Aberdeen boss Derek MacInnes has played down talk of aberdeen mounting a serious challenge to Celtics league supremacy next season. Publicly, at least;
His side can delay the hoops title celebrations until the weekend at least by beating Ross County in Dingwall tonight, but despite his chairman Stewart Milne promising investment to fund a real challenge next season, MacInnes remains not only sceptical, but difficult to remember how to spell correctly.
“We don’t know what the budget is for next season but no matter what it is we know that Celtic will win the league again.
“They would need to have a really poor campaign to even get close to them – which isn’t going to happen under Neil Lennon.
“They’ve got a good manager and a squad that is geared up to win the title.
“Everyone else will be doing what we can to make it as competitive as possible.
He then turned to his assistant and muttered;
“Thats just what they’ll be expecting us to say….”
He continued;
“We can look ahead with a lot of positivity and confidence but it’s about maintaining the momentum on our side of it.
“Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, I am confident we can keep improving.
“I am only thinking about finishing this season as strongly as we can. ”
Make no mistake, the dons boss knows that he will never have a better chance to run Celtic close next season, with just a wee bit more consistency. Especially as Celtic will have Champions League distraction, and are not used to a serious domestic challenge.
Aberdeen could finish as runners up and win both cups, which would be a good season for anyone. Its whether or not they decide to build on it….
Celtic boss Neil Lennon admitted he is starting to pay attention to the new challenge from the land of the northern lights;
“We will watch out for Aberdeen’s result.”
“It would be great to wrap it up at Firhill because I think there will be a fantastic atmosphere.
“But we need to be careful. Thistle have won the last couple of games they have played at home, so there is a little rejuvenation for them there.
“If it means we have to come back to Celtic Park on Saturday to win the title, then so be it.
“And, even when we do get over the line, in whichever game that is, we don’t want to stop winning.
“We are looking to finish the season as strongly as we possibly can.
“The way we’re playing, you don’t want the season to end because there is a real energy and a real thrust about our performances.”
Nir Bitton is a couple of weeks away from returning to action, and James Forrest is a couple of weeks away from his next injury, both will miss the title winning match, whether its tomorrow at Firhill or Celtic Park against Ross County at the weekend.
Lennon also mentioned that he would like to see Mikael Lustig and Steven Mouyokolo back in action before the seasons end. Actually , “back in action ” perhaps isn’t quite the right term for long term patient Mouyokolo.
I had to google him to find out who he was talking about.
“They will be fit before the end of the season and we will get them on the pitch.
“The way the team is playing at the minute, there is no real need for them to rush.
“But I would like to have a full quota of players.
“I don’t like to see, particularly Jamesie – with the amount of injuries he has had – sitting on the bench.”
Exactly. He might hurt himself.
Lennon was also speaking on Sky sports this morning. He looked tired, managing only to smile when he was asked if he missed Rangers.
“You miss the edge, ” he said, implying that he didn’t miss the hatred, bile and bigotry.
Most of us might well agree with him to an extent, but deep down we are all enjoying their absence. We just want them to answer for their crimes. That, of course, could take a while, mainly because it will take days just to read them all out if it ever gets to court.
There was also a mention for managerless Nottingham Forest, one of Lennons former places of employment, but the interviewer didn’t make the leap and ask him if he was interested in the job. If that was the MSM they’d have asked him, and given him a hundred reasons why he should go.
Its actually four years to the day that Lennon took over the reins at Celtic. This interview, a snippet taken from this weeks Celtic View is supposed to be a celebration;
How does it feel to be marking your fourth anniversary of being in charge of Celtic?
It feels like 44! It’s a nice milestone. Every year is more important than the last. In these times, to have four years at a club this size is something I’m very proud of, and we keep forging ahead.
When you were asked to take over the team on an interim basis following the departure of Tony Mowbray, was there any trepidation at the task that lay ahead or was it simply excitement?
I was excited. It wasn’t a problem. When Tony left, after we had a really bad result at St Mirren, it was just a question of trying to pick the team up and get going again as we knew we had good players and they hadn’t been playing to anywhere near the level we knew they could. It was just a question of just steadying the ship until the end of the season and seeing where we went from there.
How determined were you to grasp the opportunity?
I may never have got the opportunity again so I wanted to make the most of it. We won our eight games and lost the semi-final which was a blow and I thought the opportunity might have gone, but thankfully the board saw something in me to take the club on and here we are four years down the line.
