And so now we congreg8
to loudly annunci8
and hear us proudly st8
We are the Champs to congratul8
Yip..thats the League won.
Fly the flag!
Fly the flag!
Looking back, there were so many factors:
The Start of Season malaise, the CL Campaign that fell on its arse, , New blood arriving in New Year, Brendans exit, Lenny stepping in, Christie and Tierney battling through the pain, James Forrest,Calmac and Scott Bain stepping forward to stand aside Broony in dragging the side through the mire.
The main aspect though that won the League?…we are a team of Winners.
We can handle pressure, We can handle Media lies and speculation.
We can recognise so called challenges for the pretence that that are.
We can handle pushing on until the last minutes knowing just one more chance is all that is needed.
We have the experience and the composure to manage a game.
We have the management team to know how to win games when it matters, results are all that matters.
We have the footballing personnel to know that revenge is best served on the pitch with goals and points, not with shoves, boots and shouting abuse.
And best of all.
We are equipped to kick on once again. Sure there will be changes in personnel, possibly at Management and in the playing areas but the core will be there…
Bain
Tierney/Jozo/Ajer
Christie/Calmac/Broony/Forrest
Rogic/Eddy
Should any of the core 10 above leave, and of course that is possible in football, then they will leave for big money which should then go straight back into the side. As Lawwell surely knows.
Other important players such as Sinclair, Ntcham and possibly Lustig and Griffiths will be there to help plug the gaps when needed. Of course new blood will come in, probably at right back, defensive midfield cover and likely another forward as our other frontman options currently seem limited. The fringe players and youth such as wee Mikey and Hendo deserve game time and we could soon see the Wizard Dembele get a game in the summer.
Its looking decent enough but of course the next big question (after the Cup Final) is who will the Manager actually be?
Its a really really tough question that Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond must answer correctly or suffer our wrath.
Consider these CV reviewing points:
In the next 2 years:
The new Manager MUST win the next 2 Leagues. – Winning domestic cups wont matter..The fans do not view Domestic Cups as a priority.
The new Manager will be expected by the Board to do as well as possible in Europe. – The fans do not view Europe as a priority.
The new Manager must be aware of the size of Celtic.
The new Manager must be aware of the demands of Celtic.
The new Manager must be aware of the Scottish Game
The new Manager must be aware of the fans need for 10 in a row.
The new Manager must be aware of the likelihood of his star performers being offered better deals elsewhere.
The new Manager must be aware of the Scottish Media.
The new Manager must be aware of the Scottish Refereeing bias and lack of protection to Celtic players and staff.
The new Manager must be aware of the SPFL\SFA bias and lack of protection to Celtic players and staff.
The new Manager must be aware of the Celtics Board lack of protection to Celtic players and staff.
The new Manager must be aware of the limitations imposed by a prudent Celtic Board.
So the dilemma that Lawwell has is does he stick with Neil Lennon – a true Celtic man who knows the score and expectations but comes with some fans viewing it as a backward step or does Lawwell go for a new Manager, either an experienced name or an up and coming “new-football” star of European football management who can have the fans sitting up in excitement looking forward to sexy fresh football.
In defence of Lenny, the guy is unbeaten playing with another mans side. He has done nothing wrong since stepping in to help his beloved Celtic. He knows how to win the League and he knows the scope of the club. Lenny knows the demands of the fans, the bias of our enemies and the limitations of the Board.
In defence of a new face, Celtic fans and players were rejuvenated with the class, style and ultra high standards introduced when a footballing name in Brendan Rodgers arrived and he may demand the Board take our quality to a new level throughout once again.
Its over to Lawwell and Desmond…good luck with that one but for now we shall salute the 8th League winners!
My own personal opinion is we should go big & appoint a big name manager, we must aim for the stars over the next two to three years.
An impressive name may also help in attracting players to the club.
If it’s to be Neil Lennon, i’ll get behind him & get on with it.
We took in £9m for Rodgers & his staff, we should use that to go for the best guy who wants it.
Significant strengthening needs to be done to the team, a right back, one if not two central defenders, cover for KT, a quality central midfielder & a number 9!
