retired_amyslack

New Club, Old City

It was Monday 10th January 2011 when Sandy Banks returned to the familiar surroundings of Glasgow to take charge at his new club. Despite carrying almost £20M of debt the club had cash in the bank and the new manager had a reasonable transfer budget but little room for manoeuvre on his wage bill. His first task was to introduce himself to his backroom staff. Celtic legends Danny McGrain and Tommy Burns were already well known to him but there were still new faces and new names. His Assistant Manager, Englishman Garry Pendry was one such and Sandy was quick to sit down with his right hand man and run through the squad whilst Sandy took notes that he would read through later.

The new man was aware that joining midway through the season meant that he had to get to grips with his playing squad in double quick time. The team had been eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage, finishing bottom with just a single point. However they were top of the Premiership and had progressed to the Semi Final of the League Cup and the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. It seemed clear to Sandy that he needed to bag at least one trophy if his return to his old stomping was not to end in tears in a few months time.

It had been made clear to the new manager that the previous incumbent strongly favoured a 3-5-2 system but Sandy was no fan of that formation, preferring a flat back four. He definitely wanted to play with two strikers so it was clear that his team would use a 4-4-2 style although the manager did have some thoughts on how he might vary his midfield shape depending on opponents and circumstances. Having been a spectator towards the end of the days training session he decided to head back to his hotel and work through his notes on the playing staff.

First Team Squad

Goalkeepers
David Marshall, 25, Scotland
A product of the Youth Academy and now in his 4th season in the first team although he has never established himself as number one choice. Good in the air and a fine shot stopper.

Joe Lewis, 23, England
Picked up as a teenager from Norwich five years ago and been in the first team for most of that time. Has tended to be alternated with Marshall but is generally favoured over his older rival.

Defenders
Dan Dean, 22, England
Acquired from Aberdeen two seasons ago and firmly established in the first team. Can play anywhere across the back but is usually deployed on the right of defence.

Kelvin Potuyt, 23, Holland
Arrived at Ibrox after two seasons at Hearts. Another versatile defender who can play anywhere in the back four but he has failed to gat a regular start so far this season.

John Kennedy, 27, Scottish
Resilient centre back and another product of the Youth Academy who has been at the club for over ten years.

Andrea Masiello, 24, Italian
Joined from Juventus five seasons ago. A very capable young centre back and a first team regular.

Bobo Balde, 35, Guinea
A club legend in the centre of defence but has seen no first team action this season and is currently transfer listed. Subtle he’s not but with bags of experience he could be a real asset for the younger players.

Paul McShane, 25, Ireland
Centre back who joined from Hibs three seasons ago. After an excellent debut he has fallen out of favour and is available for transfer.

Dominic Shimmin, 23, England
Cost £1M from QPR last season and is firmly established in the heart of the defence.

Paul Caddis, 28, Northern Ireland
A decent right back who has found it very difficult to get established in the first team. Not too surprising as playing with three at the back does limit the opportunities for a full back.

Nicklas Svendsen, 24, Denmark
A left-sided player who can operate well as a wingback or an orthodox midfielder. Now in his second season at the club after a move from Oldham.


Midfielders
Stephen Sunday (Sony to his mates), 22, Nigeria
Clutured young midfielder who has yet to make a start after his move from Inverness CT at the start of this season.

Pawel Kazimierczak, 23, Poland
Understandably known to everyone as PK he was another acquisition from Inverness. A right sided midfielder, he looks great in training but by all accounts has not made much of an impact on match days.

Gabriele Cavallaro, 22, Italy
This slightly built midfielder cost £1M from Juventus at the start of the season. Seems a bit of a lightweight to me and he will have his work cut out to convince me that he’s worth a place in the team.

Garry Walker, 18, Scotland
Stolen from Aberdeen last season this young midfielder is the one that all of the coaches rave about. Huge potential by all accounts and from what I’ve seen so far he has a right foot to die for. Could be a real diamond.

Jamie Winter, 25, Scotland
Now on his 6th club despite his relatively tender years and I suspect that he flatters to deceive.

Tobias Eriksson, 25, Sweden
Right sided or central midfielder now in his third season at the club. First team chances have been limited but seems a solid enough performer.

Damien Duff, 31, Ireland
The legendary Irish winger joined on a free transfer from Chelsea four seasons ago but has never really lived up to the hype.