Do you remember the moment you discovered that you were becoming Celtic manager on a permanent basis?
We had the eight games towards the end of the season, and I spoke to John Reid after the Hearts game, which was the last match of the season, and he said, ‘You are in with a chance of the job’. Then, about three weeks later, the call came through that I got the job. It was a wonderful moment in my life. It was about 11 o’clock at night when I signed the contract and I walked down the tunnel and then looked around the stadium and thought, ‘Wow, you’re going to be running this place for the foreseeable future’. It’s something I will never forget.
What is your proudest achievement during these past four years?
There have been a lot of things – making the last 16 was a huge achievement, there was winning the double last year and the first league championship was an important one, when we cut back a very big deficit. But I’m as just as proud of the players we have brought in and developed. We have turned them into excellent young men as well as good footballers who have an affinity with the club. When you see Hooper and Wanyama coming in and going on, and then we have players like Matthews, Forster, van Dijk, Lustig – players we have brought in who were relatively unknown and have turned into household names. That gives me more pleasure than anything else really.
Any regrets?
There are a few. The cup competitions this year weren’t great and we have lost a couple of finals and semi-finals, but you can’t have everything. The incentive next year is can we quality for Europe again and get into the Champions League, and can we win a treble. That will always be there as a target going into every season.
With the club on the cusp of making it three-in-a-row, what are your emotions?
I’m really proud and I didn’t think I would be where I am today and have that on my CV. You always want more – you always want more trophies and want your team to play better. But a wise old bird told me: ‘don’t look for the perfect when you can get the best’. So you always strive for perfection but whether you ever get that or not is another thing.
I wish he hadn’t mentioned the bit about his cv. Theres an awful lot of signs that he is thinking about a move just lately-like in the opening paragraph where he says it ” feels like 44 ” Just wee things, though I don’t think theres any truth in the rumour that he’s ordered “English Football Grounds ” from the library. Not yet, anyway.
Celtics under 20 side were beaten at Dunfermline yesterday, the Fife side racking up a 1-0 win. That means the table makes interesting reading….
U20s :: League Table
| POS | CLUB | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Celtic | 20 | 14 | 2 | 4 | 43 | 19 | 24 | 44 |
| 2 | Rangers | 20 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 42 | 20 | 22 | 44 |
| 3 | Hibernian | 21 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 42 |
| 4 | Motherwell | 23 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 45 | 41 | 4 | 38 |
| 5 | Hamilton | 24 | 11 | 5 | 8 | 42 | 38 | 4 | 38 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | 23 | 11 | 4 | 8 | 45 | 37 | 8 | 37 |
| 7 | Inverness CT | 22 | 10 | 4 | 8 | 46 | 37 | 9 | 34 |
| 8 | St Johnstone | 24 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 41 | 44 | -3 | 30 |
| 9 | Kilmarnock | 23 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 35 | 39 | -4 | 30 |
| 10 | Partick Thistle | 25 | 8 | 5 | 12 | 35 | 49 | -14 | 29 |
| 11 | Dunfermline | 23 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 40 | 42 | -2 | 27 |
| 12 | Falkirk | 23 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 37 | 49 | -12 | 27 |
| 13 | Dundee United | 24 | 7 | 4 | 13 | 32 | 35 | -3 | 25 |
| 14 | Hearts | 23 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 34 | 53 | -19 | 23 |
| 15 | St Mirren | 22 | 6 | 4 | 12 | 21 | 33 | -12 | 22 |
| 16 | Ross County | 22 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 29 | 56 | -27 | 20 |
“The board considered detailed legal advice with regard to the application of its regulations within the context of a decision made under Italian law.
“Having fully considered the matter, the board agreed unanimously that the decision of the Italian Court does constitute a disqualifying condition under its owners’ and directors’ test.
“The relevant disqualifying condition being that Massimo Cellino has been convicted of an offence involving acts that would reasonably be considered to be dishonest.”
Does that apply to Dave King ? Was it forty six convictions ? Is it a problem ?
Well, it should be. And haven’t those staunch and loyal supporters learned anything from the last few years ?
Anyway, once again, convicted tax fraudster ( surely an act that ” would reasonably be considered to be dishonest “) has been given free publicity to stake his claim and splutter forth his ideas.
It had to be free. He has a marked reluctance to pay for anything. But he does tell us what it will take to make Second Rangers a force in Scottish football.
