DAVIE HAY believes Celtic can make an impact in the Europa League – if, of course, there is no disaster before gaining third place in Champions League Group B.
The Hoops legend said: “I am probably guilty of getting a bit ahead of myself, but you have to say that if Celtic can formally secure that Europa League place, they’ll be in with a right good shout of making an imprint on the tournament.
“I am not making great pronouncements about winning the Europa League or anything like that, but certainly, if they consolidate that spot by avoiding defeat to Anderlecht next month, then you have to fancy there will be few teams who fancy playing them.
“Arsenal, Lyon and Lazio are all still in there, so it remains a pretty formidable tournament.
“However, the aim for Celtic this season was always to get into the Champions League and then try to secure European football after Christmas.
Davie Hay signing copies of Caesar and The Assassin – Managing Celtic After Jock Stein – a limited number of copies are still available from cqnbookstore.com
“It represents progress again and more than just getting through, if they can continue playing the way they did against Bayern Munich, then you have to fancy yourself whoever you are up against.
“I was impressed with the way they set up and went about their business against Bayern Munich.
“Okay, they did not get the result they wanted – and merited – but the performance as a whole was reminiscent of some of the great European displays at Celtic Park.
“When Callum McGregor scored the equaliser I actually thought that Celtic could go on and win it so to concede just minutes later was pretty galling.
“But what you do have to say is that with three academy players the best players on the pitch on the night – McGregor, James Forrest and Kieran Tierney were all outstanding – there was much for the club to feel positive about.
“It says much about the strength of the academy and Chris McCart must have been as proud as anyone watching the game.”
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT NOW!
A Celtic State of Mind presents its 23rd instalment of insightful discussion into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Paul John Dykes is joined by Bafta-winning documentary director, John MacLaverty, and Scottish comedian, Phil Differ.
John’s Lisbon Lions documentary – Glasgow: 1967 – is an incredible celebration of Celtic’s European Cup win 50 years on.
Phil has been a staple part of Scottish comedy for decades, and has worked on such iconic productions as Scotch & Wry, Naked Video, City Lights, Rab C Nesbitt and Only An Excuse.
The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.
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