Tough draw or manageable route to the last 16?…
The nerves and excitement of the UEFA Champions League group stage draw are over with Celtic handed a tough but reasonable group.
Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio.
Rotterdam, Madrid and Rome.
Three famous European cities that Celtic fans will inevitably take over in their droves.
But on the pitch, is there hope for European progression or will Brendan Rodgers side struggle to make an impact in Europes premier competition once again?
Last season
Celtic showed glimpses of an ability to compete in the Champions League last season. Performances such as those in the 1-1 away draw with Shaktar Donetsk and the breathtaking first half display against Real Madrid were small positives in what was overall a disappointing showing in Europe from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
However, of the 11 who played Celtic’s opening Champions League home defeat against Real Madrid last season, seven remain at the club (eight including Kyogo who did not start).
That experience for younger players such as Hatate, O’Riley, Abada and even the slightly older Greg Taylor will prove invaluable this season.
The quality that Celtic faced last season in Europe’s premier competition cannot be underestimated either, a simple look at the players who managed to put the ball beyond Joe Hart makes for interesting reading.
Mykhailo Mudryk who was responsible for ripping Celtic apart on two occasions last year is now a Chelsea player after moving for £62 million in January of this year.
Christoper Nkunku is also now a Chelsea player, moving to the London club for £52 million.
Expectations this season
Throughout last season, Celtic struggled to perform to a high level for the whole 90 minutes of a match. It could have been a case of second season syndrome for Ange’s men or simply a lack of ability to play such a high intensity game for a full match.
There was hope that this season, with a slower possession-based style and a tactically flexible manager in Brendan Rodgers, along with a sizeable transfer budget that we could compete further in Europe.
However, an indifferent start domestically (we are still top of the league looking down on theRangers) and a mixed, (though now improving) window has put a dampener on expectations for progression in the Champions League this season.
A slightly easier group when compared to last year will give Rodgers’ side hope they can leave their mark on the competition, but showings so far must improve if they are to do so.
New, hungry signings and players returning from injury will dare Celtic fans to dream of special European nights once again in what will be last current iteration of the UEFA Champions League.
James French
🎙 Matt O’Riley reacts to the #UCL draw after the Bhoys were paired with Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio in the UEFA Champions League Group E!#UCLdraw | #CelticFC🍀 pic.twitter.com/ueQTpbGz4Y
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 31, 2023
READ THIS…Mick can’t even say ‘Celtic’ – “The team we’re playing against aren’t coming in a fantastic place”
I’m all for being optimistic but let’s just start with trying to bag ourselves even a solitary win.
There is nothing in our current form that would make you think we could get a goal,never mind a point. Feyenoord whacked Shaktar 8-2 on aggregate last season after we struggled against them for example.