From 2026 onwards, the FIFA World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams. Instead of the current format (8 groups of 4 teams), future tournaments will consist of 16 groups of 3. This will mean that some teams will only play two games before being eliminated. It will also result in an odd number of teams per group.
The current 32-team format is perfect. It is balanced with four teams in each section with the top two progressing to the Round of 16.
Unfortunately, the overall quality of the tournament is restricted by the number of places allocated to stronger confederations such as UEFA (Europe) and CONMEBOL (South America). For example, four time winners and reigning European champions, Italy failed to make this year’s finals. The Azzuri would no doubt improve the standard of the tournament ahead of teams from other confederations such as Iran, Costa Rica and Australia.
The number of places allocated to each confederation in qualifying for the 2022 World Cup were as follows:
UEFA: 13 CONMEBOL : 4.5 CAF (Africa): 5 CONCACAF: 3.5 AFC (Asia): 4.5 plus Qatar (hosts) Oceania: 0.5
In the play offs to reach the finals, European teams competed against each other; the fifth placed South American team (Peru) played the Asian play off winner (Australia); the fourth placed CONCACAF team (Costa Rica) played Oceania winners (New Zealand).
Representation vs. Quality
The 32 best teams in world football according to FIFA rankings are not the same 32 teams that comprise the World Cup finals. This is largely due to the limited number of teams per confederation. It is important to strike a balance between representation (from different confederations, particularly those from developing football regions) and quality.
In the opening games, Saudi Arabia and Japan upset two of international football’s super powers: Argentina and Germany. This shows the value of including teams from supposedly weaker confederations. On the other hand, Iran and Costa Rica suffered heavy defeats to England and Spain. From a quality perspective, Italy would be a massive upgrade, as they would have gone into the finals as one of the favourites as opposed to making up the numbers.
A solution to achieving this balance could be to pair European/South American teams against teams from elsewhere in an expanded intercontinental play-off system. Each confederation would have a reduced number of automatic places, but more of the world’s strongest 32 nations could play their way into the finals.
This is how the number of automatic and play off places (shown in brackets) should be allocated:
Play off places (18 teams competing for 8 remaining places at finals)
Round 1:
AFC 6th v Oceania 1st UAE v New Zealand AFC 5th v CONCACAF 5th Australia v Panama
Round 2:
UEFA v CONCACAF 4th Portugal v Costa Rica UEFA v AFC 4th Scotland v Japan UEFA v CONMEBOL 7th Italy v Chile UEFA v CONMEBOL 8th Sweden v Paraguay UEFA v CAF 5th Wales v Ghana UEFA v CAF 6th Turkey v Algeria CONMEBOL 5th v AFC 6th/Oceania 1s Peru v UAE/New Zealand CONMEBOL 6th v AFC 5th/CONCACAF 5th Colombia v Australia/Panama
* Host nation, Qatar would probably not have qualified for the World Cup if they had to go through the Asian qualifying route.
Potential 32 Finalists
Based on this hypothetical intercontinental play off draw, it would not be a given that more European and South American teams would qualify. Whilst it would be possible for more nations from the two strongest confederations to reach the finals, the opposite might be true. UEFA currently has 13 World Cup places. Under this proposal it could rise to 16. However, it could also reduce to as low as 10. Some of the above ties would likely to be very closely fought; therefore the number of African, Asian or CONCACAF teams could also increase at their expense.
If the highest ranked team prevailed in each play off tie, the following nations would reach the finals: Portugal, Japan, Italy, Sweden, Wales, Algeria, Peru and Colombia. This would mean that in total, Europe would have 14 teams (up from 13), South America would have 6 (up from 4), CONCACAF would have 3 (down from 4), Africa would still have 5 and Asia would have 4 (down from 5).
A potential draw for the group stage at the finals would be stronger than the one at the Qatar World Cup as demonstrated below:
Compare this to the actual group stage draw at Qatar 2022:
The expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams should ensure that strong football nations like Italy qualify in the future. However, the existing 32 team format is ideal in terms of both quality and numbers. The only thing that should be tweaked is the qualification process.
Regardless of the amount of teams that qualifies per confederation, this intercontinental play off system would go a long way to ensuring that the teams at the World Cup are comprised of the best 32 in the world, whilst also enabling representation from each continent.
For decades, it has been widely speculated that Celtic and Rangers will uproot from the confines of Scottish football and join the lucrative English Premier League.
