“When the Gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.”
This has been a weird week. I have spent it in Krakow and enjoyed being away from a city and a media which i knew was going to partially nuts over the weekend result. As usual, the over-reaction is ridiculous. You would think these Peepul had won something substantial instead of securing points at the fag end of a dead season
Nothing sums up the mess of their club more than the way they have behaved in the short time since the final whistle blew in that match and where they are today. They are a mess of epic proportions, getting excited over a meaningless win which changes nothing and clinging on tight to the takeover, which we’ve already pulled apart and will almost certainly not go the way that they expect it to.
But the proverb I open with is for their manager, their stand-in manager who now hopes that people will not notice he’s lost two of his five games in charge, had to come back from two goals down in one of the wins, got through in Europe on penalties after blowing a two goal lead secured away from home and saw Celtic come back from two down to utterly dominate the second half … where we should have got the winner.
Ferguson doubtless thinks he’s done enough. A win at Celtic Park has always been able to cover a multitude of sins for people like this. The media is ecstatic; all Barry’s mates amongst the scribes are hollering for him to get the gig. It’s as we have said on this site over and over; there are few things more dangerous to the Ibrox fans than the media which covers their team. There is a real chance they could swing this.
But here’s what smart people already know; for Barry Ferguson this is as good as it gets, and as a wise man said, it’s never going to get this good again. He will look back on the Celtic Park result for the rest of his miserable footballing life; it’s the highlight, it’s the moment he got to bask in the sunshine. On its own it means nothing, it’s a little oasis of joy in a management career which has been an utter failure.
So now his future branches into two roads, both miserable and unhappy and destined to end in tears of the bitterest sort. If he doesn’t get the gig, you can just about imagine his fury and bafflement and hurt. He’s bested Jose Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers; what else is he expected to do for God’s sake? You could understand why he might be despondent if the offer doesn’t come. This is his dream and with the media on his side and all this talk amongst the fans of his being a contender, the shock of not getting it would be a shattering blow. Those memories of Celtic Park would come to haunt him; unrecognised by those who matter most it becomes the hollowest of triumphs.
And that’s probably the best case scenario. Otherwise, he gets the gig and my money is on his being one of the shortest Ibrox reigns in history, and one of the most painful. All his “staunch” rubbish has a shelf-life and I would bet not a long one. It wasn’t Ferguson’s personal brilliance which beat Rodgers; it was Rodgers own failure to adapt to the plan Clement designed and implemented.
If this guy has to muster an original thought at some point it will be the first time he ever has. If he’s got to rely on his own intellect and tactical nous to get by his honeymoon will be over before it starts and his countdown clock will have started and it’ll be running quicker than Daizen Maeda. His final weeks in charge will see the Ibrox fans screaming for his head on a stick and all the warm memories of the last weekend faded and gone from memory and he will join the ranks of Caixinha, Warburton, Clement, Van Bronckhorst and Beale; trophies on Brendan Rodgers wall.
Celtic Park was the pinnacle of his career and whatever happens next to him will sour that memory entirely. It’ll either not be enough or it will get him the gig and that will end about as well as Game Of Thrones did. It was his dream moment, so he got what he wanted. But either way he won’t like what he’s going to get next. Recognition and the damnation that goes with actually being hired … or being told that the new owners don’t care about meaningless wins, thus confirming that’s all it was.
He’s a classless individual at a classless club and in many ways they deserve each other and their fate. They deserve to be co-joined in the next phase of their ongoing disaster. Ferguson’s suffering through a long, drawn out affair which ends with him being despised by the Peepul he considers his own would be a joy to watch in every element.
But you know what? Knowing he’s been shunned, that those higher ups at Ibrox confirm his status as a joke and this appointment as a ridiculous stunt … that will almost be equally satisfying. That will hurt like Hell.
We’ll have the last laugh, folks. That’s the fact of it. The worst thing that could ever have happened to Ferguson already has; he got the gig.
Post Sevco match, the most important thing is that our manager and players regroup, refocus and ensure this display was a minor hiccup!
The behaviour of Fergusson, his back room staff and fans, demonstrated, yet again, what a classless lot they are.
When the honours are handed out, they are nowhere to be seen !
That must remain ! HH
Unreal. The actual loony reaction and hype over this particular win, has been more hysterical than ah can ever remember. As well as completely OTT, saturated, social media articles daily, there’s aff the scale, full on, cloud cuckoo rants, predictions and even fantasy claims of superiority. Like claimin reachin a europa league QF, is a ‘bigger achievement’ than a potential domestic treble. There’s even comments now, callin us ‘false champions’ because they’ve beaten us on 2 occasions. They actually believe this. Meanwhile back in the real world and as a mate pointed out. The desperate hysterics are actually a testament, tae just how we’ve made and are makin them, suffer throughout the years. Just highlights how desperate they are for somethin tae cling tae. When it boils down again, the reality is, they’ve achieved absolutely nothin, but temporary braggin rights and that’s it. Nothin tae show for it that makes any real difference. Nothin ! Nowt ! Hee haw ! If they’re happy with 2 Derby wins tae compensate for us winnin another possible treble, ahm more than happy for them. Ah’ll be ok with that every season. And Cerny, he can put his plastic water bottle on his mantlepiece as a substitute for a winners medal.
too many hiccups for my liking they are scoring three goals in too many games now.
