| Transfer Window and Beyond |
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| Written by The Antipodean Red |
| Sunday, 30 October 2011 10:44 |
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We saw it at the recent stage-managed AGM, people like the once emboldened Matt McGlone are talking about not going to another AGM, Matt, whether you loved or loathed him at the time, was one of the driving forces behind the monumental changes that brought OUR Celtic back to us, re-connected us to everything Celtic, had us cheering outside Celtic Park when Fergus and the ‘Rebels’ emerged, when new signings appeared at the front door and had us bristling with pride when the new North stand hosted Motherwell. Do you remember the night we beat Aberdeen 6-0 and the noise at the new stadium knocked BBC Scotland radio off air for a short period, something I think a few readers would welcome now. It is easy to say cast out the manager, we’ve just cast out the past couple of managers, the first one because the quality of the product was poor although I’m sure we would be happy just to get a sniff of Champions League at the moment, the next one because he was completely hapless and in truth the product was awful. Take three and the product is awful but even worse than that, there is absolutely no heart on the field. We are now expecting the likes of young James Forrest to pull us out every week, that’s too much pressure for the young man.
We have to look back to the start of this season to see exactly where OUR Celtic is heading and to decide if we are going to change it. We were in need of the three or four class additions and these did not happen, we procrastinated over several goalkeepers and then had to run back to pick up a second-rate loan. We bought a decent looking prospect from Belgium who cannot command a decent run in an ordinary team. At 5 minutes to midnight on the transfer deadline day we loaned another 30-year old prospect from Kiev who is also unable to hold down a starting position and a player, I hope I am proved wrong here, in Mo Bangura, who looks like a fish out of water in the heady reaches of the SPL. We find ourselves in this position year after year to the point where as I posted in my last rant, the stands are starting to look more green each week as fans start to vote with their feet and wallets. We all long for the days like the 6-2 game against Rangers, the great European nights during that era but more than anything, we want to see a team on the park that is organised and able to compete on a consistent basis. This particular unit look more like that which we watched during the grotesque Lou Macari experiment just before Fergus turned things around. That leads me to the next front, whether there is another Fergus type character around or not, this current group of board members have now presided over some of the poorest Celtic teams and management structures in the past 30 years. They are accountable to no-one, they refuse to answer questions at AGM’s and they remunerate themselves to an outrageous degree. They mock Rangers and try to kid on that we are somehow better than them, do you feel like this on a Monday morning at work? It’s high time to forget about Rangers and get our own house in order. I admit to being to far away to be able to change it but just looking at some of the excellent suggestions coming from some of our fellow fans online, we should not just accept this continuing decline of our club. There are several very good ideas, in particular the idea of paying 10 pounds per month into a supporters/owners fund, I do that at present for the dreadful service (both product and customer) on Celtic TV and would be prepared to continue that and possibly pay more if required, it shows that there are many good ideas about out there. And finally, we do not need our manager to be either Irish, Catholic or ex-Celt or a combination of these, just someone who understands tactics, organisation and has an eye for a player but in my opinion is across player development at all levels. This is not meant to offend as I am of Irish descent and Catholic myself, I just want to see the old excitement of being a Celtic fan restored to OUR Celtic. |
| Last Updated on Sunday, 30 October 2011 10:46 |
Comments
The lack of hope and 'this is as good as it gets attitude' is not surprising given that our leaders have been lecturing us on 'being careful what we wish for' and 'be grateful for what we have'.
I would like to see a wider debate around the points made in your last paragraph. Collectively, i think the Celtic support need to address two simple questions: 1. Is our beloved club in a vicious circle of decline? 2. Do we have faith in the current Board to get us out of this mess.
If the answer to 1. is yes and No to 2. then we need to start thinking of alternatives. The idea of fans owning and controlling the club through a monthly subscription is worth thinking about in my view so thanks for raising it.
The only pt i disagree with you on is that you are too far away to contribute to the change. Exactly the opposite i think. Using the power of social media, the proposed membership scheme would unite the Celtic diaspora regardless of location.
Thanks again and take care.
HH
theticdoc
But if we do give up our tickets, that’s two more long standing season ticket holders walking away from going to the matches. And i don’t see many young fans coming to take our place. Most young fans are switching over to the premiership in England.
Young people no longer see heroes at Celtic. It’s apparent that we buy players to sell them, to make money from them; therefore you aren’t building a team, your simply identifying individuals you who shine and make you some money when you sell them.
This isn’t the Celtic i want to support. I want to watch players who want to be at Celtic, who give their all. I'm not talking about Celtic minded people, but i am talking about players who will work hard because playing for Celtic means something for them. Not someone who thinks they are too good, or someone who is only here to win a big money move to England or Russia.
Lennon hasn’t got full control at Celtic and this is apparent. The problem lies at Mr Lawwells door, and if there is not change, I can’t see us coming through this period for the better. We need manager who will demand full control of the direction of the club.
If Celtic aren’t careful then the fans who switch off in their droves won’t be back... and the future of the club as we know it is in jeopardy.
HH - Specialbhoy
I agree totally with you that the future of our club is in jeopardy. The key question we need to address as Celtic supporters is whether we are going to sit back and watch this happen or can we do something positive about it?
Personally, I cant sit back and do nothing.
We are constantly being told that we are the 'best fans in the world'. The PR machine at the Club tells sponsors that there are 10 million potential Celtic fans around the world.
In my view, it is time to give ownership of the club back to the people who really care about it.
'Crowdsource' the ownership, funding and control of Celtic.
Thanks again.
HH
theticdoc
The answer, regrettably, is no and yes.
I think they are going to become even more concerned about finances as we are on the verge of a massive decline in season ticket sales for next season, match day ticket sales, merchandise, sponsorship, hospitality - indeed all of our income streams.
