Mowbray a victim of ill-advised planning

The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved.

Confucius

Well, we finally concede a goal and play a competitive game, with our Champions League hopes already severely undermined.

To some, this would appear to be an appropriate time to warn of the fate of other managers who lost their first game for Celtic – how some fans will never forgive Tony Mowbray.

If we read the Scottish tabloids – and those of us who try to avoid that embarrassing illness of the media world are ill-placed to comment on their responses – we might castigate Marc-Antoine Fortuné for a night of spurned chances.

But Celtic fans are already showing that, despite the worst wishes of our critics, we are capable of reacting proportionately to disappointment.

For Marc-Antoine, Wednesday night will surely not figure highly in his list of career highlights. He showed us what we were led to expect – he is willing, athletic and appears to have a finishing capability to match his scoring record. This, we were fully warned of before he signed the deal but we can reasonably expect that a few more matches will improve his effectiveness.

Landry N'Guémo continued to demonstrate that he could serve as a potent weapon in midfield, if he is careful with his distribution but then Massimo Donati, arguably the best technician left at the club, somehow managed to pass the ball to Dinamo players, scorning the vindication of a rare first-team selection. Those of us who have defended Donati are now starting to avoid people in corridors, recalling past “just wait and see” conversations.

But if we are going to single out individuals, let them be Shaun Maloney and Aiden McGeady. Quite frankly, it is time for these two laddies to act like men, to produce the goods for 90 minutes consistently. Instead, for too much of their careers, they have been playing like kids in front of their grandmothers, expecting words of praise and consolation, regardless of their ineptitudes.

“Some nice touches” and “effective for a while” are not phrases with which to heap praise on Celtic players. These two need to talk to someone like Bertie Auld and ask for private tuition in how to combine football with expediency in order to be effective. Hell, they could start by having a word with Peter Grant – by common consent not the most naturally talented Celt ever but one whose standing our two starlets look unlikely to challenge in their careers.

But in the case of Tony Mowbray, it would take a hard heart not to sympathise with him in his disappointment. True, he made a baffling decision in bringing on Danny Fox late in the game but a least he attempted to be proactive with his substitutions, quite rightly demonstrating to Fortuné and Scott McDonald that they will only play if they are doing so well. And it was refreshing to see him attempt to influence the game rather than waiting for something better to happen with a failing formula.

However, it would be wrong to fail to (again) point the finger at the real culprits – those who arranged a ridiculous pre-season schedule that was viable only in the case of winning the league title that they neglected to pursue professionally. Anyone with a modicum of sense would know that if there's one thing to avoid, it is playing a Champions League qualifier before even a domestic league game.

That can only be done by investing properly to win the SPL. Sending a team off to Australia in the aftermath of that gross negligence was utter folly – but then it had been pre-booked at the height of their naivety.

The outstanding image from last night was not of any player but of Messrs Reid, Desmond and Lawwell, sitting shiftily side-by-side in their directors' box that might equally have been a high court dock.

They may have sharp lawyers but the public are still likely to consider them guilty.






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Time for recriminations? Damned right!

As the improbable became the inevitable, Celtic's capitulation to arguably the worst team ever to be Scottish champions presents a clear case for a change of personnel. That starts with the manager.

For three and a half seasons, this blog supported Gordon Strachan. Recent months, however, have raised questions about his attitude to the job, his ability to field a winning team and, frankly, his loyalty.

That Strachan was not accepted by a section of Celtic supporters is old news. In that, he was often a victim of fans' ridiculous petulance. But he also occasionally fed the critics through gross immaturity.

Few Celtic supporters had any sympathy for the journalists he sent packing with fleas in their ears – we know they revel in criticising all things Celtic. But Strachan failed to grasp the fact that he was also addressing the fans. Snippy one-liners directed at hacks may be well and good if he was communicating with the supporters elsewhere – for example through Celtic's website. Failure to do so seemed to indicate a lack of respect for the people who, for good or ill, make Celtic what it is.

