In terms of overall importance, tonight’s match against Roma in the Europa League takes a backseat to Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final at Hampden against St Mirren…
Tonight sees Celtic take on Roma in the Europa League, and it’s a clash that we must get something from if we harbour any hopes of qualifying for the play-offs. Celtic probably need four points from the remaining three matches, two of which are home games at Celtic Park.
It’s an absolutely crucial match although in my opinion, and I think many of you will feel the same, the game against the Serie A giants takes a backseat when it comes to Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup semi final clash against St Mirren at Hampden.
A good showing in the Europa, especially against a side as talented and high profile as Roma is something that would do us the world of good when it comes our European ambitions, as well as our confidence going forward.
But in comparison to Sunday, it’s not as important when you think what’s at stake. It may seem bizarre to suggest that a game against the Buddies of Paisley would be a bigger priority than a game against the stallions of Roma, but in this instance it certainly is.
A defeat tonight is definitely not what we want, but failure to win wouldn’t exactly be catastrophic, but I don’t need to tell you that failure on Sunday would seem like a disaster of biblical proportions. It really isn’t a scenario worth thinking about.
In an ideal world we would win both games, of course we would. We want to make our mark at European level, but the chance to win the first trophy of the season, and add to our ever growing list of major honours is the main priority, for me that’s not even up for debate.
Of course we will head to Paradise in our droves, expecting to see a spirited performance and result to boot, but we all know deep down that Sunday’s game is by far the most important fixture of the two, with much much more at stake.
Not everyone will agree with that of course arguing that progress in the Europa League, coupled with a good January transfer window (no laughing at the back) could see us have a real interest in this competition, which is one we actually don’t want to be in but when we are we have to think about actually winning it, if we possibly can.
Remember theRangers just a few years back got to a penalty shoot-out in the final so unlike the Champions League, it’s not an impossible dream. Perhaps highly unlikely at this stage.
If we can get a victory this evening we will go into Hampden in much better fettle that if we are looking to pic ourselves up after back-to-back defeats. So tonight is crucial in that regard as St Mirren rest-up and have the entire week to prepare for the final at on Sunday.
Luckily for us supporters, Wilfried Nancy is NOT giving the final a moment’s thought. His focus is on his own debut as a manager in a UEFA competition and he will also be looking to get his first win as Celtic manager.
His media conference yesterday was much better than that strange event at Lennoxtown last Friday – in terms of what the Celtic manager was saying. With only the mainstream media asking the questions? Dear oh dear…
COYBIG!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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Agreed, a win tonight only really gives ourselves, a chance of finishing in the top 8 for qualification.
That would be some achievement, with only taking 1 point from 6, to start this europa league campaign.
European football is going to be a big ask this season, with the injury list as it is, especially to key players, along with the amount of want away players, currently holding squad positions imo.
And all of that in place, isn’t going to get resolved in January either.
So the lack of squad numbers, along with players who may no longer have the best interests of our club in mind, isn’t the best mix to be trying to operate under, especially with European football in mind.
And that’s without knowing just yet, about players adapting to the changes Nancy is going to introduce either?
Even at ourselves in a fairly uncomfortable position, squad wise at present, it will be interesting tonight to see if the quality factor, improves upon last Sunday performance wise?
This is hopefully more important to ourselves, then the result tonight, has going to be the key factor come the final imo?
We will have the higher quality factor regardless for the final, but that goes against the fatigue factor involved.
Showed enough in the first half hour to be optimistic for tonight, which hopefully is the case tonight for longer periods of the game.
Will have to go for longer periods without the football also, so should get a better indication of where we need to improve hugely, before we can even consider getting back to becoming a respected CL team again imo?
Will possibly need more than just 2 subs needed tonight, like we used last Sunday also.
Overall optimistic for tonight, but still the bigger must win game, comes on Sunday in the final imo?