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State of the Club Report, December 2021

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By on CQN BLOG & Comments

My friends in Celtic, 2021 is the year Celtic lost its first domestic trophy since 2016, for the first time in over a decade, the trophy cabinet was bare.  We lost our manager in February, spent three months failing to land his chosen alternative, lost two chief executives, the captain retired and at the turn of the year we are six points behind in the league table.

So why are you all feeling so positive about things?  If was not obvious at the time, but Celtic have been on the slide since at least September 2017.  That month, we won our first European group game in 17, a 0-3 victory away to Anderlecht.  They were the only points collected in that campaign, as the Belgian side won the return leg in Glasgow and PSG scored 12 over two games.

Remarkably, the club won another three trebles, but by early in the following season the trajectory was clear, as was Brendan Rodgers’ commitment to the club.  Season 2020-21 was an unmitigated failure for Celtic, with the possible exception of the previous season’s Scottish Cup semi-final and final, played six months after they were first scheduled.

When Eddie Howe eventually got off the pot in May, Celtic moved swiftly onto Ange Postecoglou.  Like Ronny Deila before him, Ange was on the periphery of City Football Group, the investment company behind Manchester City.  Celtic’s links with City remain active and Ange came strongly recommended.  Those close to Celtic who knew him, thought he was a better manager and better prospect for Celtic than Howe.

Ange was appointed on 10 June and then had to go through a period of isolation in a hotel room before being able to travel to Scotland and meet club representatives in person for the first time.  Before he met the players, he was appraised that our top striker and top defender were both in the last season of their contracts and were not going to sign a renewal.

He had to rebuild a squad with scouts inhibited from travelling for the previous 15 months, while trying to qualify for European competitions and keeping want-away players interested.

Champions League qualification was never going to happen but the failure against Midtjylland highlighted how far Celtic had dropped.  The first three away games in the league were lost: at Tynecastle, Ibrox and at the Plastic Pasta, it was a gloomy start to the new era.  Newco were short odds to retain the league title, their only drawback was a remarkable 1-2 home defeat to Malmo, who came out for the second half losing 1-0 and down to 10 men.  The consequences of that second half will be felt for years.

Little did we know, but the best thing was to get rid of Odsonne Edouard and allow our new Japanese signing, Kyogo Furuhashi, to play through the middle.  With Kyogo as our focus, Celtic were transformed.

Domestic form has largely been excellent since those early away defeats.  We are back to our trophy winning ways, taking the League Cup in a thrilling final against Hibs, but the gap at the top of the table has not moved in our favour.  Newco continue to win most games, leaving Celtic to reflect on the cost of dropping points to Livingston, Dundee United and St Miren.

In any previous season, a six point gap at the top of the table would lead to insurrection, but there is a clear understanding of the direction of travel; Celtic are in recovery mode.  That does not mean we are going to win the league.  You can double your money in six months if you think we will be champions in May.

Newco remain in the driving seat, seem to be immune to isolating illness and domestic red cards and coped well with their managerial transition.  They will travel to Celtic Park after the break knowing they will leave top of the table whatever the result, they are in a great position.

Last season was all about history, this season is all about the future.  The Premiership winners will almost certainly automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage.  If Newco get there, the money will provide them with a temporary bandage and may allow them to make an operational profit for the first time in their history.  Failure would precipitate inevitable decline.

I worry the six point gap is too wide, that while we have delivered a high number of wins in recent months, we were vulnerable to Hibs and even made uncomfortable for a brief while against a truly awful St Johnstone.

The anticipated three new arrivals from Japan cannot have the impact of Kyogo.  I see a lot of faith riding on these players, football often disappoints such belief.  Whatever voodoo Newco have over the red cards domestic referees hold and Test and Trace procedures will doubtlessly continue.

In short, it will take a miraculous performance for the remainder of the season from Ange Postecoglou and new chief executive, Michael Nicholson, to delivery the title.  But this is Celtic, where miracles do happen, so strap in and enjoy the rest of the season.

Very best wishes to you all for 2022, continue to stay safe.

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  1. Rock Tree Bhoy on

    Tora Tora Tora indeed,

     

     

    its all ancient history now but my understanding of what happened to the Japanese people in the last world war was that their country was effectively hijacked by a Gung Ho spoiling for a fight with anyone Military Government. The man in the street knew they had made a massive mistake by attacking the Americans and that their defeat was only a matter of time. They had to go along with it of course, their government was represented on the streets by soldiers who were similar to the German soldiers, i.e. street thugs with a lust for violence.

