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It’s Never Easy Asking For Help….Well Done Neil!
Posted by: | CommentsBut It’s ‘Good To Talk’….
Trying to bring Gordon Strachan back to Celtic Park in whatever capacity the club saw fit was quite a bold move. They obviously felt that Neil needed a bit experience to help in what was a difficult start to the season.
In times gone by the easiest option for the hierarchy would have been to sack the manager and appease the baying mob, largely the mainstream media.
The fact that Lenny was involved also shows there is a still a level of trust. A trust that the manager will turn things around and deliver the title, no matter what goes on around the club.
Let’s not forget it was on the say so of Gordon Strachan that Lenny returned to the club in the first place, so there seems to be mutual respect there already.
Although both parties couldn’t come to a permanent arrangement I’m sure WGS is only a phone call away should Lenny need him.
I think we all struggle at times asking for help, I know I do, so Neil deserves to be commended for putting personal pride aside and doing what’s best for the club.
A Night To Remember….Paradise Revisited!
Posted by: | CommentsFantastic Response From The Celtic Family…
Former manager Gordon Strachan said it all at the end of last nights benefit match between the Celtic and Manchester United legends when he told the 55,000 fans that Celtic are a special club.
Of course he’s right, Celtic are a special club.
And the heartbeat of that special club are the fans, The Celtic Family.
We often talk about players not disappointing, but the Faithful never cease to amaze with a dedication that knows no bounds.
To turn up in such numbers considering the current economic climate is remarkable. (Having said that, the pricing for the game was bang on. For once, the club got it right.) In fact, I can’t remember seeing so many kids at a Celtic game, particularly an evening game.
This must serve the club well for the future, giving these kids the chance to see players like Chris Sutton, Alan Thompson, Lubo, Lenny and of course Henrik, will leave a lasting impression that should have the young ones begging to return to Paradise.
The occasion was fantastic, with both sets of players and let’s not forget the two managers Martin O’Neill and Gordon Strachan giving their all. And the game had everything, great saves from both Packy Bonner and Patrick Kielty, a penalty from Henke, the first of his hat-trick, a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions and some trickery from Lubo, who else?
Add to that appearances from actor and big Celtic fan Gerard Butler, former boxers Nigel Benn and Steve Collins and celebs Ralf Little, who can play, and Angus Deayton, who can’t, all made the occasion more memorable.
Yesterday I wrote that John Kennedy was the real star of the show, and of course he was, his gesture to help Oxfams East Africa Appeal was just immense, but if ever there was a leading man to help your cause, then the King of Kings is THAT man.
I never thought I’d see Henrik in the Hoops again, boy am I glad I did, it was almost as emotional last night as his final league game against Dundee United. If only we could look forward to seeing him play for the Bhoys again…..
It truly was a night to remember, no wonder we call the place Paradise!
The Two Faces Of Gordon Strachan…
Posted by: | CommentsWhy Talk To the People Who Crucified You?
Before I go on I’d like to get this off my chest. As manager of Celtic I like (liked) Gordon Strachan. He took the job on when many other wouldn’t touch it, following St Martin was always going to be a tough job.
His remit was to reduce the overall debt of the club whilst winning matches and trophies. He did both VERY successfully.
Half the Faithful liked him, half loathed him despite his success.
He always fought our corner. As Celtic manager he put everything into the job, fighting authorities, media and opponents equally.
Remember his escapade with Stuart Dougal, sent to the stand for talking to Judas McCann when he played for Hertz. Or his ‘run-in’ with the zealous Aberdeen steward that resulted in another stint in the stand?
His commitment couldn’t be questioned and the fact that he addressed the support at half-time in Tommy Burns’ Benefit Match said a lot of what the club means to him.
So why did he speak to the Daily Record and in particular Keith Jackson, one of the most fervent protagonists of the Laptop Loyal?
He must have known they would interview him with the agenda of discrediting both Celtic and himself. Surely his time in Middlesbrough didn’t give him brain damage?
WGS was instrumental in Neil Lennon’s return to Paradise, for that we’re grateful but giving interviews to the very same people who made your live a misery as Celtic manager is just plain stupid Gordon. I hope it’s your last one.
Brothers In Arms….
Posted by: | CommentsMON, Ghord And Tony All Targeted By Media
It was bound to happen.
At some point in the season Tony was going to tell the press exactly where to get off. And he did yesterday with the biggest hint yet that Celtic may use the media the same way as the media use them.
And I’m glad.
You see, Tony is an honest big guy, and expects everyone else to be the same, which is no bad thing.
But when it come to dealing with the media, then his honesty is being turned around and manipulated to suit whatever agenda the hack has. Now, deny as they might, certain, not all, journos do HAVE an agenda against Mogga and won’t rest until he either walks away, or is sacked.
These very same hacks are the ones that gave Ghordon Strachan and Martin O’Neill grief at every opportunity. Both eventually treated the press exactly the same as way they were treated.
That led to the hacks turning up the heat on the club and managers at every turn. Making up stories that forced Celtic to take legal action, which of course we won.
Who can forget the Record headline “Thugs and Thieves” about the Bhoys trip to Newcastle?
Well, I’ve said this for a long time.
Celtic Football Club should meet the MINIMUM press duties that their sponsorships require, then do the rest via our own outlets, official website, Celtic View and Channel 67.
Of course, the hacks will still try and distort anything that’s published no matter where it appears but at least we can keep as much in house as possible.
The closer to a media blackout the better, in my opinion.
P.S. The attack on the GAA minibus is an absolute scandal. It’s racist, sectarian and small minded. Where’s the press coverage now?
Click here to read the story.
Celtic Fans….It’s A Marathon, Not A Sprint!
Posted by: | CommentsWhat Good Would Sacking Tony Do?
Are we ever happy?
Celtic fans amaze me. When we want to be we can be the greatest fans in the world, then at other times we can be the most frustrating bunch of arseholes on the planet!
Me included!
The reason I say this is purely based on the ‘never happy’ thoery that goes around Celtic Park these days. Has done for a while now in fact.
When St Martin was at the helm and we were on our way to Seville there was an element of the Faithful that were unhappy. I remember sitting in the North Stand listening to greeting faced fans moaning about Larsson, Sutton and Co. Would you believe it?
Then there were the anti-Strachan mob. Our second most successful manager got pelters from day one from this lot. Desperate for a ‘real Celtic man’ to be in charge of the team.
Well, now they’ve got their wish.
And guess what. They’re still not happy. Granted the team performances have been poor and we’ve yet to see the best from ANY of Tony’s signings but hive the guy a break. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Get off his back. Or make your mind up. One or the other. WGS got pillared for telling us lies about how the team performed. “Tell us the truth!” was the cry from the stands. Now we’ve a man who does just that and he gets it in the neck for criticising his players!
Can the manager EVER win?
Turning Celtic into the team that we ALL want to see takes time. It will be easier if we all STICK together and show the manager and the players support.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint remember.
P.S. I heard a few calls for the re-introduction of Celts for Change at Tannadice. To anyone thinking along those lines, I’ve two words for you…..Leeds/Newcastle!