“I think the minimum – if we get lucky – is £30m and we will probably need £50m. That would be to compete with Celtic,”
Imagine you had an idea for a business, and then took it to see your bank manager. Then you asked him for £30m . Or £50m . He might begin to suspect you hadn’t done your homework, and were, in fact, talking shite.
“The Rangers strategy should be a simple thing and I have discussed this with institutions. It is this: every year we have to compete with Celtic. That is the business plan. And that is Celtic’s business plan as well. We have to beat them and they have to beat us. ”
Its remarkably similar to the previous business plan. The one that ended in liquidation. Celtics business plan, which is working incredibly well, doesn’t actually involve them at all.
Hugh MacDonald, in the Evening Times, added his thoughts to the narrative;
He also derided a continual lack of competition as corrosive to the financial health of both Celtic and Rangers. “Nine-in-row is terrible for Celtic and nine-in-a-row is terrible for Rangers. It is good for the fans, but bad for business,” he said.
Nine consecutive titles for Celtic would mean nine shots at the Champions League. Money which would help any business plan. Hardly bad for business. Not paying tax is bad for business.
He said investment was needed so that Rangers were not condemned to being “also-rans” in Scottish football and pointed out that a “dilapidated” Ibrox needed an upgrade.
Also -rans ? They’re not even walking yet.
He ( King ) said he was willing to meet the shortfall in any investment plan, even if he had to pay the “thick end” of £50million.
Just like David Murray did. I ought to clarify here that “thick end ” is referring to the money, not the investors.
“I am not going into this on the basis that I have to make a return on an investment. I actually believe whatever I invest in Rangers I will never get back. But I am happy to do it,” said the Castlemilk-born businessman who lost £20m in Rangers under the Sir David Murray regime.
According to South African court papers, King received £18.1m back from the club. Meaning a net loss of £1.9m. Which is known as a “commission “
He insisted fans should be patient as they awaited the board’s business review which should be published next month and was dismayed by the sabre-rattling by some supporters.
He wants them to rattle little cans instead. You know, the ones you put money in.
” I think it is the view of some of the supporters that they are looking for a fight. My preference is not to fight,” he said.
More reverse psychology. The word “fight ” occurs a lot in this article.
“Unfortunately, it was reinforced to me in my visit to Scotland that there are a lot of people who are so emotional about this that they almost don’t want the board to say everything is okay.
I don’t think theres any chance of that happening. everything isn’t okay. Far from it, in fact. King just wants first dibs on whatever the vultures leave, even if its just the name.
“They are just ready for the fight.”
Theres that word again….
But he was hopeful that Rangers could come through the crisis that has besieged the club in recent years.
Here we go again…..They didn’t. They died.
“I will be very surprised if that, through the efforts of myself and other people, Rangers do not come through this in a healthy way and ultimately get back to where we all think they should belong,” he said.
That rather depends on where you think they belong. They’ve already booked their seat.
What is it about that club that attracts the likes of Whyte, Green, King, Easdale et al ? Why won’t any respectable businessman touch them ?
Celticchuck on twitter may have spotted it
Anyway, back to the rules.
Will the SFA allow King, should his venture be a success. to take control at Ibrox. Surely his convictions, like they have for Cellino at Leeds, should put a stop to that ?
Can the rules be ignored ?
Graham Spiers on twitter seems to think so
” Very dodgy. But it can be.”
When asked how, Spiers has yet to reply.
The Valencia Celtic game in the picture postcard yesterday was “quite interesting ” because although the game took place in September, the Spanish side had only won the previous seasons trophy a few short weeks before this game took place.
Heres one to think about..Who is this signing on the dotted line for Celtic ?
is it Wednesday already WTF happened to Tuesday
I must have fell into a coma laughing at all that pish from the Lying King
Well spotted. Thats Etims. Way ahead of the others.
Mr Stein
Mr Stein – Big Jock to his many admirers.
That is a great question why do those clubs, oldco and newco, attract the people it does?
Big Jock.
jock
BIG JOCK
And Jimmy McGrory standing up?
Lumberjack Ralph,
Did a log hit you on the head when you went for wood for
your log burner ? Yes,it is Wednesday and the Sheepies had a
good win last night. We are all set for a big title party on
Saturday.The fans Huddle is done better ( deadhead,note 2 t’s )
at Celtic Park. ( here’s hoping )
Today,marks Neil Francis Lennon day. 4 years of success, after
picking up the pieces of the disasterous Mowbray.What should
be noted, is what Lenny has made the club, in certain transfer
dealings.
