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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Trophy 2000/01
Trophy 2001/02
X 2002/03
Trophy 2003/04
X 2004/05
Trophy 2005/06
Trophy 2006/07
Trophy 2007/08
X 2008/09
X 2009/10
x 2010/11
Trophy 2011/12
Trophy 2012/13
Trophy 2013/14
Trophy 2014/15
Trophy 2015/16
Trophy 2016/17
Trophy 2017/18
Trophy 2018/19
Trophy 2019/20
Celtic have won 15 out of the last 20 league championships.
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I copied the above from Twitter.
The years marked by X (not an asterisk) were won by Rangers using players paid by unlawful ebts.
Rangers can thank a number of people involved in the LNS sham for not now facing a 20/20 green and white wash.
When that mob say tainted titles shove that up where the sun don’t shine.
Jim Spence
@JimSpenceSport
·
6h
intriguing how the 3 city clubs who were traditionally not their city’s establishment institutions
@dundeeunitedfc
@HibernianFC
@CelticFC
have avoided the perils which befell their rivals. Some close scrapes along the way, but now arguably the establishment in their city’s
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caller –
they should use a bit of common savvy
guess what team he supports
mouldy posted this earlier, i missed it, tell me its true
#mouldy67
@67mouldy67
·
6h
The 9 flags are flying on top of the North Stand
Fly the flag
Champions !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYTO05nWkAEX2CQ?format=jpg&name=small
Neil Lennon and Michael Stewart on BBC Scotland current affairs programme at nine o’clock
What a great day for Planet Celtic, chuffed to the knicker line. As a double bonus, the huns are hurtin’, and their sons of william have been relegated, what’s not to like. Ya beauty!!!!
9 wee smiley things
KINGLubO
Tam Sellics son
@TamsellicsonIII
·
4h
It’s my best friend, she’s beautiful
https://twitter.com/i/status/1262388908303794178
G-D on 18TH MAY 2020 2:36 PM
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.
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Thank you sincerely for that mate.
It was very strange earlier. I was lying on my bed constantly refreshing my phone waiting on news of the 9 being confirmed. I saw it, clearly at the same time as my 2 stepsons who began jumping about the house like mentalists and screaming, shouting and singing. Me? I buried my head in my pillow and sobbed uncontrollably. For the previous 7 league day winners Helen and I were together whether at Parkhead or away ground.
Really though she was here for the 9. The night we scored the late equaliser at Livi and the Huns lost to Hamilton I returned home from the game, bounded up the stairs to see her to be met with, “Chris we’ve done it we’ve done 9 in a row!”
So I’ve paid her a wee visit and I raised a toast and I know H is sitting with a Pinot in hand toasting the 9 in a row Champions, Celtic!
where is this
🅻🅳 ♡
@Lisa_D_x
·
4h
It’s a catchy tune .. Partying face
https://twitter.com/i/status/1262391125840666626
Barry ( on Clyde) a village beckons for you.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 18TH MAY 2020 6:14 PM
MAJESTIC HARTSON on 18TH MAY 2020 5:45 PM
There you go .great to hear from you.My brother died last DECEMBER.GERRY BRITTON’S father was at funeral and he had some photos of the school team .He had a photo from BIARRITZ and we have been trying to get all the name together.
======================
Was that the time Farmer Kelly was stopped at Customs with a jar of green wine?
When asked what was in the jar Farmer said “Holy water from Lourdes”.
The customs officer dipped his finger into the jar, tasted it and declared “This is not holy water, this is green wine”
“Its a miracle!” was Farmer Kelly’s response.
HT
Lovely mhate.hh
They illegally paid players from the day david Murray took over. Judas ‘Tax’ to be paid by club… bet they never paid a penny. Amorusso Goram telling courts , for driving offences, they were paid £2K per week. so I make it at least 30 in a row
their own director admitted as much on a channel 4 interview
HT…it must be sore, very sore but I’m sure Helen would have wanted you to celebrate this amazing 2nd 9 in-a-row….
By all accounts West Belfast having a Celtic Ball.
Hail Hail
D. :)
Hi Ghuys
Does anyone know my favourite chilled confection?
Yes its a 99.
Do you see what i did there
HH
Phil
SHILTRUM on 18TH MAY 2020 5:20 PM
Well done you BHOYS IN GREEN now for 10 like myself there will be others who have had the pleasure of being able to have seen the double 9 ,
SHILTRUM, excellent. A new club/clique and I’m in it! I declare myself A DOUBLE NINER!!!!!!!!!
