So where did it all go wrong for Ronny Delia? First of all, it didn’t all go wrong. He won two leagues, and if you think it was impossible to lose those, just think back to a team in last season’s Championship, who enjoyed an equally superior income over their competitors, but lost the league to Hearts by the length of the M8.
It was just as possible for Aberdeen to win the league this season or last, as it was Hearts (reeling only months after going into administration) to win the Championship last season. Ronny delivered the primary requirement each season – the league title, but he failed on the second tier requirement – qualify for the Champions League.
Soon after the Legia Warsaw debacles Ronny reflected on the question about whether it was right to ask his new team to adopt his tactics, instead of waiting until he’d recruited players to fit his system.
Two years on we are still remarkably short of players to play his system. Innumerable wide midfield players have come and gone, with many still lingering in the stands. We have an enviable list of creative mids in the squad, yet none have been able to dislodge Stefan Johansen, who by his own admission is having a disappointing season.
Then there’s the striker roles. Leigh Griffiths has been a significant reason why we’ll be crowned champions again over the next few weeks, but he’s pretty much on his own. No one has been able to put pressure on him. For a while Leigh had to wait until John Guidetti and Stefan Scepovic dropped out of the picture, but you’ll struggle to recall this season’s striker arrivals, Carlton Cole and Colin Kazim-Richards, three years from now.
For these reasons, we can say recruitment is where it all went wrong for Ronny. It’s not about 4-2-3-1, half the top teams in Europe play with that formation, nor is it (the now abandoned) zonal marking system, also the dominant top-level defensive system.
We’ve simply recruited the wrong players for creative midfield and striker positions. It’s also subtler than to just say we’ve not recruited good enough players. Some who have escaped Celtic Park after arriving in the last 22 months have done pretty well elsewhere. Guidetti and Scepovic are La Liga strikers, while Jo Inge Berget also made it to the Bernabeu this season.
None of them are great, but I suspect we made them look poorer than they are. Kazim-Richards is unlikely to trouble Sergio Ramos next season, but there’s more to him that what we’ve seen, or will see. We’ve been a place careers diminish disproportionately.
On the positive side, Ronny brought the best out of Leigh Griffiths. He moved the disintegrating Emilio Izaguirre aside for 18-year-old sensation, Kieran Tierney, (the biggest winner on Sunday). And he finally resolved some of the least-organised set-piece defending known to man with the recruitment of Erik Sviatchenko (on this point, you cannot over-estimate the value of adding one good player to a team).
One thought crossed my mind several times this season: If he hadn’t spent so much money fruitlessly trying to make one system work, would he have acknowledge he was on the wrong road and changed tactics?
He backed himself into a corner so stuck with the same faltering policy at Celtic, but surely, surely, if he walks into another job soon, unhindered by that wasteful use of budget, he’d not follow the same tactical strategy which failed him?
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Twists
Manageable debt.
Serious question. The teams you mention, Zagreb et al. Do you know how much debt they carry?
We tried that around Seville time and couldn’t get out the group stages with,arguably, our best team since Lisbon/Milan era.
I agree that we buy 1 maybe 2 key players to bolster our developed players is a sustainable model.
Buying guys like Bo and Ciftci etc., is not going to work. The list is huge now…
Requiring employees to keep schtum is always going to be with us. They may not feel they are lying to us in the normal sense. They can reconcile that their contract does not permit them to reveal the inner …ahem!!…workings, of their employer/ ex-employer in case that loses a competitive advantage ( yes…I know)
Ronny appears to be a genuine guy, but he would get nowhere in the modern world if he didn’t know how to, or at least attempt to, participate in the corporate game.
There is no way he wanted some of the players signed during his tenure.
We know this, because he didn’t play them!
Nivea put another brick in the wall for the Milan support
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/21/milan-haka-skin-care-carpi
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:18 AM
You read what he said and interpreted it to suit your own viewpoint.
Others, with a different viewpoint, did the same.
And neither is any closer to the truth than they were before.
Agreed?
Great gesture by Brendan Rodgers. Believe him to be a good guy.
Ynot67
The problem with a squirrel is that it is a squirrel.
Some things may be a distraction but the issue you are distracted from remains very real and has to be dealt with.
Last Sunday’s game may well have been a squirrel for both side as no matter who won or by what means or margin issues still remain and need to be dealt with.
The longstanding problems facing the Govan side remain a huge issue and have not gone away.
We, rightly so, have to concentrate on winning a league and putting our own house in order but it doesn’t mean that anything over the way has been sorted.
As for the press … well they are the press. Chip paper wrapper by 5pm this evening.
As for the team?
Well a football team is like a really good band. If you have a band full of great musicians then you have an act at the very top of the tree.
If you have a band with a few really good musicians and the rest are good session players, then you have close to the same result. You can still make a great noise but you won’t be just as good.
Jock Stein said of the Lisbon Lions at their height that on any given day he needed 5 of them to play and the rest only needed to turn up and perform to a competent level.