Ross Wallace, 25, Scotland
Another well known Academy graduate. Now in his 10th season at the club but has yet to put in a stellar season. Currently recovering from a broken leg.


Forwards
Craig Beattie, 26, Scotland
The club’s highest valued player and the top scorer for the last four seasons.

Andy Bagshaw, 22, Scotland
A lad who looks capable of good things if given the opportunity.

Garry O’Connor, 27, Scotland
In his first season since joining from Hibs the big striker hasn’t proven to be hugely prolific. In fact Bagshaw actually has a better strike rate so big Gaz has a lot to prove.

Kjartan Henry Finnbogason, 24, Iceland
A very steady performer for the last three seasons. No world-beater but a pretty reliable lad up front.


Notable Reserves

John Bruce, 20, Scotland
Young striker on loan for the season at Hibs but reputed to be a good prospect.

Darren Smith, 22, Scotland
Newly arrived from Hearts this season the striker is transfer listed after a major fallout with Strachan. Time for a clean slate as far as I’m concerned and with his talent he needs to be moved to the seniors.

Mark Wilson, 26, Scotland
A very good right wingback and I have no idea why he is out of favour. Will be given every opportunity to fight for a place.

Teddy Bjarnason, 23, Iceland
A talented midfielder by all accounts so he must have rubbed Gordon up the wrong way to be stuck in the reserves.

David Limbersky, 27, Czech Republic
A left wingback on loan for the season at Zaragoza and doing very well by all accounts.

Julien N’Da, 25, Ivory Coast
Has apparently never settled after his move from Hearts two seasons ago and is keen to move on.

Tim Vincken, 24, Holland
A right winger who has consistently failed to perform in the four seasons he has been at the club.

Shaun Barker, 28, England
Played just three times since moving from Motherwell three seasons ago on the back of two excellent years after his move from England. His preferred position is centre back but I hear whispers that he is quite capable of playing a holding role in midfield, a favourite ploy of mine.

Craig Davidson, 18, Scotland
Picked out by the coaches as a terrific prospect this young keeper looks to have a bright future in front of him.

retired_jgirl87

An intriguing new twist to your story, Bob. Now that I'm fully up to date I'll be interested to see how Sandy handles the challenge of turning Celtic into a European superpower. :thup:

retired_amyslack

Thanks Spav. I couldn’t get back into the original so I thought I’d try something a but different.

Off We Go

Sandy began life at his new club with a league match at home to Hearts. Sandy was aware that he was taking a risk by asking his players to change to a 4-4-2 when they had been used to playing a different formation for some time but the transition had to be made at some point and there seemed to be little purpose in delaying the decision. He called several of the current reserves up to the first team and filled the gaps with some of the older lads from the U19’s. Mindful of the SPL regulation that the matchday squad must include at least two players aged 21 or younger the manager had given some thought to his team selection as he had few options. Midfielder Garry Walker was an obvious choice but few of the other youngsters on the books were thought to be capable of first team action. He finally decided that young keeper Davidson would be the man and he was selected as one of the substitutes.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 15th 2011
SPL Match 22
Celtic 3 Hearts 1
This was a very satisfactory start with a pretty comfortable win and even though the decisive goals came late in the game we dominated most of the play. Darren Smith looked very sharp considering that he has spent almost all season in the reserves. His early goal was cancelled out quickly but he did very well throughout. Young Garry Walker took his goal well and Damien Duff impressed by setting up both of Smith’s goals.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7, sub 82), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (8), Masiello (7), Duff (8), Walker (8), Sony (7), Eriksson (7, sub 82), Smith (9*), Beattie (7, sub 60)
Subs – Bagshaw (7), Barker (6), Cavallaro (6)

Goals
Smith 2, 82, Walker 73


During the next week veteran defender Bobo Balde agreed a move to Dundee for a nominal fee. Sandy would have kept the rugged centre back on but the change to take £14,000 a week off the wage bill was too good to turn down. Sandy saw no reason to make any changes to his team selection for the visit of Inverness CT and named an unchanged squad for the match.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday January 23rd 2011
SPL Match 23
Celtic 5 Inverness CT 0
The lads had a field day today as everything went their way over the 90 minutes. We were aided when the visitors had a man sent off but by then we were 2-0 ahead and cruising anyway. Duff was excellent on the left of midfield, creating two of our goals again and we showed some lovely one-touch football. Walker’s goal was they pick of the bunch and it was a joy to see how he curled the ball home from some 25 yards out – lovely stuff.

