Boot Room
|
|
8/9/2010 |
|
|
Intentional or not on his part, with his latest flying of his ‘Celtic for the EPL kite’ Dermot Desmond has sparked off wide, varied and apparently divisive debate in Timdom.
My own guess is that it simply an exercise in deflecting attention from the pig’s ear that he and his boardroom colleagues have made of managing Celtic’s affairs in recent years. It is also helps to delay him addressing awkward questions and issues that are being raised by discontented fans.
Not least of these questions runs as follows. Currently Celtic is a pretty poor second best to an allegedly skint Rangers, captained and managed by a pair of soccer geriatrics. Also its day to day administration is conducted by John Reid’s ‘Boring Holy Willies’. Precisely where will Celtic stand when, as it inevitably will, the Ibrox club irons out its current financial difficulties and recruits boardroom members of a charisma equal to that currently enjoyed by Celtic?
Another issue that will not go away is the increasing number of fans expressing concern at Celtic’s unseemly willingness to have its name continually linked with that of Rangers in commercial ventures.
As for Celtic and the EPL. It will simply not happen until the day that finances available to the EPL decline to such an extent that for Celtic, it would not be worth the bother joining, or the sacrificing of an automatic annual, if somewhat marginal participation in European Competition.
|
|
7/9/2010 |
|
|
Re comments
This is a personal view and not the view of the Celtic Trust, but like a lot of articles wrtten certain people jump in with both feet ready to criticise.
Andrew, don't you think that the increased attendances have been when the teams in question have left the first division?
Look at attendances now. There are times when either of the Glasgow clubs home gate are more than the entire Scottish League.
On other matters we'll agree to differ but do you think that UEFA will allow it to happen?
Why don't Ajax and Feyenoord apply for the EPL?
They are in the same situation as us. Big fish in small pond.
Why don't Porto and Sporting Lisbon do the same?
There is about six or seven leagues in Europe where two clubs are in the same position as ourselves.
If we are to go anywhere,why do we have to be tagged with Rangers?
Are we not a multi national brand on our own as we are continually told by the board?
Sometimes we as Celtic fans can't see the woods for the trees.
|
|
6/9/2010 |
|
|
Andrew re your comment on the views of the Trust. I have lost count of the number of times we have stated here and at other places on the site that in the interests of democratic debate we allow individual views to be posted for discussion.
The policies of the Trust are always clearly marked as such and are reached only after discussion with and agreement by, Trust members.
Why not join us and contribute to that debate??
|
|
6/9/2010 |
|
|
Re your view on the effects of EPl entry.
If Celtic do not eventually enter the EPL ,we will never be able to play at the top level on a regular basis.
As for our duty to the community.
Absolute balderdash.There are only 10 teams in The SPL just now.
The vast majority of towns don't benefit from our existence on a regular basis.
Other Scottish clubs would have a chance of winning the league if we left for another league.
Hearts,Hibs ,Falkirk and Dunfermline have had increased average gates when they were champions of the first division.
Scottish football could flourish without us.
Your stance will ensure long term mediocrity for Celtic.
If it is the view of the trust then you will never garner my support.
We must advance or die.
|
|
6/9/2010 |
|
|
Since Celtic and Rangers ARE Scottish football, how could Scottish football die?
The crowd at Parkhead or Ibrox at every home game outnumbers the attendances at all the other SPL games combined.
That's one game only, outnumbering all the other games sometimes by as much as 30,000!
All remarks about Celtic and Rangers playing in the premiership are usually referred to as both teams 'leaving Scotland'
However unlikely, if it did happen they will not be
'leaving Scotland.'
As always they will still be playing in Scotland, just against different teams, but teams with much more quality.
It is ridiculous to expect a country of less than five million to financially provide support for 40 professional football teams.
And yet that's what we expect at the moment.
|
|
5/9/2010 |
|
|
Unbeaten in the SPL; first managers job, caught out in Europe at his first attempt.
Lets see eh.
|
|
5/9/2010 |
|
|
In that case 678 we might negotiate a swap for another old Bhoy one Michael Mc Carthy who as it happens was the most successful Manager in the history of the Irish national team.I however have faith in the Lurgan Bhoy, God knows if he is put to the sword then I will have no option but to commit harekare or whatever its called. Hail Hail!
|
|
4/9/2010 |
|
|
Vincent
If Lenny's not good enough for Celtic, I don't see Wolves wanting to sign him.
This is a wee joke in times of need
|
|
2/9/2010 |
|
|
I agree with you Jim, my remark about having a ball was a bit overstaing it, but I'm sometimes easily impressed. The remarks were made before the humiliation in Utrecht and like everyone else I was completely flabergasted by the debacle that unfolded. It really does rank as one of the worst performances in the club's history and there should by no hiding place either for the players, who collectively disgraced the jersey, or Neil Lennon and his management team who make some very poor team selections and seemed bereft of any clear strategy on the night. For example, what Fortune was doing on the pitch in Holland on the night if, as it appears it had been agreed he was on his way to West Brom is a complete mystery. I wrote in the Trust blog following the Braga defeat that just when you think Celtic have reached rock bottom in terms of European performances, you realise it was only a trap door in a bottomless pit. I really didn't think we'd have evidence of just how far we had fallen so quickly. Although I've pledged my support for Lenny for a full season I realise a few more performances like this will see the wolves at the door. He really has to ensure that we never stoop this low again under his tenure. Hail Hail!
|
|
1/9/2010 |
|
|
Vincent.
I was one of the naysayers as you put it, whilst I am glad you are having a ball I find it hard to even come close to sharing your optimism, out of Europe where we recently had one of our most embaressing nights in history, hammered 4-0 by an ordinary team who by the way got beaten 4-0 themselves at the weekend in their league.
Only a couple of signings are worth getting excited about, defence as dodgy as ever. empty seats still at the home games. long way to go yet, things can only get better.
Whilst I will get behind neil Lennon, having a ball, probably not.
|
|
26/8/2010 |
|
|
Just how many more humiliations have the fans to endure before Desmond, Lawell and Reid seriously consider their collective futures at Celtic?
|
|
22/8/2010 |
|
|
Re John.
There's a train of thought that Neil and Alan Thomson were instrumental in getting Mulgrew the sack first time round.This was on an away trip when Mulgrew was late for the bus.Strachan fined Mulgrew, who didn't have the cash and one of our bhoys pulled out his cash/card and undermined the manager.
This was not forgotten as Mulgrew was very quickly shown the door and Thomson soon followed suit.
Maybe it was a way of fullfilling Mulgrews dream to play for Celtic and a little bit of payback.
Who knows?
|
|
21/8/2010 |
|
|
Things are starting to come together with the Celtic team and with another couple of additions we should be well on course to get the title back. My only criticism of Neil so far is, why we it took till after the Braga game to get our most obvious problem areas sorted, Centre Half and Left Back. My other worry is that Neil ever thought that Charlie Mulgrew was good enough in the first place to bring him back.
|
|
16/8/2010 |
|
|
Given the day that's in it, I'm sure most people associated with the Celtic Trust would join me in sending very special 70th Birthday greetings to Celtic legend and Lisbon Lion John Fallon. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of meeting John will testify to the great love and devotion he has to the club, as well as his refresing honesty in calling things as he see's them without seeking approval from spin doctors. Happy Birthday John, hopefully the Bhoys will make it a very special year for you and indeed for all of us in terms of success on the park. Hail Hail!
|
|
15/8/2010 |
|
|
Have to say that despite all that has come and gone I'm having a ball under Lennon. I know that some people may think its time for him to go, that he's not good enough and that our task should be try and undermine him from the word go, but none of them were on our bus back from Inverness yesterday. But if the naysayers did get to see the match on the telly or were listening on the wireless, then that chant from the faithful near the end was indeed "One Neil Lennon, there's only one Neil Lennon . . . ." Away the Bhoys!
|
|
13/8/2010 |
|
|
So, are we all enjoying ourselves under Lennon??
We now have Peter Luccin trialling at the club.
I'm fairly sure Lennon was actually on the pitch when the same boy spat on our shirt.
|
|
12/8/2010 |
|
|
The form referred to is the one on Supporter Representation which can be found through the link on the Home page of this website. If you are shareholder holding voting shares you are eligible to sign.
|
|
11/8/2010 |
|
|
C'om on and register for supporters representation for this years AGM.
Download the form and send back to the Celtic Trust, you know it makes sense.
No use complaining,get involved.
|
|
31/7/2010 |
|
|
Hi.
I have to register my dismay over peter luccin being trialled or whatever with Celtic.
The night in vigo when he spat on John Hartson is clear in my memory and was an appalling act, to think of this moronic individual in a Celtic shirt leaves a very sour taste indeed.
|
|
30/7/2010 |
|
|
Excellent article and well written again Vino, totally agree with the suggestion that Loovens and Brown should have played their last game for the club, how scott brown could eer be considered as a captain is beyond me. To my mind a captain is a LEADER on the park, the man that others look to when things are going pear shaped or we are under pressure, scott brown goes hiding in those circumstances.
As for Loovens, for a man of his size alone to be bullied off the ball, beaten in the air and miss tackles as often as he does is shameful. The man is probably a nice guy and that is where his problem lies, he is too NICE to be a footballer let alone a centre half, oh what would I give for Bobo to scare the living s***e out of forwards again!!
Keep up the good work Vino and as you sadi we can still get this tie back and kick start our season, Please!!!!
|
|
29/7/2010 |
|
|
KB.
As I understand it, there is a bit of work to be done before we can talk about Europa League proper opponents.
|
|
29/7/2010 |
|
|
who do you think we'll get in the Europa league?
|
|
29/7/2010 |
|
|
Lets all get together and support the team next week!!
They need us, and we cant go on criticising and not showing up because of a poor result!!
if wed won 1-0 last night the same folk would have said they arent goin to th e return leg cause "its a formality" bla bla......
ok so were up against it.........faithfull through and trough......over and over we will follow you!!!
Keep the faith and cheer the bhoys on cmon guys!!
(and.....its already paid for for most of us...)
Hail hail
Spicey
ps anyone looking for a good band....give us a shout lol
|
|
21/7/2010 |
|
|
That has to be one of the most heartwarming videos I,ve ever watchedsongs apart the work this ghuy does is tremendous,the kids are a real credit to themselves and their teachers"the town I love so well" out of this world.
let the people sing john
|
|
16/7/2010 |
|
|
Hi
I received today from my mate back home a story about the good child foundation in Thailand.
Rather than go into detail you can see for yourself by going onto you tube and putting in the good child foundation, you can see the schoolchildren who are being taught English by a Celtic fan, singing the songs,Willie maley, over and over, dirty old town and the fields of Athenrye being sung by the schoolchildren was fantastic. the story of the charity can be found on their website.
The charity was set up by a guy born in England of Irish parents,
|
|
12/7/2010 |
|
|
Seems I was right about the gangster demands being made by Bullard if what is being reported by Hull is true. Who does this chancer think he is comparing himself to Robbie Keane. He couldn't tie Robbie Keane's boots. I suspect Campbell is up too the same tricks. They should be told promptly as we say here in Ireland to 'Pog ma Thoin.'
|
|
11/7/2010 |
|
|
From what I can see Sol Campbell is not that keen to play in the Hoops. Otherwise he would have decided by now. I'd be inclined to tell him where to go. Similarly with Jimmy Bullard, unless there are genuine reasons for the delay and his omission from the tour of the US he could be just using us like Campbell appears to be in order to secure a better deal elsewhere. I'm excited about the capture of Ledley who seems to have been a priority and we have done great business in getting him for a free. Hail Hail!
|
|
10/7/2010 |
|
|
Hi John and Thomas
Some may argue that I am over reacting and maybe being away from Scotland makes me a little over protective about all things back home, but the problem I have is the Generalisations in relation to anti Irish or indeed any other prejudices back home.
