How Can Celtic Compete in Europe?

It is understandable if most Celtic fans are busy concentrating on the battle to retain the league title at the moment. In what has been a sometimes farcical season, Celtic now has just a few more games to see off the challenge of Hearts and Rangers and come away with another domestic triumph.

There is also the Scottish Cup final to look forward to, of course, after an incredible extra time provided the club with another chance of lifting silverware. A win at Hampden in May would give Celtic a route into the Europa League, a vital lifeline if the unthinkable happens in the league over the next few months.

Celtic fans have a thousand different opinions on what needs to happen at the club for it to be dominant again. But the truth is that Celtic have woefully underperformed in Europe in recent years. If you were to consult the MyBookie sportsbook at the beginning of the season, you might not have felt confident of Celtic’s hopes of European glory. But how can the club change that? How does Celtic start competing in Europe?

Recent Woes

It has been over 20 years since Celtic last won a European knockout tie. Qualifying rounds have been mostly navigated, and there has even been relative success in group phases, but further progress has not been made. In fact, it could easily be argued that Celtic is moving backwards when it comes to continental competition.

The last two seasons have been particularly disappointing. With the expanded format, there should be more chance for Celtic to progress, but there have been some very limp displays. Losing a two-legged tie to Bayern is no embarrassment. But failing to score a single goal against Kairat is – and that tie only pre-empted a largely toothless Europa League campaign.

Club Reset

There is a common consensus among Celtic fans that nothing but a complete reset will change the fortunes of the club. Tinkering with managerial changes or spending as little as possible on new players will not change the general direction. A new club culture needs to be fostered for Celtic to compete in Europe again.

Recognizing that the current way of doing things has not been working for Celtic for a long time is needed to improve its chances of dominating Scottish football once again, of course. But there needs to be a joined-up approach, including a strategy for European success too. Patching up isolated problems will only return the club to the current situation again soon.

Over-Reliance on Home Advantage

Let’s assume that the club does execute a reset in the summer that changes the way everyone involved approaches their job, and Celtic also bring in the players needed to compete at the highest levels. Whether it is the Champions League, Europa League, or the Conference League, the team needs to stop relying on the idea of home advantage.

There is something incredibly special about a European night under the lights at Parkhead, of course. But there needs to be an emphasis on concentrating and performing away from home. Results at home have not been particularly good in recent seasons anyway, but assuming that the job will be done at Parkhead has made the team complacent.

Immediate Impact

It looks as though there might be a significant rehaul of the squad in the summer. Some very familiar faces may well be leaving Parkhead, allowing whoever comes in as head coach the chance to mold a new team. Hopefully, the club will learn from the past and act swiftly, and with the input of the new man. But there has to be an immediate impact too.

It remains to be seen whether the challenge of Hearts on the domestic front will be a one-time thing, but Celtic needs to realize that it cannot rest on its laurels any longer. That goes for the players brought in this summer. Important and proven players need to be signed to instantly improve the team. There is no time to wait for a style to develop.

Celtic Needs a New Spine

If we were to be particularly scathing about the current set-up, we might suggest that the “spine” we are referring to is a backbone. But what Celtic really needs to compete and challenge at home, and in Europe next season, is new personnel for the spine of the starting line-up.

A central defender, a defensive midfielder, a creative midfielder, and a proven goal-scorer are all required for Celtic to truly test the best teams in Europe. Celtic has, all too often, been found wanting in important areas of the pitch. Decisive goal-scoring is one thing, but Celtic also conceded more goals in the Europa League group phase than all but one of the fellow playoff teams this season. Conceding too many goals in Europe is a sure-fire way to secure an early exit.

Figure 2 A complete reset at the club is needed – Source: Pixabay

Future Success

A lot will depend on what happens in the next few weeks. Celtic could be playing in any of the three European competitions next season, and the caliber of new arrivals will be determined by which one it is to be. But there is no doubt that a lot of work is needed if there is to be success at any level.

The fans have been saying it for a long time, but this season should act as a wake-up call for the club. Change is needed – and fast – if Celtic are to compete in Europe any time soon.

Image Source: Pixabay