The new season is almost upon us. Normally this would be a time of anticipation and expectation. Will Celtic qualify for the Champions League? Will we win the title and some domestic cups? And how will the new signings fare? This year feels different.
The overwhelming feelings I get from listening to many supporters at this present time are those of frustration, apathy and discontent.
Season ticket prices rising while the club has tens of millions in the bank was the first point of annoyance, particularly as the pass to Paradise covid season, when full prices were charged, is still fresh in the memory. Removing the Champions League qualifier and friendlies from the season book and charging £25 for the Newcastle game further compounded that anger. “Paying more for less” was the feeling.
The state of the stadium, particularly the Main Stand, has been raised – a problem that most people would probably overlook if they weren’t already frustrated.
Then there’s the small matter of the team being improved and the manager’s contract running out. Celtic have sold Kuhn, on the back of selling Kyogo in January. Very little has been spent on the team thus far and many feel that replacements have not been made. With a Champions League qualifier looming, money in the bank and hopes that Brendan Rodgers can be enticed to stay in the managerial hot seat – fans are beginning to worry. For many, last season’s campaign in Europe was a demonstration of what can be done. The Hoops qualified from the group and took Bayern all the way to within a minute of extra time in the knockout stages. A huge sum of prize money was made. Therefore, many felt this was a basis from which we could build, invest and seek to progress further in Europe with domestic success naturally following. The club could reap the financial rewards in return via prize money, and if it didn’t work out, we still have vast cash reserves. It hasn’t happened yet.
The above has all cumulated in to a malaise among the fan base. There’s little excitement, positivity and not much hope of a good atmosphere being generated in the stands at present. That is a real shame and Celtic must be careful to avoid fan malaise.
I think we all know this is going to end badly, corporate greed and contempt for the fans and the manager, it’s almost as if they want him to leave , they certainly aren’t trying to encourage him to stay
Well, I’ve expressed my discontent today, in the only way that’s open to me as an overseas fan, by cancelling my Celtic TV subscription, which was due to be renewed in late August. The board will have to get by without my £150 contribution to their bonuses this season.