My reasoning is this I know many people and indeed have close friends with Irish heritage and they don't share your thoughts guys,I for myself didn't see it in my area.
My point in brief I know there are areas anti Irish and bigotry is prevalent, I did not stay to far away from Larkhall unfortunately, but I think it is wrong when it is referred to as Scotland as against part of. all I am saying is don't tar everybody else for the actions of the idiots involved.
The Poppy and the minutes silence, well I have made my opinions crystal clear on that.
I guess we will leave it at that and we will have to agree to disagree guys.
Have a good one.
Cheers.
Jim
|
|
10/7/2010 |
|
|
I hope its not a kiss of death, but following the exit of Argentina I'm hoping that Spain do the decent thing and go out with the type of performance worthy of winning a World Cup. Not that I have anything against any of the Dutch players but those orange shirts offend my sensibilities, the day before the 12th July bigotfest and then of couse there is the odious Ronald De Boer on the bench. So I'm afraid when all's said and done it's Spain for me. Then we can get back to the serious trophies like the Emirates Cup. Plus after a wonderful week in the West of Irealnd I'll be back at my own computer and not have to dodge out a few words here and there with other guests looking over my shoulder. Away the Bhoys!
|
|
9/7/2010 |
|
|
Jim. For the sake of clarification the point I was making with the last line 'One Scotland many cultures AS IF', was that this shower of bigots can lay a wreath at such a place without condemnation in the Scottish press. Most folk with an Irish/ Roman Catholic origin believe the media in general have an in-built prejudice towards us as a minority group, although the Scottish government with their slogan would have us all believe this is a thing of the past.
How can it be when such an act is not even questioned? Therefore are we to take it that this is acceptable or is it still a case of 'shut up, you are allowed to practice your faith and see your football team but just take anything else we wish throw at you'. Then the minute you do express an opinion i.e. the poppy debate the same hacks are waiting with glee to slate all and sundry.
|
|
9/7/2010 |
|
|
In reply to Jim re Thomas's comments. Sadly my experience of working at a fairly senior level and living in the West of Scotland is anti Irish/Catholic feelings run deep throughout this society. They may not show themselves as blatantly as the antics of the Orange Order, but scratch the surface and those feelings will be seen.
You agreed that the press showed those feelings, is there not a well known expression that the press you have reflects the society?
|
|
9/7/2010 |
|
|
Thomas.
For the sake of clarification, I failed to see what your last piece, "One Scotland many cultures as if" had to do with the rest of the story which I agree with, are you saying that these people and the press are reflective of the wider Scottish society. surely not. if so I completely disagree with your thinking.
|
|
7/7/2010 |
|
|
When reading the Sunday papers I’m almost certain that there must be more than me who felt a depth of disgust at this mass rabble of sectarian bigots laying a wreath at the cenotaph on Saturday before the start of their annual drunken jamboree. The Scottish press of course reported the laying of the wreath without condemnation by telling all it was to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the reformation. Well there I was always thinking that the said place was to commemorate war dead , just like my granddad who I’m named after Thomas Tracey who died 1944 a second generation Irish Roman Catholic who gave his life fighting the rise of fascism in Europe and now lies in a foreign country in a military grave near Antwerp Belgium. I’m sure there will be those who say what has this got to do with a football trust forum, well just wait till remembrance day in November when poppy gate arrives the same press will have the pencils sharpened waiting for the now customary barrage of condemnation towards Celtic fans. No place for it and should never have been allowed . One Scotland many cultures AS IF.
|
|
7/7/2010 |
|
|
Vincent.
Forums all over the world carry entrants first names, nicknames, or anything they feel at that time they want to post. These sites are informal.
However, as you outrageously feel I am hiding behind an anonymous title, please see below:
Jim Eley
Albury
New South wales
Australia
Sill homesick Scotland will always be home.
Age mid 40s.
5Ft 9 inches tall.
Waist 36 inch, getting larger by the week.
Favourite beer, Boags classic blonde. hence the expanding waistline.
My new e mail is......... well maybe not.
Hope that is suffice.
Like you Vincent I would not change any of my story, except maybe some grammar issues, please excuse but it was written through misty morning eyes.
As I stated in the most part it was a thoughtful and informative piece but to add the part about what Rangers stand for was to my mind crass, totally unnecessary and simply wrong. To divert away from a tragedy which was felt all over was in poor taste and to my mind unfortunately severely tarnished the whole story, but hey that is only my opinion.
I hope this clarifies my thoughts which are shared with mates in whom I trust their judgement, also in your reply rather than deal with the story in depth you chose to have a go at others as you state as being anonymous that dont share your opinion. Strange.
Clearly you wont agree with my opinion but given I have came out from under the veil of so called anonymity you may respect my right to express it.
On a lighter note, I see on newsnow that Celtic maybe interested in James Mcfadden, Neil, please make it happen.
|
|
7/7/2010 |
|
|
Well Vincent, I'm still perplexed why you felt the need to write the article in the first place. If the minutes silence is broken at Ibrox 6 months from now, it will be done by some eejit who is wellied and doesn't know what planet he is on.
Celtic fans had to observe three seperate silences for Jim Baxter a few seasons ago, two that were totally observed, and the last at Ibrox broken by one drunk muppet, chucked to the stewards after by Celtic fans.
What reason did you have in mind for writing the article in the first place? Why was it even necessary?
|
|
6/7/2010 |
|
|
I just wish to make one point clear. I agreed to edit my piece purely for the purpose of clarification, upon request from people who's judgement I trust. I would never change a single word I've written in response to comments from anonymous posters. In my humble opinion people who hide behind phoney identities should either be prepared to say who they are or forfeit the right to comment. Put up or shut up so to speak.
|
|
6/7/2010 |
|
|
Good to see that the article has been edited - I dont doubt the writers intentions when this was originally drafted but its good to see that certain sections which could have been misconstrued (rightly or wrongly) have been removed. Some could argue that my point was an over-reaction, but I think that the amended piece conveys the desired meaning far less contentiously. This article wasnt the time or the place.
|
|
6/7/2010 |
|
|
As per the newsnowlink I agree with hairlikespaghetti and I think the part of the story listed damaging remarks at aimed at all things Rangers was in poor taste. whether in part it is uncontentious to my mind doesn't really matter, the story was about a tragic day in Scottish football, very well addressed in the most part as a thoughtful and informative piece it did not have the same impact It could and should have had.
Totally agree with last sentence where we should all act as decent human beings and I for one will respect the minutes silence or applause as I would do on any such an occasion.
|
|
5/7/2010 |
|
|
Vincent Doherty can speak for himself, but I believe that the timing simply reflects the fact that, with the publication of the fixture list, it became clear that there would be a Celtic v Rangers game on that day.
I would have thought it was patently obvious if you go to our home page that there are many bits and pieces listed which are the views of their named authors. If a piece begins, 'The Trust is calling for....' or 'The Celtic Trust has agreed to ....' or is explicitly written in the name of the Trust then it is an agreed policy, otherwise it is not.
Confusion can arise because the News Now link takes you directly to the article and not the home page, where if you see the introduction, it makes it clear it is written under the name of an individual (to which has now been added an explicit statement about authorship and Trust policy). We have not found a way of doing anything about that.
Having said all that, there was a brief aside re the nature of Rangers as an institution which, in my view, was uncontentious, and the rest of the article simply said it was a terrible tragedy, it could have happened to any of us, and that we should (and in the main, always have) respect any memorial activity planned for that day.
|
|
5/7/2010 |
|
|
if the Ibrox Disaster article is not necessarily the view of the Trust, why does it appear via a link on the Trusts homepage?
Do the right thing - edit the article.
|
|
4/7/2010 |
|
|
As with the Boot Room the blog reflects the personal opinions of the individual writers and not the policies or views of the Trust as an organisation. Anyone is welcome to send us a piece for the blog.
|
|
4/7/2010 |
|
|
Not sure exactly why this has been posted now - the timing is questionable but what is beyond question is that the author has used the article to reference the anniversary while not too subtlely attack Rangers.
There are many valid times and opportunities to question Rangers past and present policies and the ongoing behaviour of their support but surely everyone involved with the Celtic Trust can see that his anniversary is definitely not one of them.
It is a crass article, which starts out as well intentioned and ends up as embarrassing and inappropriate. The Trust would be well advised to rethink what they have written.
Keep the Faith
HLS
|
|
4/7/2010 |
|
|
Note to 'William'
Your post has not been displayed, not because of its content, but due to the obscene language in which that content is expressed.
You would have received an email to this effect had you given the correct email address on your submission.
|
|
4/7/2010 |
|
|
Two signings in the first three days of the transfer window.
Could it be a sign that things are really on the up and up.
|
|
3/7/2010 |
|
|
Vincent
I enjoyed your post about the Argentinian team. I'm not sure how I missed that gesture by the team but I agree it is an example of individual courage in a world riddled with fear and insecurity.
Please keep posts like that coming.
How anyone could find a post about mothers campaigning for justice for their sons, when they don't even have a grave to visit, is utterly beyond my comprehension.
Genuine thanks again,
Sean
|
|
1/7/2010 |
|
|
I presume you where inquiring about my age Thomas, and I must admit I don't a look day over being able to go on one of those holidays you mentioned. I'm not quite sure how I've maintained my youthful good looks, some would say it's down to my sense of humility and the tolerance for which I am renowned. Alas as someone who attended his first game in 1970 as a young teenager, I'm a good bit older than I like to think. That said I've never lost my childish sense of excitement, and as the new season approaches and I'm looking forward to being in Inverness for the first game of a new era, which I hope and pray will be as successful as any I've witnessed. Sooner or later this World Cup business will be over and we'll get down to the serious business of bringing the League flag back to Paradise where it belongs. Away the Bhoys !
|
|
30/6/2010 |
|
|
My hats going into the ring, i'm supporting The Germans.
|
|
29/6/2010 |
|
|
678 to be honest I for one was not going to get involved in this debate,as most members in the trust will know I probably sit furthermost from the left but feel I must add my tuppence worth anyway, although the Trust is not a political party I would like to think we are at least a progressive group all with a host of different views in both politics and sport so if Vincent wishes to express his opinion it's fine by me but what age are you really? To be in the pub watching the hand of god when I though you were still eligible for club 18/30 holidays.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
Re Carntyne, you don't want Celtic used as a political football?
What about the appointment of Brian Wilson(MP)to the board and the Hon?Lord Doctor General John Reid.
Lets leave politics at the front door.
As the moderator says, everyones entitled to an opinion although I would prefer if it were Celtic related as opposed to general views.
The Celtic Trust IS NOT a political party.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
Moderator, although Jeanette has somewhat beaten me to the draw, please indulge me in what is a second lengthy rant in the same space of days.
Sorry Carntyne. As long as sport, especially football is inextricably entwined with it, politics will remain a legitimate subject of comment and discussion on sites such as Boot Room.
As for specific content of Vincent D’s contribution. I imagine that many rightly nodded their heads in approval at Vincent’s reference to the mother’s of Argentina’s ‘missing. One cannot help but wonder if a little nearer home, those nods of approval might be somewhat muted, should at a future date, one of Ireland’s national sides, North or South, parade a banner referring to that country’s own recently ‘missing’.
