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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

Now that Gordon Strachan has officially been named as the new Middlesbrough manager, and we wish him well, the first thing on his mind will be to strengthen the weakened Championship side.

That means bring in Championship quality players….and we have a few of them.

The obvious target would be contract rebel and ‘fans favourite’ (see our poll) Gary Caldwell. WGS previously tied Gary up on a freedom of contract deal when he brought the player to Celtic Park from Hibs.

Something similar might be of interest to both Celtic and Boro, although Tony might prefer to take the £50 in January for Caldwell!

Then there’s Skoosh.

We all know that Broonie is suffering from a recurring injury problem, one that has more than hampered his performances but again Celtic would be willing to offload the £4.4m player and his wages if we can at least recoup the money spent on him.

Both players did a turn for us and wee Ghord last season, so it could well be in everybody’s interest for the pair to leave and Celtic free up some dough and bring in the new faces that Tony craves for.

Lets be honest Boro would be getting two internationals and Mogga would be rid of part of the unrest in the dressing room.

Its amazing how two people, both Celtic through and through can have differing opinions about the one man.

Still In The News

Just yesterday, Tony Mowbray lavished praise on Ghordon Strachan and his backroom team for the way he has left a squad of players that are ‘thoroughly professional’ and ‘know what it means to play for Celtic.’

On the other hand, Frank ‘Macca’ McAvennie had ago at Ghord for his after match performances.

Speaking on Talksport earlier this week, the bold Macca commented that Tony Mowbray will be honest enough with the fans after a game and ‘not try to tell us we were brilliant, when clearly we weren’t’

Obviously referring to the previous managers slant on lost matches.

I suppose the differing opinions are much the same as the Faithful in general, some hate some love him!

I was listening to the radio this morning and the topic of conversation was cricket. What’s that got to do with Celtic?

Bare with me.

Apparently the Engurland cricketer Andrew Flintoff got pissed at the weekend and missed the bus to go on some jolly with the rest of the Engurland players to Belgium.

He’s been warned not to do it again…..for the fourth time. It appears this guy is an idiot.

But the actions of the Engurland captain Andrew Strauss in defending his wayward colleague reminded me of a few incidents in Scottish Football last season.

First there was the Aiden-WGS bust up. McGeady was properly disciplined by the club, fine two weeks wages and missed two important games.

Rules are rules and he stepped over the line. And in fairness to Aiden he eventually accepted his punishment and got on with it.

Cross the city to the Dark Side and we have a totally different outlook. To a place where they say one thing, and do the other.

Kris Boydichenko shows his displeasure at only being named as sub against Hamilton while lying stretched out on the treatment table in Legoland. This got up Wattie’s nose and he was reprimanded.

The Hun stance was ‘he will miss the Co-operative Cup Final’ because of his misdemeanor. But did he? Well no, he didn’t. He came on as sub in the Hoops’ 2-0 win.

Fast forward to ‘Boozegate.’

Bazza and McGregor totally disgrace the Huns, if that’s possible, and Scotland with their antics at Loch L0mond and then at Hampden.

According to the bold Walter he has “never been so angry in his life.” He duly strips Baz of the captaincy and puts both players on the transfer list, withe the words never to wear a Rangers jersey again.

Is that so? Well, it didn’t happen that way did it.

Both played towards the end of the season and no doubt with play in the new season.

You see, talking about dignity and showing it is two different things.

Ghordon Strachan walked the walk, Wattie Smith doesn’t.

Badge kissers, you either love them or you hate them.

You know who I’m talking about, the players and managers who express undying love for the club, the team they always wanted to play for, or manage.

Without naming names, we’ve had and got more than our fair share of them.

Gordon, Too Honest.

And at the first sign of adversity, who are the ones nearest the door with some lame excuse for leaving?

So when Gordon Strachan became manager of Celtic, he didn’t try to pull the wool over our eyes and tell us he always supported the Hoops. A fact he reiterated last week at Tommy Burns’ Tribute Match.

This ‘fact’ didn’t go down too well with some of the Faithful, and still irks them somewhat no matter his success.

But now it’s Mark McGhee’s turn.

Dingus played with distinction for Aberdeen, won European trophies, had domestic success and now finds himself as manager of the Dons.

Do you think that will be enough for Mark to get the support behind him?

Not a chance.

EVERYONE, knows that Mark McGhee is a Celtic fan, he stated so yesterday when he took the hot seat in the Granite City. And in doing so he has created animosity from the support, the same as WGS did.

His honesty will be his downfall. From day one he has alienated the Sheep all because sometimes……the truth hurts.

Like him or loathe him, Ghordon Strachan showed his true colours yesterday as he took to the centre circle of Celtic Park to address the Faithful in honour of his great friend Tommy Burns.

It was appropriate that, like Tommy, he left his post as manager facing the fans. He didn’t need to thank the support, he didn’t need to address the fans, but he wanted to.

Happy Days!

His speech was like his tenure, full of what he believes. He spoke from the heart.

I’m sure Tommy would have admired his friend for having the courage to tell it the way he sees it.

Everything he said, he meant, and I for one look forward to seeing him as a ‘paying customer’ as he put it, supporting the Hoops.

Ghordon Strachan always fought Celtic’s corner, now that he’s one of us, he can cheer us without the ridcule that comes of managing the Bhoys.

Thanks Ghord!