BHoY.com – Hail, Hail!

The Fightback starts here!

“We have had a degree of success in recent years but around three weeks ago, we had a big disappointment. Well, the fightback starts here today and there is nobody better to lead that fightback than Celtic’s own, and Celtic’s new manager, Tony Mowbray.

Those were John Reid’s words at Tony Mowbray’s first press conference at Celtic Park. Whatever you think about Dr. Reid and politicians in general, you have to admit they know what to say. The wider theme and sense of the press conference was the idea of the wider Celtic family. Reid took time to point out how we the fans, through our legendary support, helped piece this appointment together. Mowbray was called, “Celtic’s own”. Even some Celtic sites were invited to attend, which I think shows that the board understands where we get our news from; that we don’t get it from the Laptop Loyal.

And there is a sense of togetherness among the fans now. In a year that has seen more subgroups, schisms, splits, splinters, factions, dissent and handbag fights than any other since the early ninties, all of a sudden there is a sense of excitement in being followers of the beloved Celtic once again. Maybe it’s just the refreshing feeling that comes with change after the disappointment of last season. I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure: there’s a buzz about the place.

For over two hours the Faithful stood in the pishing rains of summer just to catch a glimpse of the new manager before going into work late and kidding on to anyone who’ll listen that you got to shake his hand, get an autograph signed and pick up exclusive news from the man himself that Michael Owen is on the verge of joining the club.

The scene in the famous carpark resonated strongly of the day Martin O’Neill was gifted to us by God. Like that day 9 years ago, they gathered in the rain to greet the man they hoped would lead them to something better. Like that day, there was talk of football and and a trophy haul worthy of Celtic Football Club. And, like that day, someone at the back shouted “That’s all we ask for!”.

There is, without a doubt, a sense of real optimism among the fans. This is in no small part down to the fact that Mowbray, like Reid, says the right things.

“The support, the history and the tradition of Celtic – that’s what I hold close to me as football values”

And those are the values we want to see out on the pitch. We want to see a brand of exciting, attacking football that delivers trophies. Tony Mowbray knows this club, he’s confessed his love for us time and time again, he knows what we expect. And, as his time with Hibs and West Brom shows, he knows how to deliver it.

But in football that means hard work, and there is work to be done alright. The apparently imminent departure of Willie McStay to Hungarian side Ujpest means there is some rebuilding to do among the coaching staff and Mowbray has to familiarize himself with almost a whole new batch of players, and quickly – we are only a few weeks from the Champions League qualification games.

He of course already knows Scott Brown and Gary Caldwell and will no doubt be delighted by their improvement under Gordon Strachan. For everyone else it’s down to the DVD player until the team regroups on 1 July. That’s when the serious stuff begins. Mowbray likes his football played a certain way and will try and teach that to the team – but he wont force it.

“The team is what it is at the moment. In six weeks, I’m not going to change the whole style, philosophy and mindset of the team. We have some quality footballers at this club and let’s be respectful of their talents.

As times goes on, we will change things, but that doesn’t happen overnight. It’s all about working day in, day out and installing great habits. That takes time.”

And it takes patience, something which football fans are typically lacking in. Nevertheless, it will of course take Mowbray time to get his ideas across and make the changes he feels he needs to make. From now until Christmas, we can afford to grant the team that much.
Over in the Land that Time Forgot they are sitting with our trophy. Remember that. Remember who we are, and remember who our enemies are. Now lets go take our Title back!

THE FIGHTBACK STARTS HERE!