The title says it all.
And so did Neil Lennon.
The Ginger ninja became the fourth manager in Celtics history to win three titles in a row after his side crushed Partick Thistle 5-1 at Firhill last night. Goals from Anthony Stokes, Liam Henderson, Stefan Johansen, Anthony Stokes (again ) and Kris Commons kept the crowd buzzing and those at watching home smiling, giving us a performance to remember. If you don’t count most of the first half.
It would be churlish to dwell on it, because the second half show really was that-a show of football that anyone would be proud of. Celtic even had two goals chopped off for offside-this time they really were offside as well.
When Scott Brown and his team mates walked towards the support after the game to show their appreciation, a steward stood in his way, telling him that he could go no further. A few fans-well, quite a few, actually, decided to run onto the pitch to congatulate him, showing yet again that a bit of common sense would have averted what Chick Young, a BBC reporter whose career is largely built around pretending he’s not a Rangers fan, called “carnage ”
Manager Neil Lennon, though, had an answer for the little man.
“Just over-exhuberance. For years we won nothing and now we’re in control. Young fans happy to celebrate.”
Merchandisers immediately pricked up their ears, and no doubt you’ll be able to get a “Now We’re In Control” t-shirt, mug, scarf and little Neil Lennon figure holding up three fingers wearing one at the game on saturday.
Remember, I thought of it first. So, send my cut to the usual address.
The pitch invasion may have spoiled the night for older fans, or those with kids, but there’ll be a chance to party on Saturday at Celtic Park, as long as the stewards are told to ease off a bit, and those who have been suitably refreshed before the game behave themselves.
There was no hiding the managers delight at the win, though. Despite the best efforts of the Partick stewards, and the guy on the tannoy who said there was to be no lap of honour….which apparently hadn’t come from the police match commander.
“We were magnificent tonight,”he said “We started the game very well and the second half performance was just breathtaking. It was a great way to win the championship.
“In terms of our league form, our consistency and the quality of performances has been fantastic and it’s what the Celtic public demands. It’s a style of football that is very pleasing”
“We lost seven games last year and ended up with 79 points, and the Champions League took a bit out of us,” he said. “It did so again this season but we wanted to stay focused on the league. Now we’ll come back and try to improve on our league and cup form as well.
“We’re just an outstanding team and an outstanding club. It’s brilliantly run. The strategy is spot-on and there are really good people working behind the scenes and we’ve got a fantastic football team.
“They’re a great bunch of boys whose attitude and enthusiasm, their will to win is everything you could ask for as a manager, and I’m very proud of them.”
And so are we.
The boss added;
“Nine (league titles) now since 2000/2001 so domination continues and you can see the progress the team is making.
Yes, we are in control. And could be for a while yet, according to Lennon.
“Celtic can dominate Scottish football. I think 10 is premature but we have quality and style in the team and we are easy on the eye.
“There’s also great mental strength in the side and this doesn’t stop here. We’re looking to build on what we’ve achieved.
“This season’s been a transitional period for us but now we don’t want it to end.
“I’ve got world-class players in my team. Fraser Forster is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Celtic’s history and he’s allowed us to create a clean-sheet record.
“Virgil van Dijk’s arrival has been a huge plus and he’ll go on to have a magnificent career.
“Scott Brown has also been fantastic for us. I’m singling individuals out but all the players have made a magnificent contribution to the title win. ”
He’s worked wonders with Celtic, since taking over from Tony Mowbray, and I might even try to get him to fix the italics button on here.
The players were also happy. Leigh Griffiths celebrated the only way he knows how, much to the alarm of Liam Henderson, who had come on as a substitute for Adam Matthews at half time.
But that didn’t alter the seventeen year olds view of the day..
“It’s been a great week for me. I’m delighted to score and it’s a dream come true.
“I did alright at the goal. My dad would have been proud of that one and my phone has been ringing off the hook since the final whistle.
“My mum, my best pals, everyone has been getting in touch with me and texting. I’m delighted I have made them proud. That’s the most pleasing thing for me.
“My dad was here with my little brother Jamie. I was on the phone to them after the game and they were absolutely delighted. My dad is not one to get emotional but he was really pleased for me and I’m sure my wee brothers will try to get the day off school tomorrow but we’ll see what mum says to that.
“I’ve scored for Celtic and it doesn’t get better than that. To do so on the night the title was won is a dream come true.”
“I just turned as soon as I saw it heading in. It was a great feeling and all the boys were delighted for me too.
