Since Dinamo Kiev inflected Celtic’s first home defeat in European competition, on what was our first European game after winning the European Cup four months earlier, last night’s shocker to Sparta Prague was our 36th and worst home reversal in Europe.
Three years ago PSG scored five, but, unlike Sparta, they did not hit the woodwork on two other occasions, and they are PSG. Last season Cluj also scored four, winning by a single goal, but by any measure, across 58 years of home European ties, that is without shadow of a doubt, the low point. We are now the team fans all over Europe point to and laugh, all the money, yet Cluj, Copenhagen, Ferenvcaros, Sparta.
What has gone wrong?
It is not the formation. Without changing to three at the back, I don’t think we would have won the league last season. This season, we tried four, then three, then four, then both defensive lines at different times of games, but the formation is not the problem. It is possible to defend, control games and create chances with either line-up. And as we have seen, a change in formation does not make a slow or clumsy defender fast and assured. If only it were as simple as Scott Brown’s advancing years, or injuries and absentees; they are red herrings, this malaise is more serious.
Post-match, Callum McGregor and Neil Lennon spoke well. The player admitted to humiliation, the manager walked that fine line of showing contained anger, but he was clear: a lack of application from the players was to blame. What a thought to ponder.
I am fond of many in our squad; they have delivered success beyond my wildest imagination. I am fond of the manager too, for the same reason – results are all, and his filled the well some time ago. If I thought sacking the manager would safely resolve matters, I would tell you so.
It is Neil’s responsibility to put the players on the field in the correct frame of mind to compete at their best every time. He is failing in this, his criticism last night is self-directed, but sacking him right now would be a Gambler’s Play. It might work, it might result in carnage, anyone convinced they know how it would play out, underestimates the complexity of the question.
What I know for sure is that we stand at an historic precipice and no one is coping. We need to reframe the challenge ahead, if we do not, the season will play out as you now fear. Together, we have a great opportunity to record magnificent achievements, a fourth consecutive treble, 10 and all the glory that comes with it, but all you see are demands weighing everyone down.
This responsibility lies on Neil Lennon and the players because they are winners. They have the Scottish Government hammering them while punching for Newco, they have 10,000 critics weighing-in online (which they read and are not helped by). These are the wages of success, lesser mortals have six critics, let this fuel their engine.
After the game, Chris Sutton insisted Europe was still important to Celtic. Chris, you don’t live in the towns of Lanarkshire. Europe has gone this season; we need to reframe this too. Our three remaining Europa weeks are an opportunity to develop the squad and rest weary legs, while Newco will have at least five competitive Europa games. We must now think of this as an advantage; make the most of it.
We know how to win leagues and trophies. We were on our knees at New Year but while others “bottled it” and we got on with the business of winning. There are no white, saltire or union flags here, only green league title flags. To the manager, coaches and players, what a privilege this challenge is.
Relive some of the better days that took us here in Celtic: Treble Treble, by Alex Gordon, a 100 page full colour booklet on how the Invincible, Double and Treble Trebles were won. Our stock is available here for £5 each (retail £9.95).
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PHILBHOY,
You brought back fond memories of a CQN which seems to have disappeared, with those names you mentioned.
I wonder if the wonderful Edward Ursus would have voted SNP?
the fulham player should be stuck on the transfer list for that penalty attempt
what a fud
ToneTine Tim
Great post.
Whatever we think of DD, he’s someone who knows when he’s made a bad decision and will try to rectify it.
I need to admit … a club open to all at what point would any poster click on the butchers apron … for many Celtic fans reading posts for me that’s a total disgrace
Huddle person take you & your fleg .. and please leave a Celtic blog
gftb
if that was aimed at me
then explain yourself
my post was a jocular post obviously if you had been reading back
An Tearmann @5.01
“Boli done X
huns done Y
X never at any time equals y.”
———————–
It’s a long time since I sued algebra but my memory is that x can quite readily derive to be of the same value as y , or z or any ither, as yet unknown variable.
However my point does not require that the offences be of exactly equal seriousness but I still argue that they are near equal in “potential” consequence.
You can pick up a Covid virus through being careless in the West End just as readily as you can in travelling all the way to Spain. The consequences were no different in this case as , fortunately all 3 footballers failed to catch the Covid. Their intentions were no different- all three wanted to have some fun and had no intention of owning up to breaking Covid regulations. The country was allowing flights to Spain and the country was allowing gatherings of no more than six people from two households (Edmundson and Jones would not have been in trouble if they had just brought a brotehr and sister each who lived with them, but they did not). But footballers had, in addition, to live in the football bubble which means the only time you can fly to Spain is if you are on International duty and it also means no parties outwith your own house with your own family bubble.