As for sport and politics mixing. It has ever been so. Two thousand years ago, the Roman Emperors were keeping the masses happy by providing them with some pretty gory Coliseum activities masquerading as games. In the twentieth century Hitler, Mussolini, East European regimes and the Brazilian Colonels’ were all happy to politically exploit their own countries’ sometimes successful sporting activities. And Harold Wilson was not exactly weeping in his beer in July 1966 when England’s winning of the World Cup helped mask the country’s looming financial crisis.
Even in the last fortnight, the BBC’s preamble to South Africa’s World Cup encounters could, depending on what one’s point of view is be interpreted as having been heavily politicised.
There can be little doubt that ‘Poppygate’, on which I have no particularly strong opinions, which has caused angst to some, was merely a spinoff of Gordon Brown’s unsuccessful, increasingly jingoistic attempts, to keep middle England sweet.
As something of an aside. Last November, on the front at Helensburgh which could fairly be described as a being naval town, I saw a possible solution to the poppy on the jersey question. There I saw a lady simultaneously sporting red and white poppies. Who knows, perhaps some enterprising soul might even start flogging poppies of the green variety at Celtic Park?
In the late 1960s a European Cup Draw was rearranged, as in an act that could be construed as blatantly political, Celtic, protesting against the Russian armoured invasion of Czechoslovakia, refused to play against Eastern bloc sides.
The mixing of sport and politics can sometimes be accompanied by a heavy whiff of hypocrisy.
Shortly after Peter Lawell was urging those us objecting to the appointment of Dr. Reid as Chairman, to leave our beliefs the outside the doors of Celtic Park, he and his co-directors apparently had no problems with a Celtic player, regardless of the sensitivities of some members of our all inclusive support, wearing a tee shirt very publicly advertising his religious allegiance.
Celtic is quite happy to publicly indulge in the folksy Davitt of the Donegal Divot aspects of our Irish Heritage. It is perhaps less inclined to indulge in all the whys and wherefores that around 1910 led James Connolly to describe Davitt as being the finest advocate of Ireland’s cause.
In mentioning James Connolly, I suppose that it was is potential to offend right wing corporate sponsors, that led to the confiscation of the Irish Socialist Starry Plough at Celtic Park in 2008.
Regrettable as it may be Carntyne, for the foreseeable future, odd bedfellows as they are, politics and sport will remain, what in today’s age of political correctness are described as co-joined twins.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
The moderator has made the position of the nature of the bootroom quite clear so I don't need to reiterate. On the matters of substance, I am surprised that J cannot see that his/her feelings against all things Argentinian (because of the Racing Club incident) and in favour of England (because some English people have played for Celtic) (not sure about the point re Atletico Madrid) is just his/her point of view and no different in principle to Vincent's (in my opinion, better argued and more principled) case for supporting Argentina. On the question of cheating, I take it J is now opposed to all French teams because of Thierry Henri's role in preventing the Republic of Ireland team getting to South Africa? For the record, I am choosing my team on a game by game basis and I have no axe to grind - even against England!
On the general point about sport and politics, the idea that these two phenomena have not always, and will not always, be linked seems to me to be a denial of reality. Any event which draws a large crowd will always be a focus for groups of people trying to put their views across but, more than that, Celtic as an institution has always been a focus for the Irish in Scotland to celebrate their national identity and it's founding principles, based as they are on charity and concern for those less fortunate, has meant that we have always been identified with the underdog. As a general rule that means that progressive organisations and views have always found a natural home at Celtic Park. That does not mean to say, I hasten to add, that we all believe the same things, but it does mean that those who have examined these things are clearly able to see a different pattern of behaviour and political views at Celtic Park compared to some other football clubs in this city and beyond.
So, J, I don't think there is any need to get upset when someone expresses their view - it is no threat to you as far as I can see.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
So, you condone cheating?
You forgive Racing Club for kicking Celtic off the park in 1967?
You forgive Atletico Madrid for kicking Celtic off the park in 1974?
You forget all the English players that have played for Celtic?
What a pathetic article, you can't even spell Maradona's name correctly.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
In reply to Carntyne
The Boot Room allows contributers to post their own personal views which are just that. We would only censor or not post contributions which are racist, sectarian or are expressed in an obscene or other unacceptable manner.Thus the piece to which you object and your response both appear here.
The policies of the Trust endorsed by the membership, in a democratic way, are to be found in other parts of this website.
|
|
28/6/2010 |
|
|
It never fails to surprise me how quickly those with no names or without the courage to identify themselves come crawling out of the woodwork at the slightest sign of controversy. Usually to whinge on incoherently about how people should be censored. What strikes me is that the nameless and the faceless could be anyone, including those who have no connection with Celtic whatsoever. I've always been of the opinion that 'comment pages' should be open only to those willing to identify themselves. Otherwise they just descend into the juvenile ramblings of half wits, who clearly have nothing better to do than rant anonymously about whatever it is that 'irritates' them on any particular day. People know who I am, and where to find me. I don't hide behind pseudonames or lurk under the stone of anonymity and I certainly won't be silenced by those who don't even have the courage to say who they are. Literally nobodies you could say. Away Argentina! Away Maradonna!
|
|
27/6/2010 |
|
|
I am, to say the least irritated by the left wing bias of this article.
It has nothing to do with football.
I had thought that the Celtic Trust was a good idea, but now I'm not so sure.
I don't care if it's left wing, or right wing, or even centre forward, I don't appreciate Celtic being used as a propaganda tool for supporter's political views.
I don't bother you with mine.
I'd appreciate it if you don't bother me with yours
Shame on you!
|
|
27/6/2010 |
|
|
Vincent D.
First off, I refer anyone reading this to Boot Room 9/6/2010, where despite expressing reservations about his appointment, I hopefully wished Neil Lennon and the fans well.
Although some may be sulking, or more likely a tad apprehensive about the manner and possible consequences of Neil Lennon’s appointment, I imagine that there a few reasons for the relative Boot Room inactivity.
Not least of these must be a time consuming diet of two World Cup matches a day.
Neil Lennon himself has not been helped by various circumstances surrounding his appointment. Unless from the moment Tony Mobray was sacked, he had stonewall assurances from those above, depending on your viewpoint, Neil was either extremely honest, naïve or a combination of both, in the way that he very publicly advertised his interest in a job that without proper financial support could turn out to be an extremely poisoned chalice.
Also, without having upper management’s criteria for a suitable appointee spelled out for us, we are assured that Neil was really the only candidate in the frame for the job. If so, why take seventy four days, or if you like, two and a half months to make the appointment official?
This accompanied by the farce of a million pounds a year Chief Executive apparently being unable or, more likely, unwilling to alter his holiday arrangements as his employers were embroiled in making what could be Celtic’s most far reaching decision for over thirty years.
Despite assurances that Neil was the only credible candidate for the job, in a manner reminiscent of Alan McDonald’s John Barnes related ‘high risk strategy’ we are advised that Neil requires a mentor, an advisor or simply someone to hold his hand.
Enter, but with the position as yet unresolved, Stuart Baxter. Sorry to harp back to the McDonald, Barnes and Dalglish fiasco. However, if I recall correctly, one of the perceptions at the time was that Kenny conducted his mentorship from a distance, that distance usually being over thousand miles away on Spanish golf courses.
Despite the above, the Celtic management appear to having been proposing that Stuart Baxter juggle his workload between Celtic and the Finnish national team.
In no way do I question the well travelled and experienced Stuart’s football credentials. However, as direct flights between Glasgow and Helsinki are hardly on a bus into town frequency, what I do question is the wisdom of asking Stuart, at fifty seven years of age and no longer exactly a spring chicken, to make the journey a couple of times a week, summer and winter.
Another reason for the current silence on Boot Room could be what for Celtic fans is now an all too familiar elephant in the room. That is the imminent transfer window and how the club handles it.
In Boot Room on November 20th last year, I predicted that the Board’s handling of the forthcoming January transfer window would have an immense bearing on the eventual outcome of the season. I asked if they would give Tony Mobray money upfront and let him buy immediately the window opened and hope to recoup at least some of it later. Or would it be yet another case of sell to buy? Not unexpectedly prevarication was the order of the day and in January, a valuable seven points, all of them lost at home, vanished.
The Board is now faced with the same scenario big time. Come this Thursday, does Neil Lennon be given immediate and substantial purchasing power, or will it again be a case of costly wait and see? Only time will tell.
|
|
25/6/2010 |
|
|
It seems the site hasn't actually been overwhelmed by comment since the long overdue appointment of Neil Lennon. Maybe some people are still in a sulk. Nevertheless I would have expected at least passing reference to the proceedings in South Africa.
As we approach the last 16 it seems clear that the axis or world soccer power has veered towards Central and Latin America. The exit of France and Italy, finalists in 2006 shows the extent of the change. From before the tournament I had decided given the Republic of Ireland's failure to qualify that my unswerving support would go to my 'official' second team, Argentina.
Ever since the most wonderful day in June 1986 when, with the aid of divine intervention and his God given gifts Maradonna put Inger-land to the sword, he and Argentina have always held a warm place in my heart. Call me old fashioned,emotional even, but watching large numbers of NF/BNP types crying into their burberry hankies is the sort of thing that does it for me.
However the gesture by the Argentinian World Cup squad to display a banner on the pitch supporting the campaign for the 'Mothers of Plaza del Mayo' to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is an absolutely magnificent gesture. The 'Mothers of the Plaza del Mayo' is an association made up of mothers and relatives of some of the 30,000 left wing opponents of the military junta, who were disappeared by the 'dirty war' against the left. The 'Mothers' have been campaigning for justice for almost 30 years. For the national football team to have the dignity and sense of justice displayed by Argentina in front of 80,000 fans is unprecedented.
Not since John Carlos and Tommie Smith raised clenched fist in support of 'Black Liberation' at the Mexico Olympics has there been such a far reaching international demonstration by professional sports people. That's the primary reason we should be supporting Argentina to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.That and the fact that the play 'the Celtic way' and are thus by far and away the most attractive footballing team in the event is the another reason. Away Argentina!
|
|
22/6/2010 |
|
|
Hi.
Seems that Aiden Mcgeady is off to test himself in the Epl.
What about using some of the money on James Mcfadden, someone who has lots of flair and has the fight that was so missing in the last campaign, he is also a Celtic fan, I reckon he would quickly become a big hero amongst the fans, I know this has been touted before but now maybe is the time.
|
|
18/6/2010 |
|
|
I thought it was back to the slave trade "Zulu sellers"
|
|
15/6/2010 |
|
|
Too right, Thomas, and what about those vuvuzelas or whatever they're called. They're dain ma heid in tae!
|
|
15/6/2010 |
|
|
re General John's comments that the buck stops here re Neil Lennon. If as Johnsays that neil was used for the benchmark on other candidates and it kept going back to neil as the obvious manager, how on earth was he overlooked last year when his name was also in the running?
Was Tony Mowbray a better outcome?
|
|
15/6/2010 |
|
|
Please Please, Hurry up new season this world cup is doing my head in, Yes I'm sure you would all agree Scottish football is not the greatest but Portugal V Ivory Coast on my day off! That will take a bit of beating for mundane boredom!!!
|
|
9/6/2010 |
|
|
Re Sean Devine.
Just shows you how forward thinking our board are, Parker will build the extension to the trophy room as a homer.
Keep up the good work John.Peter and the bra,(doubleD)
|
|
9/6/2010 |
|
|
Interesting to see that 'Chairman John' has reemerged to unveil the new manager. It seems he only appears for the good times but is nowhere to be seen when things go wrong. Mind you he was probably away extracting both feet from his mouth after his performance at the AGM!!
|
|
9/6/2010 |
|
|
Only time will tell, but hands on hearts, has it been worth waiting on?
