Last season, a lot of folk managed to convince themselves – fools that they were – that Celtic’s title win was the result of some mad fluke. Some quirk wherein Ange had stumbled across a style of play which had momentarily caught folk by surprise.
They told themselves and each other that this season would be different, that we’d be figured out. After all, hadn’t Rodgers Invincible season been followed by one that, in terms of performances and points, had been decidedly less impressive?
When Ange told them that Celtic would actually get better, many of them scoffed.
But they ought not to have. Because the three losses in the first six games were to be the only league defeats of that first season, and the steady improvement in our team had been obvious.
There was still scope to do better, to push harder, to turn in more complete performances.
He warned them of that. He told them that the second season would eclipse the first, that the team would continue to grow in confidence and show off its class.
From the very earliest weeks of the campaign it has been obvious that we were doing just that.
Ange has made the same prediction in the aftermath of clinching this title.
He thinks – he knows – that this team can make bigger strides in the next campaign. He knows that there is further growth in these players and further potential in this team.
No-one is mocking him or scoffing or doubting him now. Instead those who wish us ill have been reduced to hoping that some English club comes in and takes him as soon as possible, so that the nightmare may be over quickly. They do not look like getting their wish. Ange has made that clear. He will be here for a while yet.
Their nightmare is just starting.
Ange’s words have been repeated by Callum McGregor. It is deeply ominous for the rest of the league.
There are players at Celtic – mostly the Asian trio of Kobayashi, Iwata and Oh, but also guys like Haksabanovic – who are still finding their feet at the club. There are others whose consistency is a little up and down, like O’Riley and Hatate.
It is easy to forget that this is their first full season at Parkhead.
All those guys will be better in the next campaign, and so will the likes of Maeda, Kyogo, Jota, Johnston and others. The man of the match today was Carl Starfelt; it took a year and a half before we, arguably, started to see the best of him.
“We are certainly on the right track but we have to keep on working,” Callum said. “You can see it, you can see it – a lot of young players. You get over the line and you get more experience. You want to do it again the following season and you want to do it in a better style. I believe we have done that this season and there is always more to come.”
Those words should be echoing through Scottish football tonight, as the warning that they found so easy to ignore last time around.
I don’t think some of them – The Mooch for one – can afford to make that mistake again and although he’s just daft enough to I reckon he’s in the minority.
The rest will do what they can to brace for impact.
Hans Moleman will not be looking forward to the visit 8f the champions next week
Ah think he actually will be mate. Gives him a last chance tae save some pride AND possibly dae ICT one or two ‘favors’, where our players are concerned.
I wasn’t too impressed by Kobayashi (?). Passing was terrible. Hatate’s not much better.
All this is very true but slightly concerning that although the team have been winning bar rhe Ibrox draw and Motherwell draws, they really haven’t been playing well, seems a big spark missing for quite a while now, Angeball not been seen for a good while.
Agree with Don Cowie. Aye of course the seasons been a huge success and could get even better. Tho this pattern of ‘didnt play well’ is a concern and we’ll see how things develop next season. The flair and grit we were showin seems tae have gone for now and there’s nae hidin from that. We’ve been too lennon-kennedy like imo. Anyway, on Sat ah would give the usual bench players a game from the off. Give Oh a shot at 90 mins. Wouldnae put it past them tae still try and weaken our treble chances and dae ICT a favor by puttin 1 or 2 of our key players out the game. Nae doubt about that whatsoever.
Some of the replies a bit negative towards our players, get behind them.
@ Frankie. Always will get behind the team mate. Disnae mean yer obliged tae ignore certain aspects, if ye think they’re due scrutiny. Personally speakin, imo what a commented was realistic and if some people think it’s negative that’s up tae them. It’s just a feature of our playin that’s become more noticeable, nae denying that. Would like tae see the flair and spark back.
I would field as close to our B team as possible at Ibrox next week. It would be a slap in the face for the huns to see we don’t take their tribute act seriously. Their season is over and they are a complete irrelevance.
@ Jack. Couldnae agree more wi that.
I second that motion. Fuck Hans Moleman/Michael Moles and the walking dead. I want the women’s team playing them. That Hundstram fuck will be kicking lumps out of the Bhoys.
We play our strongest team against those bastards every time we play them, that is the way it has always got to be.
We go there to win is my view. Attack play with no fear and see what happens. Win lose or draw we play to win beat team out there.