Team Selection
Marshall (8), Dean (8), Svendsen (9), Shimmin (8), Masiello (8), Duff (10*), Walker (8, sub 78), Sony (9), Eriksson (9), Smith (10), Beattie (9)
Subs – Bjarnason (7)

Goals
Eriksson 5, Beattie 25, 49, Walker 38, Sony 78


Livingston were proving to be the surprise package of the SPL this season, consolidating on consecutive top-six finishes in the previous two seasons by holding second place in the table. Sandy expected the trip to Almondvale to be difficult but was encouraged by his team’s form and named an unchanged squad for the match.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday January 29th 2011
SPL Match 24
Livingston 1 Celtic 0
Livingston showed that they are a difficult side to beat, packing the midfield and getting men behind the ball at all times. But there was still no excuse for our dreary display and I made sure that the players were aware of my feelings at the end of the game. An injury to Duff didn’t help but in truth we were poor all over the pitch and can’t use that as an excuse.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (6), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (6), Duff (6, sub 37), Walker (6, sub 86), Sony (6), Eriksson (6), Smith (7, sub 86), Beattie (6)
Subs – Bagshaw (6), Bjarnason (6), Finnbogason (6)

retired_amyslack

Into the Lion’s Den

Striker Darren Smith was named Player of the Month for January with Garry Walker taking 3rd place in the Goal of the Month rankings for his effort against Inverness. The team was in action early in the month as they faced 1st Division St. Johnstone in the Semi Final of the League Cup. Sandy made a couple of changes for the match, resting an unfit Duff and moving Svendsen to the left of midfield. Potuyt was brought in at left back and Gary O’Connor was given a start up front with Smith moving to the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Tuesday February 1st 2011
League Cup Semi Final
St. Johnstone 1 Celtic 2
This was a cagey match from start to finish and at the end of the 90 minutes I was relieved that we had achieved our objective of a place in the final. Our attack misfired throughout and the penalty awarded in stoppage time at the end of the first half proved to be crucial. The Division One outfit did themselves proud and having clawed a goal back they made a chance or two late on and could have taken up to extra time at least.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (7), Potuyt (7), Shimmin (8), Masiello (7), Svendsen (8), Walker (7), Sony (8*), Eriksson (7), O’Connor (7), Beattie (7)

Goals
Eriksson 41, O’Connor pen 45


The weekend saw cup action once more as the team welcomed the visit of Motherwell in the 4th round of the Scottish Cup. Sandy made several changes in his selection, some enforced and some voluntary. Nicklas Svendsen moved back to left back with Duff returning to midfield, Shaun Barker replaced Sony who finished the St. Johnstone match with bruised ribs and Darren Smith was preferred up front to O’Connor.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 5th 2011
Scottish Cup 4th Round
Celtic 2 Motherwell 0
This was a comfortable win marred only by an injury to Smith that meant he was unable to come out for the second half. Eriksson impressed on the right wing and Beattie took his goal tally to 15 for the season. Barker looked very capable playing as a holding midfielder in front of the back four and young Walker confirmed his potential with another influential display.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (7), Masiello (8), Duff (7), Walker (8), Barker (8), Eriksson (9*), Smith (7, sub 45), Beattie (7)
Subs – O’Connor (7)

Goals
Beattie 3, Walker 42


With over a dozen players absent on international duty during the week Sandy had time to ponder the irony of the draw for the Quarter Finals of the Scottish Cup which the fates had decreed would be his first Old Firm derby as Celtic manager. But before that he had two league games to deal with, the first of which featured a visit by St. Mirren. Rooted at the foot of the table, on paper the visitors should pose no threat but there was no such thing as an easy game as far as the manager was concerned. With Darren Smith having shaken off his knock from the previous game Sandy was able to name an unchanged eleven for the game.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 12th 2011
SPL Match 25
Celtic 3 St. Mirren 0
An early penalty set the tome and after Eriksson netted with a free kick the result was never in doubt. We had to wait a long time for the 3rd goal although Beattie had an effort disallowed and also hit the bar before he made one count. The free kick from Tobias was a beauty, curled from the edge of the area into the top corner. Beattie’s was none too shabby either with Duff and Smith involved in a crisp build up with Craig providing a clinical finish.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (9*), Walker (8), Barker (7), Eriksson (8), Smith (7), Beattie (8)