Has your reaction been Wow? Or yet again, Oh Aye?
Twice previously, with Brady and Barnes, rookie managers have proved to be disastrous for Celtic. However, there is always the chance that this time round it can work. But will it?
For Neill Lennon and the fans’ sake, I sincerely hope that it does. Make no mistake. There is no half way house with this one.
This time next year, we will all either be walking on air or once again reaching for the valium.
|
|
8/6/2010 |
|
|
Michael (and others) - as a neophyte to this whole thing, it seems to me that the debate that has gone on here has been very healthy. It's an emotive issue and it was only right that people had their say. It's also hard to read 'body language' on a message board and nuances are missing which may account for people perceiving messages as (perhaps) being more pointed than they actually are.
I think we all want the same thing which is success for Celtic FC. I have to say that when I read your posts (michael) I didn't perceive an attack on anyone as such but more a concern which you were seeking to have clarified. But, then again, I broadly agreed with your view that appointing Lennon would be a disaster so perhaps i was inclined to read your post in a certain light.
The board have taken, in my view, a massive and unjustifiable risk. They interviewed noone else for the job which is surely unforgivable and out of step with modern business practices.
They have taken a risk which may or may not pay off. It is not difficult to think of analogies in other professional scenarios [e.g. giving heart surgery to a lad 1 year out of medical school; a murder case to a lad just out of law school etc.].
In my view, the board have treated the fans very poorly and i genuinely can't see how anyone can REASONABLY stand over this appointment. i'm happy to have this debate with anyone (and be open to persuasion). I've put my reasons for concern up but noone, in my view, has put up anything approaching convincing counterargument.
That said, it is a two horse race so he stands a 50 50 chance of succeeding anyway so good luck to him. i don't blame Neil Lennon for wanting the job, that's only natural. I am more disappointed in the approach of the board and, if i'm honest, many celtic fans for their lack of ambition. Again.
all that being said, I wish you all the best and thank you for having this message board so that views, all of them!, can be aired. God bless you all.
PS I thought we all might find this interesting/funny/worrying/boring etc. depending on a whole variety of factors:
"Making up Lennon's trio of coaches, is his former Leicester City team-mate Parker.
The pair played in the Foxes' midfield in the late 1990s, and Parker had a spell as coach there, eventually leaving the club after one game as caretaker boss in 2001.
His appointment at Celtic will mark a return to football after an absence of nine years, during which time he has worked in the building trade."
|
|
8/6/2010 |
|
|
I won't be posting again, irrespective of how strongly I feel about the issues, and my sense of impending doom. I am no longer prepared to give offence, inadvertently or otherwise, to people who I have known as friends, and who I appreciate, above all, for their essential decency.
|
|
8/6/2010 |
|
|
When are we appointing a chairman?
|
|
7/6/2010 |
|
|
Michael
If you felt patronised by my last comments I assure you it was unintentional. In turn I feel somewhat offended by your reference to a 'cop-out' but that I feel was fully intentional.
So let me comment on each of your points.
Jeanette does not need me to defend her. She is more than capable of doing that for herself should the need arise. From what I remember the 'Newsnow' link from our site was only established after the the date of the Ross County match and certainly before we set up the Blog enabling anyone who choses to submit their own personal ideas for consideration/discussion. Had it existed at the time I'm sure that is what she would have used. It is of course open to you to write a piece for the Blog should you wish to do so.
Mark Hughes is only one of many names which have been mentioned in connection with the manager's post. In fact it is my impression that his name has been way down the pecking order. So what would you have us do? Contact Peter Lawwell and ask about every name which surfaces? We have worked hard to establish a good working relationship with him and others. Imagine how long that would last if we were to try and get him to comment on every rumour!
It is my understanding that meetings with supporters are being held in Ireland so maybe you could go along to one and ask the question yourself.
It seems to me from the the comments you have made over the last couple of weeks that your objections to Neil Lennon are on the personal as well as the professional level.
I'm sure these are sincerely held but you must allow others to hold equally sincere but differing views.
For the record I am an agnostic ( never thought I would be one of those!) on the subject of Lennon's possible appointment as manager. I would like him to stay with the Club but do worry that his time may have come prematurely.
|
|
7/6/2010 |
|
|
Michael, it saddens me that some people feel it appropriate to criticise the trust or the personal views of its members especially when we look at the great work the chair and other members have done lately in uniting the various Celtic fan groups. As a group we have also became friends and sometimes we do occasionally socialise together and the general opinion amongst most is that we need a strong person in the management position especially after the performances of some the so called Celtic players last season. Although I never thought I would say this about Celtic players but a handful of them I can only describe as cowards. This is one label you cannot pin on Neil Lennon and that's why I believe he is the man for the job. But once again I must reiterate this is my personal view. I also do know that this is the view of most of the grassroot support but not a endorsement of Neil Lennon by the Celtic trust.
|
|
7/6/2010 |
|
|
Sean Devine.
Sorry Sean. Mark Hughes’ alleged interest in the Celtic job would go up in smoke in the wake of the now customary ‘Ah! Well but you see’ transfer budget tête à tête with Dermot and Peter.
|
|
7/6/2010 |
|
|
One positive arising from last season’s debacle and its so far less than inspiring aftermath is that Boot Room’s Moderator is currently being kept fine and busy.
The current Board’s perceived lack of ambition, something that the Board itself huffily resents, has figured in recent posts.
At the risk of generalisation, I would suggest that, with the somewhat limited exception of the McCann years, from the formation of Celtic as a Limited Company in the late 1890s onwards, Celtic managements have by and large been a conservative, ambitionless lot.
In the late 1950s, quality players were sold off finance the purchase of a modestly priced floodlighting system. If I recall correctly, at least one member of the then Board, ignoring burgeoning European competition requirements, considered floodlighting to be a novelty and something of a passing fad.
In 1967, under Jock Stein Celtic became Champions of Europe. What then was the Board’s ambitious response to the club’s new found continental stature? A tarting up of the Jungle and two bob on the admission price to the main stand.
Shortly following defeat by Feynoord in Milan in 1970, Desmond White was scaling down on the field ambitions to simply ‘doing well in Europe’.
In January 1971 sixty six people lost their lives on a stairway at Ibrox. Rangers’ response was to build an all seated stadium. Although some mocked certain features of its construction, the bench seating in the Govan Stand for example, it was eventually awarded UEFA Five Star status.
By contrast, Celtic’s contribution to spectator safety was to be the widening of a few passageways in what was already fast becoming a soccer slum.
In 1988, Celtic somewhat miraculously won a Centenary Double. What then was the ambitious response of Board to finding Celtic in this position of unexpected strength? Nada! Zilch! Sweet Hee Haw! Indeed if memory serves correctly, it was around this time, seemingly blissfully unaware of its immediate future consequences for Celtic, commenting on the Holmes/Souness revolution at Ibrox; a member of one of the controlling families stated that ‘they, they being Rangers, are only spending big because of the horrible mess they have made of things’.
Some might not like it, but for good or bad, outwith the dressing room, stands and terraces, lack of ambition is and generally always has been a way of life at Celtic Park.
|
|
7/6/2010 |
|
|
As one of those who has unreservedly supported the appointment of Neil Lennon I find it extraordinary that some people are of the opinion that those of us who are active in the Trust are not allowed have an opinion on who should manage the club. It really beggars belief. The situation at present is close to becoming a debacle.
Everyday a decision is deferred another layer of dignity is stripped from Neil Lennon. It's becoming reminiscent of the time when Big Jock was offered a job in charge of the Celtic Pools as a reward for his services to the club. What it means in terms of our standing in the transfer market doesn't bear thinking about. If Neil Lennon can be treated like this, what does it say about the Board's attitude to those lower down the food chain? Like those of us who buy season books and spend a fortune traveling to support the team home and away?
The longer this debacle continues the more it looks like the 'meeting's' with the fans were a cynical exercise designed to shift season books. I believe Lennon should be appointed without 'a minder' who none of us have ever heard off. If somebody decent hasn't been sourced by now, move on. If Lenny isn't appointed without further delay he should tell Reid and Desmond to stuff their job!
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
LOOK
The reason we're not going for any big names are;
1 They will be looking for big wages
2 They will be looking for big transfer budgets
3 They will be looking to bring in their own team(more expense)
4 They will demand a clear out (probably more expense to buy out contracts)
5 Will they cope with the Glasgow fishbowl?
6 The board will be Teflon pants, nothing sticks, you wanted Neil Lennon.
It's a no brainer as "the bunnet" used to say.
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Hi Dwyer.
I it not the case our board should be showing some ambition and going for managers of stature and experience, then I reckon the appeal which the name Celtic evokes would bring these people to the table.
60.000 fans at every home game,although missing recently an atmosphere which can generate a passion found in very few stadia elsewhere in Europe, the passion for our club is global supporters club worldwide illustrate that.
As stated before the Spl is not in a position of strentgh at the moment but where is outside the top 4, look elsewhere using the league in Portugal as an example, Benfica who boast to have 14 million fans worldwide travel to Rio ave, Naval and Nacional and play to crowds of 1500 does this take away anything from their brand, it seems not,my point, to anybody in Europe and beyond Celtic are still a big name.
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Marie, My attempt at getting information, for the Trust to ask questions of Peter Lawwell about Mark Hughes's request for an interview has now been met by your reply. Instead of addressing the question you resort to a cop-out.
Even if my information had come from the Scottish media, which it didn't, surely there is no harm in asking PL whether or not the information is correct; that Mark Hughes offered himself as a candidate for the manager's job at Cetic. A Yes or No is all that is required from our CEO. Is this too much to ask?
Marie, you wrote, "Michael Gallagher, you are mistaken in stating that the Celtic Trust has been 'pushing' Neil Lennon's appointment as manager."
Immediately after the Neil Lennon-managed, Ross County disaster, Jeanette posted a personal view, endorsing Lenny for manager. She didn't post this personal view in the Bootroom like the rest of the punters that come on here. She posted on the Home page of the website, and signed the article off as her personal view as Chair of the Celtic Trust. This post automatically links to Newsnow; in other words, a press release meant for the Scottish media (that you are so distrustful of, incidentally) was issued giving the Trust/Jeanette's endorsement of Neil Lennon as the next manager of Celtic.
Jeanette, as Chair of the Trust, then hosted the Lawwell/Lennon meeting that ended with her asking for a show of hands for Lenny. She asked for this demonstration of approval for her favoured candidate while in her capacity as Chair of the Celtic Trust.
Marie, with regard to the above, you also say, "However the policy/decision making body of the Trust is the membership and as they have not been consulted on this matter the Trust, as an organisation, has no mandate and thus is not in a position to endorse Lennon or indeed any candidate.
My point, exactly.
And Marie, re the comment to me , "I shouldn't need to remind you, as a Celtic supporter, not to believe everything you read in the press, especially the sports pages of Scottish newspapers!"
There is no need to patronise me. The real irony here is that much of the media crap has been fed to it by the major PR initiative of the 'Lenny for manager ' camp.
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Dwyer
you said that "there are no experienced managerial candidates throwing their hats into the ring".
I agree with you that there are not MANY experienced managers throwing their hat in but you must agree that Mark Hughes would be a spectacular acquisition and I am telling you he is eager for the job.
For whatever reason our board wont engage with him. Bizarre.
