Celtic Banter Archive January 03 2016

03 Jan 2016 22:21:18
Speaking on the rumours page about David moyes and something I hadn't thought of brought up by Delphic was the state he left Everton in when he left - a lot of their key players were bought by him. His reputation went downhill after Man U and you can see the wonders LVG has done taking over! But if Moyes came to Celtic he would want to be the manager not the head coach. That's what MON and WGS were I think and they had a much bigger say in players and the club. I think if ronnie was to go the n we should get a 'manager' not a coach.

I think that lawell/ banker, etc see RD as a long term head coach to help build the club up from youth through to first team meaning that players costing nothing can be sold on for a big profit. If there was ever a time for the first team to be weaker and start to bring through youth and go down that route then it's now with sevco stumbling there way through the leagues. Difference being that we have had a decent run in Europe over the past ten years which has possibly spoilt us in Europe? Before MON we were always poor in Europe, he got us up to a high standing but had a lot of money to spend, WGS helped continue this but then started to go downhill from NL. We aren't going to get money MON had so long term plan needed to change. Just my thoughts but I feel that's why the board are happy to keep ronnie. I don't necessarily agree with it but reading between the lines with my optimistically glasses!

03 Jan 2016 23:29:13
Marty 88 I might be wrong but I think the board (D D ) employed Lawwell to curb the control and spending of MO'N .
In any case over the last dozen years or so Scotland has really become a foot ball back water . In the first 2/ 3 yrs of this century we could complete with mid table EPL teams for players, now we can't complete with Championship and are forced to shop in Eastern Europe and Africa .
We seem to be following the common trend nowadays of coach and a buyer . Most managers / coaches whilst employed claim to have final say in buying, after they leave they admit it wasn't so.
If Moyes was good he should have won something in all those years at Everton or else some club should have given him an offer he couldn't refuse and he would have been off yrs ago . But none fancied until Sir Alec .
His short spell in Spain didn't wipe away bad Utd memory . If and when we get rid of RD I hope the board tries to get another fresh new ideas man& not some old failed Manager from another league .

04 Jan 2016 08:50:01
You totally contradict your point Old Bhoy! On one hand you refer to our league as "backwater" and then go on to rabble about how we can't compete with Championship teams, yet you compare Moyes who managed in the league above the on we apparently "can't compete with" as if he is not to a standard that would suit us!? Which one is it? Spain isn't exactly a drop from the Championship either is it?

04 Jan 2016 09:10:41
David Moyes was terrific for Preston in quite a short time. Instantly had an impact at Everton too, and under a fair few constraints got some great seasons out of them. What he did bring was stability and consistency to a side almost punching above their weight so to speak. That's why United went for him. Personally, I would have gave him more time. A panic button was pressed I feel and despite more outlay under LVG I don't really see any marked improvements. Sociedad, well started pretty well and kept the club up with some great results. Didn't start this season too well but they were where he was when he took over so obviously the club have their targets, but again it was a premature axe in my opinion.

Did he rule himself out the other week saying he wants to go to a big league? Only a phone call would find out.

I want RD to stay. Certainly to some capacity.

I think the best option would be to get a proper experienced 'manager' in, but just give them the DoF title to avoid any egos or reputations being damaged. Then just make John Park do whatever it is he does best providing he isn't actually just surplus to requirements.

Would RD want to be seen as taking a 'step back'? Would he take a step back? And we just get an actual manager in and RD is happy to coach? As soft as some seem to think he is you would have to think no. For me, it's just about a management team. Everything from training to fitness to in game tactics to integrating youth to sussing out opponents to drumming a team up. It doesn't matter what you're title is really it's about everybody contributing. This is why I think a new DoF is the way forward.

And Moyes? Yeah I'd give him the gig. Tactics, bringing in decent buys, providing stability. He has the credentials.

04 Jan 2016 19:14:27
Tompo Moyes has managed 3 teams in something like 12 years and has won nothing . Do u expect him to get 12 years at Celtic without winning
I don't see any contraction, a successful manager should be in the running at least for awards in what ever league he is managing .
Managers of other clubs and with smaller budgets than he had at Everton, Utd and Spain, managed to win or nearly win something .

Of course he was successful up to a point at Preston, but that was a long time ago.