HH
Everyone would agree we should get the best manager we can , the question who is that Manager . Is it some foreigner who will come in with new ideas, demand new puritan life style , that would have Free Presbyterian blush . However does he understand the special high position that Protestants & Protestant teams are given in Scotland . Does he understand the Masonic links between SFA & referees & Rangers2012 & does he know how to counteract the benefits given to Rangers2012 .
On the other hand there are not many top referees that have the Scotland, N of Ireland experience . The best with that experience is N Lennon but many doubt if he is the man to bring the club forward into the next decade.
I think he is the best to win 10 in a row as he will keep edging team forward ,whereas the continental who over 3 or 4 years could bring us really far forward would have his most difficult time in rest of this yr . Trying to implement his policies & tactics could cause sufficient upheaval for us to drop too many points to win the title
I never knew much about Steven Gerrard. I thought he was a good football player and I knew he was of Irish Catholic descent, like most/many (but not all) of us who support Celtic. I have since come to expect that he has no class. His players behave like spoiled brats. He criticizes refs but gets awarded the most penalties in our league’s history. He has become an expert on Scottish football with an arrogance we often get from English celebs who know nothing of our values or history, including Ms. May and Master Corbyn.
Now, he is unable to tell his players to show some class and sportsmanship by honouring those who have beaten them in fair competition, both financial and on the pitch.
No class. No sportsmanship. A good manager would tell his players and employers what is required. If he is unable to do this he is weak. If he doesn’t choose to do this then he has no class yet we Celtic fans have been lectured decades about Rangers class!!! I can’t see this happening under Souness or Wattie Waistcoat. They must be cringing right now.
I’d like to think Celtic has class enough to honour a worthy and fair opponent were the roles reversed.
This might backfire on Sevco. It might make Celtic more determined to show what Champions can do if insulted.
Rangers management may have made an own goal here.
A great post Desi. I think we should now appoint Lenny, possibly on a rolling contract. If we don’t get 9 in a row it will be time for big changes anyway. This dominance won’t last forever but it would be sweet if it lasts two more years. Lenny is better placed than anyone I can name to make it happen.
As an Irish Catholic , I have never thought Gerrard was of Irish Catholic descent .
I know he went to a Catholic school but he claimed they had better football facilities
He & his family had links with gangs in Liverpool who prevented him transferring to Chelsea .
I have found it difficult to have any support for anyone who played for Liverpool since their Board allowed Ian Paisley Senior to address the Kop & fund raise . No other club in England Scotland or Wales allowed him
The case for Lenny is a strong one if he wins at ibrokes and the cup then he should be given the keys to drive us to 10 in a row.
A new manager maybe foreign,may come with great credentials but could fuck up a close knit squad.
All it takes is a breakdown with key senior players and it goes tits up.
Big Jozo has thrived under Lennon he looks to have more confidence and must feel wanted at the club. Lustig deserves another contract when you think hes finished he comes out with the goods as his goal showed on Saturday.Sinckair scores goals and should ve given an extension.
Desi is the 2 American guys not full backs?
Shved is looking like a good piece of business a central midfielder is required as Ntcham looks a player who wants away. But a settled squad is there a goalie to come in Centre back Centre Mid and Striker all should be well.
Stick.or twist its going to be very interesting but i hope it’s done quickly.
Schved…oh aye…he can fill the Sinclair role with Morgan covering too.
The 2 American lads…awaiting work permits that at present I don’t see any reason for being approved since we bought them and immediately had to send them home
Devoy i couldn’t give a monkeys fuck if they provide a guard of honour m8. There is nothing honourable about them never have never will wether it is the old rangers or the new club.
They can stick it m8.
Lenny has been just what we required a steady hand at the ready nothing flash just tick it over to the finish line.
Big thing is now do we stick or twist.
Twist could be a bad thing you know a new manager new ideas and a possibility no matter the great credentials could be a nightmare to play for.
This current squad of players has played as a team more or less in the sane type of system and it has worked. The youths play the same and everyone who comes in knows it as well.
It’s a huge decision which carries all our hopes and dreams I pray every night that they will get it right and the manager leads us to 10 in a row.
Fair points there Jimboh.
I can see “Celtic announce planning\development work to begin” on the Hotel Paradise complex soon to give illusion that cash is tied up in long term projects.