The closing of ranks between manager and players might also be admirable in its own way if it was accompanied by acceptable results and performances. Unfortunately, though, that was not the case. Continually defending players after draws and defeats leads a club perilously close to accepting second-best. Not good enough for Celtic.

Furthermore, there were some absurd decisions over the past season. Squad rotation of middleweight players was an abject failure. Keeping faith with the talented but increasingly out of his depth Marc Crosas was as ill advised as was the bizarre decision to play Gary Caldwell in midfield. Dropping Aiden McGeady in favour of Shaun Maloney (whose return has been shown to be a mistake) at Ibrox was just one more unfathomable move that was an utter failure.

Even yesterday, needing a goal for some semblance of respectability, he replaced Scott McDonald with Maloney, one of the most absurd decisions of his managerial reign before he reached for Willo Flood, a move that was symbolic of a man who had run out of ideas long ago.

True, he was badly let down by directors and a Chief Executive, who were too damned smart for their own good in trying to keep Celtic a hair's breadth ahead of an abysmal Rangers team. Peter Lawwell, Dermot Desmond, John Reid and all their apologists fully deserve every bit of the abuse that will assuredly be hurled in their direction. Their briefings to certain supporters' websites in a transparent attempt to manage information have represented an underhand tactic that insults the intelligence of Celtic fans. They have failed the club and would do us all a favour by moving on to pastures new.

But there comes a point where the manager must stop meekly accepting under-investment because of his great friendship with Peter Lawwell and demand the best for the club. The world and his wife could see that we needed another striker and a left-back yet we spent an entire season with the most ineffective front line we have had since we were relying on the likes of Tommy Coyne and Andy Paton for goals. Still, he loaned out Cillian Sheridan though he has no time for Ben Hutcheson, leaving us with hopelessly inept forwards. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink has shown that his race is run as a footballer while Georgious Samaras would be better taking up a career on the catwalk where his aimless strutting would be more appropriate. Scott McDonald found some form but far too late for the campaign as a whole.

It was naïve to say the least to rely on friendship with Lawwell, who would cheerfully hang Strachan out to dry if it made his life easier (and there is good reason to believe he was using at least one of those supporters' websites to do just that). Lawwell is a survivor and such people rarely reciprocate loyalty when their neck is on the line.

The country will now be represented in Europe by a club known as Scotland's Shame and one which is a national embarrassment. Finishing second to such garbage makes Strachan's position untenable.






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Aiden McGeady: Penance done – now for contrition, reconciliation and Paradise

It has now been two long weeks since the disconcerting clash between Aiden McGeady and Gordon Strachan led to the player’s suspension.

What now? Well, in such a celebratory week, the best possible end to the year and start to 2009 would be a reconciliation between the two men.

There have been reports that Aiden either had or intended to apologise to Gordon. I hope that, for once, the speculation is true.

Any of us who have ever been young men know how easy it is to blurt out ill-considered words when there is a perception of injustice. One of those hard lessons that you only seem to learn years after it is of any use is that these outbursts are almost invariably a mistake. In fact, as often as not, even when you’re right, you end up in the wrong.

In this case, as has been recognised by most fans, Aiden’s behaviour couldn’t be defended, even if it might be understood. Apart from the issues of internal discipline, the manager’s need to show strength to the dressing room and recognition of the millions of people in soul-destroying jobs who have had to bite their lip when they think their boss is being unreasonable, one fact has been largely ignored.

Gordon Strachan is the manager of Celtic and whoever occupies that role deserves at least the respect that goes along with such a prestigious position at our club. For generations, the manager of Celtic was a figurehead for a community that is unique in football. You cannot abuse the Celtic manager without demeaning part of the club itself.

But there are myriad other reasons for Aiden to take the difficult step of apologising.

Firstly, in his own interests, why would he want to give racist Rangers supporters the satisfaction of leaving the club with so much undone? Thousands of Rangers fans hate Aiden purely because he plays for Celtic and Ireland. If he leaves, it will be the only solace that sorry bunch enjoy this festive season. If he goes without ever having put in a truly memorable performance against them – a Lubo game – he will surely regret it.