05 Jan 2016 12:39:43
You said that we cannot compete with the Premier League. That we are backwater and cannot even compete with the Championship! But be can compete with the Premier league when it comes to managers!?

03 Jan 2016 20:26:36
DN - just about your comments away down the page in response to this:

'DN I don't remember when any other club currently playing in the Scottish Premiership qualified for Europe and we're bring ourselves down to that level. That is a lot of things but improvement isn't one of them.

I'd suggest someone is drunk but it 100% isn't me'

Can you tell me why you find this funny?

As you pointed out, I was in favour of Lennon staying at the time but I also remember the abuse from you at that time re Celtic not qualifying for the last 8 of the CL as you thought this should be where we're aiming.

Now you rate Ronny so highly (lol) , you're sh*t scared to qualify for the Champions League at all with excuses A, B and C but really we all know you don't trust him (just admit it)

No doubt the treble is a major achievement but getting papped out of Europe in the qualifying stages is a failure for me, regardless of Manager. How many chances are you going to give Ronny with this, bearing in mind he was more experienced than Lennon when they both took over as Celtic Manager.

03 Jan 2016 21:54:26
Mrs E why are you telling lies? I have never once said anything about "last 8" as you claim. Once again you have been exposed for talking utter sh*te.

The problem Ronny has is crystal clear. Players being sold and replaced with substandard replacements that are nowhere near quality of player they are replacing. If you think likes of Boyata, Janko, Cifti, Blackett etc are anywhere near CL quality then you are clearly more deluded than I thought. But that's right that's Deilas fault for signing these duds, not John Parks. War cry we were tired of hearing from you regarding signings like Bangura, Juarez, Boerighter etc under Lennon.

How many chances am I prepared to give Deila to qualify for CL? Well let's make this an even playing field regards your hero Lennon. Give him backing financially to strenghten squad and I've no doubt whatsoever CL Will happen. Just to make you aware it took 3 seasons for NL to qualify for CL and had it not been for Sion fiasco, 3 seasons to qualify for any form of european football. Your quick to forget to mention that.

Also on a considerably lower spend, Deila is on course to better NL cup haul in half the time. Do you see how silly your rant is now petal?

03 Jan 2016 22:06:58
Mrs E

The board set the expectations. It may be statistics based and trophy dependent

Perhaps it should be turnover dependent.

We are not happy and the fans have the power. The fans have always had the power. We just haven't ever learned how to harness it properly.

03 Jan 2016 22:11:29
Well said Mrs E, absolutely spot on.
I think a lot of people on here defend Ronny for the sole reason that he isn't Neil Lennon, they seem terrified that if Ronny was sacked the club would bring back Neil lennon as manager.
I still don't see what Ronny brings to our club, whenever we play teams slightly above SPL standard he is found wanting, he can't seem to motivate the team, and the fitness of the players looks worse than ever, and getting players fit was supposed to be his specialty.
If we do win the treble, then I think it's because of the weakness of the opposition rather than anything Ronny is doing.
I honestly think virtually any other manager would win the treble in this league, and I'm pretty sure the football would be a lot better to watch.
The ever increasing empty seats around the stadium says it's all, you can't fool people for ever, they can't all be wrong.

03 Jan 2016 22:21:39
Blame Lawwell and co. Lennon was a poor manager, but he was bright enough to see where our club was heading. Ronny looks like his time is up but i would still rather stick with him and his philosophy before taking Lennon back. At least he has a philosophy! When your star player struggled to get a game for Wolves a year or so ago you know your in trouble. That is the kind of player we are attracting nowadays. I like Griffiths, but he would have got nowhere near that team 10 years ago. Lennon was left a far superior squad to Ronny. i'd rate Ronny higher than Lennon any day of the week. That being said, i think he is on borrowed time i'm afraid.