“Have I felt anything like that before? Not a chance. It was one of the best moments of my life.
“It was surreal for it to happen on a great night such as this, with the club clinching the title. But it’s credit to all the boys who have done it all season. I have come in for only three games so there is no need to get carried away.
“I just need to keep plugging away and working as hard as I can.
“I’ve been lucky with the timing I’ve come into the team but the credit goes to the boys who have played all season. It was a gruelling campaign for them, starting early with the qualifiers for the Champions League.
“I feel fortunate that I have managed to get a wee run in the team.”
Henderson has reminded some of us of another youngster who broke through in the eighties, with his poise and elegance, and his ability to spot a pass. but he reminded me of someone else last night, but I’m buggered if I can remember who…
Theres nothing better than seeing a youngster come through the ranks and perform at this level. Especially when he gets to taste success. He needs a few more games to get a medal, but I’m sure Lennon will oblige.
Henderson showed some great touches on the ball last night, as well as riding a few knocks that came his way. One for the future ?
Well, thats entirely up to him.
Someone else who showed a few good touches last night was another substitute, Georgios Samaras. He made two goals-three if you count one that was chalked off-and looked a bit more like his old self.
Some would say that he shouldn’t have been played, but he’s given us six years, and deserves a decent send off.
The most honest and forthright view on last nights triumph came from former Captain and Ten in a row Terminator Tommy Boyd.
As usual, someone asked him if the death of Rangers had made the title win less impressive. (Strictly speaking , they asked him before the game if it would make it less impressive , but who cares, its the response I liked )
“That argument is absolute nonsense.
“I remember the time when I first played for Celtic and we were finishing third, fourth, fifth in the league and there was no cry that there was ‘not a strong Celtic’ in the league at that time. ”
“This team, without a Rangers team in the league, have actually got better than they were last season. They have shown great consistency, keeping clean sheets, scoring goals for fun and setting the standard.
“I would certainly think that this campaign has been exceptional. To have only lost just one league game at this stage – at Aberdeen with 10 men – shows they thoroughly deserve to be winning this league.
“No matter what form of Rangers would be in this league Celtic would still be dominant and I’m sure with the players they have they will certainly go on and win a few more titles.”
Then someone asked him about the imminent massive investment over the river….
“It would certainly take a lot more than the amount Dave King has mentioned to invest in the football club. If Celtic were able to keep hold of the players who have shown great consistency this season then I think it would take a lot more.
“You just have to look and analyse the players Celtic have at their disposal. The team is full of internationals who have been amassed through a fantastic scouting system and great management skills.
“They may have to sell them on at a later stage but certainly the value of the current Celtic team would be worth a lot more than Dave King would probably be promising to try and put in at this moment in time.”
Boyd clearly wasn’t allowed to say “Feck off, you muppet ” on the telly, but I think thats what he meant.
The league is won, theres a good team at Celtic, theres a hell of a lot to look forward to, so lets enjoy it. I’ll quote one more person today, from pensionerbhoys comments in yesterdays diary.
” forget the media mingers and shout to the world 3 in a row champions and achieved against some of the toughest honest opposition in many a season. ”
That sums it up, its a changing game out there. And we are right at the front of it.
By the way, did anyone else keep Sky sports on last night to see Peter Lawwell say something to Neil Lennon which caused the manager to burst into loud laughter ?
It seems that Second Rangers have finally published their accounts, and it ain’t looking good for them.
Obviously they published them at this point in time to hope no-one will notice that they are still losing money, with the press focussing on Celtics title win.
Well, we’ll grant them their wish.
Today is about us, not them.
That was Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scoring the goal that secured the last three in a row at Tannadice. I had to listen to that game at work on the radio, and nearly trashed the office when it went in….
Ach, it needed a refurb anyway.
Today, its a caption competition….
what do ya mean they lost £17.7m in 12 months!!!
“……. then he says £50 million will sort it”!
They say they will need to splash £50M to catch us up
To all lurking sevcotrons………………. Keep sticking your fingers in your ears and going La La La!
Looks like the old Frankenrankers is a non viable entity.
So what will be left after the inevitable undignified second death?
What do you call a reanimated zombie?
A question that would tax the imagination of a Stephen King or a Clive Barker.
The Lying King says Haruna Matata!
The BHOYS done good. Even King Pedro can take a bow in times like this. Neil laughing at his bosses jokes who’d a thunk it. HH
Is Lenny holding something and asking Johann to whistle?