Why has there not been more focus on the foul committed by Propper on CCV , in their penalty box.
CCV bodily held from behind, one arm around his neck, the other holding his chest…..Even the Late Stevie Wonder could have seen it was a STONEWALL PENALTY….!!
No mention made of it by the EBT-Bandits, in the Post-Match Analysis on Sportscene
I’ve commented on the refereeing katana67…as woeful, as it was hugely predictable!
Hi James:
Unfortunately, he is likely to enjoy another highlight – the home game against us. I feel it is inevitable that he will get the gig.
INIQUITOUS IV
Ambivalence abounds. If Ferguson’s performance as caretaker particularly in the recent week doesn’t show some evidence of the stirring of something and of closing a gap then reality has passed you by.
Our “elite manager” has once again shown a lack of insight and a flawed rigidity in his thinking.
We can and have much to celebrate from this season. We have built and deserve our rewards from our earlier exploits but what about now and next season’s planning to manage an improving opposition across the city and a CL qualifier into the big league. Only a fool fails to recognise our failings and areas requiring solutions.
To simply mask them by slagging of a guy that’s team has just gubbed us and a team that scores a treble against us repeatedly now is weak minded, shortsighted and unreal. If he’s a bag of shite what does that say about Brendan and the obvious failings
Our ‘elite manager’ after a slow start last season, as the team and himself adjusted to each other, went on and won the double. This season he is already guaranteed a double and can also achieve the Treble. In his first stint at Celtic Park he did the Invincible Treble, something that had never been done before and may never be equalled again. In my eyes there is no need for sarcasm, for those achievements certainly make him ELITE in my eyes.
Don’t know about an ‘improving opposition’ ! Even tho they’ve won the last 2 derbies, whether they really show an improvement, that remains tae be seen. Ah put these defeats down tae our own negligence, in strengthenin our team properly. That and some questionable tactics by our manager. Both need tae be addressed ASAP. It’s no as if the ibrox team imo, are showin any real difference from clemmont. More aggressive and that’s it, so far as I can see at this time. Would agree, that’s no tae say they won’t improve tho, so first and foremost it matters what WE dae.
Spot on Kev. There’s no discernible improvement – they’re just as inconsistent as before – WLWLW are the five results since Ferguson got appointed and in all the games bar one they’ve conceded 2goals (they conceded 1 gaol away in Turkey). In three of them they’ve been 2-0 down and a fourth (the game vs us) they saw their own 2-0 led pegged back easily enough despite us being rank rotten on the day!!
They’re still a poor and inconsistent side – all Ferguson has really done is instil a bit of fight and belief in them (for which he gets credit) but without a major overhaul I don’t see them being hugely better next season – albeit I don’t expect them to be quite so bad. HOWEVER what does worry me is us (and in particular our manager) displaying all the traits of over-confidence and over-arrogance that our style of play will win come what may and not recognising that one size does not fill all when it comes to football matches. EVERY team must have a horses for courses approach no matter the opposition as every game produces different problems at times. Unless Brendan genuinely changes his approach to (and/or during) certain games we will start to drop more points to the “lesser” teams which may drag us down to Rangers level giving them actual hope and belief in future title races!!
He might be a bag of shite history wise (Kicked outta Scotland for the Vicky’s etc) and Bothwell Bridge Battles etc but he certainly ain’t no shitebag as Sunday showedwith the Thuggery he installed in them…
Now Thuggery won’t work in Europe for sure but bloody hell it’s a winner in Scotland and he knows it…
And unfortunately after Sunday he knows that we fuckin know that he knows we know it works in Scummy Scottish Football !
James, I thought you wrote a good piece earlier in the week basically saying that for many of us this derby is just another game. I agree. Pieces like this one, five days after the event, suggest it’s anything but just another game.
Time to let it go.
None of us, with any semblance of sense, are dismissing the result and the concession of 9 goals in the last 3 Derby fixtures.
Similarly, neither would we exempt our manager from the requisite criticism, when he, and his team get it wrong.
However there always has to be a sense of perspective and context, when you are defeated by a particular team or opponent.
Yes, they’ve won the last two derbies…yes they’ve scored 9 goals in the last 3 derbies !
But tell me what they’ve gained from it other than bragging rights, 3 pts and a delusional revisiting of their once held feelings of supremacy!
Some in our fanbase seem to think that our “elite” manager, ( all about opinions ,) won’t be able to figure out ways to beat a Ferguson inspired Sevco team, that for all their bluff, bluster and pomposity, is still bang average!!!