Goals
Svendsen pen 7, Eriksson 16, Beattie 90


Sandy was pleased to be able to name an unchanged eleven for the trip to Dundee United as he was a great believer in keeping a winning team together whenever possible.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 19th 2011
SPL Match 26
Dundee United 0 Celtic 3
The lads were facing former teammate Bobo Balde and to be frank he had a nightmare until he was subbed after an hour. By that time the game was won although it could have been quite different had David Marshall not saved a penalty when we were 2-0 ahead. It was an odd game really – we played well but the home side created more chances and the final scoreline flattered us to some extent. Smithy took his goals well and the second was a real beauty as he cut in from the left and danced through half the defence before blasting a shot into the far corner of the net.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (8), Masiello (9*), Duff (8), Walker (8), Barker (7), Eriksson (7), Smith (8), Beattie (8)

Goals
Smith 23, 49, Rimkus og 31


With his first Old Firm derby fast approaching Sandy was feeling increasingly apprehensive about his trip to Ibrox and the reception that he would receive from the home fans. He was delighted to receive a telephone call from Mirco during the week and the two spent some time discussing the situation. As always the Italian seemed to have a sixth sense where Sandy was concerned and his words of support did much to boost his former manager’s confidence. An injury to left back Svendsen meant an enforced change with Dan Dean switching sides and Mark Wilson coming in on the right of defence. Sandy made one further change, bringing Sony back in and dropping Barker to the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday February 26th 2011
Scottish Cup Quarter Final
Rangers 2 Celtic 2
I expected a pretty hostile reception and the ‘Gers fans duly obliged with a barrage of boos and whistles as I took my seat in the dugout. I took Mirco’s advice however and waved and smiled as I walked out into the cauldron. I was subjected to several of their favourite chants during the game including “Drink when your losing, you always drink while your losing” but I kept my cool and laughed it off. The match itself was a cracker with the home side coming out on top in terms of chances but two great strikes from Man of the Match Beattie meant that we would have another bite at the cherry.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Wilson (8), Dean (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (6), Duff (8), Walker (7), Sony (8), Eriksson (7), Smith (6, sub 77), Beattie (9*)
Subs – O’Connor (6)

Goals
Beattie 29, 45

retired_amyslack

One For The Trophy Cabinet

Sandy’s hopes of naming an unchanged eleven for the Cup replay were spoiled by a booking for Mark Wilson in the previous match that meant the full back was suspended. This gave Paul Caddis a chance to see some action and the manager was interested to see how the young Irishman would perform.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday March 2nd 2011
Scottish Cup Quarter Final Replay
Celtic 1 Rangers 0
This was another entertaining match for the watching thousands and once again it was Craig Beattie who provided our cutting edge. A great reverse ball from Eriksson sprung the offside trap and the finish was clinical. Only a couple of great saves prevented our top scorer from getting a hat trick and although the visitors forced some fine saves from David Marshal we looked worth the win. Substitute O’Connor was denied by the woodwork late on and frankly a 2-0 scoreline would not have been unreasonable.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Caddis (7), Dean (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (8), Duff (8*), Walker (6, sub 76), Sony (7), Eriksson (7), Smith (6, sub 76), Beattie (7)
Subs – Winter (7), O’Connor (7)

Goals
Beattie 39


The manager made a couple of changes for the trip to Dumfries to face a struggling Queen of the South, Wilson and O’Connor replacing Caddis and Smith. The opposition had been a fixture in the SPL for almost five seasons but this year they were struggling near the foot of the table and form suggested that Celtic should not be unduly troubled.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 5th 2011
SPL Match 27
Queen of the South 3 Celtic 4
We got off to an absolute flyer, going two-up inside the opening quarter of an hour. But I was very surprised at how well the home side came back at us, putting us under sustained pressure for a twenty-minute spell. During that time they pulled a goal back and had a penalty saved by Marshall. That wasn’t the only save our goalie made and it was thanks to him that we kept our lead. A trademark Eriksson free kick extended our advantage against the run of play but the match was far from over. A defensive error gifted our hosts a goal minutes after we scored and five minutes after the restart they squared the game. They could well have taken the lead on 65 minutes but a free kick decision denied the impressive Daniel Kvam a hat trick. The young Norwegian was a thorn in our side all day and we found him a real handful. But luck was with us and substitute Smith was able to tap-in to an empty net when we hit them on the break near the end of the game. O’Connor drew the keeper and selflessly squared to his strike partner to give us a very fortunate win.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Wilson (7), Dean (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (6, sub 78), Duff (8), Walker (9*), Sony (8), Eriksson (8), O’Connor (7), Beattie (7, sub 78)
Subs – Kennedy (6), Smith (7)

