AFTER 80 games:
1/1 SPL title
1/1 Scottish Cup
1/1 CIS Cup
Qualified for 2000/01 UEFA Cup Round 1
Reached Round 2 before knocked out 3-2 on aggregate by Bordeaux
Qualified for 2001/02 Champions League group stage by Knocking out AJAX 3-2 on aggregate(including 3-1 win in Amsterdam)
In the 2001/02 group stage we gained 9 points, including a 4-3 win V Juventus and a 1-0 win V Porto
Desperately unlucky not to qualify for Last 16 for the first time in our history
In Round 3 of 2001/02 UEFA Cup, we went out on penalties to Valencia, after a 1-0 home win to make it 1-1 on aggregate
6 wins out of 7 games against Rangers – P7 W6 D0 L1 F18 A9 GD+9
After 80 games, Celtic were 12 points and 7 goals ahead of Rangers in 2001/02 and barring a miracle, 2/2 SPL titles under O’Neill.
Most back to back wins under O’Neill in this 80 game period = 12 (30th July 2000 to 23rd September 2000)
Top 5 wins after 80 games in charge
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1) Juventus 4-3 Home
2) Rangers 6-2 Home
3) Porto 1-0 Home
4) Ajax 3-1 Away
5) Rangers 3-0 Away
Gordon Strachan’s first 80 games in charge
——————————
P 80
W 58 (72%)
D 13 (17%)
L 9 (11%)
F 174 2.18 Average goals per game
A 76 0.95 Average goals per game
GD +98
After 80 games:
1/1 SPL title
0/1 Scottish Cup
1/1 CIS Cup
Failed to qualify for 2005/06 Champions league group stage
Failed to qualify for 2005/06 UEFA Cup group stage
Out of Europe before September 2005
QUALIFIED FOR 2006/07 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP STAGE
Whilst in the group stage we gained 9 points, including a 1-0 win V Manchester United and a 3-0 win V Benfica
Qualified for Last 16 for the first time in our history
Barring 2 Refereeing howlers in the San Siro, qualification for Quarter Finals of 2006/07 Champions League was certain
4 wins and 2 draws out of 7 games against Rangers – P7 W4 D2 L1 F10 A4 GD +6
After 80 games, Celtic were 19 points and 13 goals ahead of Rangers in 2006/07 and barring a miracle, 2/2 SPL titles under Strachan
Most back to back wins under Strachan in this 80 game period = 11 (1st February 2006 to 9th April 2006)
Top 5 wins after 80 games in charge
——————————
1) Manchester United 1-0 Home
2) Benfica 3-0 Home
3) Rangers 3-0 Home
4) Rangers 1-0 Away
5) Copenhagen 1-0 Home
Neil Lennon’s first 80 games in charge
——————————
P 80
W 56 (70%)
D 11 (14%)
L 13 (16%)
F 168 2.10 Average goals per game
A 66 0.82 Average goals per game
GD +102
After 80 games:
0/1 SPL Title
1/2 Scottish Cups(Ross County in 2009/10 down to Lennon not Mowbray)
0/1 CIS Cup
Failed to qualify for 2010/11 Champions league group stage
Failed to qualify for 2010/11 Europa league group stage
Out of Europe before September 2010
Failed to qualify for 2011/12 Champions league group stage based on 2010/11 season; no CL qualifier for 2nd placed team
Qualified for 2011/12 Europa League Group Stage but only by default, in reality we lost 3-1 on aggregate to FC Sion
4 wins and 2 draws out of 9 against Rangers – P9 W4 D2 L3 F14 A12 GD +2
After 80 games, Celtic are 12 points and 11 goals behind Rangers in 2011/12(albeit a game in hand) and barring a miracle,
0/2 titles under Lennon and 4 in a row for Rangers
Most back to back wins under Lennon in this 80 game period = 7 (29th August 2010 to 17th October 2010)
Top 5 wins after 80 games in charge
——————————
1) Rangers 3-0 Home
2) Rangers 2-0 Away
3) Rennes 1-1 Away
4) Motherwell 3-0 Hampden
5) Rangers 1-0 Home
Now, I have backed Neil all the very way, even after the Kilmarnock game but following the Hibs game enough is enough. Whether it’s down to lack of backing from the board (Lawwell influencing transfers too much or Desmond not giving a toss…) or it’s down to losing the dressing room, he simply has to resign before he loses his thoroughly deserved iconic and legendary status as a Celtic legend. 9 wins out of 19 this season and 2 wins out of the last 7 is unacceptable in any managerial standard, not least being the manager of Celtic Football Club. My very feeling on this issue is intensified when I read his quote in response to a question of him resigning:
“”The only way I would leave the job this season is if I decide I am not taking the club forward or I am not getting the performances that the fans merit.”
Actions speak louder than words I’m afraid, Neil.
