How well do we handle succession? Mostly very well. Back in the 90s Celtic stumbled from one manager to another, picking up whoever was available and prepared to pick up the inevitable poisoned chalice, without any perceivable strategy.
Wim Jansen came from nowhere, or Japan, to be geographically accurate, and was a success, but despite a legendary respect for Fergus McCann, this appointment looked like a stab in the dark. After Wim left, we had the seminal reign of John Barnes. Millions were spent, and wasted, before King Kenny held fort for the final few months of season 1999-2000.
The changes introduced by Martin O’Neill are still being felt. We had been rubbish for decades in Europe, hadn’t knocked out a team from the ‘big five leagues’ since Leeds United in 1970. We were conditioned to expect and accept defeat, but after Martin, the world would never be the same again.
Martin’s strategy was not without its flaws, for a start, it wasn’t sustainable. Celtic lost millions every season, despite competing in Champions League football for the first time, and the momentous matter………. Seville.
Gordon Strachan came with a remit to change the problems the club faced immediately before his arrival – bring spending down to meet income, win the league and make progress in the Champions League. Despite starting with one of the worst weeks in the clubs history, Gordon delivered.
There was a problem, though. A disconnect opened up that first week when Artmedia smacked five goals past David Marshall, which was never fully resolved. When we went back into the market, fixing this disconnect was high on the agenda. Who better than a popular former player who ‘invented’ the Celtic huddle.
Tony Mowbray ticked the boxes which Gordon Strachan showed little appetite for but he was miles off plan for Celtic. The first week in the job he asked to sign Marc-Antoine Fortune for close to £4m. I’m sure the proposition was a bolt out of the blue to the club. Expensive 28-year-old strikers with a low- scoring record was not on strategy. Having appointed Mowbray, the club had little choice but to back his maiden request, but I bet there was a raft of people at Lennoxtown who knew how this chapter in our story would end.
Neil Lennon was working as a coach at Celtic during the Mowbray era. He was close to the scouts, sports science people, fitness experts and chief executive. In other words, he was on plan. After the John Barnes ‘tried and tested rookie manager’ strategy, I didn’t want Neil, or any other debutant, but he was intelligent, tactically aware and experienced inside the Celtic system. Within no time, Neil was making headlines as a Champions League manager. The shine will quite rightly never fade from Martin’s halo, but I could make a case that Neil Lennon has been our best manager since the guy from Burnbank.
Notice the pattern?
We have a habit of appointing a manager to address the perceived deficiencies of the previous incumbent. Right now, the need for someone to connect with fans will be less pronounced than it was when Gordon Strachan left, the need for someone to work within budget is fundamental, but will not stress anyone.
Neil’s most glaring faults are a whole lot less glaring than any of his predecessors. This time, we should be looking for someone just like the previous guy:
A student of the game, who understands the tactical trends in the world game.
Intelligent.
On plan with club scouts, nutritionists, sports scientists, coaches, player trading policy and budget.
Order your SIGNED copy of Tommy Gemmell’s All the best from the (fabulous new) CQN Bookstore.
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Wet Dreams
On a Friday ? Na.
I just stand against bullies and cliques.
Ignore me…continue with your persecution of ernie. Im sure he doesn’t need nor want my backing.
BigYinMilan
That sums up father and son nicely.
TDD should have been tbb.
-an ole Freudian slip.
Henrik was a top player – easily one of the best in Europe. But how does that qualify him to be a Celtic manager?
It’s like saying that a good soldier is the automatic choice for Defence Minister.
ThinDimeBhoy
Man. You Used tae Live in Minard Road..
well. that wiz a Real Nice Neighbourhood.. when Ah Wiz in Glesca..
Ye Know the Malborough Hall… Ah suppose..???
Well.. That is where Ma Uncle Lou’s Daughter Gave her Wedding – After .. Party…
Ah remember that Party Well..
Ah Sang A Song.. n ..It Brought the Hoose Doon( He is Exaggeratin’ Agin.. Only Wan Ceiling Tile.. Fell.. When ye Reached the High Note… in ..”Sweet Mystery of Life”…ed)
Nice Chatting Pal.. AS ALWIZ.
Kojo..
Still, Laughin’
BigYinMilan
16:39 on
23 May, 2014
ElDiegoBhoy at 14:45 on 23 May, 2014
I first saw young Davie Moyes when he was 10 years old battering a ball against the gym wall in Anniesland College. His father made football possible for many people. He ran a high quality Juvenile Team on a Saturday afternoon and had two teams from Anniesland College playing in the Saturday Morning League. I spoke to him on many occasions and found him a true football man who had no enmity towards our club. When medals are given out for football, Davie Moyes senior deserves a really big one.
* I had a pal who is no longer with us, a huge Bankies fan, junior and senior. He played for one of the Anniesland sides and knew DM’s da well. He encouraged his lad to go to Celtic and when he took the deid team scouting position my big Carolina said he would have taken a position with the leather belts just as quick, a true fitba man.
