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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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  5. David66 on

    Happy New Year to all Tim’s around the Globe from the Good ‘n’the Bad.

     

     

    HH

     

     

    D :)

  7. Hrvatski Jim on

    A happy new year to all.

     

     

    Sretna nova godina Josip

     

     

    Akemashite omedetō (had to Google translate that one) Kyogo, Daizen, Reo and Yosuke

  8. Truth_Beauty_and_Freedom on

    🙋‍♂️ Happy New Year to all CQN’ers, to our amazing worldwide Celtic Family, and of course to Ange Postecoglou, our players and backroom staff and everyone involved in every aspect of our beloved Club! 😊 🍾🎆🎇🍀

     

    Strap in Folks; 2022 is going to be AMAZING! 😊

     

    🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

     

    Take Care, Keep Safe, God Bless and Hail Hail! 😊

     

    TB&F. 😊 🍀

  10. petec on

    Timbhoy163 on 31st December 2021 10:40 pm

     

     

    Cambusbhoy Great that your health is getting better and 2022 goes well for you and family Hail Hail,☘️☘️

     

     

     

    :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

     

     

    I doubt the Main Stand wil be upgraded, this side 0f 22. Fingers x Howevaaaaaaaaaah

     

     

     

    Irish Men wl set them Debbie McGhgee.

  14. Philbhoy on

    Canny believe it’s 20 past one and I’m still up!

     

     

    Best wishes to all good people, wherever they are, for a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

     

     

    A wee mention too, to the families of esteemed CQN’ers, who passed away last year. To many, sadly, to name.

     

     

    Prayers said for you all and your families and friends.

     

     

    I lost my wee sister last year so can imagine your grief.

     

     

    A wee mention to our host, PAUL67.

     

     

    Thank you for this wonderful platform.

     

     

    This is without a doubt the best.

     

     

    And to my beloved Celtic…………………just do it!

     

     

    C’MON THE CELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  15. Lullabies and Battle Cries on

    Just homes from a mates house, 2 couples shooting the shi** great night

     

    To all Happy New Year and look forward to our Japanese warriors making their mark

     

     

    Hail Hail

  18. petec on

    Rinsing out the style, by a Country Mile,

     

     

    MC Lenny D in effect.

     

     

    Garry said the Drugs don’t work.

     

     

    Perhaps they did for a while?

  20. TheLurkinTim on

    It’s a hell of a thing….lang may yer lum reek

     

     

    Or as the Vulcan stole: live long and prosper 🖖

     

     

    H.H.

  22. Melbourne Mick on

    Hello again all you young rebels

     

     

    From a blistering hot Southern Hemisphere.

     

    38 degs the last couple of days but cooler tomorrow, only 28 degs

     

    might need to wear a semmit 🥴

     

    In the city for the yearly fireworks last night, numbers cut because

     

    of Covid, but we were lucky enough to get tickets.

     

    Nothing to do with the Celtic connection of course 🤥

     

    Did our usual counting of hoops tops and pleased to report a

     

    multitude, big ANGE does it again lol.

     

    So happy we got some of our signing targets in early, watched these

     

    bhoys over here on Oz telly and believe me they are very good.

     

    Just let them settle and watch them go.

     

    A Happy New Year to each and everyone of you good Celtic bhoys

     

    and ghirls.

     

    H. H Mick

  23. Melbourne Mick on

    LURKIN TIM

     

    Great to see you back, just remember the scroll

     

    Button, it works for me 👍

     

    H. H Mick

  25. David66 on

    Good morning all from a rain soaked, windy Garngad and a Happy New Year to you all.

     

     

    TLT – Welcome home.

     

     

    D :)

  29. Melbourne Mick on

    After a few hectic days of beach picnics, water park visits, and

     

    New Year parties, it’s nice to relax and lie on the couch with a

     

    Wee hauf, wee Grace and my princess watching ..THE SOUND

     

    OF MUSIC.. I know..I know it’s ancient, but it does bring back

     

    some great memories of standing in the crumble dome and

     

    singing “ The hills are alive with the sound of…. Colin Stein’s

     

    a basta “

     

    Daysofyore CSC.

     

    H. H Mick

  35. Scaniel on

    A Happy New Year to All Celts …….

     

    I have a feeling

     

    This year’s for me and you…….

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