retired_eeyore827

the updates are running a bit scare... could this be heading for the end??

Raptor

No, but I've got too much on my hands to play CM now, and that won't change until next weekend. Might sneak in a pre-season post before then though.

retired_kellywinkler42

Hey Rappy, see when you next get this game up could you let me know what happened to Tam McManus did he get anywhere in the BPL cos I noticed those damn pi$$ poor hibs managers didn't mention him :p Also if Latapy and Sauzee went on to any non playing roles would be good to know :p purleease

Raptor

Now 31, Tom McManus' career went downhill rapidly. Just 2 starts in 3 seasons under Locke and Cruyff saw him leave Hibs in June 2004, when Macclesfield paid £1m for him. But despite starting over 40 games in all three seasons at the Non-League club, Macclesfield never made it into the Conference. In 2007 he went to Preston on a Bosman, where he couldn't prevent relegation from Division Two. Two further poor seasons in the lower regions of the Third Division ruined his career, and midway through the next season, he lost his place in the starting XI. A year and a half later, McManus joined Leinster Senior League side Tolka Rovers on a free transfer, in an attempt to resurrect his career. He put in a few decent performances, and rumour has it an unnamed Belfast club were alerted to this news recently.

Franck Sauzee was released by Hibs in the summer of 2002, and just celebrated his 10th anniversary as a Lens coach. Russell Latapy is probably playing cricket in the West Indies.


As for the story, it will continue tonight.

retired_sander

about fúcking time

Raptor

O'Mao could feel a revolution was gathering momentum, and acted quickly to suppress it. He had Johnson remove anyone he suspected to be on Frosts' hand from their position, which resulted in the sackings of Reserves team manager Jason Kabia and scout Robin Cannon. Young English defender Lee Maye voiced his disgust at the treatment of his manager at Celtic's Seconds, and was sold to Liverpool within 24 hours.

But there was always the (printed) media. Now that the war was over, they had to fill their papers with day-to-day things again, and sports were one of them. Few mastered the art of deflecting their attention better than Stevie though. He knew all they needed was something else to write about. And if that something else would give Hearts extra publicity, it'd be even better. So instead of inviting Boston Hibs for the official opening of the Jambos' new ground, O'Mao would have Celtic fly in to Edinburgh on the 25th of July. Coming hot on the heels of the Champions' League qualifying draw, which pitted the Irish champions against Polonia Warsaw, Stevie was confident the little rebellion was over.

Raptor

On that last Wednesday of July, over 38,000 fans flocked to the new stadium in west Edinburgh. Shortly before kickoff, chairman Stevie O'Mao revealed the name of the new 50,000 capacity all-seater ground. Most people had expected it to be named after a sponsor, possibly the Raptor Group. After all, that nasty habit had crept into football in recent years. But O'Mao was desperate to show there was more to him than money. His love for Hearts went deeper. His respect for the club too, and he personally pushed through the stadium's name: Willie Bauld Park. Stevie spoke of "the greatest Scottish striker ever", and how 15 years after his death, Bauld finally got honoured in a worthy way.

Hearts' current crop of forwards responded in proper fashion, and put two past Belfast Celtic's defence to make it a happy night all round for the home side.

Raptor

Frost, meanwhile, knew he had to be patient. But he wanted to be back in football as soon as possible. Rebuilding their house was taking place, but he needed a proper job in the sport he had dedicated so much of his life to. A few clubs in his native Holland and also a handful of British clubs had approached him, but Frost only ever wanted his old job as Celtic manager back.

To kill time, he was willing to work at the FAI though. The governing body had done little governing during the war apart from stopping and restarting the League whenever something happened. Nothing had happened in terms of grassroot development, and important issues such as what the next TV contract would be all about hadn't even been discussed once. Yet with the current deal expiring at the end of the season, it should've been high up the priorities list. Improving the reputation of the Irish League abroad needed urgent attention too now that the war was over. If better players would come to Ireland, the general standard of play would improve, and European success could be achieved in the long run.

Those, and a series of smaller issues Frost wanted to take up with the FAI, and so one afternoon in early August he went down to Dublin to talk to Liam Brady, who had become interim chairman of the FAI.