My own view, for what it is worth, is that they are happy enough to make it seem as though there is either no interest or scare us with other candidates [Pardew, Levein, Davies etc.] so that when it all goes tits up (as I envisage it will) they wont lose their own jobs because they can say "Well it's not our fault, no one else was interested etc."
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Re the recent Q&A with Peter Lawwell and Neil Lennon.Celtic searched worldwide for a sponsor,(Canada,America,Japan, Australia were mentioned by PL), yet we end up in Duke Street with a beer company that would only take us if we went in with the forces of darkness, that's how much a world brand we are.
We keep getting fed the line of the great support we have worldwide, yes we probably are a well known team and yes we probably do have supporters all over the world but it's about time we got real.
we are a big club in a mickey mouse league that even so we still can't win.
That's the ambition of this board.
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Michael Gallagher, you are mistaken in stating that the Celtic Trust has been 'pushing' Neil Lennon's appointment as manager. Individual members of the Trust have expressed their opinions which is their right as it is yours to express your opposition to his appointment. However the policy/decision making body of the Trust is the membership and as they have not been consulted on this matter the Trust, as an organisation, has no mandate and thus is not in a position to endorse Lennon or indeed any candidate.
The show of hands to which you refer was done in a light hearted manner and this was clearly stated at the time. Had you been present at the meeting you would have realised this.
I shouldn't need to remind you, as a Celtic supporter, not to believe everything you read in the press, especially the sports pages of Scottish newspapers!
|
|
6/6/2010 |
|
|
Folks
at risk of receiving an injunction to restrain me from harping on, I think this will probably be my last post [unless something exciting happens!]. The only reason I posted in the first place was in case someone with influence can protect us from the disaster that is coming. i just want to have a clean conscience that at least I spoke up.
I agree entirely with '678's post. However, I know that Mark Hughes has been well briefed and, whilst he will not be anyone's poodle, he is realisitc about what to expect and is not a whiner. He'll make do with what he's got and work within his budget. Simple as.
Here is an article quoting Mark Bowen, his right hand man, and, for what it's worth, a 'Celtic man' having gone to Catholic school in south wales. it is not too late to avert disaster if anyone has the ear of those making the decisions. Someone posted earlier criticisin M. Gallagher for beleiving what he reads in the papers etc but I can promise you that this is true, especially in respect of money etc. The present board want to cover themselves by saying 'Sure noone else was available' when it all goes horribly, horribly wrong. I am telling you NOW, that Mark Hughes IS available and at a reasonable, realistic rate. The only thign ithatisn't true is that celtic have made contact with Kia:
"Mark Hughes won't price himself out of a move to Celtic if Parkhead chiefs decide to make a move for the Welshman.
The ex-Manchester City gaffer has been out of work since being sacked from Eastlands at the end of last year after just 18 months in charge of the megabucks Premiership outfit.
Hughes - second favourite to current caretaker Neil Lennon with the bookies - is now looking to get back into the game but is waiting for the right move and is more interested in the stature of the club than the personal money on offer.
The fact cash isn't a motivating factor will be a huge relief to Celtic chief Peter Lawwell with fears that Hughes - on £2million a year at City - was out of the SPL side's price range. He is in demand and has already knocked back six job opportunities and held talks with the Ivory Coast before they unveiled Sven-Goran Eriksson as their
World Cup boss.
But Celtic, looking for a permanent successor to flop boss Tony Mowbray, are believed to have made contact with Hughes' advisor Kia Joorabchian and in a Record Sport exclusive, his most trusted ally Mark Bowen insisted money is the last thing on his mind.
Former Welsh international Bowen was Hughes' No. 2 at both Blackburn and City and knows him better than anyone in football and says the right club is what matters most to them both.
He said: "We're not in the business of just going in and getting a fat cheque and thinking 'Well, if things go wrong we'll be out in a year's time and we'll go somewhere else'.
"Mark has always said it has to be the right vehicle, the right situation. He's always been a manager or coach who wants to go in and build a place and make a difference long term.
"It's what we did with Wales and Blackburn and we were in the process of doing at Manchester City. "It seems to be the natural thing at the moment that Mark is linked with any vacant manager's position. His talents are widely recognised and since City we've been waiting for
the right opportunity.
"In that sense, I suppose we were expecting this speculation and it's a pleasant expectation to see that he's been linked with the Celtic post.
"Mark's credentials are there for all to see."
|
|
5/6/2010 |
|
|
The pull of Celtic? I'd love some one to illustrate the evidence of that. Much as I would like to believe that our club has a worldwide appeal for an ambitious manager there are no experienced managerial candidates throwing their hats into the ring. Any appeal Celtic has is compromised by the environment in which we ply our trade. Owen Coyle, Roberto Martinez anyone?
Smell the coffee!
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
I have to agree with Sean's comments! Its pretty simple the current Board have no ambition or vision for where they see our football club over the coming years. They have resorted for the cheap option by appointing Lennon (whenever that happens) and of course have waited until the season ticket deadline has passed before doing so. We all love the fact that Lennon is Celtic to the core but previous experiences of first time managers at our Club (Brady and Barnes) have proven to be unsuccessful and I really dont see this one been any different.
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
Celtic FC promote the fact that they are an 'Equal Opportunities Employer' frequently, particularly on their website. Is it safe to assume that they have adhered to this regarding the application process of a new manager ?
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
It is beyond question that the Spl stock has fallen in recent years, but clearly that is consistent with the majority of most leagues in Europe at this time.
For me we have to separate the pull of the Spl and that of Celtic, to my mind the appeal of Celtic still carries a lot of weight and always will.
I recently stated my concerns in relation to Neil Lennon getting the post due to his clear lack of managerial experience, my opinion only but there is managers out there who would be better options, Mark Hughes was thought highly enough to get the post of the mega rich Man city and would be a very credible option, Jesualdo ferreira has just lost his post with Porto after leading them to 3 of the last 4 league titles and taken them to the last 16 of the champions league regular, there is quality managers out there who have walked the walk.
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
I would like to add my voice to the recent posts here that are expressing concern about the appointment of Neil Lennon as manager. I would also like to call into question the Celtic Trust's role in pushing for this single candidate at the expense of all others.
The promotion of Lennie, and the fanfare of trumpets surrounding the meeting of last Thursday, is at odds with the basic tenets of equal opportunity legislation. The type of clarion call by Jeanette, for a show of hands for Lenny, with its overtones of favouritism and nepotism, runs completely contrary to what the Trust claims to be about.
The Trust has long advocated a much greater degree of transparency from the plc. Now that it seems to have the ear of Peter Lawwell can it ask our CEO why he has not taken up Mark Hughes's request for an interview for the manager's job.
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
Tom O'Neill
I agree we don't have the resources to go far in Europe but we always punched above our weight with a decent manager.
You need to have good tactical nous just to get in the group stages nowadays...
In terms of managers who would like the job, Mark Hughes is chomping at the bit for the job. I have a good source for that and he has said so in the media. Celtic, bizarrely, have not even spoken to him.
In fact, do any of you know ANYONE they have spoken to? How does that represent due diligence? surely several decent candidates should have been given proper interviews. Even Trappatoni seems to have been a very informal and indirect approach. And that seems to be in a handholding exercise for the present main candidate.
They are sick telling us that this is business etc. How does appointing a novice as manager represent good business sense? This is Glasgow Celtic Football Club we're talking about here. It is not a job that you learn on the job!!!
We are not in that bad of a position where we need to resort to this sort of desperation are we?
We have a golden opportunity to put a stranglehold on Scottish football and we're ploayign russian roullette instead.
|
|
4/6/2010 |
|
|
Where do these newspapers get their stories from!!!! Stuart Baxter!!!! I know you shouldn't believe everything you read, but honsetly if that's 'well worth the wait' we might as well turn off the lights and lock the gates!
Also I would take issue with the reports on the celtic website which stated that a steady stream of supporters were visiting the ticket office to renew their season tickets. I don't know about anyone else but my ticket renews automatically! further to this i was up at Celtic Park yesterday and contrary to what is being reported their was no customers in the ticket office and only 3 staff behind the counter who were not exactly rushed off their feet!!! Me thinks the powers at be are engaged in some form of supporter kidology! personally i believe we will be lucky to get 25,000 season ticket holders next season!
In closing Dermott, Peter and unfortunately John; 'Gonnaegetyeractthegetheryabunchawaarmers!'
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Hugh
Are you by any chance Hughie Docherty from Shettleston, Margaret's twin?
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Hugh, glad you like the site and hope you keep in touch - always happy to have overseas members as well! I have to beg to differ on your comment about the 'right side of the fence'. You would have to agree that our greatest ever manager was not a Catholic and neither was Wim Jansen (who will always be remembered for stopping the Rangers from winning 10 in a row), John Barnes (who was denounced as a failure but no mention made of his religion), not sure what religion Josez Venglos was (and I'm not sure it mattered to anyone) and Gordon Strachan's unpopularity (among a section of the fans) was nothing to do with his religion and more to do with his style of football or his personality.
So I don't think there is any evidence that the fan's acceptance of a manager has anything to do with his creed or colour and long may that continue.
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Sean Devine,
Until there is a radical change in the spread of its available football finances and the format of its competitions, Celtic’s only realistic interest in European football lies in collecting a few bob for appearing in the preliminary stages of the Champions and Europa Leagues. As a consequence, it matters not a jot whether or not Neil Lennon proves to be a disaster in that particular arena of competition.
Aside from the above Sean, can you name any experienced manager of note, regardless of salary offered, who could be persuaded to risk his reputation in the dead end that the SPL represents?
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
if the same lot that made the decisions to let Strachan go anf appoint TM then i do not hold much hope for the correct manager to be chosen Lambert and Coyle have had success in England Lennon has a 1-0 record against the Gers if the new manager is not from the right side of the fence the fans will turn him away .Good Luck just came across your web sight the other day love it.
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Philip
I know of no reason why a PLC cannot accept donations from anyone wealthy or otherwise. Does anyone else have a definitive view on this?
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Hi Kenny.
Thanks for that,
Great idea then and best of luck with it, I supported a disabled Gent at some home games a couple of years ago and have to say things were generally fine, parking was a problem but given time since things may have changed.
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Does anyone on this message board think Neil Lennon will do damage in Europe as celtic manager?
If so, please explain why you hold that view.
Personally - I'm predicting a disaster.
I also hold that view that the Board are treating us like clowns by taking this risk. It IS a risk is it not?
With good stewardship we could really dominate the league for the next decade. I genuinely can't fathom why we need to take this risk when more experienced managers are available. Madness.
|
|
2/6/2010 |
|
|
Bob Storrar and Kenny B.
Bob.
Like others that we know of, the Israeli government seems hell bent on further dissipating the already rapidly diminishing fund of goodwill that extends towards it.
Unfortunately, the situation will never be resolved equitably, until the Israelis and Palestinians have an equal number of voting sympathisers in the USA. Only then will American politicians of all parties be freed to act as truly honest brokers in the Middle East. Although nominally a work of fiction, Susan Abulhawa’s ‘Mornings in Jenin’, provides an informative read for anyone interested in the modern history of the present Israel/Palestine conflict.
Kenny B.
Reid having done no bad for a communist.
Depending on how the cookies crumble, there is the potential for an admittedly improbable, but not entirely impossible ‘we ain’t seen nuthin yet’ scenario.
Given the present mutterings about the public contribution to her finances, Her Majesty might decide that enough is enough, take the dundy money, put a good face on it by spouting the obligatory bit about duty, kick and squeal some and then go quietly. Failing this, she might simply find herself an unwilling tenant in the great celestial palace.
