It’s May. Saturday the 19th to be precise. Celtic are the Scottish Cup winners to go with their seventh league title in a row and the Betfred cup, won back in November. There is an unprecedented feeling of success and history. A victory parade from Hampden to Celtic Park ensues and as the celebrating continue, the supporters begin to cast their minds towards the new season. Another shot at the Champions League, a possible eight in a row and a chance to continue our dominance over Scottish football.
Fast forward just three months. We find ourselves in late August and the highs of that brilliant day at Hampden feels like another lifetime. The trough is definitely stinging a bit. Champions League exit to a poor, poor side, a player refusing to play and inactivity in the recruitment field have left the support restless.
— Muiry (@MuiryCeltic) August 29, 2018
Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell went into transfer window aware that they’d lose Stuart Armstrong and Patrick Roberts – two players that would be in or around the starting XI on a weekly basis. They had struggled with injuries and wanted to test themselves elsewhere so good luck to them. However, we knew that we would need replacements. That was evident to those with even the most green tinted glasses. Quality needs to be replaced by quality.
We have added Odsonne Edouard on a permanent basis and secured the future of Tom Rogic, along side the loan signing of his Aussie team mate, Daniel Arzani – who is surely a development player. We have one new addition to the squad – a returning hero, Emilio Izaguirre. That’s it.
In any event, the gap between Celtic and the rest of Scottish football is closing. Not by Gerrard’s grandeur, marvellous McInnes or Lennon and Levein but by our own green fingers. I’d like to think that those in their ivory towers with business interests in Celtic would take the opportunity to strengthen to continue the success, enjoyment and, of course, the lining of their pockets.
Forget the McGinn debacle. Forget Piccini, Schar or Denayer. We should have a list and if one option doesn’t work, make sure the second option is locked down. That’s what Lawwell told us happens anyway, if you listened to his Celtic Underground podcast with “Big Pedro”.
Our failings off and on the pitch have resulted in an early Champions League exit to a bang average Athens team and another defeat to Hearts.
Domestically, we are still strong enough to compete across three fronts. But to continue our dominance? Without investment it appears to be a flickering light of hope in the eyes of the supporters.
Moussa Dembele’s rumoured exit for £22.5m seems to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back on this, our very own summer of discontent. Let’s hope it’s not true.
Lubo98
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