The title of this article comes from a quote attributed to Michael Jordan, a man widely renowned as the greatest athlete of all time (the GOAT, if you will!).
Without context the sentiment may come across as selfish, but Jordan later explained that in his playing days his sheer will to win meant that he would do whatever it took – whether that was as part of the team, or by playing as an individual – to ensure the Chicago Bulls were victorious.
We know of course that Ange Postecoglou is very much about the team and about the collective effort of the group, rather than the individual, and it would make for an interesting debate should the two ever meet to discuss the merits of Jordan’s quote.
A value that both men do agree on however is the importance of winning and of being successful.
Celtic‘s win on Saturday against Motherwell wasn’t our best performance under Ange.
It wasn’t the free flowing creative football we’re used to.
It wasn’t the high scoring contest some anticipated.
But it was a win.
And in the “every point’s a prisoner” world of the Scottish Premiership then that’s the most important thing.
Many supporters arrived at Celtic Park on Saturday expecting a swashbuckling performance and goals galore against our 8th placed opponents – especially as it was our first game back since that shock defeat by St Mirren – but it wasn’t to be.
It would be harsh on Celtic to describe the win as nervy, but heading into the final minutes of the game with ten men (following Callum McGregor’s dismissal) and with a narrow 2-1 lead meant that we were one break of the ball away from Motherwell stealing a point which they would have ill deserved.
Much debate has followed amongst fans since with many holding firm on the “a win’s a win” stance, whilst others argued that we should be performing far better against a limited Motherwell side at home.
On our weekly show (Recorded on Monday, 3 October) both Paddy and Mif suggested that we’ve perhaps been spoiled by some of the impressive football we witnessed in the opening weeks of the season as we swept aside the likes of Kilmarnock (5-0), Dundee United (9-0) and Rangers (4-0) to display our domestic dominance.
Before the victory against Motherwell however we had gone three games without a win. A very rare occurrence for this Ange Postecoglou side. Granted one of those losses was to Champions League holders Real Madrid in early September, followed by a draw with Shakthar Donetsk and then that defeat by St Mirren.
The last time Celtic went three without winning under Ange was in his very first three competitive games in charge at the beginning of last season. A home draw with FC Midjtylland, a defeat by the same opponents in Denmark, and then an opening day league defeat by Hearts at Tynecastle.
Make no mistake, three games without winning is a very rare occurrence for this Ange Postecoglou side.
Winning is a habit, and one that Michael Jordan become seriously hooked on during his time on the basketball court.
Let’s hope that Ange and the Bhoys can use Saturday’s win as the catalyst to kick on to bigger successes in the week’s ahead – starting with tomorrow’s crucial Champions League tie with RB Leipzig in Germany.
Tune in now as we discuss the win v Motherwell, our prospects versus RB Leipzig and much more in this latest episode of The Celtic Exchange Weekly.
“There’s no ‘I’ in Team, but there’s one in Win!” (says Michael Jordan!)
The boys discuss the win over Motherwell, our hopes in Leipzig, and questionnable jumpers in the lastest ep. of TCE Weekly
Listen now at https://t.co/5leja8Cu2O pic.twitter.com/izkE2VVgk7
— The Celtic Exchange 🎙 (@CeltExchange) October 4, 2022
Enjoy this Episode on Spotify…
There’s no I in team…..unless you are French.
or Spanish or Portugese!