Well that was the Season that was!
It came, it farted about for a while, then it finally learned the right dance steps and before you know it had swept almost all of us off our feet.
Here are my 5 Highs and its such a fun time to be a Tim that Im not gonna bother with an 5 Lows ( or 5 Hughs if Mr Keevins is reading).
So in no order, bar the order they sprung into my mind..here goes:
5 HIGHS
1: Ronnie Ronnie Ronnie
This one is for Ralph. I love you mate but you know what you did!
How I used to love the early Diary entries at the start of the season, such doom and gloom.
Such wailing to the Walls, such gnashing of the teeth as the club lurched from one disaster to another. And who was to blame, some f***** unknown Norwegian, a f****** Norwegian!, thats who!
Some of us would comment in the Diary that patience was needed and resistance to change was human but self defeating. This strangely named guy ( im still no sure if its Deel-ya or Dial-a or something else) had a plan. He had a vision. He had ideas.
Some of us had a feeling Celtic could play the curve ball, I remember writing :
International Bright Young Thing
Its a new dawn in the manager world, Klopp, Simeone and Rodgers are showing that new young ideas might just be the way forward. Could Celtic look to recruit some young buck with fresh new ideas and a Powerpoint Diploma? Could we see Lawwell hop over to La Liga and bring back the next Mauricio Pochettino..wait hold on.why can’t we just go get him instead?
Imagine if the dreaded Roy Keane hadnt said “Shove it up yir arse” to Peter Lawwell when Lawwell told him “You will have this visionary Norwegian as your number 2”.
Many thought Ronnies ideas were above his station and early results suggested they may be right. But some of us said “Wait a second…Rome wasnt built in a day and all that..watch and see”.
And so did the players..(eventually – ED)..you know the rest.
Now we all see the fruits of Ronnies Labours. A fitter, quicker, both in speed of movement and of thought, and a leaner side which is also attempting true strength in depth with a fresh trasnfer policy. The panic stricken “Lets take it purely one season at a time” attitude is abating and patience buy-in from everyone is now almost attained.
This summers signings will be very interesting and we all cant wait on the Champions League qualifiers. The buzz is about the place and rather than fans hoping for a Treble next year, we, and Ronnie, will be demanding it, regardless of how many honest mistakes the officials throw at us.
2: Well done John Hughes
Gaun yirself big Yogi!
Ive always had a soft spot for the Inverness Caley manager ever since he used to play his heart out when wearing the Hoops ( I mind jumping for joy when he scored against Hearts when I was stuck in a crappy wee bedsit down South just about getting a Radio Scotland signal on the tranny).
Despite being a Hibbee, John, like Gordon Strachan, has always had pride being linked with Celtic and has always spoken out well for us since leaving. Its only fair we do the same.
My liking for John Hughes even went as far as the 2014 nominee list for next Celtic Manager..
John Hughes
Hey, we’re having every other former Celt who is a manager so why not Big Yogi. Doing okay at Caley and got them to the League Cup final before falling to Aberdeen at the last hurdle. Not a sexy enough signing for fans or sponsors sadly but still deserves a bookies rating nonetheless.
Now I wasnt saying he should get it, more he should get the same if not more respect than others like Jackie Mac who seem to be beloved for not entirely convincing reasons, at least to me.
I remember being angry at Graham Speirs for damning the Inverness Caley board for letting Terry Butcher slip away to be replaced by John Hughes. Well a place in Europe and a Scottish Cup is heaidng northwards Mr Speirs, how’d you like them apples?
3: Kris Commons&off&on again
What a strange wee year for Kris Commons.
His mate Gary Hooper fecks off to Norwich so no fat inducing trips to Marbella end of season at least but whats this? A new manager. “Oh a guy who loves a number 10?..ideal!” thinks Kris,,,”Oh a guy who wants a number 10 to run 15 KM a game and be able to shoot, pass and cross from anywhere on the pitch AND track back”…hmmm wait a sec thinks Kris…”A number 10 who wants to work his arse of in training and be really really fit with a Body fat ratio leaner than a Nandos Roulette Wheel of Chicken Wings”..hey thats taking it too far!…”Im out!” shrieks Kris.
