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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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  2. petec on

    🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️🇮🇪☘️

     

     

    Copied & Pasted

     

     

    Frae MM.

     

     

    I really am looking forward to The Magical Hoops this New Year.

     

     

    Ange.

  15. Melbourne Mick on

    Hello again all you young rebels

     

     

    Let’s be having you lovely bhoys and ghirls this fine

     

    Celtic morning.

     

    Getting the vibes at the moment, think our new recruits

     

    will hit the ground running, just like a finely tuned Honda.

     

    Whiiit ??? am I saying 🤭

     

    H H. Mick

  18. Big Jimmy on

    HRVATSKI JIM on 1ST JANUARY 2022 11:22 PM

     

    ……….

     

    Im so sad to read about MAX……I lost my best Pal ” ROCKY” on 3rd November 2021.

     

    My heart is still broken, he gave me over 15 years of joy.

     

    HH.

  19. DeniaBhoy on

    Morning Jim – I hope Max has a peaceful farewell. Even when you know it is coming, it is desperately sad when your best friend passes away.

  20. NorrieM on

    Harvaski Jim

     

    Hoping there is no pain for Max

     

    There will be broken hearts for you and family unfortunately

     

    Man’s (& Woman’s) best friend is the pet dog

     

    Nothing like coming home to the waggling tail

     

     

    Thoughts with you Jim

  21. David66 on

    Good morning cqn from a wet underfoot (well around side garden to the glass bin) but rather mild Garngad

     

     

    Had some family in last night and got the auld Karoake out. Man a sound good……. :)

     

     

    Never had the Japanese national anthem. :(

     

     

    The wee 9 year old Grandson sang Grace….what a bhoy. Think he has been hanging about wi his Granda to much. :)

     

     

    D :)

  22. David66 on

    I see we might just soldier on if we have 3,4 or 5 players away on international duty.

     

     

    Big mistake.

     

     

    There is a rule there for a reason. Use it.

     

     

    Playing games with 3,4 or 5 players away is like playing with half your team out injured, like we have been doing and dropping points.

     

    Surely we add to the squad to get these guys on the park…No?

     

     

    D :)

  23. DeniaBhoy on

    David66 – absolutely. If Rogic, Kyogo and the new guys are away we postpone without hesitation. That game is likely to be a 6-pointer, we lose the league is over. You don’t go into it voluntarily without this season’s two best players.

  24. David66 on

    Deniabhoy- Hopefully we will use the rule.

     

     

    I hope life is treating you well out in Denia.

     

     

    Stay safe fella.

     

     

    D :)

  31. An Dún on

    If we had the grounds to apply for a postponement and didn’t, it quite simply would be an act of self harm and unbelievably negligent.

  33. CaddingtonCommon on

    We must take the postponement if required. There will be enough disadvantages thrown our way from outside influences during the remainder of the season.

     

    Hail Hail

     

    Stay Safe

  35. Philbhoy on

    HRVATSKI JIM

     

     

    Tough news mate!

     

     

    Your great memories will get you through.

     

     

    It’s the only downside to having a pet.

     

     

    Thinking of you both.

  36. dandan on

    I’m in agreement with all the past comments about whether or not we impose the laws in our favour with all the players away on international duty.

     

    It would be unforgivable if we allow this to happen, play the game and lose.

     

    We would all be scratching our heads going why did we not just cancel the fixture.

     

    It would be self harming and totally stupid not to cancel.

     

    As far as I’m aware Sevco would only be losing Aribo.

  37. dessybhoy on

    Wait and see how many of the Japanese players are called up first, Rogic will be no doubt about it, we might not have 3 or more called up though.

  38. dessybhoy on

    Always thought young Henderson is a player, i’m surprised he hasnt been a regular in the squad and getting to show what he can do, sell no one to Hibs they refused to deal with us on McGinn, aye Lawwell had a part in this but they Hibs would have kept the price going up, we were never getting him from them.

  40. Turkeybhoy on

    Not sure if maybe some picking Ange up wrong.He said he would not stand in the way of any player going on International duty.Nothing about the consequences.We still could have a problem.We have to request a postponement.What if its turned down?.They are saying there are no more spots available.Does that men there can be no more cancellations for Covid?.Freeze up?.

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