I think we were all delighted to hear the word “Europe” mentioned recently. It has almost become a bad word in Celtic quarters recently with the thought of some of the grizzly horrors of past European performances.
No-one will get dreadfully upset if we lose to Real Madrid, and a defeat at the hands of an English club will bring its own particular form of disappointment, but we will get on with it. But we cringe in embarrassment at some of the performances against teams beginning with the letter “M” – Malmo, Molde, Maribor, and that one that no-one could either pronounce or spell called Midtyjlland (I think), as well as Sion, the one that sounds like a toilet called Cluj, and more recently Bodo Glimt. Giants of the European game these guys are not!
So not a great deal of pedigree in recent years, then, but it is the future that matters. We won’t know our opponents until 31 August, I believe, but they will all be good. And yet, no club can ever be described as unbeatable (the much vaunted Erling Haaland of Manchester City was recently put in his place by Jack Hendry, yes, that Jack Hendry, our Jack Hendry!) and it is far too easy for Celtic in particular to hide behind the fact that “we could never look at his wage demands” when the subject of a really good player comes up.
That is only part of the story, in any case. What really matters is what actually happens on the night, and the need to eliminate mistakes and take chances. If you ever feel masochistic and martyrical, have a look at some of our poorer performances in Europe on You Tube, and you will see how often we have lost out because of basic errors. I used to think that the word “sloppy” had to be followed by “Celtic” and was only used by Chris Sutton – and that is a pundit that likes us! Similarly how often have we heard Andy Walker saying “he has to score” … but he didn’t, not to mention the various chances described ludicrously and incomprehensively as “gilt edged”.
Cut them out, Celtic, and let’s hear words like “clinical” “ruthless” “focussed” and “determined” instead. Clearly there is a lot of coming and going to happen yet at Celtic Park before even the Scottish season starts, let alone the European one, but I am not going to believe that the squad of players we have at the moment is not good enough to reach the last 16 in the European Champions League – and this is what I think is my definition of success in Europe in 2023/24.
Anything better than that is of course very welcome, and getting third in the group and a place in the Europa League after the New Year – well, OK it is acceptable but we should do better – and anything else has to be described as a failure. We are, after all, as everyone keeps saying, a BIG club. There is no absolute way of saying what is the “biggest” club in the world, but we cannot be very far short with major growth areas in Japan and Australia.
And I never again want to read of foreign journalists coming to Parkhead and leaving baffled at why a stadium with an atmosphere like ours doesn’t have a more successful team to support.
So, there we go, Brendan. Last 16 of the Champions League spells some sort of success in Europe. In Scotland, it is simpler. Just win three out of three. Seems selfish when you put it like that, but we have got used to it.
Scottish fixtures come out on Friday, I understand. “Impatient for the coming fight…” (I like that phrase but I think I have borrowed it from a song or somewhere).
David Potter
HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!
The Celtic Star’s book promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).
All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!
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- Summer Sale – Just £11
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- Summer Sale – Just £11
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- Harry Hood – Twice as Good
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
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- Summer Sale – Just £6
Last 16 of UEFA CL would be a monumental.success but I think we must look for progress in 2023/24 which is not finishing bottom & holding our own in all our games. The league is crucial & preferably 🏆🏆🏆 as well because the opposition are already lightyears behind us at home! 🙏