Both these covid restrictions were broken and they are not listed as a hierarchy.
Therefore, there is no reason for authorities to treat them differently.
Certainly Sevco treated them no differently than we did; they announced immediate sanctions and an enquiry which will follow due process.
The SFA and SPFL will, I believe, treat both equally and will inflict fines on both Sevco players and on Sevco itself. It took a couple of weeks for them to follow their due process with Bolingoli and Celtic, so they still have over a week to announce a date for the Edmundson and Jones and Sevco.
The only authority that has failed to give them equal wait is the Scotish Government. Now take the hue of the Scottish government out of it- I dissociate myself from the view that the SNP is pro-hun or anti-Catholic; it is plainly not.
So, for some reason, conscious or unconscious, they issed a commendation (to Sevco) when none was merited and a condemnation of Celtic (when none was merited). Their only business in this affair was to remind the world of football that it was allowed to go ahead on suffrance and that clubs and ruling bodies must take this seriously.
Celtic took it seriously and acted appropriately with Boli
Sevco took it seriously and acted appropriately with Edmundson and Jones.
The SFA/SPFL took it seriously and fined Celtic and Boli
In due course the SFA/SPFL should do the same to Sevco and their 2 caught players.
I am seeing a lot of x’s and y’s aligning there.
Where is the Scottish Government’s seriousness in issuing a commendation?
Let’s all 10.06pm
All kidding aside .. do you think the “butchers apron” is a wee joke … not an emoji I would expect from any Celtic fan … even in a jocular post .. maybe some posters would not enjoy your “jocular” post … i for one would prefer no Union Jack on the site
Again .. on a Celtic site why would any posted “hit” the Union Jack … for a “joke” or maybe to get a rise …
Huddle … if you think that is ok … do you realise your readership ?
Less than 36 hours till kick off ;-)
My own forecast is that, as kick of time gets nearer and nearer, more and more of us get more and more excited about, yet again, getting to see The Champions play. We can do nothing about yesterday. And there’s little to be gained in worrying about the future. So, live in the here and now, live every moment. And come High Noon tomorrow lets virtually roar on The Bhoys to victory.
Andrew Dewar Gibb one if the protagonists in the formation of the SNP was an anti catholic Irish immigrant hating bigot his name still adorns the memorial gat at Glasgow University
All kidding aside .. do you think the “butchers apron” is a wee joke … not an emoji I would expect from any Celtic fan … even in a jocular post .. maybe some posters would not enjoy your “jocular” post … i for one would prefer no Union Jack on the site
—
gftb
i know you are on this place all the time
and i 100% applaud that comment you made
“no Union Jack on the site”
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
but this site isnt my site or your site
the person who runs the site is a brit
so he will have no problem with the butchers apron emoji being displayed, whether its in jest or not
so neither you nor me can complain
Majestic Hartson
“Do you think it was possible for someone to make their mind up about the two incidents before the Scottish Government made any comment
Or do you think some people waited to see what was said before coming to a decision, possibly even changing their mind to agree with the government?”
——————————————–
Sorry, MH, it’s probably me but I genuinely don’t understand your point- could you spell it out a bit more clearly forme?
Let’s all doo the huddle
“but this site isnt my site or your site
the person who runs the site is a brit
so he will have no problem with the butchers apron emoji being displayed, whether its in jest or not
so neither you nor me can complain”
———————————
The person who runs this site has a right to assert his own identity and use his own emojis.
You are the guy who recently claimed that he does not resort to cheap insult and cannot understand why insults fly towards you on here.
Well , it’s because of spurious Trumpian reasoning like that. Kev J would be proud
What do Donald Trump and Denis Law have in common?
Neil will deliver the 10 ….
Think about it … the Rangers beat us so there are 3 points in it … we drew at pittodrie and they drew at Livingstone … don’t believe the Gerrard/Trump hype … the media need a challenge … Neil Lennon has always been the “devil” moan your wee greeting hearts away after winning trophy after trophy after trophy … all of a sudden the players & the manager dont know what they are doing …. FOR every great night out you had for EVERY trophy Neil has delivered … why not try and give him a bit of trust … slag him today but cheer is he collects another trophy on the 20th December ….
Neil Lennon CSC …… = blind faith
Big Packy
I regret now responding to your earlier comment but if you miss Kojo & The Singing Detective, try mentioning them on your favoured sight, SC, and see what response you get. NO? Didn’t think so!
