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.
[calameo code=000390171873c910154bd lang=en page=106 hidelinks=1 width=100% height=500]
1,509 Comments- Pages:
- «
- 1
- ...
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- »
Green piñata 11.06
How very true.
TT
Burghbhoy,
If thats the case, what are they saving for ?
NegAnon2
It’s the same old, same old.
We’ve been here so many times in the modern Celtic.
It’s a shortlist that will run over the season renewal ticket period and could likely go beyond the first direct debit payments.
Supporters who say there is no plan are wrong, it’s just that we accommodate failure as part of the plan, the big ‘Because’ campaign was launched by a departing employee.
Neganon
I know it runs contrary to the meaning behind your moniker, but rather than lob disdain left and right at the club, we’d all be rather interested to read your suggested plans for Celtic.
What would you do just now, given the opportunities and constraints?
TBB
Neganon
Any relevant points you have are lost in a sea of hyperbole, “an anathema to sport” jeez oh..
Will be passing the Celtic Way late afternoon for a quick paparazzi fotie session with my auld Da.
Do they still sell erzamacaroonbarsspeermintchoongum ?
And,Is there a statue of Craig Whyte……if not,then why not?……Sack the Board!!
TinyTim
11:09 on 24 May, 2014
‘The Hun will be our mortal enemy forever.’
##########
Pathetic, isn’t it?
Burghbhoy I agree. But our board don’t………..
Tiny tim. The problem is that you are pandering and hankering for the return of the bigot pound. So are celtic. All their focus is on this. And when they do and they cheat again and again and again and celtic say and do nothing. What will you have achieved apart from propping up sectarian Scotland?
Honest tim.myou are falling into the trap of thinking decent financial prudence is mutually exclusive from ambition. Celtic are saving up!!!!!!!! Are they my new ffffinnnggg bank?
I leave you with a list.
Celtic said nothing when the Huns went down cheating
Celtic helped negotiate the TV deal
Celtic lied to us on lateral movement safety concerns
Celtic lied to us about passing our details to the police
Celtic helped form focus
Celtic have done nothing about the OB act save the odd statement
Celtic have allowed police harassment of supporters and indeed colluded on it
Celtic banned fans who where innocent
Celtic banned the GB on a false pretext
Celtic allow stewards to racially abuse supporters
Celtic lied to us about improving the team every year
Celtic held back NLs resignation until after season book renewal time.
I could go on and on and on.
An open question to you all. When is enough enough?
Rycatcher –
The Celtic support chanted his name from the terraces often enough, so why not a statue to Craig Whyte right beside that of Jock Stein?
Battered bunnett why don’t your read my article in the CQN magazine??
Neganon. When the good that the club do is outweighed by the negatives then enough is enough.
Neganon , Bourne
The season ticket deadline gets extended every year.
Our season ticket sales were up last year. And Celtic SLO tweeted yesterday we are well on or way to another successful renewal campaign . And last year only Man U and Arsenal sold more season tickets in Britain.
NFL decided to leave celtic of his own accord, his choice and I wish him well. blaming PL is silly.
if I was PL I would be on the phone to Larsson he has more experience than lenny had when given the job and that did not work out to badly. he’d have his first league title in the bag and one year experience as celtic manager before sevco are in the premiership
p.s. would just love to sign the king of kings again, class!!!!!!!!!!!!!
underwhelmed and uninterested in guys like coyle, McKay and moyes
hh
auldheid
01:33 on 24 May, 2014
Auldheid, fear of criticism was only part of my response, competitive advantage was a more important part.
===========
I don’t follow you. Why should being in Europe after Christmas as an aim for example give up any competitive advantage?
————————————————–
I was also being non specific on which objectives we should have, so fair point, some objectives, as in your example, could be made public, others not.
Cork 11.05
Are SF nicknamed ‘Shinners’ because of kneecappings?
I am with Neganon to a certain extent. Celtic better not be stockpiling funds in anticipation of Rangers entering our league. Investment should be made now to help our CL campaign.
Good morning everybody by the way.
the honest mistakes…,
Keep in mind the Celtic foundation is a separate entity from the club, it is a separate company, no ?
Neganon –
It was noticeable that as soon as someone posted that the st deadline had been extended, you got all excited and said, oh that means sales are down on last year. You were positively gloating. Even though you were wrong in that assumption, the fact that you jumped on it like a tramp on a discarded fag-end says it all for me.
It is going to be a very long summer going by the tone of the blog.
Congrats to the 2 Pats for reaching the CQN 4-ball final, a well deserved win for 2 fine lads. Cracking day on a beautiful course.
John O’Neil….
There are only two possibilities for stockpiling money the way these ‘custodians’ are doing.