It soon became clear international promotion wasn't very high on the FAI's list. As polite as he could, Brady told Frost the ex-Celtic man was considered a bit of a dreamer with his talk about European glory for Irish clubs, and that sorting out domestic problems was much more important at this time. Frost slammed him for what he considered to be a shockingly short-sighted view, knowing it'd blow his chance of working for the FAI. At least, he thought it did. Unlike the heads of the previous executive committee, Brady did at least see part of the bigger picture, and realised Frost's potential value in brokering certain deals. He suggested Frost talked to the chairman of the Irish League Clubs' Association, who was responsible for appointing a negotiating team for a new TV deal.

Despite having returned to Ireland weeks ago, Frost hadn't heard about the ILCA yet. It turned out to be a new body, formed by the clubs to protect their collective interests. The core of the ILCA was formed by two representatives from each Premier Division club, and one for every First Divisionist. Effectively, it was just like the meetings of League chairmen, but they had decided to create a body to put them in a stronger position when it came to debating with FAI chiefs. Frost observed this could in the future lead to a breakaway League, something which always seemed to happen when clubs united on financial issues. Potentially, the ILCA was a powerful body, and Frost would love to serve it and build something good. Even though he didn't represent Belfast Celtic anymore, Brady told him a handful of non club-related people also had a seat on the ILCA, nominated by the FAI, and accepted unless the ILCA chairman vetoed their appointment. So all Frost would have to do was get on the good side of that chairman, and Brady had quickly arranged a meeting with him. Before he knew it, Frost was in the chairman's office, and in for a surprise...

MF What? YOU are the ILCA's chairman?!...

Raptor

You look surprised. Has Fenian intelligence failed again?

MF I think it’s more down to the fact people have better things to do than to worry about who does what in football.

Such as when to get out of the country no doubt.

MF How did you do it?

I assume you’re wondering how I got this job?

MF The war hasn’t hurt your observational powers...

Quite simple. The other clubs realised there was only one way to prevent the League from collapsing, or at least being split in two, during the conflict: strong leadership.

MF So they appointed a man who only ever cares about his own interests. Have they openly said they regret it yet?

On the contrary. They were very happy I managed to keep the mainly unionist clubs in the League. After all, without them, the Irish League wouldn’t be nearly as strong, and everyone’s income would suffer.

MF They got a suspiciously easy run in the Cup as well most of the time. I shouldn’t be surprised you’ll even rig competitions to suit you.

Yeah, that’ll be why Rangers are still stuck in the lower regions of the First Division…

MF Perhaps you didn’t want to make it too obvious.

Keep this up Frost, it’ll greatly enhance your chances of working for the ILCA…

MF Tell you what Bartley, you can stick your job up yer arse. I don’t want to serve your interests. Be aware, though, that I’ll do everything in my powers to have you removed.

JB Yes, your far reaching powers eh? At least you integrated well into Irish society… an unemployed Taig with a very bleak future. Who probably wants the last word as well.

MF I will take great pleasure in removing you from office Bartley…

Raptor

But for now, Frost wasn't removing anyone from office. He'd be a spectator for the foreseeable future, and couldn't even get tickets for the Champions' League qualifier in Warsaw. Even though he had missed three years of Celtic's development while hiding in South America, it was very weird to watch his club on the telly...

Wednesday 8 August 2012, European Cup, 3rd Qualifying Round, Polonia Warszawa v Belfast Celtic, Konwiktorska

Celtic started the brighter of the two teams, with Glen Keddy and Paul Scholes forcing early saves from Marcin Ludwikowski, but failed to keep control of midfield. As the first half progressed, the Polish champions started to apply some pressure of their own, and John Dodds had to produce a world class save do deny star striker Robert Zajac. Despite chances at either end, half time came and went without a goal being scored. Bruce Arena considered a draw was a fine result, Frost thought back home on his sofa, as Celtic didn't make any changes to their formation or approach. Clearly, the American didn't value an away goal as much as the old management would have.

But luck was on Celtic's side. With 15 minutes left, Gary Malone, who hadn't been fit enough to start the game, replaced David Healy. The two minutes of added-on time had virtually elapsed when captain Keith Andrews sent a hopeful long ball forward for Malone to chase. A shocking misunderstanding between the defensive pairing of Kapica and Kosciuczuk let the substitute in for a clear run on goal. Malone took the opportunity to celebrate his new contract in fine style, leaving Celtic in the driving seat for Champions' League qualification.

Polonia 0
Celtic 1 (Malone 90)
Attendance: 2,599