Shambles of 2020 told more about Celtic than Ferencvaros

Ferencvaros inflicted the first serious blow Celtic received last season, knocking them out of Champions League qualification in a one-off tie at Celtic Park.  They were not a particularly good team, but overcame Dinamo Zagreb and Molde to reach the group stage, where they earned a solitary point, courtesy of a last minute equaliser at home to Dinamo Kiev.

Hungarian football is on the up after decades in the wilderness.  It has an unattractive political face.  The national team exceeded expectations at the Euros and took a point at Wembley last week; Ferencvaros are their domestic success story.

The shambles that was that defeat a year ago was more about Celtic than our visitors.  At the time, I predicted the wounds of that night would soon be forgotten, as there was worse to come.  And how.

I expect Ferencvaros are a better team for their Champions League experiences last season, not to mention the money they earned.  They will expect to take something from the game.  Although still emerging as a cohesive unit, Celtic are absolutely a different prospect than we were last year.  Officially he would concede nothing, but Ange Postecoglou will know the double header against Ferencvaros will decide who progresses to the Europa Conference and who drops out of Europe at this stage.  It’s not nirvana, but I would settle for it right now.