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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Auldheid it’s being widely reported everywhere that one if the reasons for NL leaving was budget. Indeed the the Scotsman it’s been confirmed that DD wants celtic to save up. If celtic aren’t doing these things let them speak up. But of course they won’t.
Gordon 64 yes it’s all about us as supporters. But our heart is being ripped out by the current celtic board who are so disconnected from us that they may as well be on the moon. If we are to unify let’s unify and get shot of them.
They have no vision, no strategy and no ambition. They expect us as supporters to bankroll their aspiration to mediocrity.
That they waited till after season book renewal deadline to announce NL departure is disgusting.
They are reprehensible and as I said before I have never felt so disenfranchised from celtic.
On Monday I will phone and say I want my season ticket money back because I believe they sold them whilst withholding vital information from me. I will never get my money back but I will make them as uncomfortable as humanly possible.
Auldheid, Canamalar etc I now firmly believe that celtic are stringing you along with res 12.
I do not trust them and they betray us at every turn.
BT, Looks like Hampden?
So that I can avoid any pain in my wrists if this should so prevail, please someone, anyone list the reasons behind appointing Steve Clarke (other than the Tim element)
Battered bunnet. A you believe in the celtic as a bank strategy do you?
Tell me why should any of us pay our money while the board just intend to hoard it?
Yes Dan, thats why think it may be st j
bournesouprecipe
Larsson was the only sexy candidate – fans would have kept faith with him after a European disaster, as they did with Lenny.
Now that we have to put our serious hats on, we need someone who can get Celtic through the qualifiers to make up for the ongoing decline in season ticket sales.
NegAnon2
The deadline for ST’s has been extended *so that we’ve got time to land the big one*
for the fans.
My bet is it will run and run.
Cheers BT, Cracking picture from Roy.
BT could you jump as high as your da did there.
Bournes!,,,Has it?? I was unaware off that. That means we are well down on last year.
The club is being run into the ground.
P67 , I was wondering if you would pass on a message to Peter Lawwell .
It seems daft to jump into a decision regarding Lenny’s replacement .
So , I’d like to offer up my services on an interim basis .
This would allow big Pete to go through a rigorous selection process .
He could even take his summer holiday , enjoy the world cup and then start the process .
I’m certain I would get us through the CL qualifiers and I would target handing over the team with a maximum league points total .
I could even help the budget by signing two of my sons … the third isn’t interested in football .
One deal breaker though … I don’t have a car on the road just now so training would have to take place in Whifflet public park .
Anyway , please pass on the message .
Yours in Celtic , Fred C
Fav uncle for a small bhoy heading was my forte…
blan ir kiss always beat a glasgow one….
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
found the original and it says Ibrox 1968 on it…checked CELTIC Wiki and this doesn’t fit, could be Deidco 0-1 Celts Sep ’69.
HH
Good Morning Timland.
Tragic news about the Glasgow School Of Art.. so saddening.
up_over
I agree, re sexiness.
But scrutineers have had time to study Henrik’s form as a coach, and all he has is more experience than NFL had.
There are names mentioned that push me straight down the mineshaft, and a Scottish flop is appointed, I won’t be able to get back out.
Get it right Celtic.
blantyretim.
Just in to say I got home last night.Again I enjoyed the company.
kitalba
07:53 on 24 May, 2014
First time you’ve had a fight with your boy? Feel like I’ve been fighting with mine for the last year since we got here. Better in the last week since working on reducing computer time.
S
‘and if a Scottish flop is appointed’
Mrs bt happy now oldtim…o)
We dropped fgf off in Maryhill.
Thanks roy..
hail hail
Neganon
You’re missing the first part of my post to Mags. The above was a reflection of the first one.
I haven’t expressed a view as to what the current strategy ‘ought’ to be.
TBB
Mags,
I have similar fears however we must allow this to run its course, before we make any decisions on how to respond to any betrayal.
There are legal avenues open if our fears become reality.
In saying that I am still encouraged by what is happening and as I keep saying, I will not confuse any other issues with the resolution, my focus is on the res 12 only, I am bitterly disappointed with a lot of things that have been done in the name of our club but I cannot influence them, I’ve said it before, my silence is a good thing, if I come out squealing like a pig everyone will know something is up.
Neg Anon2 10.39
I know that you didn’t post the question to me but let me give my view on it.
I am happy that the board would be reserving monies so that we can have a bigger fund to smite the Zombie when they enter the SPFL.
We don’t need to spend big now to win it.
I know we risk CL group stage entry , but I agree with having a large pot if cash to smash the Zombie with when they enter our league.
TT
BT.
Glad you took the big man home.I think if I had another couple of drinks I’d have been looking for a Hotel for the night, I’ll have to watch my drinking habits,.drinking far too much now.
Canamalar 10.56
Stay patient .
The truth will out.
TT
TT
my line of thinking is that we have a settled team in and on form before return of the sith.
Be proactive rather than reactive
Ok tiny tim then tell me……why should anyone pay money to watch celtic in the meantime? If the current board can’t be arsed to try and get better why the hell should we????
Celtic are fast becoming a shambles…….a joke…..and an anathema to sport.
The first truely profit orientated football club. Shall we change our songs to things like
One balance sheet, there’s only one balance sheet
Or how about
20m in the bank, we’ve got 20m in the bank
What have we become?
jude2005 is Neil Lennon \o/
10:24 on
24 May, 2014
Lubo & Henrik spotted hill walking up the Campsies. Thats near Lennoxtown isnt it??
——————————–
Assuming this is a joke…
Falkenbergs have a home match today.
blantyretim is praying for the Knox family
10:49 on 24 May, 2014
Fav uncle for a small bhoy heading was my forte…
blan ir kiss always beat a glasgow one….
take your word for it I never snogged a BT BURD and was never tempted.having said that I only worked in HIGH BL.next door to BOYLES pub.
Early indications in tallies looking hopeful for the Shinners. We could well take a European Seat in all 3 Constituencys. The European Treble is on down here, if it happens that would give Sinn Fein 4 of the 14 European seats in the 32 Counties.
TT,
That is all we can do.
My friends in Celtic,
A wee reminder of the word supporter :
One who supports. Its as simple as that. No ifs no buts.
HH
Neganon2
The Zombies are an irrelevance.
They will never challenge us.
Invest now and prosper.
The CL is what we are about now
Neganon2
Because we will watch a team if champions become champions again.
Because Celtic are my team and I will support them and watch them until the day I die.
Because new players will be squired and I will want to see them.
Because I love watching any Celtic team and being amongst the best fans in the world.
Lots of reasons .
I understand your frustrations , I share them to a certain extent.
But Celtic need us more than ever.
The Hun will be our mortal enemy forever.
Not paying to see Celtic weakens us and makes their task of catching us easier.
I want to smite them , today and tomorrow .
Celtic need our support.
TT
Neganon.
Just shows you how perverted the definition of sport has become.
Celtic are one of the few clubs who operate without any outside finance. No financial doping here and that makes them in your view the anathema of sport.
Fav uncle
the bookies, high blantyre folk are a different breed, full of orcs…
Wenger Means Business? Cash Rich Arsenal Could Splash On Unstoppable South American Star
January 29, 2014
It appears Celtic aren’t the only club in world football who have cash in the bank