As the injuries continue to pile up like a deck of poker cards, the leader of our cause, Ange Postecoglou, insists that from adversity comes indefatigable strength and resolve.
The news that we will be without several key stars heading into the game against Real Betis, has deflated some of the support – with an air of inevitability that this could be another long night abroad. With James Forrest still a week or so away from returning to action, Callum McGregor picking up a knock, Greg Taylor requiring surgery on his shoulder and Liel Abada given time off for Yom Kippur, we are definitely lacking in options in certain areas.
However, Ange has insisted that this has provided us with an opportunity, as opposed to being a handicap on the night. Speaking at today’s Media Conference (watch below), the Celtic boss said: “We’re going through a period like that at the moment, where we’re getting some significant outs”.
“But again, it’s kind of been the state of play since I got here. We’ve sort of been in a state of constant flux, where we haven’t been able to settle. I see that as an opportunity for us to just build resiliency through this period, and keep on going”.
The manager certainly knows it will not be an easy night without his captain especially, but will not waver in his desire to play the kind of football he finds admirable.
“We just got to do what we’ve been doing, and playing our football. If we can get through these periods without sort of shifting from the kind of team we want to be, then it’s going to make us stronger once we have everyone back”.
With the squad depleted to a certain degree, Ange knows this is an opportunity knocking on some of the players’ doors to go and show everyone that they are deserving of a starting berth in this Celtic team.
Adam Montgomery performed exceptionally well away in Alkmaar, after Greg Taylor had succumbed to injury. Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy both have a point to prove as it stands, whilst Liam Scales has yet to make his debut in the Hoops. No matter who is selected, Ange has full confidence in their ability to perform for him. This in itself should be enough to give us all confidence over in Seville.
Paul Gillespie
Another excellent piece paul