afternoon all – well that’s my second nine – hail hail
Hail Hail to Tim’s everywhere – Enjoy today. ☘️
We have earned this title fairly and honestly and no amount of twisted jealousy and religious intolerance will take that pleasure from me.
Tomorrow may see Aberdeen calling for an independent inquiry as to why Sevco are getting a Euro spot?
Worthy Champions no doubt about it,well done Celtic, we went into overdrive
after the shut down we did what winners do when under threat.
999999999
I’m not usually one for the big cut and paste Kobe, but this is one of the best statements ever issued by our club and one that will stand the test of these trying times.
Congratulations to all at Celtic for achieving 9 in a row,….twice
9 in a row… Dedicated and Deserved
By: Newsroom Staff on 18 May, 2020
Today you are a champion, you are someone who has contributed to yet another fantastic season for our great club and today you have made history – as someone who has been an integral part of 9 in a row!
I want to thank you sincerely for your commitment – a commitment that has allowed us to build our team, to deliver yet another major honour and to ensure that once again we have proven ourselves to be the dominant force in Scottish football.
It is, of course, a real shame that we were not able to see out the league in front of our fans. However, no one can deny how deserved this title is.
I want to thank Neil, John Kennedy, Damien Duff, our wonderful players and backroom team and all our staff for all they have given to our cause this year.
Under Neil’s guidance, we have produced performances of the highest quality. We have produced exciting, attacking, winning football. We have played the Celtic way and won the Celtic way. We are champions for a reason.
Supported brilliantly by you, Neil and our team have shown such focus and relentlessness, producing phenomenal consistency and ultimately delivering a 13-point margin at the league’s conclusion.
I am so proud of our team and proud of you for all you have given us.
While we rightly celebrate this fantastic, deserved achievement we must take time to consider the wider circumstances we have all been experiencing and remember those who have helped us through these unique and challenging times with such bravery and selflessness.
We dedicate this title to everyone who has cared for us and all those who have been affected by these times of challenge and difficulty. As we have said before, against a backdrop of global crisis, all areas of society are experiencing huge adversity and it is vital that we take a moment to remember this.
Celtic has a charitable purpose at its core and during these unprecedented times of crisis we felt it was crucial that we stood up and supported those in need. I am delighted to report that through Celtic FC Foundation we have now committed £450,000 to this effort.
We continue to marvel at the contribution of frontline NHS staff and other key workers to our society and we are very aware that they and so many others in so many different ways require some vital help.
The work our Foundation has already delivered has been phenomenal and we are delighted to increase our level of support. We will continue to do all we can within the community to make a difference.
It is my absolute honour to be part of this great institution and it has been my privilege to work in your interests to ensure that we always give you a club you can be proud of.
Today, we share with you the joy of this special achievement. Nine years of domestic dominance is something we should all be proud of and embrace.
Let’s now look ahead with confidence to many more days of success.
As we remain in difficult times, we will need you with us on this road – now more than ever. Our unity will always be our strength.
Enjoy this time and enjoy our 9!
Thank you so much and continued best wishes to you and your family.
Kindest regards
Peter Lawwell
Chief Executive
Like all of us I would have preferred to have played out the season and beat Sevco at both Ibrox and Parkhead and finished with a 20 plus points gap. I felt really confident we could do that but it was not to be.
Celtic are now champions for a ninth successive season and I felt ecstatic when the inevitable news came through today.
Paul correctly reflected on those who are not with us today to enjoy the moment so a glass will be raised tonight to remember and thank all those Celtic men and women who have brought us to this place.
We go on from here to 10-in – a- row.
Hail! Hail! the Celts are here. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Hello again all you 9 in a row champion rebels.
Just been wakened from a wee nap there by what seemed like
a barrage of phone rings, texts, and the princess shouting ” it’s
official we’re the winners again ”
Only one thing to do now, better get the paracetamol out for
the morning, it’s gonna be a long night.
Yeehoooo.
H.H . Mick
Don’t think I’ve ever won the league at lunch on a Monday before!! Congratulations Celtic, history makers yet again. And I liked Paul 67’s story too!
Great lead Paul. As someone who remembers the first nine and the struggles of the 90’s it really tastes sweet to do another one. Congratulations to Neil (whom I voiced real concerns about on here….) and the boys and everyone connected with the 9 in a row champions. God bless the hoops..
Just relayed the news of our ( second) 9 in a row to my neighbour…………….he looked about as happy as Doc Martin.
ohohohitsmagic csc
Making it to 10 will bring us a 3rd 9 in a row for 2013 to 2021
We’ll done Celtic thoroughly deserved – don’t normally drink on a Monday but I’ll make an exception tonight. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Just a wee quiet thought now for BIGYINMILAN, i know for sure
he would have been my first text with the one word CHAMPIONS.
Don’t know how or where you are Peter but i hope you can at
least read this and smile.
H.H . Mick
“This not the end; this just the beginning…”. Neil was here for the first, here for the ninth and for the tenth…
Congratulations Celtic, love you always…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
MARTIN42 on 18TH MAY 2020 12:40 PM
STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPIONS
Another great bit of advice from the Martin42 the Legend and I’m doing it right now!
I was at Brockville in ’74 with my brother, Dad & Uncles and (especially in the 90s) I never thought i’d see this again.
I wonder how much we’ll hear in the SMSM the words:
“Congratulations to Celtic on 9 In A Row”
Won’t hold my breath but It doesn’t matter, because we know……and they know we know.
To do this twice is incredible.
Congratulations Celtic and to all of us, who ARE Celtic!
9 IN A ROW!
Martin42
NORRIEM on 18TH MAY 2020 12:34 PM
This season’s accounts is irrelevant, last season’s were the relevant accounts, alas.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
‘They’ tried their best to make it null and void
From McCann,Rae and dumpling Boyd
Nine in a row the honest way
No EBTs I hear you say.
🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘
This will be my first football comment in over two months:
YYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSS
🍀💚🇳🇬
Congratulations to Favourite Uncle on his nine in a row.
BHOYJOEBELFAST on 18TH MAY 2020 1:20 PM
Love it Joe!
” We drink beer,
We drink wine,
Celtic have another NINE”..
In 1974 I was just over 18 years of age when we completed the first Nine…Today I am over 64…and the Celts have did it again….Now for the MAGICAL 10 IN A ROW !
My thoughts are also with those Celtic fans who were with us at the beginning of this “second” Nine in a Row, and who are sadly not here to see it, but I am sure they are all in Paradise looking down and smiling.
HH
Stay safe.