CELTIC are a club that has a remarkable worldwide stature, having been crowned champions of Scotland 53 times as well as famously winning the European Cup back in 1967.
The Celts are undeniably a giant of a football club internationally, and their local support is as passionate as it comes. The team garners followers from all over the globe each season, as a result of past successes and legendary players that have donned the green and white striped strip throughout history.
But what challenges could the present offer for Celtic? They have numerous honours to chase this season and have plenty of impressive players to help spearhead their aims.
Fighting on three fronts
Celtic typically maintain challenges for four separate trophies when they head into the new year. However, this time around there will only be three competitions to focus on, as they were knocked out of the Scottish League Cup by Kilmarnock in August.
The UEFA Champions League is the stage in which Celtic will gain the most worldwide viewers. The Hoops have begun their campaign in mixed form having taken just one point from the opening three games.
Their remaining Champions League games after the trip to Atletico include fixtures against Lazio and Feyenoord. Qualification for the knockouts does not seem likely for Celtic as they are offered at 25/1 to win the group, with their Spanish opponents expected to secure the top spot. Feyenoord are the most likely to progress in the runner-up position.
✨ Here’s our @ChampionsLeague Group Stage Fixture Dates:
🗓 19/9 8pm Feyenoord (A)
🗓 04/10 8pm Lazio (H)
🗓 25/10 8pm Atlético Madrid (H)
🗓 07/11 8pm Atlético Madrid (A)
🗓 28/11 5:45pm Lazio (A)
🗓 13/12 8pm Feyenoord (H)Full details ⤵️#UCL | #CelticFC🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 2, 2023
Celtic could still reach the third position and play UEFA Europa League football in the new year, this would certainly be massive for the club’s continued growth across the globe, and for generating competition revenue.
The Premiership of course takes precedence over any other competition. Celtic’s extended dominance over Rangers is of paramount importance compared to any other potential aims this season.
Celtic have raced to an early lead over their city rivals in the early periods of the 2023/24 season. They recorded an unbeaten 32 points tally in their opening 12 fixtures. However, their title is far from secured yet, as the race should heat up at the end of the season when the table splits in half.
The Scottish top-flight operates in a unique format in which the table is split in half for the final five fixtures. Celtic will face the strongest performing teams in their title run-in. They are certainly massive favourites to record a remarkable 54th title success, but they are far from comfortable just yet.
Celtic will also enter the Scottish Cup in January, in which they will undoubtedly be favourites to retain their 2022/23 title. A domestic double and a sustained run in Europe are a genuine possibility for Celtic.
The key players
Celtic appear set for another historic season if everything goes to plan. Domestic dominance has become an inevitability for the Hoops in recent times, and their European campaign could extend into the new year.
Who are the key players that have pioneered Celtic’s success over the past few years, and who could be set to be the movers and shakers this time around?
Kyogo Furuhashi has been a sensation ever since arriving at Celtic Park. He is a dynamic forward who regularly scores and creates opportunities for Brendan Rodgers’ team.
ありがとう 🙇🏻👋🏻 pic.twitter.com/cxBwISGUSv
— Kyogo Furuhashi 古橋 亨梧 (@Kyogo_Furuhashi) October 20, 2023
Callum McGregor provides vital experience in the middle of the park. He is the epitome of an all-action box-to-box midfielder. The Scotsman is the team’s biggest leader and he never fails to cover every blade of grass.
Celtic have a wide range of talent that accompanies the key duo. But, ultimately, Furuhashi nets the majority of their goals, and McGregor provides the glue that sticks everything together from the centre of the pitch.
The Glasgow-based team has been home to several world-beaters in the past. They may not possess a level of technical ability that rivals the great teams of the past at present, but they are still a global team of a remarkable size that continues to write further significant history, year after year.