Goals
O’Connor 10, Walker 12, Eriksson 36, Smith 86


A midweek trip to Kilmarnock saw Svendsen restored at left back and Dean switched to his favoured right side. Sandy knew that if his team could win their game in hand then they would strengthen their position at the top of the table so he instructed them to be positive and take the game to the opposition.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday March 9th 2011
SPL Match 28
Kilmarnock 0 Celtic 3
The home side enjoyed a very productive first half and to be honest I was grateful to get the lads into the changing room with the game still scoreless. After a frank and open exchange of views (a one-sided exchange as it happens) we improved immeasurably in the second period. Mind you it wasn’t until I made a double substitution that we made the most of our good play and three late goals put a real gloss on the scoreline. The third from Bagshaw was the pick of the bunch, a curling shot from some 22 yards that left the keeper clawing at air.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (9), Walker (7, sub 78), Sony (9*), Eriksson (8), O’Connor (7, sub 78), Beattie (7)
Subs – Bagshaw (8), Smith (7)

Goals
Smith 83, Sony 90, Bagshaw 90


Impressed by his late contribution in the previous match, Sandy decided to bring Andy Bagshaw into the starting eleven for the visit of Aberdeen, resting youngster Garry Walker. The 18-year-old had been playing well but his manager was concerned that he should not be overplayed at his tender age so the young midfielder took a seat on the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 12th 2011
SPL Match 29
Celtic 3 Aberdeen 0
Once again we started very slowly and the visitors enjoyed much more of the ball in the opening period. By the end of the game they were rueing their missed opportunities and cursing the excellence of David Marshall between the sticks. Once more I was required to expound my views on the team in a forceful manner during my half-time talk and once more they responded positively. Bagshaw scored a wonderful opener on the hour when he connected perfectly with a corner played to the edge of the D. Then Beattie ended his mini goal drought after some excellent wing play by Eriksson before super-sub Smith scored his 5th goal in six games with a terrific cross-shot.

Team Selection
Marshall (9), Dean (7), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (8), Masiello (8), Duff (9*), Bagshaw (8, sub 84), Sony (7), Eriksson (7), O’Connor (7, sub 73), Beattie (8)
Subs – Smith (8), Winter (6)

Goals
Bagshaw 61, Beattie 73, Smith 90


The team faced another midweek match as they made up their final game in hand and Sandy decided that Bagshaw needed to work on his match fitness so he was rotated with Walker for the game. By coincidence the match against Hibs was a dress rehearsal for the League Cup Final at the weekend so the manager was keen to gain a psychological advantage.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday March 16th 2011
SPL Match 30
Celtic 0 Hibs 0
We dominated possession, made all of the chances but a flat performance up front kept a frustrating game scoreless despite my half-time exhortations. Even a desperate triple-substitution ten minutes from time made no difference but the point gained moved us 6 points clear of rivals Rangers.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (6), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (7), Walker (6, sub 79), Sony (7, sub 79), Eriksson (7), O’Connor (6), Beattie (6, sub 79)
Subs – Barker (6), Bagshaw (6), Smith (6)


A busy month continued with the CIS Cup Final, Sandy’s first chance to gain some silverware for his new club. The manager decided to go with an unchanged side despite a slightly lacklustre display against the same opponents a few days earlier.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday March 20th 2011
League Cup Final
Celtic 2 Hibs 0
We started off very tentatively and Hibs had the better of the early exchanges but once Craig Beattie opened the scoring we settled down and began to play some football. His first goal had an element of luck about it as he took advantage of a slip in defence but his second later in the game was excellent. A patient build up culminated in some sharp passing that freed the striker to fire home. Whilst we didn’t dominate I we always looked to be in control, limiting the opposition to shots from distance most of the time. The only bad news was an injury to young midfielder Walker and he looks like missing several weeks of action.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (7, sub 73), Walker (7, sub 73), Sony (7), Eriksson (7), O’Connor (6, sub 73), Beattie (8*)
Subs – Barker (6), Winter (6), Smith (7)