03 Jan 2016 21:58:30
I think Dn is the first case of Neil Lennon Tourette's ever seen. I've had long discussions with Dn about nl over rd. But for me the discussion has no bearing anymore Nl is a former Celtic manager and rd is a current concern. Anytime someone has a constructive criticism of rd then Dn is guaranteed to play the nl card. But he has never played the jock stein or mon or wgs or wim Jansen card. It's always a but nl done this. And it's becoming increasingly boring. Lennon had failings Mowbray had failings wgs had failings mon jb kd dr jv how far back shall we go. Let's stop selecting nls failings to prove a point and look at the bigger picture. Rd is failing. He hasn't had one signing that is a success his formation and tactics are easy to read. His team isn't fit. That's only an issue because he made it one. But above rd we have a ceo who is failing. He won't sign a player unless it's under 2m to be sold for 10. We have a scouting system who can't get any further than Dundee and we have a major shareholder who unless I am mistaken actually takes a profit from the club every year. Our clubs failings are so deep just now but rd is part of that. I'm sorry to fellow Celtic fans who believe that given his own staff he will be some sort of saviour but I really can't see how having your own number 2 can fix the fact that rd isn't working neither is pl or dd or jp.

03 Jan 2016 23:00:03
DN that wasn't a rant lol

You were definitely 100% one of the main aggitators of fans shouldn't just accept last 16 of CL, get Lennon out etc etc. Which is fair enough and your opinion is as valid as any fan.

I'm just wondering why you wanted him replaced with a quite possibly worse Manager?

I don't particularly want Lennon back either and if DN has been looking through old posts he'll see I was critical (very critical) of Lennon's complacency in the domestic cups.

I'll be back at work on Tuesday DN and you can go back to pretending this is Football Manager 👍🏻.

03 Jan 2016 23:18:13
Just tell me what it is anyone sees that thinks this is going well - don't give me stats.

What is it you actually see particularly at home in domestic games that makes you believe Ronny is the man?

03 Jan 2016 23:21:34
Mrs E not once did i say aim for above last 8. That is a pathetic lie pmsl

Quite possibly worse manager? Well with absolute no uncertainly i have proved that to be another lie. His record speaks for itself at the same marker as Lennon.

03 Jan 2016 23:38:17
I would love to know who are Deila haters think would come and do a better job for Celtic . The replacement over the last number of years has been at a par or worse than we had .
May I suggest we look at who is responsible for buying our players and question whether that could be improved .
Paradisewon short post hints at fan power .
I suggest if the cheats& bigots come into SPL next season, it may not be a good time to toss Celtic into turmoil and instead put the fan power to good use and back manager and team .
I hope we all want success .

03 Jan 2016 23:49:58
Garybhoy fantastic post! Agree with each and every one of your points mate.

04 Jan 2016 00:10:28
Mrs E i'm with you all the way on this one I remember it clearly ,infact I posted just a couple of months ago on the subject about the time I posted a couple of years ago when Lennon had his bad CL campaign and I had the audacity to say we were punching above our weight in previous seasons and shouldn't expect last 16 and we were a CL group stage team. I remember talking about modern day football is all about cash and the CL was geared up for the tv cash laden clubs. DN I remember clearly tried to ridicule my post saying we should be looking for last 16 minimum and possibly last 8. Thanks for remembering this topic and showing up DN that his hatred for Lennon and love of Ronny seems to be a personal thing and not football related

04 Jan 2016 00:56:29
Your ed once told me and a fellow poster Jamie to use the search engine to settle a wee debate we where having at the time! type reach last 8.

04 Jan 2016 01:00:49
A reply from someone that's been caught telling fibs!! Nice one DN

04 Jan 2016 01:16:35
Awww DN Uve gave urself a right showing up pal! I've never mentioned last 8! 😆😆😆😆😆 think u owe Mrs E an apology pal! Maybe save sum dignity! Then again maybe not haha!

04 Jan 2016 03:19:26
Except stevie its more a case of a couple of posters resorting to telling lies about me because they know i'm right and there argument has no basis. that's fine with me cause come the end of the season, we will see the "super supporters" like yourself crawl out from under your stone, eating humble pie. Same thing happened last season, same thing will happen again and you my friend will be leading the pack.

04 Jan 2016 08:13:36
I did ask what it is you 'see' that gives you confident in Ronny so we can talk about actual football but no reply has been forthcoming.

What's a 'superfan' because it looks to me, at this time, it's simply someone with a different opinion to your own.

Only Ronny can prove us wrong and humble pie we'd gladly eat if he does. Have a good day guys.