Secondly, Aiden really has much to learn about football. He is also in the fortunate position of having all the ability to develop into a top-class player if he can only listen to the advice and instructions of one of the best training ground coaches in the game.

Aiden has been quoted reminiscing on the advice of Tommy Burns, that one piece of magic can win a match. That is true – but the great players look to perform as part of a team for 90 minutes, with the flashes of brilliance merely providing the memorable moments in glittering careers. It is, if you like, the difference between being David Ginola and Zinedine Zidane.

As to taking instructions from a coach; well, where to start? Remember Henrik Larsson when Martin O’Neill came to Celtic? Henrik was already a superstar in the eyes of the fans, yet Martin quickly changed his game, telling him to spend more time in the box and leave the build-up work to others. Larsson could have been forgiven for wondering why anyone should wish to change such an outstanding player. Instead, he chose to put his faith in the manager and rose to even greater heights that need hardly be illustrated here.

Take a star of a different sport: Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe is probably the finest current British sportsman, thought by very shrewd judges to be the best boxer in the world and, many argue, the greatest British fighter of all time. Yet when things have gone badly in a fight it has been common to see his father and coach, Enzo, berating him on live television, even slapping him.

Did this make Joe “lose face” to the watching millions? No, because throughout it all he recognised that Enzo only ever gave him good advice and had much to teach him about his sport. Calzaghe’s 100% record remains intact and his stature has grown yearly.

Self-confidence is an asset in anyone, especially those who wish to rise to the top. Truly great Celtic players like Tommy Burns, Danny McGrain, Paul McStay and Henrik Larsson married that with a degree of humility that earned them the acclaim so often denied to others less reticent in outlining their own qualities.

It would be deeply sad if Aiden was to leave Celtic without having risen to the standing his talents can and should merit. If he wants to take the place most of us hope he will accede to, amongst the all-time greats, he will need at least two outstanding seasons in the hoops after this one.

Then, when he has learned all he can in the time, when he has been an integral part of great successes, when he has tormented the club’s most bitter rivals, he may wish to look elsewhere – and he will just be entering his peak years.

A couple of other things Aiden might muse on:

- the people who tell you that you are right all the time are rarely the ones giving you the best counsel.
- men who have the ability to offer a sincere apology never lose face – they earn the respect of other men (and women) worthy of the name

I cannot believe that a man like Gordon Strachan – a petulant wee bachle in his time – wants anything other than to reinstate a fruitful relationship with the player who has arguably most to give.

Aiden, I’m sure that like almost all Celtic fans, he expects only the best of you and desires only the best for you. Your future – and a piece of Celtic’s – is in your hands.





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EXCLUSIVE: McGeady story sparks tension at crisis-hit Herald

EXCLUSIVE

Only one winner between old guard and ‘Young Turd’

It was the story every sports journalist had been waiting for. Known only to an elite few who browsed the internet from around 9pm on Saturday, The Herald’s Monday edition exclusively revealed that an incident had taken place shortly after Celtic’s draw with Hearts (originally described as a defeat in the newspaper story).

Having caught the rest of the recycled paper part of the industry on the hop, Herald Chief Sportswriter Hugh “Scoop” MacDonald seemed to have scored a coup for his team-mates.

However, we can exclusively reveal that the result has been internecine tension at the crisis-hit Herald.

An impeccable source, speaking on condition of anonymity said: “Darryl is fizzing. I mean how else can you describe the bubbles from his mouth and nose. He feels let down by Hugh.
“He always thought of Hugh as a kindly uncle who would offer professional guidance, try to teach him a bit of punctuation now and then and make constructive suggestions, such as what he should write and how he should write it.
“Then Hugh goes and breaks the only news story The Herald has turned up in the last three years and doesn’t even let Darryl share a byline. You’d have to ask if there’s an agenda.”