Dontbrattbakkinanger 14:59 on 23 May, 2014
You have interpreted your discussion with Zbyszek correctly. I visit Poland frequently and meet up with Zbyszek for a chat and a dinner (whenever possible).
I have had a career wandering between the States, Milan and Lyon: continually downhill since I left Glasgow in the 1980s.. Now spending part of my time in Strathclyde University. It would be good to know where we have met. Ask Paul or Zbyszek for my email.
Hand dryers are a great way to see how your hands would look while bungee jumping, I’d imagine.
TT
Moira had nothing but good things to say about Mr Moyes. A really nice man and no enemy of our club.
SFTB thanks for the warning, but i’m well aware at the size of him, I spend most weekends watching him pour copious amounts of lager down his ample throat.
However I’m think one good one in early and run, he’s got a bad back ye see……..
In fact the front’s not great either.
That should do it!!
No way he would say that
Moonbeams WD. Wee Oscar’s our Bhoy and Kano’s our mhan.
16:40 on
23 May, 2014
“the baldy Bhaws”
I see you don’t do irony.
Saturday night you name called a fellow poster a W*nk*r and today from the ether you jump in with disrespect calling me a fud when you know it’s the Sunday name for me.
Then you worry about the kids.
That therapist I was talking about…
No your right,…I get the wife to do that shit. Never was good at doing shirts.
I called who a what?
MWD
I’d blush if I had to call you that. Maybe you should be saying Naw more often.
Now we know where your monologues come from…
And that didn’t come out right at all either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vagina_Monologues
HH
McCallister – NAW
Keane – NAW
Houston – NAW (but fear he will be involved in backroom staff) .
Henrik – Hmmmm would fit bums on seats policy.
Coyle – Please NAW NAW NAW & NAW again.
Laudrup – Naw FFS :))))
Steve Clarke – YES please.
Its all about opinions.:))
Till tomorrow all
If Davie Moyes gets it that’ll be the three gingerists.
DBBIA
“TDD should have been tbb.”
He is now The Dunted Derby
billy bhoy 05
16:00 on 23 May, 2014
So who are u Ernie?
—————
The fastest milkman in the west….eeernie :)
….I called you a fud Yes. Can you not see the resemblance between yourself and the rotund Soosider in attempting to expose ernie lynch’s identity….
If not, then ‘fud’ was being nice.
Pope Francis is still 500/1 to be next manager. I think the number of Sunday kick offs might rule him out but if not, should have some good contacts in South America. Also an ex nightclub bouncer, so fat Sally windae mess.
He’s also won lots of promotion in his past so quite a lot going for him..
Btw
Celtic to win 10 league titles in a row is 5/2 on Paddy power, which has to be the worst odds I’ve ever seen for any bet, including Pope Francis’ odds..”
Kenny Jackett ?
I’ll get ma coat………………..
My preference for ‘the job’ is Stevie Clark, and maybe promote someone from inside as assistant manager. He has tremendous experience and worked with the best. He didn’t get a proper chance at West Brom.
Also, and I know this is only a wee bonus, his family are true Tims from Ayrshire.
As Micktt would say. Ayrshire is green and white
billy bhoy05
Who are you?
Go on post your name and address for everyone.
Twats
Surely, we had and inkling this was going to happen.
n
Selection process in Lisbon then make the approaches. Qualifiers not too far away.
Make it quick
Im off
10 months away from here and its worse than ever.
Keep stroking
Madmitch although the predictive text attempt to change it to mad itch may be more relevant.
A wise old priest once told me that if you can’t say something nice or constructive then don’t say anything.
Added to that my mother also insisted that I never ever be rude to a host.
On those points your earlier post ranks as out swinging.
I can’t agree with all of Paul’s post but it’s main thrust is accurate.
MON issued in a new era and a rise in expectations. Along with the winning of the big eared cup, his domination of the Scottish game forced Murray into the reckless spending spree that caused their downward spiral into oblivion.
Gordon for me turned into a hero achieving much more than expected due to his shrewdness and knowledge of the game. His transition was well handled and should have been a template for the current change.
I think Neil was a blessed accident, and I’m disappointed he has gone.
Disappointed in Neil himself and disappointed in the board for not finding a way to retain him.
I just hope and pray we have a short list of suitable candidates…..
and that Owen Coyle is not on it.
Just slipping bye to say….
I hope Neil and his family are safe & well now that they are out of this country that is, run by HUNS, for HUNS. imho
Neil was a last chance saloon appointment for PL and his dithering ‘bored’. imho
Neil had his moments and his, lapses which was to be expected. imho
For me, the most enjoyable day was when Neil restructured the mindset of Sammi and, let him loose on the huns at ne’erday were Sammi destroyed the huns with his 2 goals and, in the same game, Neil brought back Beram who ‘monstered’ the hun midfield and sent ‘Walters’ horribles away tae think again. Brilliant. imho
Lots of fans point to the beating of Barca, which was monumental to say the least but, being a kind of underdog type myself, I love – more than anything – any defeat of the huns.
