Once again we see an exit from Europe, caused by the inability of the defence to stop easy goals. Three goals went in over the two legs which a central defence of Virgil Van Dyck and Jason Denayer would have prevented. Why can’t we sort this out? Leaving aside Dedryck Boyata (which is an issue in itself) why can’t we get players who can defend sensibly?
Fingers will of course be pointed at the failure to get players over the summer and rightly so, but even allowing for that, why did about four Celtic players stand back and allow that first goal to go in? And why was the mistake repeated in the second half?
But there are other issues as well. Mistakes were made up front too, and surely Dembele should have been on earlier? Several times there was sheer hard luck with some good saves from the goalkeeper, but other times, a little more composure was required.Full marks however to Scott Sinclair whose moment I thought had passed.
The midfield was acceptable. I saw little wrong with Brown, Ntcham and McGregor, for example, particularly when, for that brief time in the second half, it looked as if we could do it. The spirit was there, but there was maybe just a lack of belief, and that is possibly where the trouble behind the scenes comes into play. The players actually KNOW what is going on, as distinct from the media and the fans who simply have to guess (although I think we are spot-on in our assessment of the situation). And the players will know that there is a Belgian gentleman back in Scotland with a sly smirk on his face.
Let’s not pretend otherwise. There will be trouble for a lot of people after this. The Directors and Mr Lawwell who have worked hard to build up a rapport with the fans over the past few years, are now back to square one. And the blame has to be shared. Brendan Rodgers should have shouted a lot louder at an earlier stage.The players must surely be hurting at this disaster. They must also, in many cases, fear for their jobs.With cause, in some cases.
As it is, we now must look forward, if that is the word, to possible Europa League qualification. Forgive me if I sound a trifle under-enthusiastic about that one! More relevantly, we must pick ourselves up for Partick Thistle on Saturday. And don’t anyone dare tell me that it is “easy” and “just” the League Cup! Still less do I want to hear that it is “just” Partick Thistle It is precisely that attitude at Directorial and managerial level that has landed us in this present pickle. It was “just” a team from Greece! We (and we are all in this together) must pick ourselves up for a crucial day in our quest for the treble treble.
Maybe a final thought in the long-term development of our club. We have been let down very badly this week by the spoiled brat behaviour of a foreign mercenary to whom the concept of Celtic means very little. Maybe a better idea to look for recruitment of players from Scotland, England and Ireland, in particular players who will KNOW what Celtic means to so many people. Chris Sutton was right to quote Jock Stein about the “Celtic shirt does not shrink for inferior players”. He might also have quoted Willie Maley about how “It is an honour and a privilege to wear those green and white jerseys”.
And oh, how it hurts to know that so many other people throughout the world are hurting just the same as I am tonight!
David Potter