“50 million? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!”
This Dave King bullshit makes me laugh.For a start if he had all the millions he claims to have jjb wouldn’t have gone bust. The coverage at the end of last nights game on the radio was laughable, chick with dick turned into salivating, foaming at the mouth zombies the old bile and anti celticism flowed to be honest it sounded like two rabid dogs chewing on mintys succulent lamb.
chick young………a journalist?????hahahahahahah,,,,stop it stop it…..
Sadly playing a certain amount of games for a medal is nothing but a myth! Certain number of medals gave to the squad and they get distributed!
And no wonder we don’t see Tom Boyd in tv studios, god bless him!
dc67
he was reported dead on here yesterday!!
H H
Well done to Lenny and all the management team, the backroom staff and every single player who has played a part in this fantastic league campaign. It’s in the bag, play youngsters and fringe players for the remainder whilst starting our preparations for next season.
Feck the meeja and stop giving yourself palpitations by reading and watching the sheeyite they come up with masquerading as journalism.
Tom Boyd CSC.
“I ve just had Craigy bhoy on the blower asking where the party is” …or
“I hear Ian Black is happy – he’d fifty quid on us to win the league”
Well done to Lenny, Superman, Garry with two “r’s” Parker, Danny & the rest, every player who contributed and all the best fans anywhere, WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.
And well done to Ralph for the consistent laughs he provides, and to 2nd Rangers for the laughs too, its been a blast guys.
And I agree with Ralph about Sammi, it might end in tears, and there might have been tears along the way, but he has given some great times too and deserves a good send off imo.
No deadheid today? Whats up I wonder!?
Great Champion diary,Ralph
Elcormaco,deadhead is out partying with Lenny( his idol )
Thistle didn’t want us to party at their ground.The job’s worth
steward who stopped Broony,needs a reality check.So you
can’t go to give your jersey to the fans,when you have just
won the league ? How crass.
We will party and salute Lenny and the bhoys at Paradise on
Saturday.Home is where the heart is !!
An Honest Management Team with an Honest playing staff, making an Honest 3 in a row!!
We are indeed… in total control of or own destiny..
Hail, Hail
The Celts are here!!
Under wrongful trading legislation in the UK, if the company continues to trade while it is insolvent the directors of the company may become personally liable to contribute to the company’s assets and help meet the deficit to unsecured creditors if the company’s financial position is made worse by the directors continuing to trade instead of putting the company immediately into liquidation.
Could be another case going to the appeals court…
Well done to the Bhoys and keep playing Henderson he looks the business! As for Tom Boyd a true Legend of the club who should be utilised more. Always talking up the club in the media unlike the many Muppets who talk us and Scottish football down. Hall Hail 7 to go!
Still think we should try and keep Sammi.
MarkyBhoy
Do you want me to supply the embalming fluid? Before I do I think you should give serious consideration to its purpose.
“Embalming is the art and science of preserving human remains by treating them, in its modern form with chemicals, to forestall decomposition. The intention is to keep them suitable for public display”.
I think I prefer a good send off. If nothing else it is a good excuse for a drink or two.
H H
Ralph
My words from yesterday, now made famous by being quoted in the diary, express all my feelings. It is a great achievement and while I have a murmur or two still niggling in the depths about cups that went astray, my overall feel good factor is near the top of my emotional thermometer. And thank you for God knows how many in a row. Even when reduced to tears you still make us laugh.
In that vein, Lenny has just said “That fucking ETims “DAIRY” is a scream!”
Congratulations to all connected to Celtic worldwide. And remember, the dead will not rise till the end of the world – and even then 50 million might not be enough. By that time we will have 33 in a row.
H H
Bobo Balde returns to training to model the new range of Winter Durex from the Club Store……….
Anthony Stokes was superb last night.
His level of control and technical ability was superior to all last night only Samaras cam close.
He will be sadly missed when he goes a real classy player on his game.
HoHoHo 3 In a row.
not sure this is the right place to print this, but on the “On fields of green” website there is a great article on Dave King = “A parcel of bollocks”. Well worth the read, just remember to come back here immediately afterwards.
Anyways, thoroughly enjoyed last night and really looking forward to a real celebration on Saturday.
The last time we were going for 10 in a row – I know it’s very premature – we had a wee ditty we sang ” Tell all the huns you know, it’s gonna be 10 in a row” there were a couple of other lines which I can’t remember – can anyone help me out?