They, to me…are the enemy. Not Barca. Folk will tell ye that, the huns are died but, their the same ones who will be away greeting tae their mammies when the huns come back and, bight them on the bahooky. imho
Neil demonstrated, through all that he endured that Superman isny a myth afterall.
Neil Lennon on the pitch was, for me….the toughest midfielder that we have had in the hoops since my own favorit – Murdo Macleod – left for B.Dortmund, with maybe, in terms of toughness on the pitch, Craig Burley in the Wim-season included as well. Ye see, I always look at the bottom line 1st and, foremost ie: we win the battle, then play the fitba.imho
Maybe I worry too much about the Celtic not being street-wise enough and then being, done over?
I know that I once made a point on here and, ended the point by saying…
The worrier – CSC.
Paul 67 answered me and said – “KevJungle, clever folk worry.”
Now, that made me think.
Anyway, yesterday I had a few bricks over the heid(in a cyber sense) thank God.
Well, ye know what? I deserved it, probably.
You know what else?
I hate, knowing. Not thinking – knowing, that the Celtic fans are being taken for another ride by this ‘bored’ yes, another ride. Do Celtic ‘boreds’ ever do anything but, take the fans for a ride?
I’ve ‘never’ known anything different. Never.
Geez awe yer money n get back oot again. Does it ‘ever’ change?
No, and I don’t think it ever will. imho
John Collins disny do cliques so, he’ll probably not get the gig – I hope he does.
Off oot.
Setting Free the Bears..
Ye hiv Jist reminded Me o’ Something,Pal.
Ah used tae get the Number 8 Tram .. tae Riddrie… In those Days.. when Ah Used tae go tae watch the Bhoys..
The Tram took the Route .. along.. Alexander Parade.. n . Where A used tae get Aff.. at.. a Street offa the Parade.. Ah canny remember it’s Name..
But, It wiz the Street where.. Dennistoun Waverley Hid it’s Grun…
Anyway. a Walked doon tha Street..n …it took me.. eventually tae Parkheid..
Those wur the Days,,,
Nice Chatting,pal..
Kojo
Still ,Laughin.
And..
Thur wiz a Clippie, who wiz a Regular Fare Taker oan that Route..’
So far Ah hivnae tole ye Anything Special.. Ah Know.
But..
This Particular Clippie, wiz a Real Character…
She Spoke wi A Posh ,, Very Charing Cross Accent,, with a Real Mr. Teazy Weezy Hair Do. A Buofant , Ah believe it wiz called..
n She Alwiz hid a Fresh Floor in Her Uniform Button- Hole…
A Real Unusual Clippie She wiz…
Ah remember Ma Pal.. Ossie, asked her fur a Date…
N.. She . Slapped Him On the Cheek.. Hard!
“How Dare You, you Young Rascallion. I am old enuff to Be yer .. Grand Mother!”
We hid a Good Laugh.
But , we Never could Figgert oot if She Wiz Serious ..or NO..
Anyway..
Nice Chatting ,Pally.. as Usual
Kojo
Still ,Laughin’
embdae know why Yakin chucked it at Basel?
£50 million for ‘sideshow Bob?!’
How much is VVD worth then?
PL must be havin’ an o@#!%m@!
HH!!
Bigyinmilan- I was a ‘umble SHO in Oncology in Gartnavel ; with wee Ken C [what happened to him? ] and big Stan K.
I remember your research interest was along the lines of vitamin A.
weeminger
So he spoke in managerial doublespeak nothing affirmative nothing declined just some que sera sera
Sounds like he will sign up if asked then
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXQTWCTc0aI
Why oh why oh why oh why are people suggesting Henrik Larsson as manager?
Coz he’s a legendary player, well so is Bertie Auld (now there’s a thought)
As I’ve said before Brady and Barnes were pretty decent too.
And as for Stevie Clark?
At the risk of repeating myself, why oh why oh why oh why?
GG
I scroll past most posts these days so happily don’t read the posts of the DR buyers.
I suggest those I scroll past don’t truly support Celtic.
All this stemmed from the Everton gig been up for grabs.
I think DD felt a bit miffed about Lenn ons reaction to it.
Said to a few mates start of season, Lennon wanted a long term contract, wage rise and wee touch more for player targets. Ended up not getting anything with beeting with DD end if last season after Everton interest cooled.
I think Neil tried to play the odds rather the man with the Everton job vacancy and it back fired to this result we got yesterday.
Whyteleafe?
Lord, no! Whyteleafe is situated in a dry valley in Surrey. Cadizzy hasn’t lived in a dry valley since Linn Vale in the ole Teddy Taylor days.
WGS
You’ve posted some rubbish over the years but your last post tops all of them.
Thindimebhoy
17:02 on
23 May, 2014
The only thing is he’s always been a man of his word regarding contracts etc and certainly his boss seems to think he’s given his word to see out his contract until November.
Bada,
Chucked what at basil?
Boom boom.