I’m Sick of These European Hangovers!!!

By Christopher Mcquade

@chrismcquade67

Head spinning, head thumping and nothing left to bring up as your stomach is genuinely empty. Then comes the dry boak. Nothing worse than a hangover, and we all know how we feel on such desperate days, “never drinking again”

Except it isn’t Grandpa’s old cough medicine oozing out of my pores in a cold sweat on these occasions, oh no it’s sheer frustration!

Time-and time again this season we have had to endure the queasiness of yet another sub-standard display as the Bhoys look as though they have been on the sauce and either stumble towards a draw or throw away three points when, and no disrespect to the opposition, but we should be wiping the floor with them, no question.

Since the Champions League qualifiers began in earnest, we have suffered from a serious bout of European hangovers. Only the 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock on the 26th of September (which was against ten men and was by no means pleasing to watch) and, looking back, the 3-0 win over St. Johnstone (which was over a week after the humping we took off Warsaw) being the only time we have had any success after forays into Europe.

Europe has been a mixed bag this year by itself and that rant is another subject entirely. Even in friendly matches this season, we have struggled to perform to the best of our ability and the games in question have added serious pressure onto the already mighty task that Ronny Deila has on his hands. Here’s a breakdown of the lows that have followed our European adventures so far this season;

JULY

Tue 15^th– KR REKYAVICH v CELTIC, 0-1

Sat 19th- DINAMO DRESDEN v CELTIC, 1-1

Tue 22^nd– CELTIC v KR REKYAVICH, 4-0

Sat 26^th– ST PAULI V CELTIC, 1-0

Wed 30^th– LEGIA WARSAW v CELTIC, 1-4

AUGUST

Sat 2nd- SPURS v CELTIC, 1-6

Wed 6th- CELTIC v LEGIA WARSAW, 0-3

Wed 13th- ST JOHNSTONE v CELTIC, 0-3

Wed 20th- MARIBOR v CELTIC, 1-1

Sat 23^rd– CELTIC v ICT, 0-1

Tue 26th- CELTIC-MARIBOR, 0-1

Sun 31st-DUNDEE v CELTIC, 1-1

SEPTEMBER

Thur 18th- FC SALZBURG v CELTIC, 2-2

Sun 21st- CELTIC v MOTHERWELL, 1-1

OCTOBER

Thur 2nd- CELTIC v D ZAGREB, 1-0

Sun 5th- CELTIC v HAMILTON, 0-1

Thur 23rd-CELTIC v ASTRA, 2-1

Sun 26th- CELTIC v KILMARNOCK, 2-0

The proof is in the pudding and it is clearly evident that we are dropping points after European games. Of course it isn’t going to halt four-in-a-row but the only reason we are going to win the title again is simple, the other teams are not good enough.

I for one couldn’t care less who it is we are playing and I don’t care where it is. We should not be losing at home to Hamilton, hungover or not. Sure, we have no given right to expect to simply turn up and beat everyone just because of who we are, but hey, we are Celtic. We have better players than every other team in Scotland. We should have enough in our locker to dismantle this opposition no matter who we have played in the previous game.

At the time of writing this, we are heading up to Pittodrie to play an Aberdeen side that may not have quite hit the form of last season thus far but always provide a stern test when they are playing at home. We will need to be at our best to beat them.

So; Irn-Bru, tomato juice, painkillers, a big greasy fry-up (Ok, don’t think Ronny will have that) but whatever it takes to clear the head and kick these European hangovers into touch it’s time we get it sorted and show our class!!

Rant over,

ComeOnYouBhoysInGreen!!