Goals
Beattie 18, 69


There was little time to celebrate the cup success as within days the club was in action again with Dundee visiting Glasgow for the final league match of the month. Bagshaw was brought in for the injured Walker and Sandy decided to start Smith in attack and drop O’Connor back to the bench.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday March 23rd 2011
SPL Match 31
Celtic 0 Dundee 0
This was a disappointing result given the possession that we enjoyed but in truth we lacked the penetration to find a way through a stubborn and well-organised defence. Even my ploy of a late triple-substitution failed to do the trick and we missed a great chance to put a couple more points between ourselves and the chasing group.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (7, sub 84), Bagshaw (6), Sony (7), Eriksson (6, sub 84), Smith (6), Beattie (7, sub 84)
Subs – Winter (6), O’Connor (7), Bjarnason (6)


With over a dozen players away on international duty the rest of the month was relatively quite for Sandy and his backroom staff and it was a relief when the players all returned to Glasgow uninjured.

retired_amyslack

A Nail-Biting Finish

Everyone at the club was delighted to have secured the first trophy of the season and Sandy was rewarded with the Manager of the Month award. Damien Duff and Garry Walker both featured in the playing awards, although neither were winners in their respective categories. Sandy’s former mentor Mirco was one of the first to call with his congratulations and the two spent some time on the phone catching up on recent events. Things at Fano were not going too well and Sandy’s former Assistant Manager Peter Beardsley was struggling to make the step up to running the team. However, Mirco remained upbeat and was clearly still relishing the fact that “hees Fano” was playing in the top flight.

With the domestic treble still very much a possibility, the first action of the month was against St. Mirren in the Scottish Cup Semi Final. Parkhead favourite Maciej “Magic” Zurawski was in the final year of his contract and had spent the season in the reserves but Sandy decided to recall the Polish striker for a final tilt at glory, believing that his experience would prove valuable during the final games of the season.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday April 3rd 2011
Scottish Cup Semi Final
Celtic 4 St. Mirren 1
Although the scoreline might suggest that this was a one-sided game the reality was quite different and St. Mirren had their chances. The excellence of Andy Bagshaw was a crucial factor and he played wonderfully well, creating the opening goal for Beattie and taking the match ball after a superb hat trick. We were solid defensively and always posed a threat going forward and now we can look forward to competing in another cup final at the end of the season.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Shimmin (8), Masiello (8), Duff (8), Bagshaw (10*), Sony (7), Eriksson (9), Zurawski (7), Beattie (8)

Goals
Beattie 15, Bagshaw 25, 31, 71


Sandy was distressed to hear that Cup hero Bagshaw would be out of action for at least a month when he damaged his ribs in training as the 22-year-old had really impressed when played in an advanced midfield position. For the trip to Hearts the manager decided that Garry Walker wasn’t quite ready to return to action so Teddy Bjarnason was given a rare start.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday April 6th 2011
SPL Match 32
Hearts 0 Celtic 2
I have to say that this was a classic “smash-and-grab” as we absorbed everything that the home side could throw at us and hit them with two goals on the break. The big surprise was the identity of the first goalscorer – that was Masiello’s first of the season but his finish was worthy of a striker. Bjarnason took his chance with both hands and as well as scoring our crucial second goal he was the best player on the pitch all evening.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Dean (7), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (7), Masiello (8), Duff (8), Bjarnason (9*), Sony (7), Eriksson (6), Zurawski (7), Beattie (7)

