YOU COULD blindfold me, stick a sack over my head and drop me in a mine shaft and I will still be able to see things are not quite hunky dory at Celtic.
People who utilise the services of guide dogs have a clear vision of a club on the brink of implosion.
The pitchforks and fiery torches are being looked out again as the downright angry among the disenchanted prepare to march.
We are only seven competitive games into the season; what on earth has gone wrong?
Sadly, the answer is: Quite a lot.
The Champions League exit to a Kazakhstan side rated 311th in UEFA rankings goes way beyond acceptable. To put it mildly, it is one of the worst results in Celtic’s history; a total and inexplicable nosedive into European obscurity.
DISAPPOINTMENT…Brendan Rodgers can’t mask his emotions.
The performance against a sitting duck at Ibrox last weekend was timid, tame and inexcusable. A few days earlier, the same team were being used as target practice by Club Brugge and yet somehow the champions failed to register a shot worthy of the name in an hour and a half of incredibly dull and tedious inaction.
There wasn’t a solitary spark of imagination or urgency from a set of players low on confidence and seemingly going through the motions.
Back in January, Kyogo Furuhashi, after making disquieting noises in the background, was allowed to move to Rennes without a worthy replacement in sight.
Did anyone really think Adam Idah would be the answer? Despite his monstrous £9.5million price tag, the Republic of Ireland international’s ability was not up to that task.
And the same forward, without a goal this season, has just been spirited out of the club en route to second-tier Swansea City without an adequate deputy lined up.
Late last month, Brendan Rodgers stated categorically that cannot be allowed to happen again. His exact words, as reported in CQN, were: “No-one can leave here unless we get players in to replace. It’s as simple as that.”
TIME TO MAKE A POINT…Michael Nicholson with director Chris Gray.
Was the manager reassured Celtic had a replacement lined up – say, for instance, a guy called Kasper Dolberg? – before waving Idah off to The Valleys?
If reports are accurate that the club made a deadline-day lowball offer of £4million for an international striker rated in the £8.5million category by his club, then someone has to be held accountable for wasting everybody’s time, a valuable commodity as the clock ticked down at the last chance saloon. The hitman, of course, pitched up elsewhere.
Michael Nicholson, the club’s virtually anonymous chief executive, will have to drop his impersonation of HG Well’s fictional character and make himself visible to answer the accusations.
The CEO is earning big money and with that wage packet comes responsibility on the same scale.
Brendan Rodgers is hardly blameless. He was outwitted over two legs plus extra-time by Rafael Urazbakhtin, who is a rookie, first-time team boss and who took over Kairat Almaty only last year.
As an elite manager, the Hoops gaffer should have been able to see the team over such an infinitesimal hurdle. Just watch for Kairat’s results in the next stage of their European adventure.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Daizen Maeda looks perplexed.
We don’t need threats of a second terminado and heading for the hills if the board do not match his ambition. Actually, I reckon the Irishman won’t be heading for rugged terrain; more likely some place where there is more sand than you’ll find on the beach at Millport.
Such remarks merely spark a mindless reaction from the babbling buffoons who adopt an unmerited air of authority.
Surely, no-one was overly surprised that Daizen Maeda wanted to follow his chum and compatriot Kyogo out of the Parkhead exit.
I mentioned the possibility almost a month ago – and you can read it here – plus you can add the name of Reo Hatate to those in the queue to say goodbye to Glasgow.
The Japanese double-act are mercenaries in football boots. No-one should be surprised by that statement. That’s why they are at Celtic in the first place.
Like it or not, back in January 2022, they will have viewed Celtic as a stepping stone on their way to greater financial rewards.
CONCERNED…Reo Hatate wears a worried expression.
A disillusionment has somehow manifested itself between the inhabitants of the directors’ box and the dug-out.
Both the board and the boss will have their supporters and their detractors.
What we have to make sure is that the friction does not become evident on match day. By all means, remove names from your Christmas card list but remain professional and focused.
Dummies don’t need to head into orbit and feet don’t need to be stamped by petulant egotists on either side of the argument.
Celtic Football Club and the supporters are the most important aspect in what is being built up by some as a civil war.
Is it outwith the bounds of possibility of Dermot Desmond and Michael Nicholson sitting down with Brendan Rodgers and John Kennedy to have a public debate about what is best for the club?
Why not invite representatives from those most vocal to have their say? Permit appointed spokespersons for the many organisations clearly unhappy with the way the situation is developing to put forward their thoughts.
The last thing we need is rabble rousers and self-seekers to attempt to take over centre stage. Keep it organised, the management and the manager can talk it through and allow sensible questions to be asked and answered.
Or am I living in Cloud Cuckoo Land?
If there is the possibility of restoring harmony and unity among the ranks before it is too late, I believe there are those dutybound to accept that responsibility.
Get it out in the open and shut down the ‘informed’ whispers from troublemakers who most certainly do not have Celtic’s long-term interests at heart.
Put the golf clubs away, Dermot, and get it done.
ALEX GORDON
