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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Happy days.
Congratulations to all involved.
Celtic are champions – FACT
Unanimous decision by all 12 premiership clubs to end season – FACT
9IAR – FACT
Null and void, Horse not making all the jumps, 26 mile marathon not completed, etc etc …
NOISE
… generated by the incapable and promulgated by the incompetent for ready consumption by the imbecilic.
Hail hail
Keep The Faith
Big Jimmy, that’s a good point mate. Hail Hail!
Suitably poignant blog on an historic day. Could never have dreamt of this during those dark days of the 90s, though always kept the faith, even then, that the good guys would prevail.
My dad celebrates his 77th birthday today and he couldn’t be happier. He is thinking of his own dad, who was with him on the terracing the first time around, but now long gone. A man who lived and breathed Celtic, living in Bridgeton surrounded by bigotry and who would find it hard to fathom the power balance that now exists in Scottish football.
The Killie game will always be special to me. It was the day before my wedding and at half time I left to get my now wife a triple decker from the Newlands Cafe on Kilmarnock(!) Road (a wee blowout after weeks of dieting). I thought this was another Mowbray-esq collapse, but Neil Lennon is made of different stuff. He’s the real deal and he found a way to bring his massive, Celtic to the bone character to bear in that second half. As well as ensuring an even happier wedding day, looking back now it was THE turning point. 9 years later they are gone and we are untouchable. It’s a wonderful achievement and a wonderful time to be a Tim. My old grandpa’s spirit will be overjoyed!
As one of those who had my doubts when Neil Lennon was appointed manager for the second time, can I simply say I got it totally wrong. He has made us an even better footballing team.
Thank you, Neil.
tommy graveson
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYNgZFnWAAI8UiT?format=jpg&name=900×900
Today I feel overjoyed that I have lived to see two nine in a rows and to have been present at other momentous moments in the history of Glasgow Celtic like Lisbon, Milan and Seville. But today is special because against all the obstacles placed in our way to the Championship, we have won the day.
Like so many on here, my thoughts go back to the past and to the many difficulties those who built up our great club have had to face and suffer, But we have never been moved from the ideals set before us by our founding Fathers. I am sure Bro Walfrid would be honoured to know that the Foundation has achieved so much good since its beginnings and carried on his desire to always look out for those in need.
Lastly, what a great celebratory communication from Peter Lawwell to us all. Like him I wish to congratulate Neil, the players and coaches, the backroom staff and all who contributed to our victory. WE are the Champions!
Enjoy the day, lhads and lhassies. Hail,hail!
Congratulations to Celtic, Champions again dont you know 9 in a row, second time around for me like many others, all the sweeter this time around, onwards to the 10!!
HH
Credit due also to Motherwell and Livingston for terrific season throughout, plus St Johnstone and Accies (I know) for late surges.
HOOPY nine Celts.
Good article by Murray, says it all.
Hamilton Tim, I have never met you or your obviously lovely wife, I just want to say you’re in my thoughts today in what must be a bittersweet one.
For what it’s worth.
My Player of the year is Callum. The awesome Odsonne runs him so Curtley Ambrose.
Callum keeps things ticking over so effortlessly, so much effort goes into it.
Re-sign them both.🇮🇪👍🇮🇪👍🇮🇪
A huge well done, to Neil, Big Peter and all The Bhoys,…. not forgetting Dermot.
We celebrate as a Club – like no other!
This is huge for us and we should celebrate,……………at Nine tonight a glass or two will be raised in honour. Well-played Tims.
Thank-you Paul67 for providing This….Dear Green Place. ( some o’ the keech you’ve had to contend with is unbelievable)
AtNineTonightThereWillBeWine CSC!!!!!!!!
:)
HH ( x9)
I believe the Vatican has offered the pope mobile for Broony to parade the trophy round Glasgow
Congratulations CFC! Second nine in a row , HH
EMERALDBEE\O/ STILL PROUD TO BE AN INTERNET BAMPOT on 18TH MAY 2020 2:15 PM
The Guardian’s Euan Murray swalling his normal bile and acting like a journalist for once, producing a well balanced article about the new 9-in-a-row Champions.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/18/celtic-scottish-title-triumph-not-diminished-by-cold-climax
___
To be fair to Murray, his problem isn’t with Celtic lifting the title. He’s happy for that to happen.
It’s the relegation of his team Hearts that’s the issue. That’s why he’s been acting up over the last few weeks. I have some sympathy for that position.
As much as I hate Hearts… League reconstruction would be the best outcome.
NFL interview on sky sports news at 3.
oops sorry blog.
EMERALDBEE\O/ STILL PROUD TO BE AN INTERNET BAMPOT on 18TH MAY 2020 2:22 PM
CELTIC DAWN on 18TH MAY 2020 2:13 PM
Unfortunately we are now entering the Close Season, a period the Huns historically do well in :)
————————
the rangers are on a long unbeaten run, since defeating ross county on the 8th march,
typical celtic complacency and poor signing policy is what finds us in the shambles we have today,
BSR…”If ever a league is to be dedicated to absent friends its this one”
Indeed!
Braw Braw Braw Braw Braw Braw Braw Braw Braw
smiley will add anither wan next season thing
Braw
well done to all Celts …
Congratulations to every body connected to our historical club,
fans , staff , players et all , Well Done .
Paul67 et al
Does attending the last game of the season, 5-0 against the Saints count as seeing Celtic win not only the title but achieve 9 in a Row? You better believe it does!
And hats off to the man who scored a hat-trick that day……..Lee Griffith
2 of the sweetest league titles, have fallen on a Monday.
Ten men won the league, 4.2 game, in 1979 and this one.