If NFL gets the gig, I trust we will land at least one £5m purchase, probably (and not my idea of a signing), McKenna from Aberdeens to slot in the Boyata and Benkovich exit and Sumo fragility.
If Board can get balance right they could please everyone, or indeed please no-one….timeto earn that heated driveway Pedro!
Whoever is placed in the managers seat they need to be backed heavily by the board, we don’t have a history of doing this & that concerns me.
The board need to indicate clearly where we are going, do we just want to be top dog in Scotland & hope we do well in europe, or will they bring in the three or four players who will give us a real fighting chance to qualify & do the club justice in the Champions league?
If there was ever a time to push the boat out on a Celtic side, it is now!
” Build a side for Europe & Scotland will take care of itself ” – Jock Stein.
“..do well in Europe” to the fans doesn’t just mean qualifying then getting stuffed in the Groups, despite the revenue it brings in, it means qualifying from the Groups, realistically in second place and trying to progress round by round.
This means even more revenue for the Board and better seeding for future Competitions giving us more chances at progressing. Even more Income. More Income and more Prestige. What’s not to like.
Invest in the Team and Pl & the Board will get the dosh for the Hotel quicker and obviates the need for external finance. Even a one off First Season investment in 3/4 Class players will bring significant dividends.
Or are we to be continually pissing against the winds of Fiscal Prudence.
Celtic must appoint a manager of the abilities and aura of the last one , as much as he ballsed it up at leaving, he took our Great club to an new level created a winning mentality most of us have never seen! This is something Neil couldnt do and wont be able to, lets not forget Lennon walked out in 2014(for me that end the conversation right there!) and he would have loved to have had the options of Rodgers, he would went to Leicester in a heart eat! When Lennon was last in charge he lost far too many big games way too many and against the self proclaimed “diddy teams”! blew the league at Inverness in 2011 Can you imagine that under Rodgers? NOT A CHANCE!! Lenny is the past this aint 2010 here we moved on to another level under the last manager big time! He totally improved nearly every young player and instilled amazing belief , even in Europe tho idealist in trying to play top teams at their own game i admired it, as we showed no fear and passed man city off the park in December 2006 and most recently Valencia yes we took some heavy defeats which we all hated but he did get us some big results and was trying to foster a belief amongst our players especially the younger ones,also Lenny was hammered by teams such as Utrech , Barga and Sion so please on this European myth.We must get a manager of his ilk again and that aint Neil Lennon. HAIL HAIL TREBLE TREBLE! ON THE WAY!!
What were the big results in Europe m8 apart from man city games we were shocking we had to rely on a favour to get out the europa league group.
Lost out in qualification to one of the worst teams I have seen at Celtic park AEK Athens. His record in Europe was very poor.
“mate”? well he beat the 3rd best team in Germany! “mate” and he got through a very hard group! He did ok but regardless the point is he is way way better a manager then neil lennon everyone knows that and thats the level we must keep! look at today linked with gary hooper and next it be my own cousin big Charle! and he is my cuz, but point is we need a top level manager and that aint neil! he wouldnt get a top job anywhere! and lets be honest here was sacked at hibs!! he left before as he was “bored” as were we!! he need a REAL MANAGER!! Lennon falls out with players and thats a fact we cant have that! we be need a real pro!!A top manager with aura like the last one
Thats Charlie Mulgrew
Ok so you don’t to be mates thats ok 🙂
I never disputed the fact he is a better manager than Lennon but Europe he failed miserably.
Not miserably thats too strong he did get us to champions league but our performances were poor.
sorry jimmy never meant to offend there. just came over condescending as never spoke with you before
awww in jimmy save us “the favour stuff” thats sort thing a hun would say! Come on now we had 9 points going into our last game thats why we qualified, yes was to our favour rosenburg scoreb but we earned our 9 points so come on man
Stessano, You surely don’t believe the rumour about Gary Hooper .
The Hooper rumour was started as a joke to create nuisance for N Lennon & Celtic fans & as usual a few gullibles believe it .
