{"id":4776,"date":"2014-03-27T09:44:55","date_gmt":"2014-03-27T09:44:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/etims.net\/?p=4776"},"modified":"2014-03-27T09:44:55","modified_gmt":"2014-03-27T09:44:55","slug":"champions-diary-thursday-march-27","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etims.net\/?p=4776","title":{"rendered":"Champions Diary Thursday March 27"},"content":{"rendered":"

The title says it all.<\/p>\n

And so did Neil Lennon.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 ”<\/p>\n

Manager Neil Lennon, though, had an answer for the little man.<\/p>\n

“Just over-exhuberance. For years we won nothing and now we’re in control. Young fans happy to celebrate.”<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Merchandisers \u00a0immediately 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.<\/p>\n

Remember, I thought of it first. So, send my cut to the usual address.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were magnificent tonight,\u201dhe said \u201cWe started the game very well and the second half performance was just breathtaking. It was a great way to win the championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn terms of our league form, our consistency and the quality of performances has been fantastic and it\u2019s what the Celtic public demands. It\u2019s a style of football that is very pleasing”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost seven games last year and ended up with 79 points, and the Champions League took a bit out of us,\u201d he said. \u201cIt did so again this season but we wanted to stay focused on the league. Now we\u2019ll come back and try to improve on our league and cup form as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re just an outstanding team and an outstanding club. It\u2019s brilliantly run. The strategy is spot-on and there are really good people working behind the scenes and we\u2019ve got a fantastic football team.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re a great bunch of boys whose attitude and enthusiasm, their will to win is everything you could ask for as a manager, and I\u2019m very proud of them.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

And so are we.<\/p>\n

The boss added;<\/p>\n

\u00a0“Nine (league titles) now since 2000\/2001 so domination continues and you can see the progress the team is making.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Yes, we are in control. And could be for a while yet, according to Lennon.<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cCeltic 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s also great mental strength in the side and this doesn\u2019t stop here. We\u2019re looking to build on what we\u2019ve achieved.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis season\u2019s been a transitional period for us but now we don\u2019t want it to end.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got world-class players in my team. Fraser Forster is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Celtic\u2019s history and he\u2019s allowed us to create a clean-sheet record.<\/p>\n

\u201cVirgil van Dijk\u2019s arrival has been a huge plus and he\u2019ll go on to have a magnificent career.<\/p>\n

\u201cScott Brown has also been fantastic for us. I\u2019m singling individuals out but all the players have made a magnificent contribution to the title win. ”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

But that didn’t alter the seventeen year olds view of the day..<\/p>\n

<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a great week for me. I\u2019m delighted to score and it\u2019s a dream come true.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mum, my best pals, everyone has been getting in touch with me and texting. I\u2019m delighted I have made them proud. That\u2019s the most pleasing thing for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy 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\u2019m sure my wee brothers will try to get the day off school tomorrow but we\u2019ll see what mum says to that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve scored for Celtic and it doesn\u2019t get better than that. To do so on the night the title was won is a dream come true.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI just turned as soon as I saw it heading in. It was a great feeling and all the boys were delighted for me too.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave I felt anything like that before? Not a chance. It was one of the best moments of my life.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was surreal for it to happen on a great night such as this, with the club clinching the title. But it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just need to keep plugging away and working as hard as I can.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been lucky with the timing I\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel fortunate that I have managed to get a wee run in the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

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…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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 ?<\/p>\n

Well, thats entirely up to him.<\/p>\n

Someone else who showed a few good touches last night was another substitute, Georgios Samaras. He made two goals-three if you count \u00a0one that was chalked off-and looked a bit more like his old self.<\/p>\n

Some would say that he shouldn’t have been played, but he’s given us six years, and deserves a decent send off.<\/p>\n

The most honest and forthright view on last nights triumph came from former Captain and Ten in a row Terminator Tommy Boyd.<\/p>\n

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 )<\/p>\n

“That argument is absolute nonsense.<\/p>\n

“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. ”<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Then someone asked him about the imminent massive investment over the river….<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Boyd clearly wasn’t allowed to say “Feck off, you muppet ” on the telly, but I think thats what he meant.<\/p>\n

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 \u00a0comments in yesterdays diary.<\/p>\n

” 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. ”<\/p>\n

That sums it up, its a changing game out there. And we are right at the front of it.<\/p>\n

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 ?<\/p>\n

It seems that Second Rangers have finally published their accounts, and it ain’t looking good for them.<\/p>\n

\"Embedded<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Well, we’ll grant them their wish.<\/p>\n

Today is about us, not them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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….<\/p>\n

Ach, it needed a refurb anyway.<\/p>\n

Today, its a caption competition….<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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