It was his job to get all of them to really play.
Celtic need to improve the level of player appearing in the hoops. If the next manager improves in terms of system and motivation, then with improved quality in 3 or 4 positions we will be watching a completely different side as improved quality and better motivation makes everyone around you pull your socks up and perform better.
Morning from Alvor, Portugal. Home tomorrow and still seething after last Sunday. Wi Fi funny at times but ok for the blog.
Ok, Ronny is a nice guy but wouldnt know a midfield from a midden.
John Park, Chief scout? Bye bye. His record is abysmal.
John Collins, great player, terrible man manager.
John Kennedy, promoted beyond his ability.
Peter Lawell, let down the support too many times. Won’t confront the media or the referee problem.
Sort all these
We’re about to have our sixth manager in just over a decade. Why such a high turnover? How long will the new guy last?
ERNIE LYNCH on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:27 AM
Ernie.
Let`s not bother getting into the tedious and boring business of ” he said ” ……”he meant.”
Truth ?
You`re happy with your version and I`m happy with the truth.
:-)
I am exceedingly happy that Ronny`s tenure is almost over.
I hope you are too.
O.K.? Can we agree on that ?
PLB
The answer to your first question is because they have all wanted to leave,for one reason or another. With the exception of Tony Mowbray,who had the decision made for him.
The answer to your second-as long as a piece of string. It doesn’t do much without support either.
Peterlatchford’sbelly
2 years, it would seem ;-)
The new guy will be getting the Celtic welcome from day 1, or at least after the first big bet goes down the pan :-)
Bmcuw
Get him, thats the sort of guy we need at Celtic park.
Not just an emotional thing, but that sort of character in the club is what we miss.We are becoming distant from the mantra “more than a club” as commercial aspects reduce us. Why not set the club apart from other clubs, not by finance but by goodness. Goodness, with such a leader, can be strength and define us – set us apart – make us more than a club again.
Today’s number is 6 and the letter is ‘W’
Sesamestreetcsc
The current UEFA rankings with Celtic at 54, the new guy has his work cut out, two good seasons in the Champions League will see that, come on mate get yer finger oot:)))
http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/index.html
Ronny said he had the final say on who signed the players who came to CFC during his tenure, but according to some in here, he’s a liar?
But that’s what they do in here if it doesent suit them, your a liar, so predictable and pathetic, I. Think that one thing Ronny is not is a liar, probably the exact opposite to be honest, you honestly need to get off the man’s back he’s done the honourable thing with class, a thing that’s lacked in here by many on the man trying to leave our club with dignity, some in here a a big let down when it comes to honer.
I have long said that we have a fine group of international players and that Ronny was the reason we have been unsuccessful by our own ( erstwhile ) high standards.
I still believe that to be the case.
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN SUPPORTS OSCAR KNOX, MACKENZIE FURNISS AND ANYONE ELSE WHO FIGHTS NEUROBLASTOMA on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:28 AM
I totally agree.
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:42 AM
That`s the way I see it.
The evidence is there. Doesn`t need interpretation.
My friends in Celtic,
A discredited saying is ” it’s not personal its business”.
Well to some on here it seems very personal.
I have lost count of the number of posts stating ” I’m not going back if big bad, horrid, sleeket PL remains.
What if PL culls the squirrels and pulls a rabbit out of the hat for a manager ?
Another well known phrase comes to mind, this time from Jim Royle :- Celtic supporters my a@se.
HH to all and especially to those who will make the effort on Sunday to back us to 5 iar.
To any MSM lurkers who think Ronny did a poor job. Did Ronny:
Say (old) Ronaldo was going to (old) Rangers?
Spout off about a £600m casino and floating pitch?
Say Rangers were going to leave the rest of Scottish football behind?
Say Lubo Moravcik was a dud who wouldn’t be able to hack it in Scotland?
Say Craig Whyte was a billionaire with wealth off the radar?
Say Rangers were worth £41m just before they were sold for £1?
Say five SPL clubs would go bust if “Rangers” weren’t in the top two divisions?
Maybe if you were a bit better at YOUR job you would be more entitled to criticise someone else doing theirs.
Macjay1
You’re right, of course.
Neil Lennon said as much last night.
GREENPINATA on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:48 AM
Shout them on for absent friends on dodgy streams.
UP_OVER_GOAL on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:49 AM
Thanks , mate.
I`ll try to find that.
Regarding the current squad. All any new manager needs is a Defensive Midfielder and a Striker along with a clear out of around 12-15 players. We have the ability, we lack organisation and leadership.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:47 AM
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:42 AM
That`s the way I see it.
The evidence is there. Doesn`t need interpretation.
What evidence? You mean you think.
Rodgers? No thanks.
CQN provides the logarithm the CIA uses to debunk every conspiracy theory ever made……………………..EVER
i get that everyone has their own opinion but some just cant help their sinister (not not left handed) undertones.