Goals
Masiello 35, Bjarnason 49


The final game before the top-six split involved a trip to Ibrox for a hugely significant Old Firm match. Going into the game Celtic had a 6-point advantage over their hated rivals and anything bar a defeat would surely put them in pole position in the title race. Sandy decided that teenage midfielder Walker would be thrown into the lion’s den with a recall to first team action after his injury layoff.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 9th 2011
SPL Match 33
Rangers 2 Celtic 1
In the end this was a bitterly disappointing result and a puzzlingly poor performance. Despite taking an early lead when Beattie profited from some poor defending we let the home side back into the game ten minutes later. We were flat all game and there are definite signs that some of our key players are not too happy with me as a manager. Maybe they are still suspicious because of my past connections with the blue side of Glasgow but whatever the reasons they are starting to undermine the club’s title hopes.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (6), Svendsen (6), Shimmin (7), Masiello (7), Duff (6), Walker (7), Sony (7), Eriksson (6), Zurawski (6), Beattie (7)

Goals
Beattie 5


The defeat threw the title race wide open and left the Celtic manager with much to ponder prior to the long trip north to Aberdeen. In the end he decided that his only change would be to drop Magic and bring in the enthusiastic Darren Smith up front.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 16th 2011
SPL Match 34
Aberdeen 2 Celtic 2
To say that I was disappointed with our first half display would be the understatement of the season as I watched us concede twice in the opening ten minutes. After a somewhat animated team talk during the break we improved markedly and managed to scrape a point. If we don’t get our act together soon then the title will be heading back to the holders.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (7), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (6), Masiello (6), Duff (7), Walker (7, sub 82), Sony (7), Eriksson (7), Smith (7, sub 82), Beattie (8)
Subs – Bjarnason (6), O’Connor (6)

Goals
Beattie 63, Smith 67


A furious Sandy worked his players hard in training in preparation for the visit of 3rd place Dundee knowing that anything less than a win would probably see their city rivals leapfrog them and take over at the top of the table.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 23rd 2011
SPL Match 35
Celtic 0 Dundee 1
In truth there wasn’t too much to separate the two teams in today’s match and the difference was that the visitors wanted the win more than we did. Their crucial goal came in stoppage time at the end of the first half and we simply failed to play with enough passion to overcome their spirited resistance in the second period.

Team Selection
Marshall (6), Dean (6), Svendsen (7), Shimmin (6), Masiello (6), Duff (6), Walker (6), Sony (7), Eriksson (6), Smith (6), Beattie (6)


Sandy’s team were fortunate that their great rivals Rangers failed to full capitalise on the defeat and a 0-0 draw at Hearts meant that the two were locked together at the top of the table on 66 points with the hoops staying on top on goal difference. This gave even greater importance to the final Old Firm derby of the season at Ibrox at the end of the month. The Celtic manager made three changes for this crunch encounter. Sony had been injured in training so Shaun Barker took his place. His other alterations were to replace right back Dan Dean and centre back Dominic Shimmin with Paul Caddis and John Kennedy respectively. He had a gut feeling that the two defenders he had dropped were starting to lose their bottle as the climax of the season approached and a Rangers/Celtic match was no place for the faint-hearted at the best time never mind when the league title was on the line.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday April 30th 2011
SPL Match 36
Rangers 3 Celtic 3
The neutral observer would no doubt conclude that this was as exciting a game as would be seen all season but for me the entire 90 minutes was a nightmare! First I saw our early lead cancelled out within two minutes of us scoring. I then watched my team concede a second goal midway through the first half to go behind. Next was the exultation of seeing us score twice either side of the break only to be brought back down to earth when teenage striker Kevin Green completed his hat trick ten minutes after we regained the lead. I then had to sit through 30 minutes of agony as both sides set about looking for a crucial winner. In the circumstances I was happy to settle for the point as at least our destiny is still in our own hands.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Caddis (6, sub 45), Svendsen (7), Kennedy (7), Masiello (7), Duff (8), Walker (7), Barker (7), Eriksson (7), Smith (7), Beattie (8)
Subs – Wilson (7)

Goals
Beattie 6, 46, Smith 45

retired_amyslack

Squeaky-Bum Time

With two games left to play Sandy was all too aware that his team had to at least match Ranger's results if they were to be crowned SPL champions in his first season in charge. The first obstacle was a visit from Livingston and the manager decided on some changes to his starting eleven. The disappointing Caddis was replaced by Mark Wilson at right back and Barker stood down so that Teddy Bjarnason could come into midfield.

Sandy’s Journal
Wednesday May 4th 2011
SPL Match 37
Celtic 2 Livingston 0
One down and one to go! What ended as a comfortable win has seen us take one step closer to the league title. We played competent football throughout, doing just enough to get the three points and young Walker was clearly our top performer. He has had an excellent season for a lad that has not turned 19 yet and he could well have a very bright future ahead of him.