Emotions are running high at the troubled title, which has announced that almost all of its editorial staff are at risk of redundancy, prompting some to fear for their jobs.

Our source said: “We all expected Hugh to walk but now it seems that he has notions of breaking news stories before he goes. That can only undermine the rest of the sports desk staff.”

However, we can also reveal that Chief Football Writer Broadfoot, known as “Bombscare” due to his tendency to lose concentration at the most crucial times, is unbelievably one of the highest-paid members of staff at the paper. Said our mole: “He kept getting pay rises to ‘keep him happy’. He even got a rise in return for turning down a transfer to Record PM. It was all very Bobo Balde.”

Now the battle lines have been drawn and it seems that a parting of the ways is imminent but our source revealed that Broadfoot has good reason to worry:

“The trouble is that Darryl has burned a lot of bridges. It all started when he started dating pop stars like Michelle McManus. She seemed to have gone to his head.”

Now, however, having fallen out with predecessor Jim Traynor, the man who once tried to sign him for the PM, Broadfoot’s options are limited. He could theoretically remain at the Herald on reduced terms and conditions or try his luck elsewhere. However, it is thought that his lack of proficiency in English may be a handicap. A move to the internet has not been ruled out.

Both camps seemed to have passed the point of no return last night, with a reconciliation unlikely.

A source close to Broadfoot was recently heard to say: “MacDonald’s values are from the last century. [Darryl] has revolutionised sports journalism with his unique big-page-red-top style. [Darryl] can get exclusives any time I want. No less than a Knight of the Realm has assured [him] that I can have as many stories as I want.”

Friends of MacDonald said he was upset by developments.

“Hugh is adamant he has done no wrong. He was given the story by a guy – we’ll call him Mr M – on strict conditions: ‘Don’t let that wee turd Broadfoot anywhere near it.’ What else could he do?”

It now appears that Broadfoot is having his tantrum in public, ruining the story with clumsy prose. Ultimately, whoever wins, The Herald will be the loser from this undignified spat.

The Herald declined to comment officially.





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Leave now, Aiden, and take your place in Celtic history

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Sometimes players go a bit left field

“NOW that Tommy’s gone, maybe all the young players Tommy has coached over the years will think about what he’s said to them and take it on board. If they’re intelligent enough and think about the knowledge Tommy gave them, hopefully they will take something from it.”

Danny McGrain

“HE did the right things, he looked after his diet, he worked hard at his game as he just wanted to further himself all the time. The red hair wasn’t purely superficial as he had a wee sharp temper as well, which was excellent as I like people with spirit and Tommy had spirit in abundance. But he was a good example to youngsters because he was dedicated. He didn’t have to tell them a lot as they saw it in him and he was a well-disciplined boy off the park. He was straightforward and honest and upright with it and that was probably Tommy at his best. He treated people as he expected to be treated himself.”

Billy McNeill

So what if I had only just turned 12? I was young enough to read the papers, smart enough to recycle what they – and their TV counterparts – had to say. And that was enough to convince me that the imminent marriage of a precocious talent would work wonders for his maturity and development into a top-class professional.

I remember my father, who devoted less time to digesting the collected wisdom of the popular press, looking at me with an incredulity that bordered on astonishment, with a smidgeon of panic thrown in. Fortunately, these were the days when that sort of parenting was summarised with myriad variations on the question, “What nonsense are you talking now?”

“He’s 24 – bit of a hot-head but he could be a great player. I reckon, now that he’s getting married he’ll settle down and get into less trouble.”

And you know what? I was right. I never again saw that talc-white chest with the wee red nipples topped off with orange paint – because I never again saw him rip off the Celtic shirt in anger at some referee’s (or manager’s) decision.

Now I have to say right now that Tommy did me – and about a couple of million others – proud. But once upon a time some people doubted that he would turn all that skill, talent and potential on the left of midfield into the sort of outcome that would make us sing with joy while he played and look weeping into mirrors, wondering where such a great part of our lives went when he was, unbelievably, taken from us.