You have mentioned the first one.
Like it or not,the second one is that there is a contingent liability in the full accounts.
I happen to believe it is the reason you have mentioned.
Canalamar
Good morning. Res12 is a bit like wading through treacle. There is a rather interesting post on tsfm at
http://www.tsfm.net/armageddon-what-armageddon/comment-page-17/#comment-21966
to which I have replied which gives those impatient or disbelieving an idea of why the process is a slow one.
It’s the politics of football and just as in real life politics self interest of each party involved slows down or prevents the right thing being done.
It is heightened in football because everyone is out for themselves – it’s called a winning mentality – which prevents recognition of what is to the benefit of everyone.
bournesouprecipe
10:18 on
24 May, 2014
I was never an inmate,but I mourn for the loss of our Glasgow heritage.
Charles Rennie ya bas.
Canamalar
Coz they’re miserly with cash.
It’s in Celtic’s DNA
The only manager significantly backed with funds was Martin.
No other manager in our history has been backed as such and look what was achieved.
I’m afraid that the PLC board have inherited their frugality from the old board .
Ernie
No offence taken
Maybe this is as good as it gets
Battered Bunnet
Let me get back to you (mobiling)
NegAnon, There are no doubt serious issues that need to be addressed but when you come in for the overkill the message gets lost. As in everything the truth lies somewhere in the middle. The Celtic Board’s legal obligation is to the shareholders and they will run the Club accordingly. CQN is a microcosm of the Celtic Support, whether we like it or not there are many Celtic fans out there who miss the annual dogfight with the Huns. Apart from the head to heads each weekend your heart would be in your mouth, every point dropped by us a disaster every point dropped by them a cause of jubilation. I know quite a few who want them back but in a weakened state so we can regularly pump them. Not a popular view on CQN but I am certain that if and when a team playing out of Ibrox returns to Ibrox our attendances will increase, make what you want of that.
Nae celtic game
Nae CQN predictor
Nae CQN(Fleagle88) tipsters
I feel a depression coming on :))))
—
Neil canamalar Lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
Thank you for your efforts
thats all.
Till later all
John O’Neill, Get well soon.
GCT,
Where do you get your info that the ticket sales are going well ?
kitalba
07:53 on
24 May, 2014
Aussie kids don`t conform to my stereotypes or standards.
My kids are Aussie kids too.
NegAnon2,
Its easy to be continually negative & critical, posing problems but never answers. What is your solution to all the problems you gleefully list ?
My solution is test the waters with European completion legislation. Pack our bags, leave the whole sordid lot and make a fresh start.
However until then I will support. The phrase “we are our own worst enemies” is sadly true for some.
HH to you.
HH
neil canamalar lennon hunskelper extrordinaire
Agreed
Don’t hold your breath
Canamalar,
You’re a fantastic guy, thanks a lot for creating the resolution that will put the SFA to their timely end.
I try not to spend too much time worrying about what is the club and what is the company. I leave that to the mental gymnasts that used to support Rangers. There are substantiated good news stories coming out of all aspects of the club.
The list that neganon posted is mostly unsubstantiated, one sided attacks on what he sees as the bogeymen.
Celtic is a fantastic club to belong to but could do better in places.
NegAnon2
cant think of one occasion when you have said anything positive about celtic
celtic operate within a budget and run a steady ship so we have money in the bank
over the last three years (on the field) celtic have:
secured 3 league titles
two Scottish cups
one Europa league group appearance
one champions league group stage appearance
one last 16 champions league appearance
over that same period celtic have:
invested millions of pounds on work in and around the stadium for the benefit of all of us and hopefully celtic (increased revenue) in the long term.
celtic have earmarked several million more to building a museum, superstore etc… and other developments around the stadium again for all our benefits
over that time we have traded a number of players and in the future we will trade more
are celtic beyond reproach? no, have celtic got more right than wrong over the last 3 years? imho yes
hh
neganon2
Where to start …. Can’t be bothered on reflection ……
HH
Stephbhoy
Great post.
twists n turns
08:29 on
24 May, 2014
Huge respect.
I have had similar issues to those you have faced.
Thanks Cork but my health is fine.
Tinytim, enjoy your posts but I agree with Mr Lynch about that point. Rangers should not be considered. Our immediate team building is most important.
Lashing it down in South Staffs as I get ready for the long drive up the M6/M74 to the Dear Green Place.
Jobo,please tell me it’s sunny all the way from EK to Parkhead Cross.
The sun shines on the righteous they say, and I’m thinking Walfrid,Jock,and Jinky’s statues must be shrouded in perpetual light.
Can’t wait to see the Celtic Way.
Is the Gazebo open for a quick pint and a fag?