Happy days.
Joy. Sweet joy !
Thank you to everyone who put in the work, players-coaching staff-us-much maligned Peter Lawell and not forgetting the even more maligned heart of Midlothian. They stuck it to the monkeys with that late winner which derailed them. Nearly felt bad when I heard they were going down but natural order was restored and now I’m glad to see them and their ugly butcher apron fans leave the building.
If I’m still sober I will be tuning into radio Clyde tonight. Seemingly alex (ebt)) Rae will be giving us his opinion of the days events.
I was driving down to England and Alex Rae’s Mum called the show. You couldn’t make it up.
Aye, get ready to rumble.
Or after January, Crumble.
HERE WE GO TO 10 IN a ROW.
Celtic Mac @ 3.08
I’ll go with that and say yes to the nine here were my musings little did I know we won the League that day
Storm no name squalled around 4.45 in Parkhead, the road to Dalmarnock and beyond could have been Everest but it couldn’t halt the Celtic fans who scurried away for buses and trains all over the Parkhead footprint after another fine instalment in the nine of those things in a row show.
The mantra of getting the job done early was carried out to order, as Celts coasted on a cold day to half time cuppas, with two close range Griffiths digs. Both of the brace were set up by Edouard the provider, the second being a classy well worked dink which set the tone for the day.
Celtic oozed pedigree from the K.O. and although Saints started brightly the inevitable shine went with those two pre-emptive strikers goals, from a man who really was backed by his employer, surrounded by his supportive peers, his face was a picture, when he wrapped in his third to complete the hat trick.
Before then Odsonne Edouard’s goal was plainly absurd in execution, sometimes you want him to shoot sooner but this time the third Celtic goal was in the net, before we had time to say the word, and the Eddy song was duly underway. MacGregor, Rogic, Bitton, Taylor and Brown were standouts. Edouard is nothing other than a gift from above, James Forrest is Neil Lennon’s rock and the Celtic wing wizard worked tirelessly providing a formidable shape to the formation along the right zone for 90 minutes.
But this was Leigh’s day all round and the man is living proof it really is o.k. to not be o.k.
M.O.M Leigh Griffiths
HWG 10IAR
Car just past ma windae playing the ‘sash’ full belt……….dae ye think thems are upset????
“ I’ve got my best friend here
And she’s beautiful “
“This one is the best “
“ Now we can focus on the Ten “
NFL LEGEND 🍀🍀🍀🍀
Good afternoon CQN from a deeeeeeeelighted Garngad
Champions again ole ole
There was a small Car procession at 3 pm to celebrate 🍀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🍀🇮🇪
HH
D. :)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1262343523728269324
This blog, to me, has been quite an emotional place over the past couple of months which I think helps elevate it above other Celtic sites for me.
Today is no different. So please allow me an Oscar speech :)
Thanks to the team, manager, captain and all the backroom staff for a season that, give or take a few games, had us play some of the best football – certainly best performances – I’ve seen in years.
Take a bow Mr Lawell – sorry Auldheid :) – for your managing of the club, which given the current circumstances we hopefully will be reaping the benefits from for years – and also an amazing statement today.
Thanks to Paul67 for this amazing place, and to all who post, for giving us all something to do when we need our Celtic fix, are bored, elated or down in the dumps. Let’s keep the blog open to all and learn to scroll past rather than chase people away we don’t agree with.
Finally I’ll be raising a glass to my dad Gerry Majella Hart who introduced me to Celtic (I know we don’t get a choice…) who sadly is no longer with us but I know will be as happy and proud of his team’s achievements as me.
Hail Hail
I only ,get to 3-4 games per year. My last one was the 1-2 defeat on Dec 29th. The Rangers (sic) players celebrated in front of us and their own fans as if they had won the Champions League, egged on by their Commander-in-Chief, Stevie G. I made a mental note that day to watch the celebrations and remember that feeling because we have had so many good years. Somtimes going through a painful defeat like that makes days like today even sweeter! Hail Hail – Now it’s time for a social distant session in the back garden!
on the every day is a school day theme –
A man is born 180 years ago today –
Andrew Kerins (Irish: Aindreas Ó Céirín; 18 May 1840 – 17 April 1915), known by his religious name Brother Walfrid, was an Irish Marist Brother and the founder of Celtic Football Club.
And another man is born 100 year ago today
Pope John Paul II (Latin: Ioannes Paulus II; Spanish: Juan Pablo II; Italian: Giovanni Paolo II; Polish: Jan Paweł II; born Karol Józef Wojtyła [ˈkarɔl ˈjuzɛv vɔjˈtɨwa];[a] 18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005) was head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 1978 to 2005.
and them celtic win the league on the same day.
divine intervention ?
Majestic Hartson
Well said.👍
bournesouprecipe
Bourne, I’d put memories of the rain that day to the back of my mind!
Then again some of our finest days and nights have also been the wettest, A.C Milan 2007 eg.
Good recollection of the game, one that will stick in the mind, as does Brockville back in 1974.
Great days indeed
Majestic – I will do the same tonight, for my now sadly departed family but mostly my father who introduced us to our beloved hoops. 🍀🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🍀🍻
D. :)
Petec
Stay safe and till we meet again Y.N.W.A
David Tanner @DavidTannerTV 48m
For those asking what happens to the ScottishCup, the semis & the final WILL BE PLAYED…but only when it’s safe to have fans back inside stadia. SFA being patient as semis & final are worth £4.5M.
So, Celtic can still do the treble; Aberdeen & Hearts or Hibs stand in the way.
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 18TH MAY 2020 3:26 PM
Did your father go to THE MUNGO .would he have been about 79 by now.