04 Jan 2016 08:23:01
The marker also isn't the same - when Neil Lennon took over from Tony Mowbray in 2010, the team where in disarray having just been beaten 4-0 by St Mirren and this was also Lennon's 1st ever post as 1st team Manager anywhere (board to blame for this? )

When Ronny took over in 2014, he'd been in 1st team management since 2008 and Celtic had just won the league, losing only 1 game in the league and scoring 102 goals. They'd also played CL football - albeit we didn't fair to well but that's the level they had just played at.

So no, it's not the same.

04 Jan 2016 09:26:33
DN30, if Celtic win the treble in May, will you crawl out from under your stone and worship Lawwell and Park.
You can't have it both ways, if we are successful then surely you have to kneel at their feet and marvel at their wisdom and foresight in appointing such a manager.
I think whatever success we achieve this season, will be despite Lawwell, Park, and Deila, and not because of them.
Deila is their man he was brought in to carry out their wishes, and he is quite happy to do this, in my opinion you can't pick and choose who you criticize, they're all the same management team in my eyes.
If Deila was to speak out about the restrictions he is working under, I would be more sympathetic to him, but he's quite happy picking up his wages while the club is being run into the ground.
In my eyes, you either back all three of them, or as I would like, you sack all three of them, to me all three of them, are only interested in their own salaries, I want people in charge of our club who have the interests of the club and supporters at heart, none of these three seem interested in that from what I'm seeing.

04 Jan 2016 10:14:54
Absolutely Gerry, Ronny is Lawwell's man and lack of signings can be blamed for European and the bigger stage failure but not struggling at home to Motherwell and Partick Thistle.

04 Jan 2016 13:51:48
DN I don't claim to be a super supporter as you call it but already this season I've missed 3 home league games which is as many as I've missed in the last 16 years because the football we're being forced to watch is pure Colin Nish. I believe we might win the treble but let's be honest it won't be any great achievement considering we have a wage bill probably 10 times more than any other Scottish club. So no I won't be gullible enough like yourself to think if we win a treble that everything is fine. The only place we can be judged is Europe and we have failed spectacularly. I remember you slating Lennons last CL campaign when we only managed one victory in groups, but you refuse to slate Ronny for finishing bottom of group in an inferior competition and yes with the same board and chief scout.I suggest you take a tip from Ryan above and use the search engine to remind yourself of the Tom Kite you post.

04 Jan 2016 14:03:39
Gerryc no i will not praise PL and JP. They do not merit any praise inless you think experimenting with team buying/ loaning cheap useless players in hope they replace player of a significantly higher class successfully with view to cash them in and repeat process.

Mrs E aww i see. Poor Lenny, buts its alright its was his first post. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Clear case of "green tinted specs", willing to excuse Lennon and blame board but Deila is not allowed that grace cause he does not fit your required spec for manager. By the way regards you and others previous criticism of Partick game, i take it you are not aware there was 4 players who wouldn't get a look in playing, had a fully fit squad been available? People are quick to overlook these issues but happy to attack Deila (who board should back more)

{Ed007's Note - Look back at NL's final NEW YEAR DERBY as CFC manager and ask yourself why scraping a 1-0 win over Partick Thistle at home was acceptable then and yet it isn't now?
NL played against a team that hadn't won in it's previous 15 matches and RD played against a team that had ONE loss in it's previous 10.}

04 Jan 2016 15:02:42
It was in response to you comment 'His record speaks for itself at the same marker as Lennon'

Still waiting on why you wanted rid of Lennon and replaced with worse or ok, at very best, definitely no better?

You can compare away at Lennon/ Delia but there's nowt to suggest Delia's better. In fact the more experienced of the Managers (Delia) is worse.

04 Jan 2016 17:31:02
Mrs E, as well as that the football under Lennon improved as he's went on, the football under Deila is getting worse by the week.
It seems that as Deila has not been in the job for as long as Lennon then we can't criticize, it looks as if we'll have to put up with this dross for the next 2 years, then we'll be able to say how useless he's is.

04 Jan 2016 15:25:19
Ed Neil Lennon went at the end of that season, so if Partick was bad enough for him it should be that bad for Ronny also.
I still can't see what this guy is doing to suggest that he's is improving us, every match I go to seems worse than the previous one.
I couldn't care less about Neil Lennon's record, all I know is that the football served up by this manager is pretty dire, you can't keep blaming Neil Lennon for that, Ronny has been in charge long enough for him to be responsible for the performances of the team.