However, the Glasgow giants’ dream of moving to England has met fierce resistance on both sides of the border. Other Scottish clubs fear for their financial survival (e.g. lost TV revenue and gate receipts), whilst a lot of English clubs fear being relegated if they are accommodated.
The ‘British Football League’ Pyramid System
The solution is to take all of Scottish football with them by merging it with the English Football League at Level 3 (League 1) and creating two divisions of equal standing: L1 North and L1 South.
It must be stressed that Level 3 is merely a starting point for Scottish clubs and is by no means a reflection of the standard they are capable of playing. Admittedly in this scenario, English clubs would hold all the cards so concessions would have to be made.
Below is a proposed British Football League pyramid system along with explanations (e.g. promotion and relegation), as well as the potential benefits to both Scottish and English clubs.
Please study it carefully:
Summary of benefits:
• An inclusive system for all clubs in Scotland and England based on merit
• English clubs below Level 3 elevated up (e.g. all current National League clubs would instantly gain Football League status)
• A pathway created for Scottish clubs to earn promotion to the Premier League/Championship
• Enormous potential commercial and financial benefits to Scottish clubs
• No English club would be relegated to accommodate the influx of Scottish clubs
• The creation of new cross border rivalries throughout the leagues
• Less travelling for lower league English clubs. Most away games in Scotland would be closer for fans of English teams in L1/L2 North than for venues in London and the South Coast. L1/L2 South clubs would rarely be required to travel north of the Midlands.
Conclusion
Although the creation of a combined Scottish-English league is likely to remain a pipe dream fantasy, the proposed amalgamated pyramid system outlined above demonstrates how it could actually work for the benefit of clubs on both sides of Hadrian’s Wall.
If ever this league system became a reality, it would be interesting to see how it played out in the coming years. Would Celtic and Rangers emerge as giants of European football? Imagine Aberdeen in a play off final at Wembley aiming to reach the Premier League. If nothing else, it would finally answer the age old question: How would Scottish clubs fare in England?
For many years, Scottish football has sold itself short and subserviently accepted its place as the poor relation to the English Premier League to the extent it has become a mere afterthought in the eyes of its broadcaster, Sky Sports.
Since Sky Sports acquired the exclusive rights to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) in 2020, the game has suffered through a lack of finances, reduced live coverage (e.g. all Celtic and Rangers away games are no longer televised), and a poor presentation of its on screen product.
With the existing deal with the Sky Sports set to expire in 2025, there is an opportunity to put the rights up for tender and negotiate a much better TV package that will best serve the Scottish game.
Light at the end of the tunnel (or so we thought!)
Unfortunately, SPFL Chief Executive – Neil Doncaster has once again demonstrated his ineptitude at the negotiating table as he is pressing clubs to accept an extended deal with Sky Sports until 2029.
Under this new deal, clubs would receive even less money than under the current sub-standard package (with a marginal annual increase). Sky Sports would also pay less for individual games. The maximum number of games shown would increase from 48 to 60 but they would only be obliged to screen 42. Bear in mind they only showed 41 of their available quota last season. Furthermore, it would include an additional 10 game pay per view package that excludes Saturday games kicking off between 2.15pm and 5.15pm.
For the new deal to be ratified, an 11-1 majority of Premiership clubs would need to vote in its favour. With three years left on the existing deal, there is no need to panic. Allow time for other broadcasters like BT Sports, Premier Sports and Viaplay to join the bidding process. Assess all available options and be assertive at the negotiating table.
Any new deal should achieve 3 objectives:
Increased Finances
More Televised Games
Improved Coverage and Presentation
1: Increased Finances
Whilst it is unrealistic to expect Scottish football to sell its TV rights to anything like the English Premier League’s £1.65bn deal, it should be able to rival those in similar sized countries.
Under the current deal, the SPFL receives £30m from Sky Sports. This is under a third received by the Belgian Jupiler Pro League (£93.2m), below half of the Norwegian Eliteserien (£61.7m) and less than both the Swedish Allsvenskan (£48m) and Danish Superliga (£46m). The proposed new deal would see Scotland fall from sixteenth to nineteenth place in European TV deal rankings.
Both the existing and proposed TV deals massively undersell Scottish football considering its relative population to the above-mentioned countries and global fan base of its two biggest clubs. Furthermore, the Scottish Premiership is the highest attended top flight per capita in Europe, therefore is befitting of a much better deal than the one proposed.
