Celtic may be yet to taste victory in pre-season, despite this in each of the matches played against OGC Nice, Olympique Lyonnais and Paris Saint-Germain there were many positives to take.
From a collective perspective the players looked remarkably fit and match sharp considering the extensive period of not only sporting but also social hibernation. They didn’t look like strangers needing to become re-acquainted, in the majority of cases they looked like friends who’d been separated for months but simply picked up where they left off and were immediately reminiscing of triumphs of old, while planning ahead for their futures. One we all hope will result in a historic 10-in-a-row campaign.
From individual player’s standpoints, many of the peripheral and somewhat unproven players have staked a claim. Lennon’s decision to rotate the teams – you’d imagine to see who can step up and fill the shoes of the many players who have exited the club since Celtic defeated St Mirren 5-0 in our last competitive game – has given opportunities to the likes of Stephen Welsh, Karamoko Dembele, Scott Robertson, Ismaila Soro and Patryk Klimala. Those players haven’t lacked for talent. Despite what you’d have assumed would be their own rustiness, none of them looked like they wouldn’t be worthy of an opportunity to showcase their abilities in a competitive environment.
From the core group that has brought so much success there has been some rustiness at the back, as the goal conceded against Nice showcased. There is also perhaps a lack of sharpness in front of goal as a return of only two goals from three games would indicate. It must be said, both those things would be expected in pre-season encounters against top level opposition, against three clubs a good couple of weeks ahead of Celtic in their own preparations. Chances have been created, had they not we’d have more cause for concern, and defensively the backline chopped and changed considerably to the point excuses can easily be made for slight errors against classy forwards.
The goalkeeping situation is the most pressing concern. Scott Bain who started last season as Celtic’s first choice and our last line of defence, concluded it as third pick behind Fraser Forster and Craig Gordon, he has since seen his two rivals for the gloves move on. As such in the space of 12 months Bain finds himself as having gone full circle. His place between the sticks is now his to lose.
In France there were moments of indecision and errors that resulted in goals conceded, but again there are excuses to be made. Bain cannot have failed to see the lack of public support amongst the fan base for him being the number one. Therefore not only does Bain’s match sharpness have to be regained but also his confidence needs rebuilding, something Captain Scott Brown clearly saw as needing addressing when he publicly backed his man. Bain has also been much longer than the rest of the players without regular top team football, therefore his progress to full match sharpness will undoubtedly take more time and he should be afforded a little more slack in that regard.
In terms of formations Celtic managed to test and trial the main strategies Lennon intends to implement both at home and in Europe in the season ahead, though again there was a clear lack of numbers to rotate when it comes to playing three central defenders. Whether you called it 5-3-2, 3-5-2 or indeed the 5-4-1 it appeared in practice against PSG, another central defender looks a position Celtic will need to address by the time the transfer window closes.
Whether that will be permanent signing or a later in the window loan deal may have been influenced by news that SPFL clubs will be permitted to sign up to six players on loan this season. The previous maximum number of loans allowed was four.
With Moi Elyounoussi the only incoming deal there is scope for Celtic to utilise a loan market they’ve had great success with in the past. In a season where financial outlay will require an element of balance, that particular rule change may be something Celtic will take advantage of. Although a goalkeeper and central defender top the list, Lennon also appears keen on another wide player. You’d assume that position in particular may take the shape of a loan rather than an outright purchase, particularly when the English market starts to form upon the conclusion of the Premier league this weekend.
All in all the French trip ticked a lot of boxes. Celtic look in good shape and it also appears in the main the players we’ve lost, with the obvious exceptions, can be more than covered with the emerging talents we have at the club, allied to the two January signings who had seen little action due to the Covid 19 shutdown.
There have also been some interesting dynamics emerging when it come to the likes of Olivier Ntcham, Ryan Christie and Moi Elyounoussi and we’ll touch on some of those later.
Our rivals of course have been getting the usual pre-season plaudits – as they always do – but Celtic not only rotated the squad far more that ‘the’ Rangers did in France, we were also afforded far more respect from the opposition, who played their first team players against Celtic while blooding their squad players against the Ibrox club. To look at the bare results wouldn’t tell the whole story.
A week on Sunday will of course see how Celtic fare in a competitive environment rather than friendly encounters. Despite the tour results the football was encouraging. Celtic have returned from a very worthwhile trip to France and look ready to go again. That bodes well when you consider such a historical season lies in wait.
It will be a pressurised season ahead, when you add the overhanging Covid 19 changes, then it’s a brand new environment that Celtic will have to overcome to emerge victorious. Those three games in France show Celtic look ready to face the challenges ahead.
Niall J