{Ed007's Note - Where were the calls for NL's sacking after that match? I know that for me personally, I had wanted him out long before that, even before we were beat 6-1 by Barca or went out the cups to Morton and Aberdeen. Where was the outrage about NL's team scraping a draw against Partick Thistle, an outsider could probably have a case of CFC supporters having double standards or having some sort of agenda against the manager.
RD's 'dire' football has so far won trophies and been in the latter stages of Europe, how many managers have we had that won 2 trophies and delivered European football after Christmas in their first season, how many have done it at all?}

04 Jan 2016 16:47:26
Ed007 its the ego of some supporters that gets me. They bend the rules to suit them and likes of Mrs E can't see no wrong with NL yet even although RD is doing better and crucially on a smaller budget.

Mrs E again more lies. Deila has done a lot more in his career as manager than previous will ever. Blue in the face telling you why, he was $hit and totally clueless. Was doing backflips when NL and his ego left 🎉🎉🎉🎉.

Aye Stevie, also it exposes you once again as a prolific liar. Not once did i mention last 8.

04 Jan 2016 21:05:07
You're missing my point by a mile DN so we'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.

As I said, the only person who can change my mind about Ronny, is Ronny.

03 Jan 2016 19:09:14
Oldbhoy, when you go to games do you ever watch the match? Or do you just sit there and critique the fans around you. You constantly post nonsense on here and keep having a go at the Celtic fans who are in your minds eye the problem. Why won't they sing and cheer you ask, well maybe if you turned your attention to the field of play you would notice why. Its utterly dire and nothing to sing about. You desperatly cling to any little piece of positivity and try and throw it back at the fans whom seem to be awake to the situation. Your arrogant posts slating the fans is getting beyond a joke. Lawell must have you in his back pocket. Its everybodys fault exept RD PW and the players eh. better reach for the book of excuses now so you can reply.

03 Jan 2016 20:19:32
Another poor post.

03 Jan 2016 22:12:06
Goong to watch your football team is not like going to the cinema

Players respond to fans and vice versa. We are there to " support " not to simply cheer goals as and when they come

That would be one dimensional. You don't need the 12th man to cheer a goal. You need a 12th man to create the energy verve and drive to create the goal that looks elusive

Is that not the point?

Why chicken and egg? Can it not just be simultaneous

It ain't complicates

Any person that goes to CP and rattles out abuse at a hooped player can get lost

They are not welcome

Protests can be made post 90 minutes.

03 Jan 2016 22:26:58
Explain why its poor then.

03 Jan 2016 22:47:11
I get the distinct impression that you are out to argue against anyone that has a differing opinion to yours. You points are poorly constructed and have no relevance to the points being made. I am actually wondering if you are a Celtic supporter...

03 Jan 2016 23:19:40
Now that's what I call a poor post!

03 Jan 2016 23:20:36
How many times do some people need things explained to them. At the beginning paradiselost the fans were all there singing and cheering, and yes it was 1 dimensional, why.? . Because the players either can't or won't respond with good football, so the fans become restless, which over a length of time becomes unhappiness until it gets to pointless. The growing disgruntlement now among the majority are entitled to show their anger, they are paying customers not just fans. And they aren't getting their monies worth. If your happy to sit on your hands and say nothing because you seem to think alls well then that is your choice. Allow them their choice too.

03 Jan 2016 23:47:26
Beaver butt out!

03 Jan 2016 23:47:41
I get the impression you don't get the concept of this site. Iv read and posted recently about my unhappiness of the current situation. Most replys are good informitive opinions of fellow fans . some i don't agree with, there are some, mostly from oldbhoy and not just to me might i add are just plain snidey and green tinted nonsense. All he does is berate Celtic fans. Blames everything but the source. So tell me are you a lawyer stb, were is the poor construction in the point i'm making. Anything iv posted has been in answer to or to make a point in itself, making it relevant to each casing point. Celtic through and through me, just not a green tinted fool that believes he's a better supporter than everyone else. Like some on here.

