Neil Lennon has spoken of how it feels to join Jock Stein and Billy McNeill as the only people to have won league and cup doubles as both player and manager;
” It feels amazing. To win the double as a player was great but to win it as a manager is just fantastic. Its very special, personally , to join those two icons at the club. Thats what you do the job for. It was special playing but this means so much more to me on a personal level.
When I got the job I wanted to follow in their footsteps. We’re progressing well now, thats the double on the back of a great European campaign. Any year its brilliant to win the league but I suppose theres a bit more feeling towards this because of our anniversary. The Barcelona game the day after the anniversary was amazing, and we finished off the league in real style.
I remember Billy McNeill winning the double in 1988, and 25 years on, I am in charge which is a privilige. To be successful at Celtic, with the club going in the right direction and progressing off the field as well, gives me immense pride and satifaction. Its a significant moment as always and one that will live long in the memory. I really tried to enjoy the moment and had my family here, and for the players in particular it was fantastic. You look back on your career and you think that was pretty good. During the 1990s the club was starved of success. Martin O’Neill came in and revolutionised what was going on here and brought a winning mentality to the club. Gordon Strachan carried that on and this is the eighth championship in 13 years, so the club is in rude health now. ”
Yes, all very well. But has Balde signed yet,or what?
Well, everyone you ask says he is a great player with a great future, and thats probably what is holding things up. With several owners and agents to negotiate with, that means they will all have to ell us what a great guy he is, we will have to tell them what a great club we are, and then everyone has to settle on a fee, his wages and his bonuses. Last we heard they were almost settled on his company car. One of his agents says the deal isn’t done yet, but the player is keen.
Yeah, when I heard that word again during a transfer window, my wee heart faltered for a second as well.
Norwich City have confirmed the signing of a forward from Holland, which means that Gary Hooper has dropped off their radar. However, a bid of over £4m has just been made by Hull. One in , one out ? Or is it just the start of a bidding war?
Vistor Wanyama is the centre of a tug of war for his services, between Arsenal and Manchester Utd if you believe virtually any report coming out of the south, but this one , by Collins Okinyi, who is closer to the player than most, makes for interesting reading.
Stoke is not an option, he doesn’t fancy Valencia, and basically there are just a few things that Wanyama is annoyed about at Celtic, but they could be cleared up, the writer seems to be hinting.
If thats all it is, and the big fellow could be tempted to stay, then get it done. Okinyi has been a sort of PR man for Vic in the past, and theres no doubt he has the midfielders ear.
The SFA had a meeting yesterday, to discuss reconstruction, and they’ve agreed to vote on whether or not to have a vote at a later date, depending on how the initial vote turns out.
It was rumoured that Campbell Ogilivie has been re-elected as officer in charge of finding the sand to bury our heads in, but nothing official yet. After all, Regan himself said yesterday;
” Lets just focus on all the good things that can happen in Scotland. ”
Which of course, would not include the re-election of corrupt inadequate Campbell Ogilivie.
Or the shennannigans over at Ibrox, including alleged cheating, rule breaking, corporate fraud, tax dodging, pension robbing, racism, sectarianism, money laundering, money siphoning , non payment of fines, non payment of national insurance, intimidation of tax officials, intimidation and manipulation of journalists and telling Ally McCoist he is a football manager, which will only confuse that fat fraud. The SFA have promised an investigation, which will take place sometime around the end of June, depending on members marching commitments.
Charlotte and the Fakeovers have released a hilarious new audio, featuring Craig Whyte talking to his pals at Duff and Duffer, and again, some of the revelations will have Rangers fans reaching for the rope.
Kyle Lafferty , Kyle Bartley, Walter Smith and of course Tubby McCoist are all in the firing line, and in Bartleys case, it does explain the groin injury which kept him out of a crucial European game.
They are hilarious, and well worth a listen. Though stop the tape about thirty seconds from the end of the last one. Its our hero having a pee.
Kenny Shiels, the latest victim of Peter Lawwells unhealthy ruling hand over Scottish football is heartbroken after he was sacked by mutual consent after leading Kilmarnock to a creditable ninth in the SPL.
Well, at least thats how he will see it. Shiels , of course, tended to talk a lot of shite when a microphone was anywhere near him, but unlike others in the game, he didn’t get away with it. Shiels was one of the few to defend Neil Lennon publicly when he was under pressure, which probably pissed off Kilmarnock chief Michael Johnston more than anything else.
A quick glance at Sky Sports text at the Rangers page says there are “No stories to display “, but falls short of adding “Move along, Timmy. ”
They are just not trying hard enough. Surely there must be something out there?
The Evening Times is running a list of the Top 50 Celtic players, and a website , 90 minute cynic has a top ten goals feature, showing that the close season is indeed upon us, and theres not a lot to write about.
This means that once again Celtic are playing all the cards close to the chest, and we won’t hear anything until its almost done. Rumours , such as a potential move for Jonathan Walters of Stoke, will continue to surface, and hopefully sink without trace immediately.
Stuart Pearce has blamed his players for the immensly enjoyable U-21 campaign, as he fights to cling on to his job. If you haven’t seen his press conference, try to catch it. Its almost as good a piece of deflection as any done by Green, McCoist or Smith.
Stephanne Bonnes jogged a few minds yesterday, but can you name these people in this remarkable photograph?
Dalglish, Connaghen, McMahon, Mr Stein, Danny, Vic Davidson, Big Billy
Theres a man holding something in his hand, i think its VD!
King Kenny, Dennis Conhagan,Pat McClusky,Jock Stein,Danny McGrain,Vic Davidson and King Billy McNeil.
Spelling is not my strong point.
Looks like Ferguson and others watching Micheal Madsen play pool
The biscuit tin mentality was certainly in force in them days. That snooker table only has 3 baws!
It was rumoured that Campbell Ogilivie has been re-elected as officer in charge of finding the sand to bury our heads in, but nothing official yet.
A sevcovian line if I ever heard one. The smell’s getting stronger. Won’t be long now.
get rid of they twa bastoorz OGILVY & REGAN, NOT TAE MENTION,THATT PHATT PHUQE BALLANNTYNE ‘N’ LONGFACE AND DONCASTER
Conhagan is putting a his 2 Bob down saying he’s next
Ralph
I am on short time today so very few comments. I think your piece really sums up the malaise of close season nothingness. There does not seem to be even the usual bored disinterestedness in transfer rumours as people simply are just going to wait till what will happen happens or does not happen depending on what is happening as it happens. Wow, it really is hard going. One could expand on the SFA and the progress of Scottish football but since most of us have a sunny disposition in the summer such black deeds only add to the depression. So best left below the stairs. It only increases the melancholy when brought up for airing.
I would bet my life on it – now there is what you can genuinely call short odds – that Ian McAllister got the list right. Everybody seems very occupied with Stein’s shot. Which one do you think is considering not letting him win? Pat looks as though he just saw a fiver falling out of Jock’s hip pocket. Dennis looks mystified by balls and what to do with them; Kenny and Danny are hoping he misses; Big Billy is saying “It’s o.k. if you miss it, boss. I’ll always back ye up” and Vic is ready to fall asleep – as usual.
Keep the news and views coming, Ralph, even though they are in short supply during the summer drought. You wouldn’t wish the MSM back on us would you?
Back to the turps!
H H
No giving him much room to take his shot…..looks like classic trying to put him off tactics