2: More Televised Games
As discussed, Sky Sports only televised 41 of their available 48 SPFL games last season. Despite their quota increasing to 60 under the proposed new package, they would probably only show one or two more. Big games would continue to be overlooked in favour of English football.
Last season for example, they opted to show a midweek EFL Cup tie between Preston and Liverpool ahead of Hibs v Celtic. Games involving Celtic or Rangers at Easter Road, Tynecastle, Pittodrie and Tannadice are among the biggest on the Scottish football calendar therefore should be prioritised.
If a much better deal was negotiated with one or multiple broadcasters (e.g. 65 games minimum a season) the following could be shown:
2.1 EVERY Celtic and Rangers away game
Last season, a number of Celtic games were omitted from being shown, including trips to Motherwell, Livingston, Aberdeen and Hibs. This trend continued with their recent trip to Ross County.
Celtic and Rangers are by far the biggest supported clubs in Scotland. Given the increased attendances they bring to every ground, as well as the thousands of people that tune it to their matches, all of their away fixtures should be covered.
Furthermore, it is not fair to fans that pay their subscription packages to a broadcaster that is unable/unwilling to show games they had been accustomed to receiving. This is not value for money when many households are struggling with the rising cost of living.
2.2 Televise more than one game over a weekend
The limited number of televised fixtures under the current deal all but prohibits more than one SPFL game being shown over a weekend.
This would allow Point 2.1 (EVERY Celtic and Rangers away game) to be realised, as they could still be televised when there is another big match over the same weekend. For example, Ross County v Celtic was not televised due to the Edinburgh derby being shown the next day.
Sky Sports were right to show the Edinburgh derby. It is a huge game that deserves to be showcased. So too does the Dundee and Highland derbies when their teams are in the top flight. However, they should be shown in addition to rather than instead of a Celtic or Rangers away game that attract the most viewers.
Throughout the season a selection of games involving other clubs should also be televised such as:
Aberdeen v Dundee United (the “New Firm” derby)
Hibs/Hearts v Aberdeen
Dundee United v Hearts/Hibs
Top six deciders
Post split relegation battles
Play off games for each division.
2.3 More Celtic and Rangers home games
It is understandable why more Celtic and Rangers away games are shown due to them being able to attract more viewers, as more fans attend home games. However, their home fixtures against the next biggest clubs: Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs and Dundee United are also highly appealing.
Unless it is an opening ‘flag day’ curtain raiser, title decider or trophy presentation fixture, home games throughout the season (apart from the derby) are rarely televised.
Doing so would still attract a large TV audience without detracting from attendances at Celtic Park or Ibrox. Less people would to turn to illegal streaming, as these games would also be covered as part of their subscription package.
2.4 Two midweek Glasgow derbies a season
On 2nd February 2022, Celtic Park was absolutely rocking on a cold, wet Wednesday evening in an emphatic 3-0 victory against Rangers in what proved to be a pivotal turning point in the season.
There is something special about playing a big game under the lights. Unfortunately, night games between Celtic and Rangers do not generally happen and only occurred on this occasion because it was postponed in January due a unique set of circumstances (i.e. Covid restrictions).
Fans of both clubs would welcome two of the four derbies be played midweek (one at either ground). Whether the authorities would allow this is another matter, but it would be awesome if it did!
An evening game at each ground with a return to large away fan allocations would be epic and despite any potential problems, would be enthralling for fans watching at the ground or on TV. This would enhance its appeal to a wider audience thus attracting more interest in the game.
This could also be extended to Edinburgh and Dundee (at a later date) derbies.
2.5 Saturday 3pm Games
Current rules prohibit games from being televised on a Saturday between 2.45pm and 5.15pm. However, if the SPFL has the power to overturn this, it should. This is the only available time slot when there is no competition from televised English matches.
It is feared that showing a 3pm game would affect attendances at grounds. However, it would have very little impact at Fir Park if Motherwell were playing either of the Glasgow giants. Neither would it affect attendances at Parkhead or Ibrox when the opposition is Aberdeen, Hibs or Hearts. Glasgow and Edinburgh derbies could also be played in their traditional time slots.
If Sky Sports obtained the rights they could display Soccer Saturday’s live scores along the bottom/right of the screen whilst simultaneously showing a game (with a full screen option). This would maximise viewers as a lot of neutrals from England and elsewhere that are unable to watch a live EPL game would tune in.
