For Celtic supporters with longish memories, the build-up to this year’s Champions League play-off round carries an uneasy sense of déjà vu. Brendan Rodgers, second time around, is once again preparing for a defining European tie without the reinforcements he’s been calling for all summer…
The parallels with August 2018 are striking. Then, as now, Celtic were one or two quality signings short. Then, as now, the manager’s warnings about squad strength clashed with a slower, more cautious approach from the boardroom. And then, as now, the risk of missing out on the Champions League looms large.
Celtic’s AEK Athens fiasco
Seven years ago, Rodgers went into the third qualifying round against AEK Athens with a depleted squad. Odsonne Edouard was injured, Kristoffer Ajer suspended, Moussa Dembele only half-fit, and Dedryck Boyata caught in a public contract dispute – if we put it politely. At the back, Jozo Šimunović and Jack Hendry were pressed into action.
The John McGinn saga
The January window before had brought in Marvin Compper and Charly Musonda — neither of whom made any meaningful impact. A summer pursuit of John McGinn collapsed amid frustration and finger-pointing between Rodgers and CEO Peter Lawwell, the manager was eventually trolled with the signing of ‘free all summer’ Youssouf Mulumbu, via Kilmarnock, on a six-month deal.
Youssouf Mulumbu of Celtic arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Celtic and Rosenborg at Celtic Park on September 20, 2018. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Celtic lost narrowly — 2–1 in Athens, 3–2 on aggregate — but the damage was bigger than the scoreline. We dropped into the Europa League, missing out on the Champions League’s financial windfall and competitive stage. Many supporters felt that two or three timely signings could have made all the difference.
Continues on the next page…
Nicholson is not fit for the job he holds. He’s not fit to be the boot cleaner at Celtic. He will almost certainly go if Celtic fail to qualify, as will others. The voice of the fans for change in the Boardroom will be so loud that these executive pariahs will no longer be able to ignore it. Celtic has needed a clearout of the suits for a long time, including, including Lawwell. He should never have been allowed to return anywhere near the Celtic Board, yet the old pals act that probably landed Nicholson the job got him back in. These people have no ambition for Celtic. Their sole ambition is to enrich themselves and their shareholders by using Celtic as a profit-making feeder club.
The recruitment team has failed BR badly . We needed strengthening and anyone who watches football can see this , however , we are going into champions league qualifiers with a squad weaker than last season. In addition we are away in the second leg and upon our 10 hour flight return who do we play ? Our records show after we play a European game our results are not consistent. I hope the recruitment team are held accountable, for this has gone on far to long .
Good analysis of CFC’s fiscal drag queens. What happened to Ange’s Agile transfer policy? Idah & Bernardo were both failures on loan – they should not have been signed. Engels is Celtic’s Tore Andre Flo. Trusty a waste of money too.