Team Selection
Marshall (7), Wilson (7, sub 60), Svendsen (8), Kennedy (7, sub 60), Masiello (8), Duff (8), Walker (8*, sub 60), Bjarnason (6), Eriksson (8), Smith (6), Beattie (8)
Subs – Shimmin (7), Barker (7), Zurwaski (6)

Goals
Duff 22, Walker 47


The final league match of the season involved a trip to the capital to face 5th place Hearts and once again Sandy tinkered with his lineup. An injury to Wilson saw Dean back in the side, Sony was now fit and he came back into midfield with O’Connor preferred up front to Smith.

Sandy’s Journal
Sunday May 8th 2011
SPL Match 38
Hearts 0 Celtic 2
Well it’s come down to the wire but a very good win in Edinburgh was enough to finish on top of the table on goal difference over Rangers. It took big performances some of our key players to get us there though. The likes of Duff, Walker, Beattie, Marshall and Svendsen excelled and they have been amongst our best performers since my arrival. It was a fairly even match throughout and on another day we could just as well have lost by the same margin. Having established a two-goal lead by half time we were under pressure for spells in the second half and at one point Hearts hit the woodwork twice during a frantic goalmouth scramble. Marshall pulled off some great stops to keep a clean sheet and despite being pinned back for periods we always looked capable of creating something on the break.

Team Selection
Marshall (8), Dean (7), Svendsen (8), Kennedy (7), Masiello (7, sub 52), Duff (8), Walker (8), Sony (7), Eriksson (7), O’Connor (7), Beattie (9*)
Subs – Shimmin (6)

Goals
Duff 39, Beattie 45


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | C | Celtic | 38 | 22 | 7 | 9 | 67 | 31 | +36 | 73 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Rangers | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 64 | 33 | +31 | 73 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Dundee | 38 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 47 | 50 | -3 | 62 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Livingston | 38 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 56 | 56 | 0 | 61 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Hearts | 38 | 16 | 9 | 13 | 54 | 46 | +8 | 57 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Aberdeen | 38 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 46 | 48 | -2 | 50 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Dundee Utd | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 49 | 56 | -7 | 49 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Hibernian | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 53 | 60 | -7 | 46 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Inverness CT | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 51 | 59 | -8 | 42 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Kilmarnock | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 46 | 59 | -13 | 41 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Queen of Sth | 38 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 55 | 68 | -13 | 37 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | R | St. Mirren | 38 | 8 | 8 | 22 | 44 | 66 | -22 | 32 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

Sandy had just under a week to prepare his team for their final game of the season, the Scottish Cup Final against unfancied Dundee United. His only change to the starting eleven was to replace the injured Masiello with Shimmin, the Italian not having recovered from a gashed leg sustained at Hearts.

Sandy’s Journal
Saturday May 14th 2011
Scottish Cup Final
Celtic 4 Dundee United 1
The match was not quite as one-sided as the final scoreline suggests and David Marshall was called into action with some decent saves but we were just too strong for the Tangerines. The game was won in a devastating 15-minute spell early in the second half as we built on Walker’s excellent opener with three fine strikes, O’Connor’s first-time shot from distance perhaps the pick of the bunch. It was immensely satisfying to secure the domestic treble after just half a season in charge but I am realistic enough to know that the real challenge begins next season when we will be expected to make some decent progress in Europe.

Team Selection
Marshall (8), Dean (8), Svendsen (8), Kennedy (9*), Shimmin (8), Duff (8), Walker (7), Sony (7), Eriksson (8), O’Connor (8), Beattie (9)

Goals
Walker 31, Beattie 50, Eriksson 54, O’Connor 66


The mood at the club was understandably buoyant and Sandy allowed himself to join in the celebrations of the treble for a day or two. He made a point of calling Mirco who was effusive in his congratulations even as he gave Sandy the bad news of Fano’s slide down the table in Serie A. As the players went off on holiday the manager flew out to Italy to spend some time back in Fano and at least lend his former Chairman some moral support.

retired_jgirl87

The Treble, eh Bob? Not too much trouble in the end, despite the goal-difference triumph in the SPL. Excellent work as usual. :thup: