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Wednesday 11 May 2011

Thunderstruck

Regardless of what happens tonight or Sunday, I still regard this season a success. For me the highs have outnumbered the lows in a season were the football has taken a back seat too often. That's why in this blog I will focus on the footballing matters of this season.

Having signed an entire team in the summer I was willing to sacrifice the league this year to let Neil Lennon build a team the way he wanted to. As long as there were signs of progress during the season I was happy with that in August. Braga and Utrecht were disappointing but I believe we're a different proposition now from then. Lessons were learned and the next 4-5 months were spent tinkering with formation and line ups to get the best system and starting XI. It was at this stage I feel we lost ground in the championship, the 3 draws in a row at home were crucial I thought.

The turning point obviously was the 2-0 win at Ibrox where Sammy made his once a season performance. From then on the shape in midfield was correct, the defence played as a unit and up front Hooper and Stokes started to click again. The only downside I've seen from this current crop of players is the ability for 9 or 10 of them to have a bad day at the same time. Although this has happened only twice in the league (Motherwell and Inverness) and the league cup final. It's the timing that worries me. It has happened at crucial points, is it inexperience or is it bottle? Who knows, if we don't win the league hopefully it will be a lesson to the players and management, themselves still young.

All I know is with maybe two or three players over 25, this team is still young and still are not the finished article. Guys like Kayal Izzy and Ledley are not far away and play with a maturity beyond their years, while rough diamonds like Stokes have the tools to become great players. All in all I have never been more confident for the future with Celtic. A vision is in place and I think Neil Lennon can deliver.

I've saved the best for last, perhaps the best thing about this season has been the atmosphere has returned to Parkhead. Just as he promised back in June Neil has brought the thunder back. The majority of games the singing from the stands has been amazing and long missed. 9-0 against Aberdeen, the league and cup wins against Rangers and every time I hear Just Can't Get Enough. This has been a memorable year.

So with 3 games left let's do what we've done throughout the season stand with pride, back the Bhoys and give the team send off they deserve.

Hail Hail

P.s. If you haven't already, please come along to the John Kennedy Benefit match next Sunday. For a great player and a great guy.