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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desertbhoy
A moot point, but for me yes,,
lilys
Kitalba
You calling me a bigot, seriously?
Is Ronnie Cully a soup taker or what?
Alcora:
I’ve only just seen and read your post regards myself and thankyou for the endorsement. I wasn’t reading the blog per-se, I was reading an on-line article about hate and glancing at the blog too.
I’ve had a crap day, smashed my car which means absolutely nothing to me, nobody got hurt so as far as I care that is where it ends, but more importantly I had my first ever fight with my boy in my life. Verbal fight that is, it was all about greed and need. It didn’t leave me feeling good about society.
That’s how I screwed up the post that you referred to, and if it was my failure that caused you to worry yourself at all, then I’m sorry.
If it wasn’t me, then Phew!!!
tonydonnelly67:
Explain to me again why you don’t like students and it may be retracted with an apology.
Kitalba
Answer the question, it’s a simple yes or no.
Yes
Kit… Latest would refer to the fire in the Rennie Mackintosh bdg, I expect.
Td67… Don’t impede the sternum recovery.
Kitalba
Ok, sorry to hear about your accident and all is well with you,.
And you have a great weekend ;)
Desertbhoy
If I win, I’ll see ya ok…and that’s a promise!
Valentines bhoy
Oh yes, gotta try bud. Got my own £16 perm on already, and I’m in for very small percentage stake with the big money boys.
http://www.thefootballlife.co.uk/post/86670904671/spfl-viewing-figures-2013-14-finale
Final Viewing figures for the season. Up.
Desertbhoy
On the sternum it’s 90% there! I also had a result with a rodent ulcer I had on my fore head! the operation went well! although they had to deeper and bigger with knife! but they got it done! a sent for a biopsy! He said it looked ok to him but they have wait for that to come back, so alls well that ends well ;)
I’d like to thank Neil Lennon………..wait a minute, before I post a big long rambling speech about how greatful I am for Neil’s sterling work on behalf of Celtic over the years lets check and see if he’s on here first………are you there Neil?
Last Saturday I posted on the fact some were disrespecting a Lisbon Lion, and some had questioned the esteem these guys were held in and the blog inches taken discussing the achievements.
On reflection it occurred to me, some of a different generation out with the West of Scotland could well see the achievements in a different hue. Why shouldn’t out droning on be looked upon as the English ’66 fixation.
Well here’s my green tinted take…
The English believe they are a substantial world power, they believe they are good at sport and gave the world any sport worth playing:-)
Ergo they should be world champions in their national sport, they believe this despite all evidence to the contrary – ’66 aside.
NOW
Celtic… Celtic was started with a different ethos from any other Club, it was started in part to give sustenance and relief to the poor around the area, specifically the Irish Catholic poor.
Though it choose the name Celtic instead of Hibernia to reinforce the fact that it was integration and equality that were key parts to that ethos.
When the Lions with blue colour and white colour workers, Catholics and Protestants, Celtic minded and from different traditions came together, mainly all local lads and became the greatest Team the world had ever seen, it fulfilled that ethos.
You will hear the current government talk of aspiration, the needy should aspire, through hard work and dedication to better themselves – people doing this of course is the fuel that drives the Capitalist society.
What of the chaps that tell these good folk to aspire, do they aspire?
No, of course not, they succeed – aspiring is for dummies.
That’s why the Lions are important, the embodiment of Bro Wilfred’s ethos they despite the odds succeeded.
That’s why – even as a middle aged man – the Lions are hero’s.
Hail Hail
tonydonnelly67:
Thank you for your concern, if it’s okay with you I’ll take it as written, but please allow me to add I don’t understand your apparent disdain of students and why you so often target them for your vitriol. I can quantify the word ‘bigot’ by definition but I can’t quantify, nor define, your apparent prejudice of students as a demographic.
Doctors, nurses, dentists, anaesthetists, teachers etc. all come from the ranks of the student body, are they worthy of your generalised contempt?
And since you never quantify it with caveats I’m left with no proxy over bigotry.
And a wee aside TD, if you harbour any thoughts that I might have been the one to go running to Paul, then you are mistaken.
desertbhoy
07:33 on 24 May, 2014
Who said that?
HH
CRC
Alcora
06:49 on 24 May, 2014
Welcome. Tell me are you one of those living dead things? :-)
Keep posting and once you start talking rubbish like the rest of us, you’ll fit in just nice.
Away just cos I am mad, off to play 5s (benefits being that I get to kick SFTB)
HH
CRC
CRC…..
Me….. oh well tbh KbW (Kevin bloody Wilson)
Kitalba
I don’t really care who ran to the teacher, but I’m more hesitant on who I debate with, as I said you have a great weekend, and we’ll leave it at that.
Kit
I truly hope you resolve the issue with your boy. I’ve been there with one of my three sons, and it’s something that ate me away for a while. He can be as stubborn as myself, but for the first time with him, I stood firm and a long stand off ensued, which left me unable to function properly for some considerable time. I’m pleased to say it was resolved eventually, but as I say, for the entire duration of the dispute, which coincidentally was for reasons that sound similar to your own situation, I found myself getting short with people at work and not sleeping or eating properly.
Far be it from me to advise the best way forward, so I shall just say that I hope yo DO find a way forward.
tonydonnelly67
I had one of those rodent ulcer on my temple,it was tiny..look at scar after op
asked if scalpel had slipped :O(
scarfaceC.S.C
Cathach at 22:16
It was the Glasgow and District Saturday Morning League. Played several times against Steamboats in late 70s and early 80s for Kelvin Star and then Gallardia. Jimmy Meers ring a bell?