As a few have rightly said, he’s instilled a bit of fight and aggression ( that is condoned by our “honest refs”) but nothing else has really changed!
Same group of players that meekly lost to QP, Motherwell, St Mirren & Fenerbahce at home.
Should they now be getting charged under the Trade Descriptions Act, for their previous form under big Phil?
Now that Barry has returned the staunchness and party tunes in the dressing room, they are suddenly, an exceptional team, with a “no surrender” attitude and Celtic are dreadful!!
We are all now meant to be fearful of what the future may bring?
Give me strength…for all those that may have shouted for BR’s and certain player’s heads post match, take a deep breath and try to use a bit of logic!
The big worry for me, is not that our “elite manager” won’t be able to suss out Ferguson. My worry will be the next transfer window and whether our board will support BR in strengthening this squad.
We all know that is priority, and that is where my doubts lie! I sincerely hope I am wrong on those counts!
If we can keep doing that, on the park will take care of itself, and especially when it comes to “meaningful” games.
By that, I mean when the points difference is very close, and a win is essential to create a sizeable gap, rather than their wins reducing it to 11 and 13 pts respectively!!!
BR & players, took plenty of deserved criticism post Dortmund and recovered quite well, in my humble opinion !
So to think that he won’t learn anything from losing to “highly lauded” Sevco managers, is a tad disrespectful to him, and a bit misguided in general !
Nevertheless, it’s all about opinions, and it’s always great to see the numerous comments, despite some disparities!
Keep the faith ! HH
Unfortunately Brendan, The Celtic Players aided and abetted by McLean, Beaton and Cop asualtee Stewart have given them (The Scummy’s) Carte Blanch to put Fergushun on the highest pedestal on the land…
It can be resurrected a bit at Liebrox after the split…
Quite simply put – It fuckin has to be !!!
Brendan is a good manager no doubt and possibly the best our club may achieve, maybe.
However winning leagues and trophies in the top leagues in Europe with different clubs or even with one club repeatedly by todays standards would make a manager “special “ or “elite”. The SPL is far from a top league.
Brendan has to add to his game to be seriously considered anywhere near that level i. That’s not a slur on him nor sarcasm but simple reality.
In the 1990’s after Fergus sacked Lou Macari, our assistant Frank Connor took over on a temporary basis. Frank managed us for 3 games and was undefeated, this included a win at Ibrox with a last minute goal by a young Brian O’Neil. Although I think Frank dined out on being an undefeated Celtic manager forever after, I’m pretty sure he didn’t expect to be appointed to the job on a permanent basis.
The Ibrox hordes are practically unique in the football World, with their stupidity and gullibility.
One last word from me on last week, I myself think that some of our players and to be honest maybe even BR and his coaching staff have been guilty of complacency and underestimating our domestic opponents. Since Dec 22nd we’ve played 15 League games, won 10 lost 3 and drawn 2, in my opinion that’s not been good enough. If the Ibrox mob had even been average this season they would be giving us a real run for our money.
8 League games and hopefully 2 Cup games to play. Let’s hope BR and his backroom team can instill a bit more of a work ethic from the players [The skill is already there] for the rest of the season, and finish in a blaze of glory
It could end in tears for us unless some of our team grow a pair. We’re far more skillful so the only reason we can’t beat the huns is our players bottling it or, our manager not being able to figure a way round their system (that they’ve used several times against us).
Why do we continually question the bottle of our manager, team and players after a derby defeat yet praise a Sevco outfit that are notorious bottlers ?
You would think that Celtic are perennial failures and the Govan mob are adorned with silverware!
We have a manager that was rightly criticised for the first part of last season, but showed his ability in steering the team to a double.
Big Phil, disappointed Tav and his team of bottlers, caved in when Celtic hit top form at the right time !
This early part of the season we have seen some wonderful football and performances, have won the League Cup, lead the SPL by 13 pts and await St J in the semis of the SC.
Sevco have no chance of silverware unless we see pigs flying over Bilbao in May.
So maybe it is just me, but again, what is the yardstick for success?
All about opinions eh? HH
Yardstick for success = (Rebel) Treble Yell… Here’s hopin Gerry !!!
Yes Clach, hopefully we can complete the treble yet again !
If we don’t, god help our manager and players, going by the vitriol that’s been aimed at them, post Derby defeat !
A few tough games still to negotiate ! HH
Watched the game with my Da in law who is a first team scout with Nottingham Forest and observed BF totally clueless and constantly making deference to his motley crew of former EBTs. Moreover never saw such an animated, unprofessional behaviour from a technical area in his long career as he observed that day.
Interesting observations Aodhain!
Have you informed your father in law that according to our “unbiased” smsm, and countless others, Ferguson is now shaping up to be the new tactical king of Scottish football & beyond ?
I’m sure he laughed very loudly if you did !