Away fans would also benefit from a 3pm start as opposed to a lunchtime kick off that involves a four-hour trip.
3: Improved Coverage and Presentation
Until the latest TV deal began in 2020, Sky Sports and BT Sport shared the rights to screen SPFL matches.
The level of coverage and presentation between them was night and day. Many fans had hoped that BT Sport would acquire the exclusive rights to the SPFL, but unfortunately the opposite happened as it is now solely in the hands of Sky.
Sky Sports have made it abundantly clear that they do not care about Scottish football and continue to treat it as the poor relation to its English counterpart. BT Sport on the other hand gave it the time of day through its promotion, coverage, analysis and presentation.
Whichever company/companies acquire the SPFL rights in the future; here are some suggestions as to how it could be improved:
3.1 A better use of pundits and commentators
One of the biggest criticisms of Sky Sports is their nonsensical use of sub-standard pundits and commentators like Kris Boyd and Andy Walker.
It is baffling that certain pundits are continually used when they did not represent either of the clubs involved on match day (e.g. Boyd being used for Livingston v Celtic). Celtic fans view Boyd as a terrible pundit that sees the world through blue tinted spectacles! He has no business being on the panel for any of their games that are not against his former clubs, Kilmarnock and Rangers.
Rangers fans equally felt the same way towards Chris Sutton when BT Sport hosted their games against the likes of St Mirren and Ross County. In the interest of fairness, he should not have been on any of their games other than against Celtic.
Whatever game is being shown, it is important to achieve the right balance on the panel. This should consist of a host plus two/four pundits that represented either club involved.
3.2. More content relating to Scottish football
This is something that BT Sport did really well (e.g. Scottish Football Extra) when they co-held the rights and something that Sky Sports should look to improve upon.
It is important that Scottish football is given sufficient time, promotion and analysis on non-match days so that it is treated as being important.
3.3. More camera angles
This is something that is lacking for televised Scottish games. A limited use of camera angles can make it difficult to assess things like marginal offside decisions. Perhaps this will improve when VAR comes into effect later in the season, but in terms of production and analysis it is an area that needs to be developed.
Focus on appealing to a wider audience
Before it can achieve its three objectives (increased finances, more televised games and improved presentation/coverage), the SPFL should ensure the product they are selling (especially to a wider audience) is all that it can be. Here are some suggestions:
Prohibit Plastic Pitches
Over the past few years, Livingston, Kilmarnock and Hamilton (when they were in the top flight) have all had plastic home pitches.
Scotland is a relatively small country, therefore should take every possible step to maximising its on field product in order to appeal to non-Scottish viewers. Unfortunately, plastic pitches impede match quality. Whilst supporters of clubs playing will tune in regardless, they do not promote the game well to neutrals.
Clubs should be prohibited from using them in the top flight from 2025/26 onwards (allowing sufficient time to revert back to grass pitches).
Take measures to increase attendances
As a viewing spectacle, it is better to see full capacity stadia on TV.
The SPFL should enforce measures that prevent clubs from overcharging for both home and away tickets (i.e. introduce an affordable maximum price cap) to ensure more fans attend games.
In addition, rules should prevent clubs from limiting away fans as opposed to having near empty stands when there is a low uptake amongst home supporters. For example, Kilmarnock used to give Celtic and Rangers two stands at Rugby Park but have now reduced them to one. If smaller clubs can fill three stands then fair enough, but if not increase the allocation for away fans. Sell out when possible.
Poor attendances make Scottish football look small fry! This does not help the case for negotiating improved TV rights with major broadcasting companies.
Ensure a return to more away fans in the Glasgow derby
In 2018, Rangers drastically reduced Celtic’s allocation at Ibrox from 8,000 to 800 fans. Celtic reciprocated this for Rangers’ visits to Celtic Park.
An overwhelming home support in either fixture has resulted in a more partisan crowd at both grounds. Some prefer this. However, it has undermined the one thing that made this fixture so special as both an attended game and a viewing spectacle on television: the ‘class of cultures’ that epitomises tribalism manifested through sport!
The Glasgow or “Old Firm” derby (depending on how you look at it) is one of the most passionate, volatile and renowned fixtures in world football. It is without doubt Scottish football’s unique selling point, as it has a far wider appeal to fans outside of Scotland.
