Celtic’s week fought on three fronts – Alkmaar, Ibrox and the Transfer Window

Two hugely important games and how Celtic emerge from this transfer window over the next seven days could have a huge bearing on the pined for Celtic revival under the guidance of Ange Postecoglou and Dom McKay.

Both men are absolved of any blame for last season’s farce or the slow managed decline of Celtic’s organisational structure prior to their respective appointments, yet both still have to work building foundations for the future while sifting through the rubble left behind by those who got complacent and cocky and turned a deaf ear to those warning of the consequences of their inaction.

The fact Celtic are competing in a play-off for the Europa League rather than the Champions league is evidence enough the job for both was too much too soon to turn the club into a side even capable of laying a glove on the elite clubs in a matter of weeks, however the fact we take a two-goal advantage into the second leg play-off against a side as good as AZ Alkmaar is evidence enough that in short few weeks the on-field progress made has been close to remarkable. Yet this will be the test.

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – Kyogo Furuhashi celebrates scoringPhoto: Andrew Milligan

Celtic have improved, the goals are flowing, the football a joy to watch and the confidence is returning to both the players and the support alike. In the first leg against our Dutch opponents a goal line stramash was all that stopped Celtic heading to the Netherlands with a likely insurmountable three goal advantage. Yet to ask for such a result on the balance of the game would probably smack of greed, particularly when you consider Alkmaar may well have felt a one goal reverse or even a score draw would have been a fair reflection.

However, for Celtic who of late had it not been for bad luck would have had no luck at all, will feel the change in fortune was long overdue. But to confirm lady luck has returned to look over us we’ll need to return from Alkmaar and the AFAS Stadion with qualification gained by hook or by crook.

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – James Forrest scores. Photo Andrew Milligan

From both a reputational and financial perspective European football is essential for Celtic. Indeed, you feel from a recruitment perspective that the quality and numbers Ange Postecoglou will have to work with by the time the transfer window closes will have a direct correlation with qualification for the Group stages. As such qualification will have an impact on the pace of Ange’s revival and the depth of squad quality for the domestic campaign ahead.

And the confidence and momentum gained so far in the league and league cup campaign will also be tested three days later as Celtic head to Ibrox keen to show reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated. This will be Ange Postecoglou’s domestic acid test for his revolution. Can Postecoglou’s work in progress match up to a rival who have constructed a far from pleasing on the eye style of football but one last season at least that was ruthlessly efficient?

Celtic v AZ Alkmaar – AZ Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen reacts during the UEFA Europa League Play-off, first leg match at Celtic Park, Photo: Andrew Milligan

Steven Gerrard’s side have however shown vulnerabilities not evidenced last season already this year. They too have exited the Champions League qualifiers and they too have tasted defeat on the road, while for Celtic a similar pattern of failure was expected and could be excused as a rebuilding exercise ensued.

Gerrard doesn’t have that excuse to fall back on. The defeats home and away to Malmo has rocked the Ibrox club, particularly financially but also reputationally, as much more was expected of a side who performed so solidly in the Europa League last year, and a domestic defeat at Tannadice was also a shock to the system for a side who laid claim to a phoney ‘invincible’ season.

Malmo players celebrate at Ibrox. Photo: Ludvig Thunman

For Celtic this will be a tough away fixture for a side who have predominantly performed well at home but have won only once on the road, against Jablonec. Celtic lost at Tynecastle before five consecutive home victories built up confidence and subsequently the current momentum.

Celtic are however in the ascendancy and arguably facing and opponent descending, as such there is a perfect opportunity for this Celtic team to gain a march on their title rivals by returning from the first Derby of the season with an inspiring win whilst wounding further an already vulnerable rival. The negative for Celtic will be the support they have seen a synergy built up with again over the last few weeks will be absent entirely, the positive will be a large pitch to suit their expansive style of play, something missing on the tightness of Tynecastle.

 Photo: Jeff Holmes

And once the football has passed, attention will turn to the boardroom. Should Celtic emerge from Alkmaar and Ibrox unscathed they will be in the Europa League group stages and with an advantage over a domestic rival. If that occurs Celtic and Dom McKay have to twist the knife.

Postecoglou will have proven himself in a scarcely believable timeframe and he will have earned backing in the final throws of the transfer window. This will be no time to rest in possession we will have to ensure we go on the front foot.

At the very least, even excluding the recent signing of Croatian right back Josip Juranovic Celtic need more depth. Defensively we still require left sided cover both at full back and centrally to breathe a little more easily, it also appears Celtic are courting a striker and whilst that is welcome news there remains a lack of depth on the left side of our attack. Kristijan Lovric has been a name long touted, he has made his own feelings clear he would be keen to play for Celtic yet there has been no movement on that deal. Is that one dependant on Europa League qualification and the financial security it brings? Perhaps it is but it is certainly a position Celtic need to strengthen and this is a player who could improve the attacking options available to Ange Postecoglou and ensure Kyogo Furuhashi can play as a striker going forward, something it is clear to see can only benefit Celtic’s ambitions.

Osdonne Edouard celebrates his goal. Photo: MB Media

Yet there has to be an element of understanding to the predicament Dom McKay will face in these last few days of his first transfer window. The future of both Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard remain undecided. The last week of the transfer window is historically where most deals get done, but Celtic and McKay may be playing a waiting game to see if either or both Christie and Edouard move on before committing to further attacking options at least.

Ryan Christie takes a shot at goal Photo: Jane Barlow

You get the feeling if Christie was going to sign a new deal he’d already have done so and any speculation regarding Edouard has seemed just that of late. From a budgetary perspective this is a tough one for Dom McKay to balance and if deals to sell either player happen late in the window, time will be of the essence when it comes to ensuring Postecoglou’s attacking options are not weakened by delaying the arrival of replacements until January.

On and off the field the next seven days are huge for Celtic’s season ahead and we’ve no idea what will be thrown at the club to contend with on the field or in the transfer market over the next week. But one thing is certain it will be the biggest test of both the new manager and the new CEO. How both manoeuvre the club through the next few days will have a huge bearing on Celtic’s revival. It promises to be a whirlwind few days.

Niall J

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About Author

As a Bellshill Bhoy I was taken to my first Celtic game in the summer of 1987. It was Billy McNeill’s return to Celtic Park as manager and Celtic lost 5-1 to Arsenal . I thought I was a jinx, I think my Grandfather might have thought the same. It was the finest gift anyone ever gave me when he walked me through Parkhead's gates.

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