Harking back to the days of the Dandy Dons, (Fergie, Fergie, shut yer mooth!), Wee Jim McLean with his Tangerine terrors, and, nearly, but not quite Champions, Hearts, who may appear to have resurrected those days.
Well, not quite, although there are similarities. Aberdeen and Dundee United not only split the, then, ‘Old Firm’, and dominated Scottish football. For the supporters of the Glasgow duo this was sacrilege. For the wider game, it was manna from Heaven; proper teams enjoying a proper competition.
Fergie was displaying his managerial greatness from the touchline, whilst his Aberdeen won Leagues, Cups, and two European trophies; the European odyssey having the whole country cheering like northmen.
Meanwhile, United came close to emulating those great feats, bringing to Tayside a Championship Flag, two League Cups. Wee Jim’s men reached the Uefa Cup Final, and beat Barcelona, home, and away. Again, a largely utopian country shed their own club colours, and rejoiced with them.
Celtic and Rangers struggled to match those upstarts, and the celebration when we beat those teams in those days were off the scale.
Today, Hearts are top of the league. Celtic, despite being well below our expected standard, are just two points away in second place. theRangers?
The latest Ibrox club are languishing in 8th spot; just two points off Livingston, Falkirk, and Dundee, teams who are only one draw away from suffering the ignominy of propping up the league.
Since their wedding to Brighton and Hove Albion owner, Tony Bloom, the Tynecastle outfit has taken full advantage of their dowry, and are playing good football, unbeaten and with 16 goals scored compared to Celtic’s miserly 11.
Many are expecting the Jambos to stride away from Celtic and win the league. I don’t. We are only seven games into the season, and we’ve seen this movie before; remember 1986 – 5-0, Albert Kidd, and all that?
These are different days. Whilst the fans unite against a spendthrift board, the Hoops are well in contention despite the enforced absences of Alistair Johnston, and Jota on the wing.
The difference those specialists will make on their return will be substantial. Most of our squad are poor imitations of their former selves, but I don’t expect that to continue for too much longer.
Marcelo Saracchi is a competent full-back, CCV, whilst not a sharp as before, will come good, and a decision on Calmac’s guaranteed starting spot should be made soon with Engels, McCowan and Bernardo requiring game time to replace him.
Daizen Maeda will continue to score goals despite being a pale shadow of his turbo charged yesteryear – he will probably leave in the January window – whilst Kelechi Iheanacho will continue to improve as the weeks go on.
I’m hanging my hat on Seb Tounekti. I believe he will be a superstar in Paradise, and his reign is just beginning.
All in all, Celtic have been poor this season with too many off-form players; that is clear. When the confidence returns, I expect to see a revolution in energy, ideas, and goal ratio.
The window should bring in better, and dispatch lesser. Hearts will continue to improve, but, Celtic has too much in cash reserve, (I know, I know), and overall quality.
theRangers have sacked Russell Martin – when he went to Falkirk and said, ‘Park the bus,’ I don’t think he meant that! A new ‘target’ will be appointed shortly – he may want to bring his own car.
That’ll be 15 managers in 11 years since inception in 2012, if you count Graeme Murty’s two spells in charge. They can forget the title, and, in my opinion, so can Hearts.
The days of the Dandy Dons and the Tangerine Terrors are memorable, but, only that; a memory. After Dundee in a fortnight, Celtic travel to Tynecastle in what could prove a pivotal match. Win there against Hearts, the Bhoys go top, and Tony Bloom may have to plunder his Brighton resources once again.
What a strange season this is so far. Uncertain Celtic may be in transition, but we’re still the finest team in Scotland. Long may it continue.
Hail Hail!
Eddie Murray
Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!
Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed book!
Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last,.
Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.
Pardon the typo