VP…
I expect it’s where the root is…. Burrowinweebassas!
Voguepunter
I was on the table for nearly an hour, my scar to is like an upside down T, and I was shocked when I took the dressing off a few days later, but hey if that’s what takes I can deal with that, most guys say wow Ffs Tony who tumblerd yi, lol.
Must run….
Jobo Baldie
08:49 on
24 May, 2014
Must run….
Take it easy ole yin.
Tony D/ Desertbhoy
You will be relieved to know it didn’t interfere with my handsome Tim looks :O) hh
You will be relieved to know it didn’t interfere with my handsome Tim looks :O) hh
Nor mine ;) .
I have a feeling that Celtic may appoint a Director of football.
Then position a manager to work under the DOF.
Just a thought ,but it is what Hearts have just done,and many continental clubs do.
If that is the case an experienced candidate will not be sought for the managers role , but will be sought for the DOF role.
Indeed the club may promote Houston or Park from within the ranks.
I have often wondered about Willie McStay.
The club sent him to other places of work to gain experience.
He could be brought back to manage under are DOF.
I’m not saying that I approve ,just that it is the type of structure that Celtic seem to be moving towards.
TT
tonydonnelly67
08:41 on
24 May, 2014
Voguepunter
I was on the table for nearly an hour, my scar to is like an upside down T, and I was shocked when I took the dressing off a few days later, but hey if that’s what takes I can deal with that, most guys say wow Ffs Tony who tumblerd yi, lol.
—————————————————————
Scar will give you an air of mystery, TD – like a Bond Baddie! :-)
Tiny tim
There is an article on the web this morning somewhere, can’t recall where I read it, I’ll have a look, indicating that Celtic might take the route you suggest they might and appoint a director of football. If they are going to do that, I agree with you and think it suggests they might be thinking of appointing a manager with less experience.
Willie MCStay? Not sure but can see your logic for thinking this. To me, if they do decide to risk a rookie, then they’d go for Henk if available purely because of his legend status, which means bums on seats.
Was surprised to see Peter Lawell on Sky this morning saying they were just about to begin drawing up a short list. If so, geez, he’s cutting it fine!
Perhaps just keeping his hand hidden from the media for now. I was hoping talks were at an advanced stage with someone.
TD
You’ll be perfect for the leading role in “Harry Potter: The Horlicks Years”
Old Firm united as both Celtic and Rangers supporters back a Yes vote for referendum, poll reveals
May 24, 2014 08:42 By David Clegg
A RECENT independence referendum poll among Scottish football fans has shown that the majority of both Celtic and Rangers will vote Yes in September.
2011 AFP1000 Scottish football fans were surveyed in recent poll.
CELTIC and Rangers fans have found a cause that unites them – Scottish independence.
A snap survey of supporters has found a majority of both Old Firm teams’ fans are backing a Yes vote in September’s referendum.
The poll by Panelbase looked at voting intentions among the support of Scotland’s top clubs for the first time.
Although the results are not scientific, the snapshot suggests that 48 per cent of Celtic fans will vote Yes, compared with 40 per cent planning to vote No. The rest are apparently undecided.
Among Rangers fans, support for independence was placed at 45 per cent – with 41 per cent likely to vote No.
But supporters of Scottish Cup winners St Johnstone are the most ardent Unionists, with 94 per cent set to vote No.
For the Yes camp, the seats at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park are where they will find most backers, with 59 per cent planning to vote for independence.
Of the 12 Premiership clubs, plus Rangers – who will play in the Championship next season – a majority of fans of eight teams said they will vote No.
Panelbase surveyed more than 1000 Scots for the poll, which was carried out for pro-independence website Wings Over Scotland.
Around 400 of those questioned said they supported one of the teams. The most popular club – with more than 130 respondents – was Rangers.
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, a Rangers fan, said last night: “I’m sure when Rangers fans realise that voting Yes means giving up the UK, the pound, their British passport, the Union Flag and possibly even the Queen, they will be flooding to the polling stations to vote No in September.”
A spokesman for the Yes Rangers group said: “Although I understand the number asked was relatively small, it’s a pleasant surprise to see more Rangers supporters voting Yes than No.
“We’re seen as the traditional British club and our supporters Unionist by default. But we’re affected as much as everyone else by the poor decisions of successive Westminster governments.
“We have a once in a generation chance to change things for the better and I think more of our supporters are realising this.”
Most supporters of Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian, Inverness, Ross County, St Johnstone and St Mirren are in the No camp.
Of the County fans who responded, none committed to backing independence, though 39 per cent were undecided.
A majority of fans of Celtic, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, Partick and Rangers are in the Yes camp.
David Moyes not for me.if you cant do it a Man Utd anyway he would cost to much. also I think its time for Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawell move on to, but back to who will be the next coach at Celtic ,Zola ,
Celtic ponder hiring director of football to aid manager
Michael Grant and Gary Keown
Saturday 24 May 2014
CELTIC are considering a new management structure which could see Neil Lennon’s successor working under a director of football.
The SPFL Premiership champions have not asked a manager to report to a director of football since Kenny Dalglish was removed from office 14 years ago, but the next manager might be faced with that scenario while also working with the help of one or two assistants.
Tiny tim
Sorry, above article was for your attention
Tiny Tim
That would be a decision made by PL. From what I can gather, the management structure in the football operation is essentially ‘flat’, all roles leading to PL.
That’s the way he likes it.
Why would he change it? What’s changed to lead him down that path?