Some powerful, conservative members of the establishment, still miffed at Prince Charles’ marital and extra marital activities might successfully prevail upon him, all in the line of duty of course, to forego his claim to the throne. This process would of course be jollied along by wads of tax payers’ money being stuffed down the throats of the Heir Apparent and his spouse.
What exactly have all the above ramblings to do with Celtic and former communist republican John Reid, you might ask?
Not a lot really. Except come 23rd July 2014 we might well see the possibly ermine-clad Reid, at his most obsequious, welcoming at the gates of Paradise, the then King Billy, for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.
|
|
1/6/2010 |
|
|
Jim
We were at the Supporters Direct Conference at the weekend and this subject cropped up.
It was addressed by a guy called Keith Ferguson of CAFE(Centre for Access to Football in Europe)
Basically we were of the same opinion as you, the supporters are the same no matter what, but he was of the opinion that disabled rights are generally lost within the grand scheme of things.
The upshot is, if we have or could form a disabled supporters club, he could represent them on certain issues and help them gain more/better facilities at matches.
As Chairman of the Hearts disabled club and a double amputee, his members have carried out a survey of 16 Scottish grounds with a view to how disabled friendly they were.
Celtic Park came out sixth in the survey.
There were various criteria such as:
how far the disabled car park was from the stadium,
what type of surface it had;
Was there wheelchair access to all areas:
did the catering facilities cater for the disabled,
toilet facilities,
was the carers seat beside the disabled person,
were they under cover,
what type of view did they have etc etc.
We think that these are areas that should be addressed by the club and we had already raised some of the issues earlier in the year before we were aware of CAFE.
Think this would be a good chance to unite a group of fans who are the only ones who know the difficulties they face on a match day.
|
|
1/6/2010 |
|
|
Response to the post by Vincent Doherty 27/5/10
Well you know there's only one Bob Storrar, you've met him.
For the umpteenth time, apart from drawing pictures for you I don't know how to get you to understand I did not express a view against Lennon's appointment I said I held some misgivings none of which included his integrity or honesty. You appear to be unable to think in anything other than straight lines. Have another look at the two postings and try for once to see that they are not contradictory.
Anyway you have been fortunate to have been the subject of the one and only Bob Storrar's posting on this site.
Keep the Faith
|
|
1/6/2010 |
|
|
Hi Kenny.
Could you clarify please the situation with your post about a Disabled supporters club.
As someone who has worked in the field for many years I am a bit uncomfortable about the idea, forgive me for being PC but I would much rather that any person with a disability would join there local supporters club rather than a disabled club be set up, social inclusion is a big driving force in the disability sector right now, such a club might be seen as being a backward step.
If however it is about Disabled supporters getting together to provide a platform for disabled supporters to voice any concerns they may have about attending matches I think it is a great idea, a big Celtic fan I worked with back home Jamie Gallagher from Airdrie would I bet would love the opportunity to advocate for himself or others on such subjects.
|
|
1/6/2010 |
|
|
AM I RIGHT IN THINKING THAT AS CELTIC IS A PLC THEY CANT ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM WEALTHY INDIVIDUALS.I WAS LOOKING FOR A LINK TO ASK THE CLUB DIRECTLY BUT COULD NOT FIND ONE I WAS AT THE MEETING ON THURSDAY. MANY THANKS PHIL.
|
|
31/5/2010 |
|
|
very good report Jeanette.
Let's hope that it's the first of many.
|
|
31/5/2010 |
|
|
Anyone who was shocked and dismayed by Israel's action on the aid convoy as reported today on television and radio news reports today might like to know that our illustrious chairman was/is a member of Labour Friends of Israel in common with his Prime Minister Blair currently Middle East Peace Envoy.
Your spot on Kenny "more faces than Big Ben".
Keep the Faith
|
|
31/5/2010 |
|
|
Is there a disabled Celtic Supporters club?
if not,anyone interested in forming a disabled supporters club, please contact The Celtic Trust.
|
|
29/5/2010 |
|
|
Jim
Point taken.
No offence meant.
Yes there should be Q and A's wherever there are Celtic fans.
if they can organise matches they should engage the support.
Reid, done no bad for a Communist
More faces than Big Ben
Is he still at the club.Haven't seen him about, Mr Teflon pants
|
|
29/5/2010 |
|
|
Very pleased to hear the Celtic Park meeting went off in an orderly fashion.
I hope there won't be any "misgivings" or "personal insult"
taken over my suggestion.
I consider Davie Hay to be a prime candidate for consideration if Lennon is to have an older experienced guy in support. Consider, apart from his success at Celtic he played a big part in the signings of Viduka, De Canio, Cadette, Pierre and by far the best of all Henrik. He also was a league winner as a manager in Norway.
Tom O'Neill told you first, Reid's a peer (among other things).
Cannae wait tae see him in his get up, that other great socialist, Speaker Martin looked like he'd fallen ootae a box of Cadburys Roses when went he was geared up fur initiation.
Keep the Faith
|
|
29/5/2010 |
|
|
I watched the feed online from the Q & A session on Thursday. Well done to the Trust for organising what proved to be a popular event.
What is the general take on the Peter Lawwell statement that the manager search will be 'worth the wait'? Surely if they are going to appoint Neil Lennon there would be no need to wait?
|
|
29/5/2010 |
|
|
Hi Eddie.
Thanks for your reply and clarifying the situation on the night, I guess we are all getting hyped up on a subject of great importance given last season debacle, I fully respect your opinion and that of it seems a large majority of those present at the meeting, my concern and it is shared by many others is that Neil has not got the experience to take on such a role, given that we have endured 2 shocking seasons I dont believe it is time for a managerial newcomer. I also believe that with Neil being a Celtic man through and through judgements can become a bit cloudy, I am fed up of the term Celtic man in relation to the management structure, we fell into that trap with Tony Mowbray, my opinion only but we could be walking into the same trap again.
For me a Roy Hodgson type, he has been at the helm at a top club so has walked the walked.
aKb, I would have loved to been at the meeting and think such occasions are very healthy for supporters, but living in Nsw Australia I find it difficult. maybe a meeting could be arranged for all the supporters over here, I would be there for sure at the mike.
|
|
29/5/2010 |
|
|
Ye see yon birkie ca'd 'a lord,'
Wha struts, an' stares, an' a' that?
Tho' hundreds worship at his word,
He's but a cuif for a' that.
Scabbie Rabbie certainly knew a thing or six when he penned the above.
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Three cheers all the way to London Road for Eddie Toner's comments last night.
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Jim
Eddie Toner was making a personal view as everyone is entitled to.If you were at the meeting, Eddie introduced himself as Eddie Toner of the Celtic Supporters Association and a member of The Celtic Trust. I'm sure the many people who stood at the mike and introduced themselves and said Celtic season book holder or Celtic shareholder were not speaking for the said block of fans.
There are many people who wouldn't like to see Neil get the No1 job, but if you feel that strongly, maybe you should have went to the mike last night and put your views forward.
Remember, football is all about opinions.
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Jim, thanks for your comments. I am not sure you needed to state them in such an aggresive tone but i suppose you might feel a bit better for doing so. To address the points you made firstly I gave what I believed to be an honest assesment of how i see things at the minute. I never at anytime claimed to represent your views. I merely gave my own invidual opinion on my support for Neil Lennon. I never claimed to represent the Trust and have no control over how the gutter press describe things. You are of course entitled to your opinion but judging by the cheers and applause that my comments received last night I firmly believe that the substantial majority of the Celtic support would support the apppointment of Neil as manager. It may not quite have been London Rd but the very suggestion that he get the job resulted in cheers down in the Kerrydale Suite last night. Without wanting to sound arrogant i believe those ceers WOULD reverberate as far as London Rd should the appointment of Lennon be made permanent!
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Michael
Typo - it should have said 'not' instead of 'now'
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Hi.
i have just read in the daily mail website that Eddie Toner of the celtic trust has told peter lawell to stop dilly dallying and appoint neil lennon, well I would put it to you Eddie that you do not speak for a large number of people me and lots of my friends included who dont share your opinion, To state to Mr lawell that there would be cheers down London road if Neil lennon gets the job is a bit arrogant to say the least, I for one dont think Neil with his lack of experience has the tools to do the job, yes maybe a number 2 or 3 role but it makes no sense to a lot of people to give such an inexperienced person such a role.
|
|
28/5/2010 |
|
|
Eddie Toner's comments last night were spot on and wholly represents the majority of celtic fans opinions i mix with in work,at games,in the pub and amongst those i was sitting amongst last night in the kerrydale suit! Appoint Neil Lennon now! the future is bright the future is ginger!
HAIL HAIL
|
|
27/5/2010 |
|
|
Jeanette, you wrote
"I am now becoming extremely uncomfortable about the level of discussion of Neil Lennon's health issues and I would like to ask people to stop discussing it. It is extremely inappropriate. I have posted your comment because I wish to respond to your other points."
I have explained my reasons for my concern. I don't understand why discussion about the future health, and health hazards, of a prospective manager of our club is inappropriate.
"So the Trust has now "allowed itself to be used" and we are not trying to subvert any process. I am surprised that you, as a member of the Trust, would think otherwise."
I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by this. If it is a 'dig' at what I wrote, then it has gone over my head.
Jeanette, you did not address the point I made about the legal action against Neil. I will assume that this subject is inappropriate also.
I am disappointed that I cannot get any feedback about these issues, but I accept this. Lets hope that the supporters who go along tonight, will do better at getting information than I did; that the choreography is not as carefully stage-managed as the annual Celtic AGM.
Surely not. How ironic would that be!
|
|
27/5/2010 |
|
|
Michael
I am now becoming extremely uncomfortable about the level of discussion of Neil Lennon's health issues and I would like to ask people to stop discussing it. It is extremely inappropriate. I have posted your comment because I wish to respond to your other points.
The set of meetings which are due to begin this evening (Thursday 27th)follow on from the suggestion by the Trust on 6th May that the manager, Neil Lennon should go out on the road, speak to fans and try to encourage them to renew their season tickets. It is no secret that I and many other Trust members think that, of the candidates mentioned in all seriousness, Neil Lennon is the only credible candidate. I have some misgivings about the fact that we have still not been told who the manager will be next season, but in the meantime the holder of the post is required to undertake any duties which the Club think appropriate, including engaging with the fans.
So the Trust has not "allowed itself to be used" and we are not trying to subvert any process. I am surprised that you, as a member of the Trust, would think otherwise.
|
|
27/5/2010 |
|
|
Neil Lennon's mental health history has been discussed both by Neil himself, and by many commentators and members of the public, including our supporters. I have no way of knowing how this bipolar condition affects his every day life. What I do know is that it can be a progressive illness. I also know that taking alcohol can exacerbate the condition.
We have here, a characteristically depressive illness being liberally fuelled by a depressive drug, regularly in Neil's case. In these circumstances there is no guarantee of stabilty. And, above all else, what we want from Celtic at this crucial juncture in our history is stability.
In these days when the term 'due diligence' gets thrown around, usually in reference to 'them', Neil's financial involvement with the Bank of Ireland seems to be getting ignored.
The Bank of Ireland say that Lenny owes it 3 million euro. Lennon disputes this. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 12. What happens if Justice Kelly finds in favour of the Bank of Ireland? The consequences for Neil could be much worse than having to repay the 3 million. Not only
will Justice Kelly rule that Neil owes the money, he will, by inference, have handed down a judgement that shows up our prospective manager in a less than positive light.