03 Jan 2016 23:55:56
All I want to say is that the supporters got behind Celtic towards the end of the game
The players lifted their game and we got a win . Too often this season the crowd seemed to become disinterested and the game fizzled out, often with us losing a goal.
Us supporters can lift the team and whether we think it is our responsibility or not, it's the only way we can help the team to do well.

04 Jan 2016 00:56:09
No sack! I won't butt out! Feel I need to butt in when someone's talking utter guff

03 Jan 2016 15:36:12
Hi ed, *******************************

{Ed007's Note - Don't worry about it. (yes)

03 Jan 2016 14:45:22
Afternoon Ed, A take it mate that the Jan window will actually close 1st Feb mate with the 31st being a Sunday?

Has that been decided yet do you know?

{Ed007's Note - Yes mate it closes at 23:00 on Monday the 1st.}

03 Jan 2016 15:07:57
Cheers Ed, That extra 24hrs is a long time to hold your breath just to be disappointed again

I am now hoping for a striker or someone really creative but please not another "run of the mill" midfielder we don't need (Y)

{Ed007's Note - I'd be surprised to see a striker come in during January, we've already got 3 fighting over the one starting spot.}

03 Jan 2016 15:25:33
A hear you Ed, but the other two like a vast amount of the first team ain't putting up much of a fight mate

If Timalloy put Ciftci up as a tip it might be worth looking at as he is just a big "cart horse" ;-)

{Ed007's Note - Ciftci and Cole aren't doing much but I can't see either of them being moved on this month.}

03 Jan 2016 17:35:15
Ciftci is unfortunately someone we aren't going to get anywhere near what we paid for him. Cole is a weird one where as Ronnie puts it out there that he took a massive cut in wages to come to us but he hardly gives him game time and when he does he looks woefully short of fitness . It's almost like it was a signing from the prem to appease the fans . Same old story, we seem to waste loads of money on forwards without getting a good one . ( griffiths apart )

03 Jan 2016 17:44:21
I am sure this will be the first window that Celtic fork out £10-£15m on an above average run of the mill creative midfielder .
Apart from it making economic nonsense and probably very little football gain there is no reason why the board shouldn't do what some fans want .

03 Jan 2016 18:37:56
Where did you get the £10 - £15 million from Chronic02?

You really need to lay off the festive sherry now Oldbhoy (y)

03 Jan 2016 22:17:23
jamie

it has to be a centre half

Striker only if we ship out ciftci which could happen but it'd be a brave move after only 6 months.

04 Jan 2016 21:04:54
Jamiebhoy, I was been sarcastic, to some extent, sorry if it went over your head, but I think that most people would believe that to buy better than we have we might need to fork out that kind of money .
I am trying to illustrate that most on here are living in crowd cuckoo land .

03 Jan 2016 12:54:54
I was at church this morning and the theme varied but their were a few key words that popped out

Compassion
Justice
Hope

Righty or wrongly I was thinking about family friends and work and for whatever reason RD popped in to my thoughts and it got me thinking.

We all want RD to do well and it's not because he is young or Norwegian or inexperienced or quick with a joke or honest looking. We want him to do well not because we know his DNA or thinking. We want him to do well because he so happens to manage a group of players who are charged week to week with making us proud. A crop of players tasked with giving us some modicum of sporting pleasure. Charged with creating moments of sheer joy

The harsh reality is that they are failing in this regard ( currently ) and the trajectory seem to point towards more of the same

Now we know that RD will likely say the right things and try and take some positives. His job is to raise and build and sustain confidence since confidence underpins a great deal of any given player's week to week performance

Slaughtering RD at a human level would be pointless and absurd unless we have evidence that he isn't taking the role seriously or trying his best

Players are similar. They know where they are at mentally and physically. They know if they are at 100% or operating at half pelt

Now RD has a tough role. Dropping players who are off form who he knows can do better and have more in their locker. Dropping a player you know to be good could destroy a player. bringing a player in who isn't necessarily ready and who is inexperienced can be a double edged sword too. Too early and you destroy what little confidence that player has and you have a seasoned pro on the bench or in the stand who is fit but who isn't trusted

Remember too that young untried players coming in too early are invariably coming in to a starting eleven that is under performing with the stresses and strains that go with such circumstances