For Scottish football to get the best TV deal possible, returning to large away allocations for its most high profile fixture is essential. If need be, the SPFL should introduce rules that prohibit clubs from severely limiting away support when there is such a high demand for tickets.
Conclusion
Both the current deal and proposed extended one drastically undersell Scottish football. Accepting another sub-standard TV package without putting the rights up for tender would represent gross negligence by the SPFL and Premiership clubs should they vote in its favour.
Although Scottish football cannot compete with its English counterpart in terms of finance and global exposure, it should be able to with similar sized countries like Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
All necessary measures should be taken to ensure that the ‘product’ appeals to fans not just in Scotland, but also to a wider UK and global audience. This will enable it to go into negotiations with broadcasting companies with greater strength, clarity and purpose. It is time to stop accepting the scraps from Sky Sports’ Anglo-centric table and demand more!
As a governing body, the SPFL has a duty to maximise Scottish football’s potential. In an age where TV money is king, ensuring the best possible deal is vital to the long-term stability and success of the national game.
Although you have yet to be appointed, I am writing to request that you finally resolve our long-term defensive frailties in relation to defending set pieces.
As you may or may not be aware, our club has an ethos of playing pure, beautiful, inventive attacking football. Whilst I hope your team aspires to play ‘The Celtic Way’ it is vital that you fix our leaking roof first! By this, I mean focussing on our inability to perform one of the game’s fundamentals – defending set pieces. This has been our Achilles heel for a number of years, but it has become increasingly prominent this season.
Until this ‘leakage’ is resolved, it will be impossible to reclaim our league title or make any progress in European competition.
In order to assist you, I have put together a pictured sequence of the events that led to Morelos’ equalising goal – a theme that has been all too common this season. It is aided by the expert analysis of Martin O’Neil. During his managerial tenure, a major strength of his Celtic side was their ability to both attack and defend free kicks and corners.
Image 1: Positioning
This image shows how Celtic’s defence lined up just as the kick was about to be taken. As you can see, no one was stood at the back post. There is also a huge area of space that Morelos was able to exploit unchallenged.
O’Neil emphasised the importance of positioning a defender at the back post. Had a player been positioned here, he could have seen the situation and dealt with the loose ball before Morelos got to it. He discussed teams ‘placing men all over the place defensively’, but cited the possibility of somebody flicking the ball on from the first header or touch. As a result, it is vital to position somebody in this area.
Image 2: Lack of Awareness
As you can see from the second image, Jonjoe Kenny is ball watching and is unaware that the man he is marking (Morelos) is about to make a move into the space towards the goal. Without meaning to single him out (others have been guilty of it this season), it demonstrates that individuals either lack concentration and/or do not understand their roles and responsibilities when we are defending set pieces. This must be corrected on the training ground and drilled into them by the coaching staff on a daily basis.
Images 3 and 4: Failing To Win The First Header
Although Kent delivered a decent corner, there was an overload of Celtic players between the six yard box and the penalty spot. You would have expected Brown or Ajer to have won the header and cleared the ball. Also notice how Morelos is making his run towards the far post (i.e. the danger area) without anyone tracking him.
Despite being challenged by three Celtic players, Balogun manages to win the ball ahead of them and flick it on towards the far post for the incoming Morelos.
O’Neil told his co-pundit James McFadden that when he was manager his defenders enjoyed attacking the ball. There is nobody of the physical stature of Bobo Balde, Johan Mjallby, Stanislav Varga or Joos Valgaeren in the current team. As a result of not having man mountain defenders that will usually always win the first ball, it is even more important that we set up properly. Furthermore, we will need to recruit players in the summer that are actually capable of consistently winning aerial battles and finally resolve our long running central defensive weakness.
A point was also made about the importance of having a goalkeeper that plays every week as opposed to chopping and changing as we have done this season. O’Neil stated that he let his goalkeepers decide how they wanted the defenders to line up. However, he intervened if we conceded a goal by insisting that the back post remained covered from that point onwards. Goalkeeper is the most important position in any team. Celtic must recruit a quality keeper in the summer if we are to have any chance of solidifying the defence.
Image 5: Goal
As a result of three failures: losing the first header, a defender losing his man, and not positioning a defender at the back post, Morelos was able to score from close range unopposed.
Moving Forward
For the new manager coming in, please study footage from our numerous failures from set plays this season, including Rangers’ equalising goal today. Conceding highly preventable goals has resulted in us failing to win ten-in-a-row. It is also the main reason why we are trailing our greatest rivals by 20 points with over two months of the season remaining. Furthermore, it was a major contributory factor towards our dismal Europa League campaign.
