Like all Celtic fans, issues that have dominated this season were parked yesterday. History was on the line and all focus was firmly on winning an unequalled Quadruple Treble. We were lucky, but we won and that’s all that mattered.
Despite the victory, the same old defensive issues were there and we twice surrendered a lead to a team currently playing in the Championship. None of that bothered me yesterday because you have to enjoy the moment when you win a trophy. Having sobered up, allowed 24 hours to elapse and calmed down; I can now think ahead to the future.
This Celtic team have achieved so much domestically and will go down in the history books. I thank them unconditionally for a period of dominance that we will never see again. However, now is the time for a changing of the guard.
Celtic have been terrible to watch this season and results haven’t been much better. There was some optimism in the last couple of games when Lennon changed the side and offered Soro, Turnbull and Hazard a chance. The move to play Ajer at right back was also very successful. I had hoped that it was the beginning of a resurgent side, who could fight for the title, but my optimism was cautious. Yesterday was a wonderful day, but it demonstrated that our problems are still there.
One of the bright sparks among the new guard, Soro, dropped out for Brown. It was a decision that I didn’t favour before kick off, but Brown had a good game and looked like the player of old. He rose to the occasion. Similarly, I wouldn’t have played Ryan Christie ahead of Frimpong, simply because he lacks natural width on the right hand side, as he tends to cut in on his left foot. Yet Christie did just that to tremendous effect, curling a stunning opening goal into the top corner. In short, Lennon kept the shape that has worked recently, he stuck with Hazard and Turnbull, he maintained playing Ajer at right back, and the changes he did make were both very successful. Yet, Celtic still didn’t look right after the first half. Therefore, a corner has likely not been turned.
Hearts dominated the second 45 and still got back into it after we regained the lead in extra time. Once again, we conceded three goals in a match. As such, I tend to feel that this magnificent team of legends and Neil Lennon, who is the only man in our history to win a treble as both a player and manager, should probably be replaced now. They got over the line and made history, but to recover any chance of ten in a row, you would have to think that we need a new direction. Not only do we need a change to recover this season, but we also need alterations to take the club forward beyond going for 10. Our ambitions should be to progress in Europe and reach the next level.
With that in mind, I would like to see a new manager with fresh modern ideas taking us forward. It would be good to see the young talents of Soro, Turnbull, Frimpong and Johnston becoming mainstays of the team, with those who want a move departing. New signings will be required in key areas, not least the centre of defence and between the sticks. We should be joyous and thankful, but continue to keep seeking more and more success.
This team has achieved immortality, but now is the time to look to the future with new ideas.
