Yesterday the boss sat in front of the media for his pre-match conference, and he spoke about a number of subjects which I have no doubt we will be visiting later on. I thought the most important thing was not anything he said but his confidence.
This is the first time in living memory where I’ve heard a manager talking as if a domestic treble is a minimum expectation. You always reach for that, and you always want it, but it’s always unspoken, it’s always left unsaid.
Even when we’ve had the first of the trophies in the bag, and sitting top, as we were two seasons ago as we pushed on into the latter stages of the Scottish Cup, people were urged not to discuss it as if it was occupying our minds. Within touching distance of it, all talk of it was banned.
Yet here we are before a ball has been kicked, and Rodgers has set the challenge.
Yesterday, it was right up front. It was right out there. Rodgers talked about the double last season and then lamented on the “one we missed” and talked about how we had to do better.
Astounding. Across the city, their manager was getting his excuses in early, urging patience, asking the fans for their support even if things get rough, projecting weakness even on a day when he’s signed a four-year contract extension.
Loser talk. Defeatist. Rodgers was doing what winners do.
Projecting unshakable confidence, and this before he’s got his signings in the building.
I was thrilled to hear him talk like that, and yeah I know that it makes people more determined to come after us, I know it gives the side across town additional motivation, I know that the media will talk about it being “pinned to dressing room walls” and all that crap, but so what? The boss believes we should be aiming high and that we can afford to.
I know people will talk about us jinxing ourselves; that’s a theme I sometimes hear when we sound too upbeat, but Rodgers doesn’t fear any of those old wives tales, he doesn’t care about any of that superstitious twaddle about cursing ourselves and our season by talking that way before it.
He knows we control our own destiny and how we play is all that matters.
And, like I said, this is before he’s got his own players, those – as he reiterated yesterday – not only that he wants in the building but expects to have before the window closes. The man is just a class act, he projects the aura of assurance and calm which bleeds into the team and makes them feel like they are unbeatable as well.
It would be quite something to see inside that Celtic dressing room right now and get a sample at the mood of the players; I would bet they are equally upbeat and raring to go, and that’s exactly how you want them at the start of a big campaign.
I’m looking forward to seeing how all this translates to the team on the pitch.
I like optimism but I don’t like arrogance, Brendan is right to feel good about the new season, but let’s respect our opponents as well. The fans should be talking about trebles, but managers in my opinion should be talking about the old one game at a time mentality, that’s what Pep does, he always respects the opponents. I actually fancy us for the treble this season, but I’d like to see us do a bit more in the champions league, because with our resources the Scottish title should be in the bag every season.
He says confidently
Goodghuy you’re right regarding the champions league,we should be doing more, because even if we win another treble no-one outside of Scotland takes a blind bit of notice, English still call it Mickey mouse league,for anyone outside to sit up and take notice of Celtic we must at least try and win a game or 2 in the CLand get our status back as fortress parkhead.
James.
Your subtle and not so subtle analogies provide clarity and ALWAYS point the reader in the right direction.
Your blogs are interesting, thought provoking and are ALWAYS well balanced.
The Truth is in here.
Please keep up the good work.
Yep – A very good point JimRaTim – And my sentiments 100% entirely !
Let’s hope the couple of mil saved on the Bernardo deal will be used to smooth the path for the return of big Idah.
I’ve no issues with BR talking like that. If he’s confident as a result of having a hands on view of his players training, playing and mentality that’s not arrogance.
What is arrogant is silly no all won nothing fans, press or media telling him, a winner, what he should and shouldn’t say or how he should think. Get over yourselves
Top man and top manager.
Good to see VAR making a difference again for its favourite team. Hand in the air and ball contact but his hand was close enough to body it seems. May be a new ruling or maybe just for the rangers. Would it be a free kick outside the box?
The more things change the more they stay the same JimBhoy…
I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to be using the mantra of ‘cheats with whistles flags and monitors’ this season but there ya go it’s not to be and it didn’t take long either for them to come to the fore –
So a point probably gained by Sevco (Unless Hearts miss their ‘Penalty’)…
It’s gonna be a Lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng oul season…
When it comes to Scotland’s many, many CHEATS with WHISTLES, FLAGS & MONITORS anyway !
James , I understand you posted a blog yesterday which was highly critical of the present Celtic chairman and obviously hit a nerve as I believe you were instructed to remove the said blog or legal proceedings would be forthcoming ,as the person in question was extremely unhappy with your comments, which in itself is a very unusual reaction from a person of that standing.
I have no idea of your personal circumstances or potential liability, and getting involved in a legal case of libel can not only be a very expensive excercise but also very stressful.
However taking the above into consideration I am somewhat surprised that you did not firstly stand by your convictions and your research and facts, as in my experience people who threaten this type of threat do so hoping that the apparent “ small man “ will fold as the potential consequences are not worth the damage financially and personally.
That is why I am somewhat surprised at your capitulation as you seem to be a well researched and principled individual who were probably in a win win situation if you had pursued the courage of your conviction, as the worse case scenario would have been facing the man in court , justifying and supporting your article ( he would never have risked that ) and secondly and the more likely outcome, you become a man who won’t be pushed around by a individual for whom you are highly critical of.
Hahahaha nice try.
I don’t know how much anybody wants to buy into this including yourself James but as you said before a ball is kicked he’s talking trebles!?!? Is that because our rivals across the city are a sinking ship because they haven’t set the heather on fire either. I say either because we have a game tomorrow and the only speculation at Celtic Park is Matt O’Rielly going out with some token player thrown into the deal. If I’m not mistaken I’ll bet the board have told him to calm the natives down. Doesn’t that sound more like it, it does to me
I read half of the article in question and decided to listen to the podcast later as it was excellent. Of course later never came as it was pulled before I got to the podcast. Still, what I did read was on the money James. The fact it’s been pulled for legal reasons says it all.
A Celtic board out of ideas and out of time.
Taxi for Lawwell and his band of unmerry men.
I have mixed feelings about Brendan’s suggested targets and aims. Bullishness is all very well and good, but he should still be tempering his dialogue and giving his opponents a bit more respect in the process, You are the first to have a go at the opposition James, when they froth off at the mouth. Okay, Brendan has more substance to back up his statements, but nevertheless Celtic as the best club in the country should outwardly be a bit more moderate and tactful in our approach. We all know our target is the Treble before a ball is kicked, but let’s nit get too gallus,
not