Please also take on board the views of Martin O’Neil in relation to recruiting commanding centre halves and a top quality goalkeeper, as well as the positioning of players at set plays (e.g. putting someone on either post).
Rome was not built in a day but it was built on solid foundations!
Good luck in your new role as manager of the club (whoever you are and whenever it commences).
For years, Celtic fans looked upon the quest for ten league titles in a row as the ultimate goal: our raison d’être. However, this should have been a mere stepping-stone on our way towards much greater things.
Although Celtic is a big club in terms of support, history and tradition, we are severely confined by the glass ceiling of Scottish football. As a result, we cannot act like an elite wealthy club like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, PSG or Man City. As supporters, we begrudgingly accept this.
However, if Celtic had demonstrated enough ‘relative ambition’ in recent years (i.e. that of a big club from a small-medium sized country), we could in turn have emerged as a ‘relative superpower’ amongst clubs from similar sized nations. This would have entailed qualifying for the Champions League (almost) every season, occasionally reaching its knockout stage (possibly the quarterfinals), and potentially even winning the Europa League.
As a Scottish Premiership club, this is the maximum level that we can reach. Unfortunately, this is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Supporters are optimistic however that incoming Chief Executive Officer, Dominic McKay and an as yet to be appointed Director of Football will revolutionise the club’s football operations.
The Cycle of Success
With a monopoly on Scottish football over the past decade, Celtic’s strategy should have focused on maintaining the following cycle:
Investment – Team Improvement – Champions League Qualification – Reinvestment – Repeat
Through regurgitating this annual cycle of reinvesting Champions League money (along with received transfer fees) into the team, we could have sustained ourselves in Europe’s elite competition. A by-product of this would have been domestic dominance for a generation! No other Scottish club could have competed with Celtic’s sustainable model of success on or off the park. Subsequently, ten-in-a-row would have become a mere footnote on our continuing journey of consecutive league titles.
The Red Bull Salzburg Model
Red Bull Salzburg is probably the best-run club in Europe outside of the big five leagues. Despite being owned by the mega-wealthy energy drinks corporation, the Austrian side’s outlay on transfer fees and wages over the past five years is surprisingly lower than Celtic’s.
Their success is attributed to how they are run (e.g. recruitment, scouting, player development, youth system etc.) as opposed to spending excessive amounts of money. Like us, they have sold star players such as Erling Haaland to Europe’s big leagues. Furthermore, they also lost an outstanding manager in 2019. Whereas Celtic’s standards have dropped dramatically since Brendan Rodgers’ departure, RB Salzburg did not suffer a similar fate after Marco Rose moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach.
RB Salzburg’s ability to seamlessly transition through the loss of star players and managers is evidenced through their continued domination of Austrian football and progression in UEFA competitions.
This is the blueprint (sorry, greenprint!) for how Celtic should operate.
We Didn’t Plan To Fail! We Failed To Plan!
Had the board focused on improving Celtic’s first team in each transfer window, particularly during Rodgers’ tenure, we could have become Champions League regulars. This would have propelled the club commercially and financially. Since the last time we qualified in 2017, this would have generated us around £120m: money that could have been reinvested back into the team. Whilst this would not have guaranteed regular participation in the tournament, it would have given us the best chance possible of reaching it on an annual basis.
From a financial perspective, the Champions League qualifiers are the most important games of our season. However, despite knowing well in advance that we would have to negotiate four nail-biting rounds, we never learned from previous years’ mistakes or planned ahead. How many times did we leave ourselves short by going into a crucial qualifier with a makeshift defence or without a recognised striker?
An Inability/Unwillingness to Build
In August 2017, Celtic beat F.C Astana to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive year. With an excellent manager at the helm and between £60m – £80m of prize money generated over the previous two seasons, this was the time to strengthen and take the club on to the next level (i.e. become a relative small-nation superpower).
Unfortunately, we failed to sign an urgently needed centre back in the remaining ten days of that window, our recruitment in the next January window was woeful (e.g. Marvin Compper), and the following summer we prioritised spending £5m on ‘disco lights’ instead of improving the team for the Champions League qualifiers. Incidentally, we were knocked out by a well organised but very ordinary AEK Athens side. We stupidly lost out on signing John McGinn which proved pivotal to Rodgers’ departure the following February.