I have heard lots of speculation about the possible outcome of this case, some informed but mostly idle. The general consensus is that Lenny has a good case, and the judge will find in his favour. But what if the judge finds in favour of the Bank of Ireland. With even the slightest chance of this nightmare scenario happening, why are we pursuing this high wire recruitment process.
I assume that the club is open to enquiries from candidates for the vacant managerial position. Why, therefore, is the Trust allowing itself to be used to facilitate this obviously weighted selection process in favour of one candidate over all others?
Apart from the basic unfairness of pushing the claims of just one candidate the Trust's endorsement of Neil Lennon seems to be at odds with fundamental principles of equal opportunity.
Bob Storrar, I agree about most of what you say re Lenny. However, the Orange Order, like the peace walls, owes its origins to the British (including Scottish) occupation of Ireland. We don't want them. You can have them back any day!
|
|
27/5/2010 |
|
|
I hadn't intended further comment on the discussion with regard to the appointment of a Manager. So this is definitely my parting shot. With regard to the discussion on Neil Lennon's appointment and Bob Storrar's passionate opposition to it, I couldn't help but wonder if he's any relation to the the other Bob Storrar who was singing Lenny's praises in the aftermath of the Ross County defeat last month. At that time a Bob Storrar stated on this very website (12/04/2010)that Lenny's honest assessment of the debacle in the media had "added to my admiration of his integrity. Like anyone else I don't know who'll be the next Manager, but I'm certain we won't get one more honest or Celtic minded than Neil Lennon." I couldn't have put it better myself. Would the real Bob Storrar please stand up?
|
|
26/5/2010 |
|
|
Picture the scene.
The Lawwell and Lenny Show rolls on.
The fans go out and buy the season books.
Lenny gets the elbow.
What happens next?
Answers on a postcard to
Dermott Desmond
c/o Celtic Park
Glasgow
|
|
26/5/2010 |
|
|
a Vincent,
Like Sean Devine 24/5 I'd ask you to re-read my posting and tell me where I said Lennon shouldn't be manager because he was attacked, in fact I said he was the innocent victim on both occasions.
I think it'd be difficult to discern the hysteria when you are in the middle of it. You obviously don't consider, and I quote, " if anything is to be taken from our Citadel it will be over our bruised and battered bodies", to be verging on hysteria. There's nane sae blind as them that cannae see.
I said a manager of Celtic shouldn't put himself in the position where he's open to attacks as he has. If you think otherwise then we must disagree.
If I took you seriously, I'd take great offence at your cheap jibe about my thinking women deserve to be mistreated if they go out after dark
I can't imagine Big Jock, Big Billy, Davie Hay and others roaming around areas where they'd likely meet trouble.
I would agree that such events do our society no good at all.
But you must agree that some of these goings on have their origins across the Irish sea. The Orange Lodge is an import from Ireland. As bad as Scottish society is we haven't yet got miles of "peace walls" dividing communities. Nor do we have shootings on a par with Dublin and its environs. I don't think we will ever agree Vincent.
Remember June 2009? you thought then we had got the best man, Mowbray, for the job.
I don't know what you've got going for you but a couple of years ago I wrote in a similar vein to your "Telling Uncle Walter to take a Hike'. Although my offering was two paragraphs at most. Guess what? it wasn't published because the Chair decided, and I paraphrase "that we should let other clubs sort themselves out".
I must finish now or I'll beat you for length (of posting I mean)and if it keeps you happy, Ross County was a figment of my imagination and it's better to be second by six points than say thirteen.
Keep the Faith
|
|
26/5/2010 |
|
|
ref., previous post of mine apologies for not signing off with my usual Keep the Faith
So;
Keep the Faith
|
|
26/5/2010 |
|
|
i am just wondering if Aiden McGeady is leaving?
some are saying he is and others are saying he isn't but to be really truthful i really really don't want him to go and neither does alot of us.
please don't let him go. :(
|
|
26/5/2010 |
|
|
Having surveyed Bob's comments and the previous ten posts on this site I have to say I can discern no obovious pattern of 'hysterical' campaigning on Lenny's behalf.
That said, it does appear to me absurd that someone might suggest Neil Lennon is not a suitable Manager based on the fact that he has been attacked on several occassions by thugs because of his assocaitions with Celtic. The fact that Neil Lennon is hated and despised by bigots, or that he has been attacked for the crime of being an Irish Catholic Celtic player says a whole lot more about Scottish society than it does about Neill Lennon's credentials as a Manager.Its a bit like saying women wouldn't be attacked at night if only the satyed at home after dark.
As regards the Ross County result I think it is frankly absurd to blame Lennon given that he was two weeks into trying to transform a team which had been almost fatlly demoralised under Mowbray. All I said was if Lennon had had another two weeks before the game he would have turned things around sufficentley for us to beat Ross County and go on and win the Cup. I stand by that.
As a rule I don't do 'if's,' 'but's' or 'maybe's' but on this occassion I think it was a justifiable observation given what is at stake. Perhaps those really responsible for capitulating to 'hysteria' are those who only see the Ross County result as a stick with which to beat Neil Lennon whilst conveniently ingoring his otherwise unblemished record as a servant to the club both on and off the field. Hail Hail!
|
|
25/5/2010 |
|
|
Having read the almost hysterical level of postings in support of Lennon for the managers job from on this forum. I must say I expect him to be appointed but have serious misgivings.
With apologies to anyone who may take personal offence, (where did that come from?), I'm concerned as to what affect on his health the daily pressures of the position may have. I speak from at least 10 years family experience of the scourge that is mental health problems. From another standpoint I'm concerned that someone so obviously hated by some of the city's inhabitants would be so naive as to walk the West End late on a weekend night and leave himself a target for assault. I think there was another incident when he got out of his car in Great Western Road to confront 2 hoodlums in another vehicle who were harassing him and his girl friend. He was obviously the innocent party both times but someone who will probably hold the Celtic managers job must ensure that he does his utmost to avoid being in places where these things may happen.
To me it portrays just how far the Club as a whole has slumped, when a guy WHO WAS IN CHARGE at the Ross County match and was in charge when winning the remaining league matches is regarded as some sort of caped crusader.We are told that IF he'd been in charge for two more weeks prior to that awful Cup Semi, Celtic would've won. You know what they say, "IF yer Granny had mens' reproductive bits, she'd be yer Granda." When he's appointed I'll wish him well. They'll surely not let him meet the fans on Thursday evening then not give him the job.
|
|
25/5/2010 |
|
|
Not meant as an offence to anyone"but I was depressed"watching the team earlier in the season.
lenny was a ray of sunshine.
|
|
25/5/2010 |
|
|
Ian
The meeting is for Celtic supporters and therefore is not open to the media. However, inevitably we cannot be sure that someone is not a reporter if they turn up at the meeting so people need to bear that in mind. But having said that anyone who wants to know what was said at the meeting can rely on reports from the Trust, from Celtic and from other supporters/supporters' organisations who are present.
The Trust is planning a live twitterfeed if you wish to follow it and also there is a discussion currently going on (which will continue throughout the meeting itself) which you can find by searching for the term #ticmeet on Twitter's home page.
I hope this helps to allay your fears.
|
|
25/5/2010 |
|
|
Can anyone from the trust confirm whether the media will be allowed into the forthcoming Q & A session with Neil Lennon and Peter Lawwell? In my opinion if they are allowed in it will be a recipe for disaster, and there is zero chance of anything being accurately reported, with a negative, divisive spin put on everything.
|
|
24/5/2010 |
|
|
No problem at all Sean. I appreciate your sentiment and fully accept that you have the best interests of the club and the support at heart. As well as that I understand fully that your position is prompted by a genuine concern for Lenny which I think at various levels we all share. However hard it was to watch Tony Mowbray preside over the fiasco which was last season it would be ten times more painful to watch Lenny go through something similar. I suppose where I come from on this is Lenny's own desire to take on the challenges he faces in transforming our beloved club too it's rightful place. Best regards a chara. Hail Hail!
|
|
24/5/2010 |
|
|
Dwyer O'Hagan
Can you email the Trust on celtictrust@hotmail.com and we will send you the details you asked for re the roadshow in the North?
It is up to the organisers to make a formal announcement so I don't want to put it on the site unless someone tells me it is OK
|
|
24/5/2010 |
|
|
It's not the managers job to scout Europe. That's what our army of scouts do.
it's the managers job to identify weakness in the team and relay that to the scouts. They source the players, the manager then decides.
It's not the managers job to negotiate contracts.
he identifies the player, put the case to the money men and its up to them to secure the best deal for the club.
It's the managers job to manage the team, either on the training park or on the competitive field of play.
Is that to simplistic a regime?
|
|
24/5/2010 |
|
|
Just a quick note in response to Vincent D.
Vincent - I re-read my post and I think if you read take the paragraph as a whole and don't isolate that single sentence, the thrust of what I'm saying is that Neil Lennon will probably make a decent manager in time but, in fairness to him, when someone has fragile mental health, then the last thing anyone should be doing, for his sake and ours, is giving him the most stressful job on the planet. It would not happen in any other business and it would not be the actions of a responsible Board.
That's hardly a contraversial statement is it?
Of course I'd love him to have the job and do well at it. Wouldn't it be perfect to see him leading a Celtic team to victory at Ibrox? I just think that now is not the right time when we have a real chance to bury our nearest rivals with a tried and tested management team.
That being said, I genuinely apologise because I agree that I could have phrased my sentiments in a more tasteful way.
|
|
23/5/2010 |
|
|
Daniel,
The appointment of Lennon is most certainly not what everyone wants. To look at the results and attribute them to Lennon and his style of management is folly. Many clubs when ridding themselves of a previous regime experience more positive results but it is difficult to pinpoint whether this is as a consequence of the new management, or through a relief that the previous incumbent has departed. We are about to potentially give responsibility to someone with no experience of scouting players, who is bereft of the necessary knowledge of the European market and who has to replace players, three of whom, perhaps four will return to the clubs they are contracted to, one of whom has scored most of the goals that have given us the recent victories in the SPL. If I had been told six months ago that we were to hand the reins to a manager who oversaw the most abject performance Celtic have produced in recent history, which culminated in losing by two goals to a lower league side I would have thought the conveyer of such information was jesting. If this appointment does come to pass then it is symptomatic of the club losing all sense of worth and ambition. All that said, the performances in the League have improved to the extent that the very least he deserves is a prominent position within the coaching staff as I think he could be instrumental in supplementing a more experienced manager.
|
|
23/5/2010 |
|
|
Well said Sean.
it seems we may becoming a minority but I agree with everything you said.
The task of managing our club cannot be given to someone lacking in experience.
Neil Lennon is a fantastic Celtic man but lets not get carried away with his record when the season was effectively over, the Ross county games which was the only one that mattered and we collapsed against a minnow of Scottish football, as Sean stated a bigger name would attract bigger names.
|
|
23/5/2010 |
|
|
at the q and a session get battered into peter lawell and ask for him to release fortune and sameras as they are sh...!
|
|
23/5/2010 |
|
|
For the first time in living memory most of the season ticket Celtic fans I talk to want to know who is leaving Celtic Park, not who is coming in. Are we to assume that I am expected to cough up a £1000.00 again for me and my son to watch the likes of a certain No.9 & No 10 fall about and miss open goals, or a No. 6 who after a good start has decided he is no longer interested in playing for 90 minutes. If Peter Lawell wants my money all he has to do is assure me that the 'professionals' listed above are now history and I will gladly hand over my money, but I refuse to watch our current No. 6, 9 & 10 in the hoops any more, remember what big Jock said, 'Celtic jerseys do not shrink to fit inferior players'
|
|
23/5/2010 |
|
|
Whilst I accept without question Sean Devine's right to oppose the appointment of Neil Lennon on grounds of his lack of experience, I personally am deeply offended at the suggestion the he is not suitable because of 'profound' mental health issues. This is an insult. Lenny has had the courage to speak openly about his struggle with depression, a condition which is eminently treatable these days particularly where it is acknowledged by the person concerned. Depression and other conditions,for example bi -polar disorder, need not in any way affect or interfere with a person's ability to perform their duties.
