18 Apr 2016 10:58:35
I think once a board of a football club loses their ambition for their club, then this is the result.
The complacency our board has shown since Rangers demise 4 years ago is nothing short of scandalous, they have taken the supporters for mugs. I know that at times players have to be sold but it's not asking a lot to put some of the fees received back into buying some half decent replacements, but a lot of our signings have been embarrassing.
Rangers demise gave us all a good laugh, but we should have used that spell to put ourselves on a different level, we just seem to have adopted an attitude that we will never again have any competition domestically, that to me is just lazy and arrogant.
Whether it's old rangers or newco, there was always going to be some form of club coming through the leagues to challenge us, whatever form this club takes, we have to be ready for that challenge, we need some hungry players who don't capitulate as soon as another team doesn't lie down in front of us.
18 Apr 2016 11:20:52
Not a lot to disagree with Gerry, great post.
All I'll add is that it's been the case since MOs time. We've never built from a position of strength; in fact, most of our golden spells over the last 20 years, has been on the back of a resurgence. Tommy Burns/ Wim Jansen was post the Brady Macari debacles, MO was post Venglos, Barnes and Dalglish, and even Lennon's (relative) success was on the back of Mowbray. We are always looking to do "enough" - and for the most part, that included Rangers. Obviously with their off field issues, we then lowered that again to do "enough" to win the SPL and Qualify for the UCL two out of every three seasons - but again this was at a bare minimum required.
You look back to our Seville team, and in particular the final. We failed to build from a position of strength - and the following year Porto won the UCL.
Four years and we're no further forward.
18 Apr 2016 11:24:24
We have played 52 competitive games so far - and were clearly tired and unfit.
Rangers played just 45 (most against part-timers and plumbers) .
its 11vs11 - they just piped us - as we had far more shots and hit crossbar several times.
We need to be fitter to cope with Europe pre-qualifiers (6 games) , Europe (6 games) - plus SPFL where few games are walks in the park.
Scottish game lost £10m each year.
18 Apr 2016 12:06:40
I don't think this Board ever had ambition, They don't have any plan whatsoever all they want to do is buy players cheap and sell them at a profit at the expense of winning trophies! Time for them to step aside they have failed at a time when it is a one horse race!
18 Apr 2016 12:09:01
Aye Andy as we all know most footballers in the Championship are plumbers. Thankfully though your 'team' didn't sit back with 10 men behind the ball like all our 'part time teams' have done all season long. No you at least tried to make a game of it which allowed us to play our free flowing brand of football and hence we passed you off the park.
Only surprise was we let you back into the game, twice when we should have been out of sight.
Never mind. Prove you're a big team and you may win your one horse race.
18 Apr 2016 12:19:57
Poeticpatient, I think you only have to look at Aston villa to see what happens when a board try to operate on a shoestring budget. Three or four years ago Villa were usually around the top six, then their board decided to rein in their spending and they have declined every season since. They have now been relegated, and will now miss out on the huge TV money that kicks in next season.
I'm not for a minute saying Celtic will fall like that, but the principle is the same, if you stop trying to improve, it will eventually cost you in the long run. Villa have lost out big time on the TV money, and Celtic through trying to save a bit of money may well have missed out on £30m of Champions league money over the last couple of seasons.
All supporters ask is that the board do all they can to get the club as far forward as they can, if they do this fans will forgive defeats.
18 Apr 2016 12:43:27
Mate Aston villa have been a bottom end of table team for years they not been around top 6 for a long time couldn't tell u that last time they had European football relegation for them was always on the card eventually there a poor run club that constantly change manager I don't think Celtic are in comparison with them at all! and Rangers only played 8 games In league against part time teams Andy just when yer posting yer random made up facts in the future a don't know if maths is your strong point but 8 games out of 45 that would leave 37 I would say that most games where against full time teams wouldn't u?
18 Apr 2016 13:04:58
so ryan you saying rangers player 37 games against fulltimes - while we played 52?
So you make my point - we have played far more top level (euro/ spfl) - than rangers.
hence we are far more tired at end of long season.
Ronnie said we not fit enough - he right!
There is press frenzy (hugh keevins et al) to get ronny sacked, so we have new manager in time for Europe qualifiers and go out early again.
18 Apr 2016 13:24:18
For goodness sake Andy we have a squad almost double every other team in Scotland our problem isn't the amount of games we play its how we utilise the players and coach them to apply tactics.
