It seems hard to believe that just a couple of weeks after beating Barcelona, Celtic’s form at home has deteriorated so badly that drawing at home against Arbroath wasn’t that big of a shock to some people. Yesterday’s draw told us that most of the fringe players have done nothing to force their way into the manager’s plans, so it’ll be back to tried and tested as usual. The lack of a midfield playmaker was also in evidence, as much of Celtic’s play going forward floundered around the penalty box. An attacking midfielder is needed badly in the transfer window, let’s hope he is delivered.
The reason I say Celtic are at a crossroads is that the season seems to be on the verge of going two ways – Champions League glory and potential domestic treble, or Europa League and domestic league. In my opinion it will be a disaster to the club if we fail to reach the last sixteen of the Champions League – both on and off the pitch. New signings would not be enticed by the drudgery of the Europa League and attendances – already falling through the floor – for Europa League games would be down compared to the Champions League. On the pitch, being so close to last sixteen success with two games to go and then blowing it would be a disaster. There seems to be a malaise at Celtic at the moment, and dropping into the Europa League would only heighten that in my opinion.
Turning to domestic matters, the next two games – Kilmarnock and Arbroath away – have potential banana skin written all over them, and poor results in either of them would give Lennon and the board problems, especially if we lost at Arbroath. You would think the players would have enough guile to win that game though.
Wednesday night is a season defining game for Lennon and the players, and it could give a suggestion to the way the rest of the season could go. The team could secure a famous victory, last 16 qualification and start turning in good domestic performances. Or we could drop down to the Europa League and the malaise will continue. Neil Lennon and the Celtic players, it’s up to you.
I find articles and similar things I’ve seen and heard recently to this quite incredible. 1 year ago we were beaten in the Europa League qualifiers by Sion and luckily we got back in on a technicality. 12 months later the expectancy has already been blown through the roof. When the draw was made this year – only a few months ago – we all knew that Europa League would be a great achievement – the only thing that has changed is peoples crazy expectancy levels. It must be a nightmare to play for Celtic as a player with all this madness floating around. The European nights, the win against Barca , all great for the players but with all this unreasonable stuff being written about them, they must find it difficult. Especially with the problem with attendances at Parkhead at the moment – something which is neither the players or the fans fault with Celtic making a bad decision in not adjusting prices post-Rangers.
People have got to ask themselves – how do we get past this situation – the first thing we do is take a pragmatic look at the season so far – we are in 1st in the league, with a game in hand – have over-achieved in the Champions League – and are establishing ourselves on the European stage again after years of falling short. THAT is the number one priority, regardless of what anyone says. Access to the top table in Europe, even if it does result in 3rd place and Europa League runs , is far more important to the long term health of the club than obsessing over little cups that we should have won enough times already to find boring. 2 cups , that I should mention , we are BOTH still in. People need to wake up before this idiocy actually puts a dent in our season. We could still beat Spartak on Wednesday, and Benfica could beat Barcelona – if that happens – you would have to have little knowledge of football to say our campaign was “a disaster”.
Apologies for the tone but I find it annoying and worrying that this kind of talk will eventually lead to the prophecies coming true unless we get together and do our bit to help our club get to wherever it gets this season. Whether it be Europa League or last 16 of the CL. Either result will represent progress. Crazy expectation is not the order of the day. Helping the club re-establish itself after the Mowbray disaster IS.
Fair comment on the form but we are in a great position at the minute, somethings have to give to be where we are in CL. So nCeltic at crossroads is a load of bollox…get a life pal
Cheers for reading pal
the press are saying that if we dont win on wedendsday questions will be asked of celtic there is only one question to be asked when are the fans going to get value for money in league games at celtic park
I`m taking it one game at a time. 🙂 I see your point though.
(Just noticed that the last three wins in the hoops were achieved with the Bhoys wearing white socks.)
I do agree that a midfield playmaker would give more variety to the play. It is apparent that playing cross field passes in front of ten defenders isn`t going to produce goals. A settled team would also help because too much chopping and changing isn`t helping to build cohesion.
I`m not sure that the Europa is such a disaster. Last season the games helped the team to improve. I do admit that it wouldn`t be as welcome as a last 16 CL place however.
Come on the Bhoys!
awe-inspiring post. I like your writing style