Participation in the Champs League, and the revenue that comes with it, is a thing of the past.
That's what happens when we allow our club to be run by a small self selected group of people who have no vision, no ambition, no strategy and as you say - don't even care.
The only people who can dig the club out of this mess is us, the fans.
theticdoc
Your comment about the fans being the only ones who can save us is bizarre. Just over a year ago it seemed that these same fans on these roadshows were foaming at the mouth for Lennon to get the gig. Proof positive, if ever anyone needed it, that the punters can't be trusted when it comes to making the vital strategic decisions such as who should be manager.
Our only hope is that Desmond realises the depths we have now sunk to and gets in a good man for what Ferguson calls "the most important person at a football club". I'm not convinced he does, but maybe, just maybe he might wake up from his slumber and produce a new MON.
If i had faith in the current regime then i would probably agree with you. Sadly, i do not.
Think its worth noting that the 'bizarre' did happen once before i.e. the fan led 'Sack the Board' campaign did save us by opening the door for the biggest revolution in the history of Celtic FC so maybe the concept of a fan owned club is not as bizarre as one may think.
Is it not bizarre to put our faith in the person responsible for getting us into this mess through lack of investment?
Like you, I really hope that he wakens up from his slumber but am not confident that he will.
Anyway thanks for commenting - its good to talk.
HH
Was it not fan power (threat of a boycott) that forced the then Celtic Board to appoint Big Jock as manager? I stand to be corrected by a club historian but that is my recollection of events.
Take care
HH
theticdoc
HH Antipodean Red
I nominate Harry Brady as president of the revolt! Spread the word on twitter, facebook etc if it got Obama elected, it can deliver something he has failed to do thus far, REAL CHANGE!
The reasons for hiring were right, it was worth a risk but the gamble has not payed off.
The talk about Neil not being allowed to do what he wants at Celtic, are nothing but wishful thinking.
We just have to start looking for a real manager, one with experience. They are out there...
Ask yourselves this question, given this set of players etc... do you think a MON could put to together a formation and tactics that would win the league this season?
I think even Strachan could.
I would second that
Travelling today so reply in more detail later
theticdoc
Is it because:
We have an inexperienced manager making basic errors?
We have a CEO dictating and interfering with football matters and therefore creating tension and splits among the playing and coaching staff?
We have a poor set of professionals playing at the club, some in terms of ability, some in terms of attitude?
In my opinion it is all of the above to some degree. But the root cause, the nucleus of this malaise is the actions and inactions of the Celtic board in the last 3 years. Celtic Football Club is a mess in 2011. That fact is an affront and a disgrace. If we had acted appropriately and ambitiously as a club we could be lifting our seventh title in a row this year. To lose the league to a club as financially hamstrung as Rangers while ourselves being in a position of financial health once, is forgivable, twice is negligent, three times is criminal and now heading for a fourth has actually made us stop and think... Do they even care?
The rumours about the antics of Lawwell have built up over the years to paint a grim picture, and I do believe in this case, there's no smoke without fire.
The position we are in now is that the manager they have appointed was so desperate for the job, and so underqualified that he's in a position whereby he has to take what he's given, and appears to have little power.
The manager is as macq says, the most important person at a football club, he should therefore merit being in that position and be treated with the respect the position deserves.
The power needs to be taken back.
I also think its time for those who run the club to release funds in january for the creative midfieldeer we have craved since probably before naka arrived Season tickets will fall next season unless Mr d Desmond shows some actual interest in the club Wh should we stump up £600 a season to watch dross ,as i wrote previously i,m starting to ask myself is it really worth getting up early on a sat after a night shift to go along to watch the celts ,I never ever thought i,d say that after over 40 years of attending home and away maybe its time i let the next generation of supporters take my place , so in finishing its up to the next few weeks and months as to whther i renew next season ,investment in a couple of positions would have me back big time no investment means i,ll probably be a saturday afternoo armchair tim
The problem I have with this year's Neil Lennon is that I think the job has jaded him. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a wealth of experience to fall back on and to get him through it as someone like Strachan had. It's clear that he needs an experienced coach like John Robertson alongside him and the club should have made it a priority.
However, it doesn't help when he has clearly lost the ability to get a performance out of some of his bigger players. Hooper and Kayal are not happy at Celtic as far as I can see. I was working on Saturday, so was fortunate enough to have mised that display, but I was told off of a good friend and Celtic die-hard that Kayal should never pull on the jersey again after his performance.
You're right also about the lack of midfield creativity. Nakamura dug us out many times in those awul turgid SPL stalemates with a single creative spark. What matchwinner do we have at the club? Not one. Standards contiue to drop. Jesus, they're talking about James Forrest as if he's David Silva!!!
That's on top of the article around the start of March which laughably suggested the team was shaping up well for a crack at the Champions League.
What planet has everybody been on? As the thread of Kerrydale St says - To The Car Park!
If there are people in that dressing room who would wish to be elsewhere, then they need to be moved on. I care not a jot about "preserving Kayal's transfer value". After his utterly abject first half display v Killie, he should never again have been considered a first pick. That we decided to give him a pay rise after a 45 minutes of negligible effort, monumental stroppiness and an utter lack of backbone, I have to say the news that he had received a big pay hike had me scratching my head in disbelief.
If Neil Lennon wants to survive, he needs to get rid of those he can't trust. If, in such circumstance, Lawwell interferes citing "loss of value", then I am afraid Neil should leave.
Too many players also yapping to the papers about catching Rangers. JUST GET ON WITH THE JOB FFS !! I am predicting that we will lose to Motherwell this weekend and we will be looking for a new coach soon after.
Thank god you were wrong ya bassa!
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