18 Apr 2016 13:33:44
Gerry; you know my feelings on how our club has been mismanaged for years by a very complacent, short sighted regime and sadly this has been all to familiar for as long as I have supported Celtic. It was similar under the Kelly Dynasty.
The advantage we were given in 2012 to strengthen, consolidate and dominate without a recognised 'serious rival' has not only been passed-up, but totally disregarded as PL and co ensured their dividends and bonuses on the back of easy profits from any asset plucked from the dressing room, while 'rookie' managers had to 'mend and make do' with any old journeyman, injury-prone crock, mistaken identity, or You Tube - selected pig in a poke, Park recommended and 'Ron Manage'r accepted.
We are in this mess because of years of incompetence and neglect and no matter how badly we need a change for the better, there will not be a quick-fix to our predicament under the current set-up and there needs to be a groundswell to shake things up.
The defeat to lower league Sevco is one of the lowest points in the clubs history and someone has to take responsibility/ blame.
18 Apr 2016 13:34:32
Andy, never mind keevins etc, wake up mate Ronnys banged on about fitness levels from the first day he walked through the doors at Celtic park. Are u telling me that the fitness levels of these players is what it should be? We've been watching this dross for the best part of Ronnys time in charge. Yesterday was just another example of how poor this side and management really are. Ronny will go, there's no doubt about that for me, if he doesn't and this shambles is allowed to continue let's wait and see what the gate figures are next season. Here's a question for you, we all know players get managers the sack that's a fact. What's it going to take for RD to get sacked and the mass clear out that's so badly needed from top to bottom?
18 Apr 2016 13:43:17
I was just pointing out yer maths and poor excuse was nonsense and if players can't handle a full season competing in all competitions then maybe they should be playing for a lesser team that don't play as many games and don't want to compete for as long in the competitions they enter! And if the manager says the players ain't fit enough why are they in the team? celtic have a big squad am sure not all on there arse at this stage of the season.
18 Apr 2016 13:45:52
Andy, struggle to accept your argument when RD has not played the same team consistently over the season, the only regulars are Gordon, Tierney, Lustig, Johansen and Griff. All others have has injuries or not had a run of more than 5 or so games.
Celtic gave TRIFC far too much respect, for periods we sat in with a bank of 4 defenders and 5 midfielders defending just inside our own terrority, little pressure on the ball, no hunting in packs, Celtic looked disjointed in every way.
I have been on here a few times re RD's position and Lawwells input. Fair enough Lawwell may be instructing players to play but the managers system should be adaptable to suit the players at your disposal. RD wanted improved fitness 3 Celtic players were struggling Biton, Lustig and Roberts towards the end of the game. RD wanted high tempo, not transpired to the pitch. RD wanted attacking football, maybe someone can help with RD's average goals for but for me his team scores less than previous managers.
I wanted RD to finish this season on a high. Many on here say league is the only important cup, but what's wrong with wanting more, wanting your/ my club to be successful in all cups. Poetic has hit the nail on the head, Celtic have never took advantage of a strong position i just hope he's also right about the change of manager generally brings a successful period.
We all look at that squad and see some shining lights in Tierney, Sviatchenko, Rogic, Griffiths. We have some untested in Christie, Allan, Henderson, Jozo. there's also experience in Lustig, Mulgrew and Bitton who could help new players/ youngsters. There is a nucleus of a decent team we need to add to it and build but most importantly we need a manager who can use the players in a suitable system.
RD should finish this season and go out with his head high, he came to Celtic an unknown and tried to instill his knowledge, footballing ideas into the biggest club in Scotland and one of Europe's best known teams. He has been reasonably successful winning the league and a few cups. He has done well for himself but the club and fans need a change in order to push the club on.
18 Apr 2016 14:11:58
Jsean1989 I'm sorry but people like you are part of the problem "he's been reasonably successful" he's won one league and one cup so far and we are stuttering over the line playing terrible football for a second title when everyone accepts it's a one horse league. Let's not get started on Europe. Everyone says he's a nice guy with good ideas yet no one can see it materialising a good guy would offer his resignation but no he'll hang on for a full pay off which he's entitled to do.
18 Apr 2016 15:34:00
Jim1972, so winning the league is not a success? Winning a cup is not a success? Getting to last 32 of Europe is not a success.
Jim my dear boy, you are a brain donor!