     

     

    You could also say the same about the German people, their country was also hijacked by a gang of vicious military thugs hell bent on war, main difference being the Germans voted the Nazis into power, the Japanese people had no such vote, they just had to go along with it – or else.

     

     

    But lets not mention any of this to our new Japanese friends 🙂

  2. 79caps on

    Rock Tree Bhoy

     

    The German people did not vote the Nazis into power. At least the Nazi Party never won a majority of votes.

  10. Rock Tree Bhoy on

    79CAPS on 31ST DECEMBER 2021 5:25 PM

     

     

    How they came to power in the 30’s is quite a complicated issue but it was all done by the ballot box, they never simply took power by force, which is what happened in Japan.

  11. petec on

    The Prodigy HEADLINED the whole Event.

     

     

    They walked off because they wurnae happy with the Restrictions being brought “Jack McGinn”. Nae slur on Jack his name just Rhymes well. He stayed just across frae an Amazing school.

  12. Stephbhoy67 on

    How many times does it have to be pointed out that champions league group stages would give celtic or sevco an additional 10 million pounds based on the drop of in money gained by both teams from Europa league participation.

     

     

    Sevco are losing between 10 and 23 million a year to keep their current team on the pitch. A fundamental chang of spending is needed over the clyde. That is something celtic have been doing for many a year. Hence why celtic don’t overspend to attain champions league money.

     

     

    HH

  13. 79caps on

    Rock Tree Bhoy

     

    I think it’s more complicated than that but this is perhaps not the time to debate this. Alles Gute in 2022.

  15. An Tearmann on

    Rock Tree bhoy.

     

    Fascinating culture is Japan.

     

    It hadn’t been beaten in a war

     

    For over a thousand years.

     

    Inc China and Russia in the 50 Yr by ww2.

     

    Death before defeat.to be beaten is to dishonour.

     

    Tis why they still had soldiers in jungle til 70s

     

    And why U.S used the bomb.

     

     

    HH

  19. Rock Tree Bhoy on

    79CAPS on 31ST DECEMBER 2021 5:57 PM

     

     

    Very complicated, no media to watch over what was going on, other than Joeseph Goebbels!

     

     

    But Yes you are right, not the time or the place, Happy New Year🍀🍀🍀🍀

  21. bigbhoy on

    paddy power has us at 15/8. Huns are 4/11. We are 2nd favourites. However, there are 3 derbies still to play. Celtic fans have a romantic side and we feel that we are playing well and confident of beating any Scottish team.

     

     

    I have bet them

  22. Greenpinata on

    If and when we beat the huns I will be more confident of winning the league.

     

     

    Nevertheless we are far further forward on our recovery that I ever envisaged at the end of last season.

     

     

    HH to all.

  29. the_huddle on

    Until we beat the huns, it doesn’t really matter about the other games. Get that sorted and we can think about winning the league.

     

     

    The huns will know, draw at Parkhead and a win at Ibrox is all they need.

     

     

    Anyway, HNY when it comes to CQN :)

  30. voguepunter on

    BOURNESOUPRECIPE on 31ST DECEMBER 2021 6:15 PM

     

    Who would win in a fight between the Willo window and the Willow window?

     

    ———–

     

    Very clever Sensei BSR .

  32. 31003 on

    It’s not just journeymen we’ve signed from the J League. It’s 2 proven internationals and an under 21 international, thanks to Anges standing there.

     

    Sevco fans will be wanting similar from Holland thanks to Super Gio’s standing there.

     

    No chance. This is brilliant

  33. An Tearmann on

    Stivs

     

     

    SAINT STIVS on 31ST DECEMBER 2021 6:20 PM

     

     

    Tis why they still had soldiers in jungle til 70s

     

     

    up behind the pie stalls ?

     

     

    =============

     

    Aye hahaha,

     

    Bet they couldn’t have handled a pie

     

    Or a floppy margarine sandwich from said stall.

     

    🤣

     

    Happy new Year to you and all tail o the Bank tims

     

    Keep it lit

     

    HH

  40. celtic40me on

    A happy, healthy and prosperous new year to all.

     

     

    A good time to say a huge thanks to Paul67 for his efforts in giving us this place.

     

     

    I still think we’ll win the league

  41. JIMDOM on

    Seven points from the remaining three games against them and match them point for point against everyone else. Simple.

     

     

    It’s the covid stuff off the park that is my biggest concern. Players isolating, games behind closed doors, that’s what I dread the most.

     

     

    A happy and healthy 2022 to all.

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