GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Slovan Bratislava's David Strelec has a shot under pressure from Celtics Liam Scales and Greg taylor during a UEFA Champions League match between Celtic and SK Slovan Bratislava at Celtic Park, on September 18, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Foy/SNS Group via Getty Images)
I think it’s imperative for the supporters of every club to be ruthless—now more than ever. When it comes to analysing players, I’m not advocating for spiteful criticism, nor am I suggesting we play favourites.
In fact, playing favourites is the last thing I want to see. We should strive for a level of assessment that is almost dispassionate, devoid of fear or favour.
Since Tuesday, discussions have frequently centred around how certain players conducted themselves during the game, and one name that consistently came up was Liam Scales. Many people considered Scales one of the better performers on the team. However, the term “better” is, in this case, quite relative.
I want to pay tribute to what Scales has accomplished here domestically; he has indeed evolved into a credible centre-back. Likewise, I commend Greg Taylor for developing into a competent left-back. It’s easy to feel sentimental about players like these—individuals who’ve come from smaller clubs without big reputations yet have somehow established themselves in the team. It’s easy to view them through a lens that lacks dispassionate clarity.
Now, Scales and Austin Trusty were the only two defenders available to the manager for selection on Tuesday night. That’s indisputable.
However, it reflects the hand the manager has been dealt. The fact that we have never adequately replaced Carl Starfelt as Cameron Carter-Vickers’ central defensive partner is glaring. Moreover, the absence of an upgrade on Greg Taylor is frankly concerning. Although I acknowledge Scales has earned his spot in the team—even if Carter-Vickers had been fit—it does not mean we should stop searching for a better option as soon as possible.
Perhaps Austin Trusty could be that replacement already within the club. We’ll have to see how the central defensive partnership of Trusty and Carter-Vickers pans out. Yet even if it flourishes, Scales will remain, at best, an adequate backup. We should always be on the lookout for an upgrade, regardless of the circumstances.
At the start of the season, when people discussed bringing in a striker to back up Kyogo, I believed that if we were going to spend significant money, we should seek someone who could potentially be an upgrade on Kyogo himself. I strive to avoid favouritism, even though I inevitably develop preferences. Still, I do try to maintain an objective viewpoint to facilitate honest analysis and to prevent emotional attachment from interfering with difficult decisions.
Yet sometimes, it is necessary to let people go.
One of the aspects I’ve always admired about football is its inherent meritocracy. Certain qualities can propel a player far, but they will never be enough to elevate a middling player to good or a good player to great. A team comprised solely of good players will never become a great team. To achieve greatness, you need exceptional talent.
That’s why it’s vital not to let sentiment cloud our judgment or assume that just because someone has proven themselves at one level, they are fit for the next.
The most crucial insight to keep in mind—and the most valuable skill a manager can possess—is the ability to recognise when a player has hit their peak. When a player is no longer improving, they can become a hindrance to the rest of the team.
I recall Ange Postecoglou discussing this concept, explaining how the evolution of a team sometimes requires letting go of unexpected players to make room for even better talent. This is what ambitious clubs do; they’re always searching for that next level of player—someone who can elevate the team, not necessarily to the highest heights, but to the next rung on the ladder.
Team evolution involves acquiring as many of these talents as possible and reaching for the level above that. It’s a gradual process, but it’s what good managers strive for relentlessly.
I’m not suggesting that Scales, Taylor, and players of their ilk aren’t performing well domestically or can’t contribute to our immediate needs in Europe. However, if we aspire to bring in players who can significantly elevate our game, we have to acknowledge that they might not be the answer. We need to be honest and pragmatic, and above all, ruthless when the moment calls for it.
This perspective is one of the reasons I maintain my faith in the manager; he’s a killer, and that’s exactly what we need. The ability to make hard decisions for the greater good of the team is essential for anyone at the helm.
As supporters, we must remember that our commitment to the club necessitates a degree of objectivity. We can appreciate the hard work and contributions of players like Scales and Taylor while also acknowledging that we must constantly strive for improvement. This relentless pursuit is what sets apart successful clubs from those that languish in mediocrity.
So let’s maintain a culture where we can critique without malice.
A club that embraces a meritocratic philosophy will not only thrive domestically but will also build a foundation strong enough to tackle challenges on the European stage. It’s time to be both supportive and critical, recognising when players have served their purpose and seeking out those who can take us to a better place. In football, as in life, staying ruthlessly honest and always aiming higher is what ultimately drives success.
I fail to see that in discussing Scales and Taylor, that there is a comparison made to Karl Starfelt, other than Starfelt was a bang average player. Thank God the transfer rumours that he may have returned weren’t true.
No matter who we have in our team though, they are all replaceable for an upgraded version of the same. The only Celtic player that would not have applied to was The King of Kings, as there were none better than Henrik. Really top class defenders are not easy to find, or afford for that matter, and the defence we have right now can surely be improved, in fact it has got to be improved if we are to make any progress in Europe. Hopefully Brenda will demand improvements in that area in particular in the next couple of transfer windows.
The elephant in the room is money. How much is board prepared to spend to elevate the club club to a standard where Tuesday’s result becomes a thing of the past. I am not suggesting that this will happen in two or three transfer windows.
I am suggesting that the income generated playing in Scottish Football might be insufficient to get us where we want to be.
A very good point indeed Paul…
Just supposing we ‘spent’ the whole £77 million in the bank – every last penny of it on the playing squad, where is it gonna get us to…
We are pretty perfect domestically at the minute 20 goals scored, none conceded and full points – But where the hell does £77 million get anyone in Europe these days – Bloody nowhere is the brutal answer I’m afraid…
Lyon in the BOTTOM half of The French League (Read that and weep Sevco Hun Lurkers) spent £120 million and are still in the bottom half of their domestic league…
Dortmund Probably spent the same yet are flying high enough in theirs (you won’t read that in The Scummy’s of course)…
But we simply cannot compete and Celtic will unfortunately NEVER be Champions of Europe ever again…
I’m bloody glad that we have been though !!!