So, he deserves a decent summer transfer budget, in order to
make a fist of first, CL qualifiers,and hopefully group stages.
hello hello they are the davy boys i wonder iff their grandkids will be so stupid
the question must be asked should we pity them? ha ha
youv’e got to laff win the diddy cup and msm are having them as real challengers for the title,can,t believe we were put out of cup by these diddies,then i remember weve got a second rate manager
DUMBHEAD,
YOUR POSTS ARE GETTING MORE PATHETIC BY THE DAY.
Jock Steins Celtic lost the 1971 League Cup Final to Partick Thistle 4-1
The team was as follows:
Williams
Hay
Gemmell
Murdoch
Connelly
Brogan
Johnstone
Dalglish
Hood
Callaghan
Macari
Any team can win a Cup game and as proved by the one mentioned any Big Team can have a n off day.
We lost 1-0 to Morton in Extra time after battering their goal for 90 minutes.
Catch a grip ya clown.
You should go follow Man United ya glory hunting fud.
Is there not an SFA rule (stop sniggering) that a director of club that went into admin / liquidation is barred from further directorships for a period?
Dave King was there, acting as the good Rangers man he is, i.e. putting his head in the sand and ignoring the obvious crash about to happen, under Craigy Bhoy. So, he should not be able to join the 2nd rangers board bfore you even get into a fit and proper person tests, which I believe doesn’t actually exist but is taken on the word of the club, so no problems there. I m sure the directorship of old Rangers can be overlooked too “for the good of the game” but it might result in some embarrassing owning up to being a new club, and we know how happy h*ns are to admit that. ouch.
If he really wanted to put £50m into the club he could own it tommorrow given the share price, but why should he pay marked rate for it, he’s a rangers man after all. And good on you ralph for reminding us that Dave got almost all his money nice and clean back out of old rangers, its a fact that seems to sli[p the memory of Jangle Jangle et al.
You could almost feel sorry for them, if only they showed any sign of contrition or humility, or at least admit they were at it for years. How about a good old trip to confession and a few decades of the rosary? No?
Well done neil on four years. It would serve his detractors well to recall teh dire state we were in when he got the job – 4-0 to st Mirren any one, and the quality of players we ve seen at Celtic in his time – Wanyama Hoops, Ledley etc. In times when money is so tight we know the business model he has to work to adn all in all I for one would like to see him carry on for a long time yet. If he was so rubbish you can bet the MSM wouldn’t be half so keen to see him leave.
And no, I dont miss Rangers, I miss the league title being tense, but dont miss the song book, the atmosphere or the violence that comes with them. Here’s hoping another team can mount a real challenge and the 2nd rangers lot go they way of their predecssor.
Does any one know if Police scotland ever finished their investigatioon into the take over and craigy’s time? There were so may investigations into old rangers – BDO, police, HMRC, Margerets face painters, surely some of them must be about ready to dish some hilarity up?
binkabhoy
I just want to say your comment yesterday in reply to my depressing whinge was sheer genius. It was almost as side splitting as the other “The”.
Thanks for that touch of class.
H H
Thanks PB – means a lot from one so eminent as yourself! 🙂
scottish fitba’ is fucked the S .F. A. and second munkeez proved that, waist o’ money the whole lot that includes CELTIC FC FOR NAW SAYIN’ ANYTHIN’ AGAINST SECOND MUNKEEZ, NUFF SAID
Vito Corleone, he’s been made an offer he can’t refuse. HH
AS FOR SECOND MUNKEEZ FOOLISH FANS AND THEIR FOOLISH FANS FANS AND OF COORSE THE SCOTISCH MEEJA ,HOW FECKIN STOOPID CIN YI BE, ROLLUP ROLLUP 7 pay yur dosh stoopid munkeez cis atz aw’ yur guid for ,as for celtic fans yeez iz no much better,bhoycott all away groonds til the S F A COME TAE THEIR SENSES ABOUT THE STOOPID MUNKEEZ
Ralph
I have to rush so just a quickie to say great diary. I am never too happy when a lot of the page is spent on crazies in cuckoo land but that was worth every word today.
Anyway, I have to get to a meeting with some commissioners. They have money but want to ask me if i would like to add mine to their pot. I said I needed a meeting before committing myself – to the asylum.
I’m off – to catch the last post!!!!!!!!!!!!! – it is out there somewhere.
H H