The Great Pretenders – No need for Celtic to play numbers game

No need for Celtic to play the numbers game. We know our history and we are successful. We’re not the Great Pretenders…

There been a lot of talk about numbers recently. For example if we win the Premier Sports Cup we will have overtaken the combined trophy haul of both of the clubs that have played out of Ibrox.

Also this week we’ve been hearing from a few familiar names who were mentioning the significance of Celtic winning title number ‘55’ which will be our number of titles achieved as a football club if we finish top of the pile this season.

Celtic celebrations after 1966 title win
Celtic celebrations after 1966 title win. Photo The Celtic Wiki

While that may be true we don’t need to remind ourselves how many we’ve won, yes it’s an impressive stat, but we don’t need to shout it from the rooftops. When Jock Stein won the title in 1966 did anyone talk about the number of title wins that Celtic had reached then? Or did it happen after the 4-2 game in 1979 when Billy McNeill won his first time as Celtic manager? Did it happen at Ibrox the year before when Rangers won a Treble? No, it was never mentioned.

Celtic celebrations after 1979 title win
Celtic celebrations after 1979 title win. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Why? Well we don’t need to trick ourselves into thinking we are the same club and nor did Rangers back in 1978. We are Glasgow Celtic formed in 1888 and enjoyed 136 years of unbroken successful history with lots more to follow.

Using numbers to kid ourselves on is what our rivals across the city have been doing for the past 12 years as they crunch those numbers to make themselves think they are still the same club.

55' celebrations
Photo: Jane Barlow

Going for ‘55’, ‘the most successful club in world football’ that’s not for us, we know in our head and our hearts that we are a world renowned and successful football club. We don’t need to convince anyone or ourselves for that matter.

Everyone in Scottish football knows that their club died in 2012 and deep down they know it themselves. That’s what secretly hurts them the most. They really are the Great Pretenders.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr, Volumes One & Two, Published by Celtic Star Books

CELTIC IN THE THIRTIES, VOLUMES ONE & TWO BY MATT CORR – OUT NOW! Order your signed copies below…

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Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. OUT NOW!

About Author

An ordinary everyday Celtic supporters hailing and still residing in Govan in the shadows of the enemy. I’m a season ticket holder. I Witnessed my first Celtic game in 1988 and have attended when I can ever since. Growing up in the 90s I witnessed Celtic at their lowest, and now appreciate the historic success we enjoy today. I enjoy writing about this wonderful football club and hopefully will continue to do so. I’ve always been a keen writer and initially started this a hobby. My ambition is to one day become as good an author as my fellow Celtic Star colleagues.

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