Celtic Revenge – ‘This time we have to show Cluj who we really are,’ Bolingoli

BOLI BOLINGOLI, Celtic’s £3million summer signing from Rapid Vienna, sat on the bench at Celtic Park and watched as Callum McGregor struggled in his left back position and Cluj took full advantage to shock Celtic and end our Champions League dreams for another season.

They then failed to get past Slavia Prague in the Champions League play-off round so dropped into the Europa League as a pot 4 side and inevitably ended up in Celtic’s group.

And the Belgian left-back sees the chance for Celtic to get some revenge for that set back. All over the team and on the bench there are players and even the manager saying the same thing. Scott Brown has that penalty incident on his mind, Christopher Jullien and Neil Lennon have discussed the matter in full detail. Now Bolingoli has had his say.

“We have a chance of revenge against Cluj,” Boli said to the media, as reported by Scottish Sun.
“We’re at home and it’s a big game for us, so this time we have to show Cluj who we really are.

“For me, the real disappointment wasn’t that I wasn’t playing, but that we were knocked out of the Champions League. I really wanted us to qualify for that competition.

“It was strange that we scored three goals at home and still lost. That was very hard to take.

“But it’s over and we have to forget it now. We’re in the Europa League group stage and we want to achieve something in it.

“With the squad we have and the quality we have, I believe we can be successful in this tournament and achieve some of our goals at the end of the season. We’re just taking things game-by-game at the moment. I played in the Europa League with Rapid Vienna and Club Brugge, where I also played in the Champions League.

“Last season I played for Rapid against Inter Milan in the Europa League last 32 and that was a nice experience. The San Siro is an amazing stadium and every player would want to play there.

“Now I believe I can have another good campaign playing with Celtic.”

Looking at the group, the Belgian reckons that it is wide open and all four teams will be confident that they can qualify. Lazio lost in Romania when Celtic got a point in France and Rennes travel to Rome to face Lazio in the other game on Thursday.

If there is a winner in Glasgow then that side will go top of the group after match-day 2. That’s exactly the position that Bolingoli wants to be come 10pm on Thursday night.

“Every club in our Europa group can reach the next stage. Every team is hard to play against. It depends on the team and how strong you are. I believe in my team and how strong we are. As long as we continue with this mentality, we can go far.”

He freely admits that he’s been working hard to improve the defensive side of his game, and admits that he converted to become a left back from being a left winger so his attacking instincts come a little more naturally. That’s probably why Celtic were happy to sign him for £3million in July.

“I’ve been working on my defending. Even when I was at Rapid Vienna I was working on that. I’m a born offensive player, but I was changed to a left-back and I feel I’m progressing as a player in that position,” Boli said.

“I started as a left winger, but the coach who converted me was Juan Carlos Garrido at Brugge.
When I went up to the first team, the first game I played was as a left winger — then he told me my career as a left winger was over! After that I started playing as a left-back.

“You have to accept these things because it’s always good for a coach to have a player who can play in quite a few positions. It’s a plus point for a player to have that.

“It took me a little while to accept it, but now I’m working hard on the defensive side of my game, thinking defensively. Sometimes I still think like a winger and I have to click back. I’m trying to focus like a defender, then offensively it will come.

“I know my qualities. I want to show them. Every player is different. I know Kieran Tierney was a big player at left-back for Celtic and to replace him is a big honour for me.

“I want to emulate Kieran and the things he did here. We’ve signed Greg Taylor and for sure, I welcome that challenge. Even when Kieran was here I said it would be a big challenge for both of us if he stayed. With Greg we’re working hard every day.

“The coach can only choose 11 players, but it’s positive competition, because Jonny Hayes has been doing well as a left-back as well. We try to motivate each other to be ready.

“We all want someone of quality to come in and make the difference if they’re required to play.”

ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…

‘When Jinky played for San Jose,’ by Celtic’s American Blogger Larry Cafiero…see HERE.

No Regrets from Boyata, Celtic’s next ‘Deal or No Deal’ Decisions Considered…see HERE.

Celtic Set for Hectic December as SPFL announce Fixtures…see HERE.

Timing of the Signing – van Dijk and Jullien’s CL lesson for Celtic…see HERE.

Celtic v Cluj – ‘I think we owe them one, especially me,’ Broony’s Revenge Mission…see HERE.

Born on this day in 1944, Jimmy ‘Jinky’ Johnstone – The Greatest Ever Celt…see HERE.

Rangers 0-6 Celtic – Beautiful Sunday! Celtic Women Academy side runs riot in Glasgow Derby…see HERE.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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