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Harsh lesson that Celtic need to improve

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

It pains me to say it, but Newco’s run in Europe this season has been exceptional.  We can make whatever excuses we like about the merits of Braga and Red Star, but this didn’t matter to us in 2003 when we eliminated Boavista, then 10th in the Portuguese league, and it should not matter now.

For much of the game last night, Leipzig looked ordinary; unable to get into the Newco box, never mind create a chance.  The goal came from a low percentage shot by a left back who moments before mis-controlled the ball to let it run out of play.

Leipzig, though, are anything but ordinary.  Defeat to two late goals by Union Berlin on Saturday was their only reversal in 17 outings, a run that includes wins away over Atalanta, Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Real Sociedad. They remain favourites to progress to the final, but the game did not go to plan for the Germans and their place in the final is not assured.

Four years ago today we beat Newco 5-0 to win the league on our way to being the first Scottish team to retain the treble.  That day, that season, was enormous fun, but it was one in a long line of seasons when Celtic were not pushed.  Strategically, that treble did less for us than I hope the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat two weeks ago will do.  You and I now know we need to improve for next season.

To win this league we will need to better a team who reached a European semi-final.  If we do, it would be a remarkable achievement for a new manager and overwhelmingly new playing squad.  For the remainder of this season and almost certainly next season, we face-off against a very competitive outfit for a Champions League bounty that would be transformational to whoever wins.

 

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  1. mncelt on

    Yes Tom. My memories begin around ‘69, beating the old Rangers 4-0 at Hampden. Wasn’t allowed to go to those game until about ‘73. Still tear up when I see the wee man in a Celtic shirt

  3. Tom McLaughlin on

    O’Sullivan wins 17-11.

     

     

    Good effort John Higgins.

     

     

    A Celtic victory tomorrow will eaze your pain.

     

     

    Hail Hail the Wizard of Wishaw ☘️

  4. Tom McLaughlin on

    MNCELT

     

     

    I’m a bit older than you. My first game was December 1961. I saw Jinky’s debut in 1963 at Rugby Park and followed his career right to the end.

  5. bigrailroadblues on

    BGFC and wee BGFC. Thanks for your company yesterday and the sing song. I think I was in tune. 🤔

  7. JHB on

    RIP Mino Raiola. Condolences to his family that he was taken at such an early age.

     

     

    Since Bosman the role and importance of agents in the game has been huge and defining. In my opinion that role has not been a benign one and has influenced a chain of events that have changed, and continue to change, the face of football worldwide.

     

     

    The top of the game is now occupied by multi-millionaire players with clubs selling out to oil, gas and financial conglomerates in order to keep pace with the massive salaries paid to these players.

     

     

    * We at Celtic are lucky that we have a sustainable model and are reassured by the recent affirmation by Dermot Desmond that his shares are not for sale, even if 4/5 times their value was offered…..but of course we are not one of the elite club these days.

     

     

    Elite football is leaving the ordinary fan behind and that process has still some way to travel. The European Super League will happen by stealth, even though we witnessed the original move stymied by UEFA, only the timing is in doubt. The top clubs need it, the top players want it, the media wants it, and the top agents will work with them all to make it happen.

     

     

    There are those who say that prior to Bosman the clubs had too much power – that may well have been the case, however the pendulum has now swung too far in favour of players and their agents with obvious knock-on consequences. Some of the salaries being paid in the EPL and in the other ‘big four’ national European leagues are now obscene. The trend is upwards and only a super league comprising of super clubs owned by large companies & organisations can sustain it.

     

     

    Where will all this leave the rest, the bulk of football clubs in Europe, shut out from ‘biggest show on earth’?

     

     

    Therein lies a conundrum!!!!

  11. JHB on

    Guinevere had green eyes

     

    Like yours, Ronnie, like yours……but I don’t think she drank rum.

  13. An Tearmann on

    MNCELT on 30TH APRIL 2022 8:20 PM

     

     

    Yes Tom. My memories begin around ‘69, beating the old Rangers 4-0 at Hampden. Wasn’t allowed to go to those game until about ‘73. Still tear up when I see the wee man in a Celtic shirt

     

     

    That mirrors my own start with Celtic,69 final in main stand,a few things I recall,the green end going mental 4 times,connelly takes balk of greig,there was also an outbreak of violence at deidyins end,was at 73 final too,tam forsyths 6millimetre sklaff,good memories,I would take a 1-0 :-)

     

     

    Jinky was something else,you knew when he was on it,Billy McNeil or any player if in trouble,ķnew to give him the ball,all he ever wanted to do was play for Celtic,like a kid asked,what do you wanna be?a footballer and Celtic man to the core.

     

    Standards.he was it.

     

    :-)

     

    HH

     

     

     

     

    HH

  15. An Tearmann on

    JACKIEMAC on 30TH APRIL 2022 9:04 PM

     

     

    tough game ahead tomorrow and ange is still learning

     

     

    It is.it is his ethos,youv heard of it,never stops and that includes learning.-)

     

     

    HH

  32. Greenpinata on

    Good luck Katie Taylor.

     

     

    Setting the standards for female boxing.

     

     

    HH

  33. Greenpinata on

    Safe travel to all our fans already on the move.

     

     

    Today is the day.

     

     

    COYBIG. In Ange we trust.

  34. Greenpinata on

    Well done both girls.

     

     

    Katie Taylor in a split decision. History maker.

  36. Burnley78 on

    This is the day Celtic !

     

     

    Hoping all the lessons learned from 2 weeks ago are applied today and the task completed 3 games ahead of schedule.

     

     

    How good would that be from where we were in September.

  40. Almore on

    On iron bird…… heading to Paradise.

     

     

    Fred C Dobbs CSC

     

     

    🍀💚🇳🇬💚🍀

  41. TheLurkinTim on

    Morning troops, in this most auspicious of Hunskelping Days…damn am up early ;-))

     

     

    H.H.

  42. Big Jimmy on

    ALMORE on 1ST MAY 2022 6:51 AM

     

    ……………..

     

    Good lad…I am very jealous.

     

    I now have a fear of Flying due to the Airport signs that simply say ” TERMINAL” !

     

    LOL.

     

    HH Mate.

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