And so it was off into the football wilderness, or Excelsior Stadium Airdrie where the weans play, for our Kris.
Radio Clyde Superscoreboard was awash in the fake tears of Fraser, Gordon, Hugh and Derek as they wrestled with the idea of a stupid new manager believing an all emcompassing team approach was more important than pursuing the preferences of one or a few players.
Cue much expectation that the new Bolton Manager, a certain Mr Lennon would pop up in January to suggest Kris head south down the M8 to suck on some Uncle Joes minty balls ( look them up potty mouth!)
And then it happened.
It might have been an epiphany.
It may have been kismet
It may well according toRui Milla just have been his wife saying “Bolton?, feck off, I have 400 charity gigs to organise here ya plum, get your fat arse in gear and get back tae work”
Suddenly Ronnie was no longer sighing at Press conferences when he heard the words “What about Commons?”. Suddenly the spring was back in Kris’ step. Suddenly Ronnie was hugging him on the touchline and reminding him and everyone just how important Commons could be for the team, now and in the near future. Cue a begrudging Peter getting his pen out the safe.
The new contract is signed..regular SPL goals and the place on the Euro bench and title of “Wise Counsel to Gary Mackay Stevens” awaits. Kris is happy, Ronnies happy and the fans are happy. Strangely the punters at Radio Clyde dont seem too happy but I suspect thats due to something other than our BigHero Kris.
4: Gordons Alive
!
Knock Knock
Who’s there?
Fraser Forster
Fraser Forster who?
Exactly!
From the man with marshmallow knees to true Celtic Hero. Its a bigger transformation than Bruce Jenner!
Even the people who recall Gordons infamous run up for a corner for Hearts against us have been won over by the guys performances this season. A man of true stature who cajoles and directs his back four to excellent position and performance while providing a great final barrier to the opposition.
All on a free transfer rememeber!
The rewards – a pair of medals, a record low goals against, a Scottish recall, awards galore and best of all, he got to say “Allys talking utter shite” when McCoist tried to claim he offered Gordon terms before signing Butterfly punching cammy bell instead.
Kudos to Stevie Woods for a great coaching role but just one complaint. I cant say the words Craig Gordon without singing the words to the tune of Adam and the Ants “Prince Charming” in my head. Youre doing it now arent you…sorry!
Wee Gordon
Many remember Gordon Strachan back in his Aberdeen days. What a wee shite. A man we loved to hate. Tenanacious, dogged and rough, like a scottish terrier wae rabies. When that idiot ran on the park to attack him, a lot of folk prayed the idiots hand was okay.
That as they say was way back when!
3 Titles and a new found love and respect ( from both Strachan and from Celtic fans) and we all love the wee guy. No bullshit, no bluff. Just pure integrity ( no Sally gardening leave pay off when he left Middlesbrough..just a humble apology for letting the fans down!) and finally, the pathetic SFA couldnt hide anymore and eventually gave him the Scotland job.
What a difference he has made. The country saw a harsh draw for the Euros and what wa sthe reaction?…”Bring it on!”. The performances are better, the points are mounting up, the confidence exudes from everyone involved but as you would expect under Strachan, it is with humility and respect, brave but not bravado.
The 1-0 defeat of Martin O’Neills Republic side was a great to-and-fro affair and Celtic Park was the perfect setting for a game given our clubs links to the 2 managers as well as their deputies. The Celtic links were topped off when Charlie Mulgrew was crowned the Man of the Match and Shaun Maloney scored the winner. Scotland now have the bit between their teeth and durty as it sounds, everyones dander truly is up!
The replay over in Dublin could very well be the Game of the Summer and yes, that does even include Linfield vs Sevco.
Whats your season highs, season lows or just season memories?….add them in comments below
Desi
A really fine read. Enjoyed it immensely.