Scales has been the best central defender so far this season; outperforming CCV and Trusty. The exposure of Celtic’s defence in European games often results from limitations in the central midfield area. Is it not time we thought about upgrading this crucial position? If any position has a favourite incumbent in this Celtic team, it is that one.
You are speaking in code but I am going to take the hit for you. He is a good player but Calum McGregor’s style of play is a weakness in midfield and was found out in a Scotland jersey as well as in Europe.
He has to start creating chances rather than those idiotic 3 yard passes and then pointing to where the ball should go.
Reo Hatate is gifted but too lax or perhaps too adventurous as 70% of his passes fail to complete. Bringing backs, who are perhaps not the most creative, into the midfield, does not improve it.
Elsewhere, Idah has to start along side Kyogo to get him up to speed.
Scales is asked to do the midfield’s job as he is CV and McGregor’s go to guy to get rid of the ball, (check it out) and asked to try to find openings. Meanwhile Taylor is all over the place.
Horses for courses.
Agree LS had a better ( if ye can call it that ) game than most of his side, tho imo the whole back 4 were horribly exposed. And as we know the mid was non-existant. Far too open. Just how much that was down tae the quality of the opposition, or our managers tactics is anybodys debate. Probably both. We’ve a chance again in a very similar scenario next game, tae try and make some sort of amends. Although readin today, Scales sayin that result won’t change their approach tae the game is alarmin, tae say the least. Is he talkin about tactically or attitude wise. If its tactically we’re bang in trouble again.
I cannot think of any other SPL player who would get into the current Celtic team.
Likewise no Celtic player would get into the current
Dortmund team.
We needed some help tactically from our manager not go toe to toe.
Our Champions League performances as a club are unacceptable.
In 40 away games we have conceded 104 goals, scoring only 26 and losing 34. We have won only twice beating Spartak Moscow and Anderlecht, now I know that Brendan is only responsible for some of that record, however for him to suggest we cannot adapt our game plan to make ourselves harder to beat is ludicrous, and as for Brendan suggesting we could attempt to shut up shop and probably still lose 3 or 4 nil, well that doesn’t hold any weight. How does he know that? Villa had 34% possession at home to Bayern and won 1 nil.
Agreed 4-3-3 leaves our defence the weakest part of our team exposed. Time to try 3-5-2. It will give us a much better chance.
I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said in your article James.
If we have any aspirations, as a club, to make important headway at the top tier of European football, then of course, meritocracy has to prevail.
This coincides with your earlier article, and the inability from our board, to get ALL required signings in, and signed early!
We’ve spoken about the left back, centre half and def mid positions being properly augmented, ad nauseam.
Taylor and Scales have never let us down domestically, but to play top tier European opponents, in the manner and ethos of BR, then an upgrade is required!
In midfield, we have always had quality in abundance, but do we have that def mid enforcer, that can sit and protect our back 4, and prevent the gaping holes that we regularly see the elite teams, exposing with ease?
I have no doubt that the evolution of this current squad will continue under BR, but I question the extent of financial support that may be proffered by this board!
If BR can essentially tweak his ethos for those very difficult away venues, restore Celtic’s damaged credibility, and our board support his search for better quality, then there’s no reason we can’t progress forward.
Plenty of ifs, buts and maybes, but as Celtic fans, and we are in the main, hugely realistic, we have to always retain our support and positivity! HH
Some people always have a whipping boy, someone who in their mind never comes up to standard. Taylor is one of those too but reality is if the club and the manager don’t recruit then it’s not his fault. Taylor plays well with what he’s got. Scales has come a long way and did in fact try his heart out on Tuesday performing better in my mind than he’s getting credit for. Better effort and performance than Bernardo and Engels the so highly elevated ones, by some, that were ultimately deflating after all that blowing up. Hatate is probably thinking more seriously about pastures new having been dropped for that. If it’s experience they needed then they and we certainly got that. Should they, do they, deserve to hold onto the jersey while consideration of Trusty over Scales seems to be what you highlight as on the agenda? Not for me.
Hatate and McCowan deserve to start after that and not just because the other two need resting after the CL game. Of course that result, that performance, hurts but don’t keep picking on the whipping boys when there are others that clearly disappointed more
If we don’t change our approach (does that then also mean our shape and structure) then you have to ask what lessons are being learned?
I would say James that to upgrade every position in the team to a reasonable European level and do this while playing in the SPFL is well nigh impossible. The money to do this just isn’t there, even with us being the richest club in Scotland, the other problem is how do you entice European level players to come to Scotland, some would say, pay them big money, We wouldn’t be able to balance the books if we ever tried to match the wages paid in the top 5 Leagues.
The only chance we have of climbing the European ladder is for a pyramid system European League to emerge in the future. I think the new formats for UEFA tournaments are probably the start of the move towards this, but it will be interesting to see what the reaction would be if some of the top teams drop out earlier than expected in this new format.
We just have to keep winning domestically and try to qualify for the CL every year, if we do, and manage our resources we could eventually make it into the top 20, which would put us in a good position in any future reorganisation.
What doesn’t help our European reputation, is defeats like Tuesday night and we’ve surely got to be bit more savvy when playing teams such as last years finalists, Dortmund. They had done their homework on us and never gave us a second on the ball and attacked us directly, which seemed to spook us, probably because they don’t face this kind of fast direct pressing in Scotland at any time.
I would never question BR’s knowledge as a manager, his record in England and Scotland is unquestionably very good, but I do wonder if he has a blind spot in away games against the cream of European football.