Heart rending HT
Could I join you again please in raising a glass (of chianti) to your wife.Can I also thank you for sharing.
From Peter Lawwell earlier today…….can’t say I’ve noticed any mention in the media….strange that
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.
Paul 67
You mention the Motherwell game when we were 3 down.
I well remember the rancor of that day on CQN. Tim against Tim, nastily so. It brought out the worst in us.
It was typical of that period with our support split between the patient and the impatient, but as I have said a few times “infinite patience produces immediate result” and the proof of that is now manifest.
I’m a forgiving chap by choice, but I’ve never forgotten the negative impact on the Celtic support and club caused by at least ten years of now proven cheating by Rangers (regardless of the subsequent official cover up attempts), where they brought out the worst in us and take a bit of satisfaction in seeing that pain being repaid bit by bit.
Tainted titles? They don’t know the meaning of the word.
HT-H was obviously savvy then?She must have been to spend the good years with you 💚
This nine is for everybody 💚🍀
https://twitter.com/RealBetis_en/status/1262406095668228096
Folks, tonight is about celebrating an absolutely phenomenal achievement by the players and management who’ve got us to 9 in a row.
However, thank you sincerely for your kindness.
GREENGRAY1967 on 18TH MAY 2020 7:15 PM
BTW, I was also one who wasn’t happy with his appointment BOTH times. Delighted to admit I was wrong twice in my life!
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When he was a short haired peroxide nyaff at Leicester I asked my daughter his name. I want him at Celtic I told her. He was just what we needed at the time. MON obviously agreed and brought him with him asap.
When Jeanette Findlay jokingly proposed Neil as manager at the Roadshow in the Kerrydale Suite after Tony Mowbray left I thought he was just what we needed.
When he was appointed after Brendan ‘kid on’ Rogers left I again thought he was just what we needed.
A guy who not only had all the experience of the professional game a manager needs to put any coaching to effective use but more important – Neil got Celtic.
CelticQuote
@CelticQuote
·
1h
“They’ll never get ten, never get to ten. They won’t even get close.”
Dave King
cheeky goal of the 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR5rOIadkMU
bradley walsh lol
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EYUeK7wXYAIXse-?format=jpg&name=large
Auldheid
Ah said that too :)
HH
Goodnight 💚🍀
tackle of the 9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK3aNN9dVKI
Auldheid on 18th May 2020 8:32 pm
GREENGRAY1967 on 18TH MAY 2020 7:15 PM
BTW, I was also one who wasn’t happy with his appointment BOTH times. Delighted to admit I was wrong twice in my life!
=================
When he was a short haired peroxide nyaff at Leicester I asked my daughter his name. I want him at Celtic I told her. He was just what we needed at the time. MON obviously agreed and brought him with him asap.
When Jeanette Findlay jokingly proposed Neil as manager at the Roadshow in the Kerrydale Suite after Tony Mowbray left I thought he was just what we needed.
When he was appointed after Brendan ‘kid on’ Rogers left I again thought he was just what we needed.
A guy who not only had all the experience of the professional game a manager needs to put any coaching to effective use but more important – Neil got Celtic.
I agree totally, now! I always knew he got Celtic, I was lucky enough to get drunk with him in a private bar in Dundalk not long after MONs treble. I just didn’t feel he had the mind or temperament for the greatest job in football. How wrong I was. Shame on me for taking in a lot of what the MSM were saying. As I said earlier, now a Celtic Legend. A word I don’t offer easily.
Great achievement by the club.
“…the title destiny was out of our hands after the players left Celtic Park on the end of a 1-2 defeat”.
It wasn’t Paul. It was always in our hands.
Thanks Ronnie Deila!
good wee read
https://thefitbanomad.wordpress.com/2019/08/26/pilgrimage-to-paradise/
Michael Stewart
@mstewart_23
·
4h
Congratulations to Celtic on 9 in a row. They are worthy winners of the title, during these unprecedented times though relegation doesn’t sit easy with me and we must try to find a solution for this.
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he is right, the solution …………. relegate hearts
Wine At Nine CSC……………
:)
Life-affirming.
HH
It’s 9. It’s Wine. Hail Hail to the Victors.
Fireworks going off at 9.00 here in the foothills of the Cathkin Braes…