RD knows that there are players who aren't a at it. He knows that there is more to come but our frustration is that (from afar ) it seems he is ignorant to poor form or tangible disincentives for players who need a boot up the backsides

RD will have a plan and a vision and he will look at his talent pool and judge what is best to do under the circumstances. We can at least agree on that simple fact. He will have a plan and his hope is that one day soon his choice of players will execute with ease. It's not happening right now

That said, we are not cut adrift in the league. Horrible disjointed dispirited one paced and awful to watch Celtic are 3 points clear with a game in hand and still in all domestic cups. A miracle? Who knows but it could be a damn sight worse

Johnny Mac makes a very valid point. Europe is merciless and will chew us up and spit us out once again (twice ) if we do not awake from our apparent slumber. However there is a chance for a turnaround because the statistical platform remains favourable

We have 3 trophies to go and win. Any treble won demands some kind of homage. It is a rarity because it is hard to do

RD knows that he may not even get the chance to land a treble. The income to be gained from a domestic treble is pretty miserable and there are already innuendos out in cyber world that a treble won't camouflage other failings.

In my view RDs reign will be judged by empty seats and merchandise revenues. Winning isn't enough. Winning domestically will not see Celtic park fill back up

The PLC needs the fans and RD needs the fans because the turnover side of the balance sheet doesn't lie. It highlights fan interest. It provides for a snapshot of stability and financial robustness.

RD needs to find a way to recover the balance sheet if he is to survive. If the players care and if the players want him as their coach and mentor, they will react and demonstrate their commitment to him and one another. If not, we will witness more lacklustre performances

Public enemy number one for RD is fan APATHY. It's not near term results per se because he has that cushion

Should he drop under performing STARS or persevere with them? Should he change a system or would that signal capitulation? Is the system itself flawed or is it the players appliance of themselves in their specific roles that is bringing disrepute to the system? Has RD ever had to deal with players who are paid 500% more per annum than he is who have a sell on value to protect and ( wherever possible ) enhance? Any young emerging talent will have their own RD endorsed timelines and their introduction will be dictated by situational criteria. A league won early. Enforced through long term injury etc so as easy as it sounds it would be wrong to assume that youth drafted in ahead of schedule would be a wise move

I go back to a very basic principle. We will forgive defeats if we see a Celtic first eleven that cares and tries hard. A first eleven that will go to the wire and play for the manager fans and crest / club. A team that plays like they have a clear and concise understanding of who they are representing

And the fans? At the very least we have to assume that RD has our best interests at heart. He cannot help inexperienced. He cannot help his own relative youth. If there is complacency and he too is picking up a wage and scraping past in a care free mode then that would be a scary reality but from the little I know he isn't that type of personality

RD wants whatever is broken fixed too. If he is working around the clock, if there is any justice then his players will respond in kind. That is my hope

No hatred for RD here. Let's see if he can get a positive tangible response.

03 Jan 2016 14:22:36
Paradise I have said a prayer to stop your long winded posts.

03 Jan 2016 15:57:48
I had to stick the kettle on halfway through that. jeez. 😂.

03 Jan 2016 16:46:25
Just scrolling by it was as brutal as watching the hoops last couple o weeks.

03 Jan 2016 17:55:19
Paradisewon, one of your long winded sermon hit a nerve with me .
Fan apathy, for almost the whole match yesterday, apart from the Green Brigade and the P T fans Celtic Park was quiet yesterday apart from moans and groans and the loudmouth shouts of abuse . However somewhere around the 80th min the Celtic supporters came to life Chanting Celtic Celtic and the team responded and low and behold Celtic scored and won the game .
The only thing we can really influence is the crowd at the match, maybe more positive chanting might just help the team .
Silence allowing the moaning and groaning and the abusive shouts to be heard isn't working . The people or person who started the chanting yesterday did a good job and may just be the template for our future enjoyment.

03 Jan 2016 17:56:23
We're only 3 days into 2016 and already we have an outstanding candidate for worst post of the year! What a load of tosh that was!

03 Jan 2016 22:04:40
Aye

Managing Celtic would be easy
We could all do a better job

Well as a brother cousin and nephew of professional players some of whom went on to become managers, it isn't as easy as it looks

The failing ( if it's a failing) is as much to do with the appointer as it is to do with the appointed.