Almost as absurd is the suggestion that the eight back to back SPL wins secured under Lenny's stewardship were 'utterly meaningless.' They may have been 'utterly meaningless' to Sean Devine but they were anything but meaningless to the vast majority of the Celtic support. Nobody bothered to tell the other teams they were meaningless, especially the last two games against Rangers and Hearts. I attended both and I can assure Sean that for those of us who turn up they were crucially important.
With regard to Ross County debacle, my own feeling is that had it occurred 2 weeks later not only would we have beaten Ross County but gone on the win the cup. That's as maybe I suppose but what we do know is that Lenny inherited a team which had been almost fatally demoralized under Tony Mowbray. He transformed them in a very tight time frame and restored them into something resembling a Celtic team. He put some pride back in those wearing the jersey and brought a good deal of joy to the supporters. I think what we need now is a Manager who knows what this club is about and who is prepared to go to any lengths to bring us back to our rightful place. In general terms I have no hard and fast opinions about Mark Hughes as a Manager, but for me he is missing an essential qualification. That of having witnessed closely what the support has been through over the past few seasons and an understanding of how to best rectify it. Lenny knows the importance of this mission for the entire community from which the club draws its lifeblood. I'm convinced that given the minimum resources required to strengthen the team, Neil Lennon can do it. Appoint him now!
|
|
22/5/2010 |
|
|
i wish the board would just appoint lennon as they know it what every1 wants for the club and you could see in all the games h was in charge we had fight back and determination to succed
|
|
22/5/2010 |
|
|
hail hail lenny for manager and lets get some fight back into those celtic shirts 11 fighters too win the league in 2010-2011
|
|
22/5/2010 |
|
|
Like all Celtic supporters I nervously await the board's decision on the next Celtic manager. I'm writing though to implore any people with any influence at the club to use their best endeavours to ensure that Neil Lennon is not installed as manager.
This is fairly sacrilegious talk given that, for most Celtic supporters, Lennon is an iconic figure and was a central figure when we doing well. Simple fact is, we all love him.
However, the Celtic manager's job is not a job for an apprentice and I see no reason why we should take a risk like this.
The job is one of the the most stressful jobs on the planet, let alone in football. Gordon Strachan, who, despite his eccentricities is generally regarded as a fairly philosophical and resilient character, describes it as the hardest job in football ('harder than the prime minster's job') and after doing it 'you can do anything'. Why the Celtic board would even consider giving it to someone with profound and accepted mental health issues is difficult to fathom. It would not be fair to Lennon (who could actually be a decent manager, in time) and it is insulting to those of us whose happiness during the week is in some way dependent upon the results at the weekend.
The run of league results Lennon had augurs well for him in management. However, it fails to recognise that the games he won were utterly meaningless and, in the only game that did matter, we were out played, out battled and out thought in every department by a team struggling in the league below that did not even enjoy home advantage. In the Rangers game they missed a string of chances whilst we scraped through with a lucky deflection.
The Celtic board have inexplicably refused to engage with Mark Hughes. I know this for a fact. Even though he has made it clear that:
1. He is keen and eager to take the job on;
2. He is very realistic about the type of pay cut he will have to take;
3. He would be more than happy to give Lennon a prominent role and groom him for management.
Hughes is more likely to attract decent players and can handle the big situations. He is looking forward to coming. Yet, we seem happy to court people like Billy Davies and Craig Levein.
I look forward to Lennon managing Celtic. But not next season. It would not be fair on him and it would be insulting to us to take such a risk.
|
|
21/5/2010 |
|
|
Well put Vincent, the only man who can put "we want lenny" into a thousand words.
Hail Hail
|
|
21/5/2010 |
|
|
Isanoyne aware if the "Roadshow" is coming to the North of Ireland. If so are dates and venue/s set?
|
|
21/5/2010 |
|
|
I understand there will be one meeting in the North (Belfast I think). I understand the dates will be available soon. If not, we are happy to make enquiries on your behalf.
|
|
21/5/2010 |
|
|
I would like to congratulate 'The Trust' in their efforts to get the club more involved with the supporters as I like many of my fellow fans feel greatly disenchanted at the current situation
However part of me thinks that this 'Roadshow' will be no more than an opportunity for those in charge (wee Lenny apart) to roll out the same old cliches of 'Faithful through and through' , 'Celtic Family', etc to entice the support to blindly give them their hard earned cash without answering real questions!
For to long we have been; 'The Greatest Supporters in the World!!'.....Until they receive the first paymen of our season book renewals and then we are surplus to requirements for another year! We are not just a revenue stream!!!
Don't get me wrong I'm not advocating any sort of bhoycott or anything as this would only weaken our position and strengthen that of.......well you know!!! So in short i guess what I'm saying is Mr Lawwell please don't send me letters of apology with the same old tired slogans! Give us some real answers!
|
|
20/5/2010 |
|
|
2nd Generation, no you don't need anything, just bring yourself! If you want to download an application form and fill it in in advance then fine, but there will be copies available at the meeting.
Patrick, you make a fair point. Do you want us to raise this with the Club?
Carntyne
Yes the meeting is open to all supporters. Hope to see you there.
|
|
20/5/2010 |
|
|
Fair play to the Celtic Trust.
I will be attending the 28th of May meeting.
Outside of £10 membership money is there anything else i as a small shareholder need to bring with me so i can join.
Paperwork etc..............
|
|
20/5/2010 |
|
|
Is this meeting on Friday 28th May open to all?
|
|
20/5/2010 |
|
|
Great Idea .
And why not include us Overseas supporters
when the Bhoys visit North America .
As an old Greenock Bhoy now residing in MONTREAL Canada
I would love to meet up with the bosses ( even if it is just to ask why they have not already given Neil the job)
We may not be able to go to the games but we do get up at some ungodly hours to watch and support the mighty Celtic
so I think we are entitled :-)
Pat Gillen
Joe Kennaway Montreal Celtic Supporters Club .
|
|
19/5/2010 |
|
|
Re Jim Wards comments on the 5/5.
Yes Jim its bonkers, that's why its going ahead next week.
Keep up with the Trust website.
You know, sometimes Celtic actually listen to us.
|
|
12/5/2010 |
|
|
FAO 2nd Generation supporter
I think the form to which kb is referring is the resolution which we will propose for the agenda of the Celtic AGM this autumn. The aim of this is to give supporters a voice in the running of the Club. If you would like to endorse this aim you will find the resolution form in the Issues section of this website under the heading 'Resolution re supporter representation'.
Or if you prefer you could send me an email to celtictrust@hotmail.com and I will email you back with the form. It then needs to be signed and returned to me.
Any shareholder who holds a minimum of 100 shares can sign the resolution so there may be others who would also like to sign.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
|
|
12/5/2010 |
|
|
Had a great night in the Emerald club so thanks to Phil and all the folk from the Wolverhampton Shamrock CSC who helped us out in our hour of need last Tuesday night ! Yes a lesson learned! Never commit to anything until you see the SPL split. Keep well from Thomas and Paul.
|
|
11/5/2010 |
|
|
1akb, need to put my hands up here.
I,m guessing your meaning the bumph that thousands of us don,t read.
And yes the PLC are still sending out £16 odds every year.
Afaid me and no doubt hundreds if not thousands of us will need to be taken in hand with this.
Best if i appear at an open meeting and you can enlighten me in the ways of the market and what form/s i,m supposed to sign.
ps, don,t even try explaining "Amortization" to me
.
|
|
11/5/2010 |
|
|
Re 2nd generation.
Hope you sign the resolution form backing the Trust.
Do you still get your £16 divi?
|
|
11/5/2010 |
|
|
Just came across your website.
Thank you fellow shareholders and supporters for keep the good fight alive.
Sadly i found your website just too late to make the May 2010 open meeting.
Don,t worry all going well i,ll make the next one and you can accept my membership.
Now for my user name, 2nd generation, just as it says, my father bought the shares and they have now passed to me.
Tell me if i,m wrong on this one.
May father bought £600 worth of shares.
I figure out going by the £16 yearly dividend, that you get your money back in 38 years, yes or no.
Yet we never wanted our money back.
Surely the whole point for small shareholders/supporters was that any money was re-invested into Celtic FC.
On the playing front, summer of 2010, lets hope we get it right or we going to be stuck in dark times.
I notice others of a certain senior age posting on here, my question to them is, what do you think would have happened if Jock Stein had,nt arrived or had had,nt been successful.
Where do you think Celtic would be now.
|
|
8/5/2010 |
|
|
Q1 POPPYS
A1 whats the harm in wearing one ,its now 2010 lets forget and move on
Q2 REFS
A2 ALL SUPPORTERS FROM EVERY CLUB SAY THE SAME THING ITS ALL PART OF THE GAME
Q3 THE WAY OUR CLUB IS RUN
A3 VERY BADLY AND JUST PURE GREED FROM THE POWER TO BE NEXT YEAR WILL HURT THERE BONUS WHEN THE TOP TEIRS ARE CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF INTEREST
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
Jeanette,
Just read on CQN your comments re Neil Lennon as next manager and your ideas for a Celtic Roadshow.
Have to say I agree completely with you re Neil. He is articulate, intelligent, focused, determined - all the atributes. He loves The Celtic - something we should not be afraid to wish for in our manager. Granted not experienced as a manager but his experience as a player will more than make up for that. He's not a dreamer like Liam Brady or idealistic like John Barnes. He knows that wining is everything. He knows we have to finish in fron ot that lot southside. I believe we should b glad he's available. He believes managing Celtic is a privilige.
The Roadshow idea - excellent. What better way to touch with a marginalised fanbase?
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
Ok Jim
How do you envisage galvanising the support given the season we had?
Take it the forums all about opinions.
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
Jim Ward.
Lennon road show.
Given the extent to which its incompetence has embarrassed us, a bit of face to face with the fans might do the Celtic management no harm.
Indeed, admittedly a bit of an extremist, I have long advocated that after a result like St. Mirren or Ross County, players and management alike should be dragged into west of Scotland pubs and workplaces and share in the less than happy experiences of the ordinary fan.
As for road shows being a daft idea. I believe that Fergus took part in some when he was drumming up support. And no matter what else he was, Fergus was far from being daft.
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
Jim
I hadn't realised that a simple suggestion of a few road shows to galvanise the support would elicit such a strong reaction but you are entitled to your opinion.
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
That comment from Jeanette Findlay, re the Lennon in the Road... is bonkers and an embarrassment to our club.
Jim
|
|
6/5/2010 |
|
|
The Celtic Trust will shortly be raffling a replica Republic of Ireland shirt signed by Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady.
Keep posted for details
|
|
29/4/2010 |
|
|
Heartfelt congratulations to the Young Hoops who kept the 'green flag flying high..........' in their magnificent victory over the baby bigots at Hampden on Wednesday night. The magnificent performance on the park was matched by all accounts by an equally magnificent performance in the stands from the Bhoys and Ghirls of the Green Brigade. Congratulations to those on the field and in the stands who managed to shut up and silence the bigots and complete a fantastic League and Cup double. Hail Hail the Wee Bhoys!
|
|