It has been said recently that Tommy Burns was the “buffer” between Aiden McGeady (22)and Gordon Strachan.

I never had any advice from Tommy – but if I had, I would have listened.





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Playing the press is a dangerous game, Aiden

While most of us have by now become inured to media stories telling us that we are to lose our best players, the recent revelation by The Herald’s Hugh MacDonald that Aiden McGeady is ready to leave Celtic cannot be dismissed with our now customary contempt.

We are well used to journalists in the red-tops mixing blatant lies with crude PR on behalf of our lesser rivals. And even in the quality titles such as The Herald, we would rarely give credence to such tales if they came from Darryl “I-Learned-a-Big-Word-Today” Broadfoot.

However, the story about McGeady is intriguing on two counts.

Firstly, the writer: unlike almost all of his colleagues, for many years Hugh MacDonald seems to have resisted the temptation to amuse himself or gain notoriety by producing the unadulterated guff that passes for sports journalism in Scotland. So, when he suddenly breaks a story such as this, it is very unlikely that he is making it up.

Secondly, the content of the article, specifically the quotes, point very squarely at Aiden himself or his representatives as the source.

"Aiden took the criticism for some time but then hit back," said the source, speaking under condition of anonymity….
"The manager seemed to be blaming Aiden for the result," said the dressing-room source. "Aiden was quiet but, as the manager went on, he let him have it. He did not hold back."

“It is understood that Peter Lawwell, chief executive of Celtic, has been informed of the breach between player and manager and will advise board members today of the depth of the rift. Sources close to the player believe that the board will have to back Strachan, paving the way for the 22-year-old to leave the club he joined as a schoolboy.”

“The most likely outcome is that the player will be allowed to leave Glasgow with England or Bayern Munich in Germany, his most likely destinations.”

There are a number of interesting elements to these statements.

To begin with, why would Celtic have decided to sell the player 24 hours after Shaun Maloney suffered a serious hamstring injury? The most likely answer to that is that they have not – it is merely wishful thinking on the part of McGeady or his agent, perhaps believing that they can force the club's hand.

Also, while MacDonald has protected him as well as anyone can in the circumstances, the story also reveals interest from Bayern Munich, as far as I know the first time this has been intimated. That would suggest that the dressing room “source close to the player” is very close indeed – in fact, close enough to share the same jockstrap.

Next there is the content of the quotes themselves: "The manager seemed to be blaming Aiden for the result. Aiden was quiet but, as the manager went on, he let him have it. He did not hold back."

Who would indulge in such a self-pitying “’snot fair” whine after a dressing down from the manager, before boasting that he had then let him “have it”?

It is less than six months since McGeady signed a new five-year contract, letting slip in the televised media conference that he expected to remain for “two or three years”. Now is not the time to throw a tantrum demanding a move.

Aiden has much to achieve at Celtic – and a great deal to learn. He can learn respect for people in the game who know more about it than him. He can learn to listen to instructions. He might also learn when to run into players and when to pass.

He could also learn to accept criticism like a very wealthy footballer expected to play to a match plan, rather than impersonating Derek Riordan.

If McGeady was as shrewd a judge of the game as he appears to think he is, he would know that the wisest move is to become the best player he can be at Celtic before moving to one of the world’s top leagues. Gordon Strachan can help him achieve that. We can only imagine how managers like Alex Ferguson would react to any player who cannot follow instructions or who performs inconsistently.

He would also be well-advised to bide his time until it becomes clear how the seismic shifts in the financial world affect the top clubs. For all he knows, this time next season, Manchester City might be the top club in England, while a giant like Newcastle United could be playing in the Championship.

And if he has any sense he will learn of the dangers of conducting his business through the press.

He may think that by avoiding the usual suspects in the Record, Sun and Evening Times, he is spinning this story in a more subtle way than others have done.

But once a player has gone down the route of turning up the pressure by “going public” with a matter that could better be resolved in a more mature manner, he usually ends up losing … often starting with respect.





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