If RD has he budget requested and if he really does hold the reigns and if he really did see us at point X ( by now) and we are at point. F ( some way off) then we know the issue is with the appointed

But what do we know?

04 Jan 2016 21:08:56
As a brother of the equivalent of a Bishop and the cousin of a Bishop both of whom has performed at the highest level, I have no special knowledge in preaching, raising money or saving souls . So I don't see Paradisewon that u have any special insight in managing Celtic or anyone else .

03 Jan 2016 10:37:37
We keep being told by journalists and pundits that RD needs time. That was the mantra being pushed by Sevco loving pundits on the radio as I drove home from the game. They are playing a long and devious game. Like many supporters we know RD is not good enough and we need change now. We need a new manager in control of any spend during January and more importantly a man who can get a good look at the players on a day to day basis before the summer transfer window. It's a new manager that needs time not RD.

03 Jan 2016 01:01:00
Any word on Eoghan O'Connells injury Ed?

I think he could be a very good player for us.

I realise everyone is out to get Ronny and wants him to sign players but maybe just maybe it will click that the best way to win over the Celtic fans is to play Celtics own youths, at least that way if we didn't win at least we know we are building for the future.

If it was me I would play the following:

Fasan
Lustig, O'Connell, Jozo, Tierney
Forrest, Allan, Bitton, Johnasson, Nesbitt
Griffiths

If you are good enough you are old enough. Build a team for the future, try and be the Ajax and the likes rather than taking a tyler blackett on loan who we can see isn't as good as Tierney. Play our own and try to find out gems.

{Ed007's Note - I've not heard anything about O'Connell, sorry.}

03 Jan 2016 09:57:44
Like yourself Gaelicbhoy, I'm becoming more and more bemused with the lack of change in personnel on the park. Why are players like Allan, Christie and Cole signed when there appears to be a reluctance from RD to change the team?

I'd go 3-5-2

Bailey

Lustig Jozo Tierney

Forrest Brown Armstrong Allan McGregor

Griffiths Cole.

A concern that I have is game time for young promising players already on our books like O'Connell, Nedbitt and Henderson (when he returns) who may choose to move on.

Hope I'm wrong.

03 Jan 2016 18:06:13
If Henderson or any other youngster decides to move on, then he will just be another of a long list of youngsters to move. The list of these that move and are successful is very short . My advice for any young Celtic player is not to walk away unless the club tells u there is no future for them.

03 Jan 2016 00:11:37
I really don't think Leigh is trying to sort out anybody's Saturday nights. I will say as a team we are really toiling guys. I'm first to say Ronny is struggling but I do see his constraints as a manager. Just personally don't think he's got it as our manager. We need more and experienced to be honest. I'll follow my team to the end of the world but not what we're watching. c'mon guys we ain't a 3rd rate football team were Glasgow Celtic the worlds finest supported team.

03 Jan 2016 01:04:38
We are far from the world finest supported team
Ok on a big European night if the team is going well we have Celtic Park the fortress with approval from all corners and all places between
Today we had the Green Brigade, P T fans give it all, the rest of it gave nothing .
Our team needed supporters, we didn't have the necessary support, how much encouragement and how much confidence building did we hear from the crowd, .
The team must do better& so must our supporters.

03 Jan 2016 09:49:39
Old Bhoy (in my opinion) you can't control support and fans. This is by far and away the weirdest part of modern football I've seen.

Anyone can support Celtic and has a right to an opinion. I still remember the old jungle and Celtic end, we didn't have Green Brigades or fireworks to entertain them but at the same time sometimes it was cold and miserable. It was better than today but it wasn't all good when the team weren't playing well.

This part time etc is rubbish, folk can go and watch whenever they choose - just like had always happened.

03 Jan 2016 18:22:09
Mrs E u can control support. Stewards can toss out those shouting abuse at Celtic players or put them in with away supporters .
However supporters can and should self regulate, if people go to Celtic Park as Celtic supporters they should be joining in with the majority of Celtic support chanting and calling on Celtic, it shouldn't be a chore . I know of casual Celtic supporters who maybe are sitting in a new, to them, part of stadium and starting to chant for Celtic only for crowd to look at them as if they were aliens .