My low at the moment is lying in bed and struggling to get any higher. My high? After today’s Diary and this read, it will be back on my feet ra’ morra, I hope.
In truth, my high was simply Ronnie proving ALL his doubters wrong – I am wearing a steel plate on my rear end just in case this comes back to bite me. COWARD!!! Not really – combined with that mob not getting back to the top flight. That had been a greater dread for me than not winning any trophies.
As for lows, I think we were so far down the barrel at the start of the season that, at times, it felt as if we were not just at the bottom but actually underneath it and even my faith in the “whale killer” was being severely tested. From then nothing could really get any lower. So, no real lows for me.
Once again, Desi, a great read. Thanks to all of you for another brilliant season on ETims.
H H
Whale Killer?…Nakamura left years ago!
🙂
Desi
I was quoting d’head but was trying to avoid giving him any more publicity.
H H
Desi
The monitor id trawling your posts now too.
H H
Found and retireved from SPAM….you must have ate loads as a wean during the Crimean conflict!
Desi
I thought I had shot all the “bores” 🙂
H H
Great Stuff – Well apart form that irritating Adam & The Ants reference. …
…exits doing strange hand-crossing and stamping dance movements
The home Inter Milan game must be up there; to lose those early goals, some must have been thinking we got the domestic stuff right but are still way short in Europe. Cue sleeves getting rolled up and the players inspiring the fans (the way it should be) and we come roaring back to level things up despite some errors from otherwise reliable souls. The game where Bitton stamped his name in the first XI with composed passing and assured protection of a fragile defence. With Zig & Zag impressing at that level it is what gives me confidence ahead of the crucial qualifiers.
Here’s hoping that defence is all it can be when the time comes.
Hmmm.
Living in a bedsit with a tranny?
Interesting!
We all have to pay the rent somehow!
And a Bruce jenner reference….gulp!
Ups for me:
1 Was the 10 men 2-1 win at Pittodrie was pivotal to the whole Season changing for both Ronny and the Club.
2 The 2 games against Inter galvanised the Support and silenced all the doubters bar Blackheid soixante-neuf proving the System the approach will work in Europe as well as at Home.
3 The signing of Craig Gordon for me was a master stroke I personally have never had any doubts as for me he has always been a terrific keeper and one we should have signed when we captured Elvis and Lambert from Hearts after the infamous 3 debacle under mad Roman.
4 The clean sweep against Aberdeen in the League who were arguably on a par with us for the majority of the Season.
Those wins killed their challenge and secured our 4 in a row.
5 The Clubs apparent willingness to follow the Managers lead in where he sees us going.
The signing of Boyata is a sure sign they want to be ready this Season for the challenge of the CL I am hoping and praying they make a significant improvement to the key areas highlighted.
Blatter resigns make that 6.
CS
But Sky hijacking the world cup now and making us pay through the nose for it, has to go into the very low.
H H
Be careful what you wish for. Its certainly good news for MSM mogul Greg Dyke and Michel Platini’s ever increasing watch collection.
Campbell should get it cry Scottish media
David Gill went back on the UK agreement on rotating the UK FIFA VP, then resigned the role. Scotsmen might not hold any posititions of power at FIFA for quite some time thanks to the ‘honest and incorruptable’ English FA breaking contracts in order to hold those FIFA roles. People in glass houses and all that.
Highlight of the season – signing Armstrong and Mackay-Steven.
Still a Deila doubter, don’t like the system, don’t see a plan B when things aren’t going well and don’t get why he brings on full backs when we’re chasing games.
..got me thinking about the time ah lived in a bedsit in Tottenham listening to the tranny as the Meastro missed the penalty againts Raith Rovers in that final….then radio flung across ( about all of 10 feet in distance ) across the room )
On another note..ma wee Tic fan went to se Paulo Nutini here in Sydney last month and bumped into the Meastro; got her pic taking with him. Apparenty Paulo on stage was saying there is a real Celtic legend, a true Celtic legend in the crowd here tonight’
Mon The HOOPS!