More warning signs for Celtic

Fair play to Newco, a 3-0 win after a 2-0 defeat is an achievement.  Anyone who thinks this season will be easy has not been paying attention.  Whatever they do in the Champions League playoff round, they will arrive at Celtic Park three weeks on Saturday battle ready.

The circa £5m they earned last night will go towards supporting their structural deficit for the coming season, pending the outcome of their tie against PSV.  There is real opportunity, or jeopardy, in those games.

Celtic have to consider whether they are ready to overcome the challenge.  Despite early season good form and a manager who delivered spectacularly last season, it is far from clear we are.  Newco changed manager mid-term, suffered a midseason wobble, but finished strong, arguably the strongest.

We await to competitively deploy Alexandro Bernabei, Moritz Jenz may, or may not, be used when Carl Stafelt is fit and we are yet to find out what Aaron Mooy can deliver.  In short, we can only offer an aspirational opinion on whether our first choice 11 is stronger than last term, or we simply have more cover.

It is reassuring that we continue to be linked with quality players.  If our business this month is close to as effective as last August’s, you will enjoy 3 September.