Some Celtic fans are stupid enough to believe anything . They believed the two extremes Morinho & Hooperv
Well hope you not inferring real clued up guys and lifelong TIMS LIKE ME! in that comment!I DONT CARE IF ITS BS, Neil Lennon should be nowhere near the job!! Its became a sideshow since swinecastle!{Aye i meant that spelling} John Kennedy could have held the reigns till end of season! no more this “aww he gets it”! and “10 in a row”! come on get REAL!! We could put ronnie in and still do it!! Rodgers raised the BAR BIG TIME!! AND WE NEED A MANAGER OF THE SAME ABILITY! AND AURA! NOW WE ARE A MASSIVE GLOBAL ICONIC CLUB LIVING OVERSEAS FOR YEARS I KNOW THAT IS A FACT! SO NO MORE THIS HOSTAGE TO SENTIMENT! PLEASE WE NEED WAY WAY BETTER AND DESERVE IT! HAIL HAIL
YOU TALK SOME PISH!!! THAT MAN LED OUR GREAT CLUB TO AN INVINCIBLE SEASON OVER 100 POINTS 7 STRAIGHT TROPHYS!! YES HE IS A WAY BETTER MANAGER!!! AND IF YOU DONT KNOW THAT YOUR AS DAFT AS THE PISH YOU SPOUT SO GET REAL MAN!!OH HE ALSO OVERSAW US HAMMER THE HUNS 5, 5, 5 AND 4!! AND DESTROY THEM 3 STRAIGHT TIMES IN SEMI FINALSALL CANTERS!! WHEN LENNON LOST TO ROSS COUNTY, ST, MIRREN, KILMARNOCK!! AND HEARTS A DISGRACE SET OF RESULTS AS EVERYONE KNOWS! SO STOP WITH THE BS AND KISSING RALPH ARSE!! OH IN GO TO A FEW GAMES WHILE YOUR AT IT
heart beat i meant and december 2016 in regards the man city game obviously
when br left lenny coulda said fuck takin the job now when i can throw ma hat in at the endy the season when the pressures aff but he didnae he fuckin ran back so if we win the cup and he disnae get the job its a fuckin disgrace COYBIG
when br left lenny coulda said fuck takin the job now when i can throw ma hat in at the endy the season when the pressures aff but he didnae he fuckin ran back so if we win the cup and he disnae get the job its a fuckin disgrace COYBIG
In Brendan Rodgers first Invincible season Celtic announced that turnover increased by 74.2% to £90.6 million. Who brought that money in, it sure as hell wasn’t Dermot Desmond, it definitely wasn’t Peter Lawwell, it was the success that Brendan Rodgers achieved by participation in the C.L. qualifiers and in raising the profile of Celtic and Scottish football. Do you think that that will go unnoticed? of course it will not. With 10,000 on the waiting list, Celtic are sitting on a pot of money never seen before in the history of Scottish football, we have achieved success never seen before with the exception of big Jocks Lisbon Lions, he and they put Celtic on the world stage. With thirteen players out of contract or going back to their parent club in a couple of weeks, it would be unforgivable and stupid for the board not to invest heavily in the first team squad and to appoint the best manager we could afford. We have a great opportunity to be ambitious and drive the club forward and to give the support the success they deserve. It would be crazy not to do so, you achieve with ambition, you achieve nothing by sitting on your hands and by looking backwards. Back to the past, no thanks… Look forward Celtic.
Good response Mike if it’s left to Lawwell it might be Lennon im sure Dermott has only interfered twice MON and then Brendan.
I hope he gets involved again.
Charlie my point is that when Dermot needed to get involved he did he broke the barriers to get the two managers required.He may agree with Lenny I don’t know but it was sevco winning the semi final and the way they celebrated he wasn’t going to have another Ronnie.
Thanks Jimmy, there is a direct correlation between success on the park and the business side of Celtic F.C. We saw what happened when Lawwell took his eye of the ball and made the wrong choices. I still see the boards faces when that 2017 AGM. took place. (Brendan’s first) Cheshire cats didn’t do it justice. We read weekly of the board members being businessmen, well for me this coming close season is the time for them to prove it, get it right and success is guaranteed, get it wrong and watch the share price drop, bonus’s being diminished and the smiles returning to frowns. We have a golden opportunity to get it right, Lawwell appears to be having an impact in keeping the club relevant in European competitions, what’s the point if he drops the baw by making the wrong appointments….. again.