Edward Ursus may have been a supporter of the Ibrox mob but he does not deserve to be placed in the company of the 2 racists you miss. Personally, I am glad they have gone
I am making no reference to Tony Donnelly at all, in that. His issues on CQN are unrelated.
Let’s not do the huddle
Your emoji
Never a Celtic fan …. 💚
PHILBHOY-hi mate.I just knew you would tell gftb 😉
Gftb-thanks for the mention 👍But you’ve already started with your wee digs and it’s still early buddy .😉
‘Boris to his haters’ who has said they hate Paul on this site?Ever!
‘Impostors ‘? Can you name names please .
DRAMBOWIECELT @ 8:43pm-thank you and god bless you also🍀
SFTB
I was expecting that reply.. though it took you long enough ,thumbs up .hh
The person who runs this site has a right to assert his own identity and use his own emojis.
You are the guy who recently claimed that he does not resort to cheap insult and cannot understand why insults fly towards you on here.
—
ehh
i have never mentioned about whether insults fly towards me or not
no idea where you got that from
nor have i ever said that P67 isnt allowed to say what he likes on here so stop making shite up
its P67’s blog so he can say anything he wants within normal laws
Let’s not do the huddle
Your emoji
Never a Celtic fan …. 💚
—
honestly gftb
behave
so did you see the 3 emojis?
had you also read the previous posts so could see the context?
Dearie, Dearie me –
Tourists?
Boorish beery bullies who trash This Dear Green Place……and then the multi-moniker “turn”……………
:0
:))))))))))))))))
BANKIEBHOY1-why can’t you just say exactly who you’re talking about 🤔
I’ve always found it strange that Huns would post on here.Whats the end game for said Huns 🤷♀️
Watching the scenes of joy from the US tonight, last time I seen anything like that, was when wee Fergus chased Jock Brown….
Fairhill Bhoy 10.33pm
I can assure you the Sparta Prague game meant nothing when I heard about your dad … again I loved your posts about you and your dad going to the games and I can assure you I was very jealous … my old man passed in 1995 …January the 2nd … seemingly we played the Huns but I can’t remember the score and it doesn’t matter … Philbhoy has met the two of us and and am sure he might think we are both good guys or a pair of eijits … but in all honestly please take care … these times are shite … keep your good lady and friends close 🍀
who would win a fight between the Boorish Beery Bullies
or
the Beerish Bully Beeries?
Well I for one miss the dulcet tones of Tony Donnely, we virtually couldn’t agree on anything but he was fair game for an argument, haste ye back Tony.
I see they have swapped one peado for another in the states then, Oh well.
Celtic Mac, they were both on the golf course when the team they hated most won the big prize. Just mentioned that tae Mrs TT earlier on this afternoon.
Neil will deliver the 10 🍀
FAIRHILL BHOY
Condolences for the passing of your father. I will add him to my prayer, may he RIP.
Ps Apologies for the delay.
HH
tontine tim
Absolutely on the money Tontine!
Gene
Still none the wiser as you didn’t reply to my post that I put up twice.
HH
GFTB-sorry you missed out with your dad.That must have been hard.
I found my dad on Thursday afternoon.Not sure how I’m going to cope but luckily I have a lot of support.We don’t get along on here now but I sincerely appreciate your kind thoughts 🍀
Is this what we’ve come to?
https://celtsarehere.com/embarrassing-bed-sheet-protest-banner-outside-celtic-park/
DBHOY-no apology needed.And thank you for your prayers.Its very,very much appreciated 🍀
FB 11.06pm
I was the youngest of 5 (total accident) as my Yeo brothers were a good 20yr older than me … again I loved your posts about going to the games with your dad… it wasn’t a jealous thing but more of an appreciation… my own family has been effected with this COVID stuff …. Covid-19 can effect everybody … take care
Neil Lennon the Celtic player…
Scottish Premier League (5): 2000–01,2001–02,2003–04,2005–06,2006–07
Scottish Cup (4): 2000–01,2003–04,2004–05,2006–07
Scottish League Cup (2): 2000–01, 2005–06
UEFA Cup runner-up: 2002–03
Celtic FC Player of the Year (2): 2003–04,2005–06
Neil Lennon the Celtic manager…
Scottish Premier League (2): 2011–12,2012–13,
Scottish Premiership (3): 2013–14,2018–19, 2019–20
Scottish Cup (3): 2010–11,2012–13,2018–19
Scottish League Cup: 2019–20
SPL Manager of the Year: 2012,
Neil Lennon the Celtic legend 🍀
HH