Youd think every one would be content that RD is going but the utter guff spouted on here worries me about elements within our support.
I found the etims article regarding who’s to blame hits the nail on the head, in parts.
We’re all part of the solution, so do what you claim to do and support your team
UP_OVER_GOAL on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:49 AM
Found it.
When I remember my disappointment when I heard Lenny was leaving , I think we could do a lot worse than give him the job again .
Macjay 1
Really, you might have been disappointed, i personally wasnt. Predominately for the abuse he had to endure but …………………….
If as you say we have a talented bunch of internationals then why, on a regular basis can they not control a ball, instantly, and find one of their own players…. for evidence watch any game of your own choosing
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:56 AM
Evidence.
Precisely what Ronny said.
Hey,pal.I`m agreeing with you.
COOLMORE MAFIA @ 9 27 .
Small crowd made a lot of negative noise re a very poor AC Milan .. Highlight of the night was this chant .
” Hope that shitty cream is Vanishing Cream “
Based on T&T’s assessment and QUONNO’s ‘bombed’ list…………….
IMO (guesstimate) we’ve probably wasted on average £3M per year on purchases and (conservatively) £1M+ on wages these past 5 years = £20m+ down the drain!
At the risk of repeating myself:
Cut our current gene pool by 20-25% – Academy and First Team (sell or move-on). Instead of buying various ‘projects’ – narrow the field and look for semi-finished articles like FF (loan with option to buy) and GH (proven below EPL level and superior to SPL) – pay a decent transfer fee and a wage that entices a player to come to CFC with the option of going down the V67/VvD route when the selling price is right.
Who ever the New Incumbent – this is the area that needs to be addressed urgently!
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND APRIL 2016 10:01 AM
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:56 AM
Evidence.
Precisely what Ronny said.
Hey,pal.I`m agreeing with you
I know :))
BRTH at 5.11am
With supporters providing £20 – £25 million per annum and
not having any representation at board level it will always
create a divide .. Hopefully future debate within the Club will
see that and change will evolve ..
Hopefully the Resolution 12 team yourself included have
opened their eyes to the benefit and future potential of
having supporter representation at board level with
increased expertise as a result ..
On Resolution 12, it seems from reading the updates its very much
like a game of chess so hopefully it will be check mate soon ..
Look forward to a having chat sometime, possibly at the next
Blantyre night or similar ..
I’m disappointed, though not surprised, why he’s so unwanted by many Celtic fans.
He doesn’t have the allure of the ‘new’, but has an excellent track record at Celtic. His Bolton tenure started well, but after they sold virtually every senior player, they was always going to struggle, and someone should have advised him against such a poisoned chalice.
On top of that, it doesn’t help that a sizeable contingent of our support are embittered Ronny fans, who dearly wanted to see him succeed so they could point out that Lennon wasn’t as good as some thought.
The reverse happened. Lennon, it turned out, did a superb job.
But rather than acknowledge that, far better to double down on Deila and insist player power, led by Commons and Mulgrew – Lennon’s men – did for Ronny. And the antipathy to Lennon increases for these people.
So Lennon just doesn’t have the numbers.
However, if the likes of Moyes and Rodgers decide not to be part of the backwater in Scotland, Neil Lennon could yet be a decent outside bet. It wouldn’t be popular, but it would be a solid appointment.
I understood why Lenny left.
I was still disappointed.
When a team lacks confidence and optimism , basic skills can go by the board.
It was determination and motivation we lacked on Sunday imho .
The hun had it in spades . ( No puns please )
International players ? That`s a fact.
I have not seen a single post calling Ronny a liar, not a single one.
Yip Ronny said he had the final say if they signed or not, he never said he scouted them
It’s the board lackys who reckon Ronny actually scouted the players, that’s not what he said but it suits their agenda to get the suits off the hook.
They would rather it that way than know the truth.
That’s how the hun are in the state they are today, blind faith, and they reckon they are doing whats right for the club, dearie me.
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 10:07 AM
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 22ND APRIL 2016 10:01 AM
Y NOT67 on 22ND APRIL 2016 9:56 AM
Hey,pal.I`m agreeing with you
I know :))
===============================================
Didnae sound like it , yamugye.
:-)
PL ‘Hey, Ronnie, we’re signing ######## #####, OK?’
RD ‘OK, Boss’
##
Would what RD said in the interview be consistent with that scenario?
I think it would.
Doesn’t mean that’s what happened, but it does mean that it could have happened.
GREENPINATA
I’m on record often enough that I could never encourage a boycott,but equally how much can you put up with before enough is enough?
Similarly,I will never vote anyone but Labour. But I didn’t vote for them when Blair was leader,couldn’t stomach him.
So,while not for me,I understand fully any Celtic supporter withdrawing that support for strongly held genuine reasons. It’s for those in charge of Celtic to understand why there is such a groundswell of feeling against them,and to do something about it.
Btw,I must be a jinx. Voted Labour in every election I was eligible for,bar the three they won!