It was Lawell and Desmond who appointed Brendan Rogers. Or at least Desmond.
Fuck Brendan Rodgers, he’s a fucking snake!
Gies peace ya muppet.
Loving the lengthy posts, but not my style, so here goes…
We don’t need a ‘guard of honour’ from anyone, just another media generated flashpoint.
Lennon will take us backwards, not forwards. The new money that’s been invested over the last 12 months wont tolerate a mediocre manager, and neither should the fans.
As for the squad re-build, don’t forget the extra cash from Dembeles sell-on clause.
Hairlikespagetti one of the biggest problems facing any Celtic manager & many Celtic players is the idea Celtic fans won’t tolerate a performance not to their standard . That means managers like R D & players cannot do their best
Where is the support & encouragement which I foolishly think is the reason I have season ticket
Charlie John Park would be a very welcome return to the club thats a guy who knows a player.
Lennon didn’t know how to win against Aberdeen, Livingston and Hibs.
He has gained 1 more point than the Huns who Rodgers had broken.
To entrust him a full season when he doesn’t have an 8 point start with 3/4 of the games played would be the height of recklessness.
This would rely on the Huns not getting their shit together and although that is likely, its simply a risk we shouldn’t be taking.
If they are after Gary Hooper they can get so far to fuck
Brilliant Liverpool never give up dream and it will happen
Agreed m8 the winning goal put me in mind of wee Bertie catching them out with the free kick those years ago absoloutly entertainment.
Liverpool were just incredible and Andy was superb loved his pat on the head to Messi early on.
I have a few regrets about Glasgow Rangers( remember them) but us giving us them a guard of honour at Celtic Park
isn’t one of them. Fair play to Gerrard e went Anfield to see the club that is really important to him play, not as if he has anything important on this week. One of the Hun sites Ralph mentioned the other day quoted a Sevco fan saying they were only 3 or 4 players away from being a top team, personally I agree, the players would be Virgil, Ramos, Aguero and Mane. (You can perm your own three or 4). Could we do with 3 or 4 top players, of course, but ours would be to compete and/or reinforce the top talent we have. Celtic will strengthen in the Summer why does the media underplay that in favour of our rivals adding to their squads.
and
Gr8 stuff and an 8 goal thriller, who needs Liverpool-Barca!
When;s the Final?
“liverpool”! Get REAL THIS NOT A CELTIC BLOG!! PATHETIC LADS REALLY IS CELTIC, CELTIC AND CELTIC!!! WOULDNT OPEN MY CURTAINS IF THEY PLAYED IN MY GARDEN!! ALL ABOUT MY GREAT CLUB FOR ME AND ALL REAL TIMS!! I GOT LOADS OF SCOUSE MATES WORKED WITH MANY IN SYDNEY BUT TRUST ME THEIR THE SAME ABOUT THEIR CLUB AND HERE YOU ARE ON A CELTIC BLOG ACTING LIKE FANS OF SELF PROCLAIMED “DIDDY TEAMS” IN “BRIGADOON” SCOTLAND HA HA GEEZ PEACE!!
I give the bhoy monti his due from what i seen and read on here he is A REAL TIM!So fair play to him he doesnt pander or do the whole “like me like me” that many seem to do on here But we all Tims i suppose just some are REAL ONES HAIL HAIL
stessano,
Thank you for that!
HH
No worries monti just how i see it oh in “weered” strange name that “PISH” Aye from what i read from you on here that sounds about right eh
Well done Wee Redcoat 🙂
Rest In Peace, Stevie Chalmers, 231 goals in 406 Celtic appearances. He played for Celtic from 1959-1971. Like his Lion friends he was quiet, humble, a family man, I was extremely lucky to meet Stevie on only two or three occasions. Everyone thought that he got a lucky touch to score the winning goal in Lisbon, until he revealed that it was something they practised in training. Another Lisbon Lion gone to meet his passed friends, family and team-mates and so soon after losing Cesar. Gone but never forgotten, their memories will remain forever. “Wear the Green today for Stevie”…