The Treble, You are On Notice!
By: Matt | November 26th, 2008
Well Celtic Fans, I’ve got good news and bad news. Let’s get the bad out of the way, shall we? Celtic pretty much ended any chance of European Competition after Christmas by losing 2-1 in Denmark yesterday against Aalborg. Barry Robson was able to put Celtic up in the 53rd minute, but Aalborg equalized in the 73rd minute. Then Gary Caldwell, who had a solid game otherwise playing out of position in a holding midfield spot, had a Glen Loovens clearance attempt bounce off of his knee and into the back of the net in the 87th minute. A Celtic player had once again netted a late winner in a Champions League match, only it went into his own net. It was cruel irony that Caldwell put in the own goal, since for many of the Champions League matches Caldwell was the best player on the pitch and has seen his performances improve by leaps and bounds since last year. There is some good to come of this, however…
Perhaps this season’s poor run in the Champions League will get Penny Pincher Desmond Dermot to open his wallet and buy players to help us get over the Last 16 hump (a hump we could not even reach this year). You can talk all you want about getting over said hump, but if you do not make the investments then all it is is just talk.
Secondly, as our blue neighbors across town showed last year, there’s something to this whole fixture congestion thing. Of course you want to be in every competition possibly, but the sound of a treble is a nice one. Celtic have a CIS Cup Semi Final to worry about, a rather successful SPL campaign so far, and the Cup to try and win back. The UEFA Cup and more travels across Europe would be nice, but with the rash of injuries Celtic has faced, one less fixture might be ok.
Finally, I have been critical of Gordon Strachan on here numerous times, but in no way should Strachan be fired for last night’s loss. As mentioned earlier, this squad remained largely unchanged from the previous season, so further advancement could not have been expected. Gordon Strachan has navigated Celtic to 3 titles in a row, eleven wins in a row, and a four point lead in the SPL.
So, as my good buddy Stephen Colbert would say, Scottish Football…YOU’RE ON NOTICE!
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Tags: Aalborg, Barry Robson, Celtic, Champions League, CIS Cup, Dermond Desmot, Gary Caldwell, Gordon Strachan, Match Reports, SPL, Stephen Colbert, The Scottish Cup, We Cannot Win Away in the CLSubscribe
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Comments
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Matt, you wrote:
“You can talk all you want about getting over said hump, but if you do not make the investments then all it is is just talk.”
Amen! (To borrow a phrase from another combox discussion.)
Scotland’s natural beauty and tropical climate don’t sell themselves to the world’s elite players.
Heck, they don’t even sell themselves to the Scottish people.
There are only two things that will get the necessary players to come to Glasgow: 1) money; and 2) winning.
In that order.
Posted from
Norway
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It becomes a bit of the chicken and the egg deal with your last statement though Nick. (Sadly)Money rules football today, but the SPL will never get the big bucks that the EPL gets, so teams like Celtic and Rangers are already at a disadvantage. It would have helped Celtic a lot making the last 16 to get even more money from the CL (though getting the full share of Scottish CL money because Rangers didn’t qualify not only helped but was enjoyable too…hee hee). This type of money is helpful in buying European class talent, but went Scrooge McDesmot won’t spend then we’re screwed three ways to Sunday. Hopefully this offseason we won’t hear about how Celtic want to progress past the Last 16 and not buy anyone. If you are going to turn Celtic into a bland corporation, then you better produce on field.
Posted from
United States -
Hey guys,
Tough one…really, really, really tough.
However, be careful what we wish for. Regarding “investment”, it seems a phrase often used as a synonym for “subsidy” or “charity” or “benifactor”.
It is only “investment” if there is a dividend return…otherwise it is bad business. Spending money on exorbitant wages more often ends in an operating loss - see Chelsea.
As a sporting entity, Chelsea FC operate at a loss every year - to the tune of 70 million pounds. They are only “solvent” because Roman A subsidises the club with pocket money.
When he is tired of operating at a loss, both on the field and on the balance sheet - Chelsea is doomed…saddled with debt no potential owner will undertake.
Read the same for Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, et al. The only thing that saves the likes of Real Madrid is their historic relationship with Spanish elite / riche.
For my “money”, I like Celtic FC just the way it is:
1. economically solvent
2. well run
3. forsight to invest in domestic footballers
4. the where-with-all to pinch rough diamonds from global sources.One day we will put a team on the pitch with the perfect blend of young, raw talent and veteran savvy bringing a cup back to Glasgow - following which, we will sell everyone to Super-Clubs at rediculous prices predicated on an insane TV deal.
However, when we do, it will be debt free. I would rather continue on the path we are on then run the risk of pulling a Leeds!
Pleasant Holidays and ‘Mon the Heps!
Posted from
Norway -
I agree Ryan that I would not want Celtic running up a ton of debt, but I think I was most frustrated with Strachan, Lawwell, and Reid all coming out and saying over the summer that the goal was to get past the final 16, but then not spend anything. Don’t tell us one thing and then do another.
Posted from
Norway -
Better scouting. Get better value for money.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
Do you mean youth scouting? Can’t argue with McGeady, Heid, O’Dea, young Cillian can ye?
Posted from
Norway -
No, better 1st team scouting. I could argue wie O’Dea and Cillian though.
Posted from
United Kingdom
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