Furthermore, we failed to improve the team sufficiently in time for Champions League qualification in the next two campaigns; again losing to very ordinary sides: CFR Cluj and Ferencvaros. The combined sum of three highly preventable failed qualification campaigns cost the club in excess of £100m.
From an unassailable position of domestic dominance, Celtic have somehow failed to win ten-in-a-row. This can be attributed to several years of failed recruitment, losing Brendan Rodgers, appointing Neil Lennon on a permanent basis and failing to replace him when it became clear that an urgent change was required towards the end of 2020.
The Bigger Picture
After Rangers were liquidated in 2012, ten-in-a-row became an obsession. Although winning it would have been the ultimate one-up-manship over our rivals, we should instead have focussed on the bigger picture: establishing ourselves as a Champions League club.
A failed strategy and lack of forward planning towards improving Celtic’s first team prevented us from progressing in Europe. It also enabled this season’s calamitous domestic campaign.
Moving forward, Celtic must undertake a complete overhaul of its football operation including management, coaching, scouting, recruitment and youth set up. By the summer, we should have appointed a new manager and backroom team that can immediately hit the ground running.
The Three Relatives Principle
The club’s football model should focus on the three relatives principle outlined below:
Relative to clubs from the big five leagues, Celtic is a big club from a small-medium sized country; therefore must act accordingly.
Celtic should have relative ambition that reflects the first principle. Although we cannot compete with big league clubs financially and star players will inevitably move on, we should be reinvesting in the first team wisely. This means focusing on recruitment so that the team continues to improve. The club must focus on evolving rather than downsizing. This would help us to qualify for the Champions League on a regular basis.
Had Celtic achieved the Cycle of Success (investment, improvement, Champions League qualification, reinvestment, repeat), we could have emerged as a relative superpower amongst clubs from small-medium sized countries whilst Brendan Rodgers was in charge. From the position we are currently, this would now be very difficult but not impossible. It is something that we should aspire to in the future.
Summary
With changes imminent behind the scenes at Celtic Park, the club will hopefully avoid repeating its mistakes by adopting a similar football/business model to Red Bull Salzburg or Ajax. These clubs have demonstrated that despite being outside of Europe’s big leagues, it is possible to remain highly competitive in UEFA competitions. Furthermore, they are built on sustainability, which allows them to continually improve despite losing key personnel (players and managers) to other clubs. They do not downsize: they evolve!
Whilst Celtic missed the opportunity of reaching the next level during the Brendan Rodgers era, the incoming regime must demonstrate relative ambition and a commitment to continually progress. This would enable us to realise our ultimate goal of becoming a superpower amongst clubs from similar sized nations. Simultaneously, the club could re-establish itself as the single dominant force in Scottish football.
The 2020/21 season will go down as the most disappointing in Celtic’s history. It was the year that immortality could have been achieved through securing the Holy Grail of ten league titles in a row. However, it has been a capitulation of epic proportions!
A number of factors have contributed to the club’s failure this season, including a lack of strategic planning in the boardroom, poor recruitment, a mishandling of the pandemic (e.g. the Dubai trip), poor first team management/coaching, as well as a demotivated playing squad.
Most alarmingly, there has been a growing discord between irate supporters and a distant board of directors. Following fan protests against the club’s hierarchy and management team towards the end of 2020, the board promised a January review of Neil Lennon’s long-term position as manager, although this is yet to be made public.
January 2021
Going into the New Year, Celtic’s faint title hopes hinged on going on a consistent winning run; starting with the all important derby on 2nd January. Despite dominating large parts of the game, Celtic lost 1-0. Immediately afterwards, Celtic embarked on the PR disaster of the trip to Dubai that later required Lennon and members of his playing and coaching squad to self isolate for two weeks. The anger he displayed in his press conference after completing his isolation period added further embarrassment to the club. After returning from what was perceived as an insensitive Jolly Bhoys outing, three successive draws followed against Hibs and Livingston (twice). Despite a 2-0 victory over Hamilton, Celtic then lost at home to St Mirren for the first time in 31 years, culminating in one win in six games at the start of 2021 (including two defeats).
Bearing in mind most supporters and pundits (including Lennon’s former team mates, Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Stiliyan Petrov) expected his sacking after the 29th November League Cup defeat at home to Ross County, the defeat to St Mirren was surely the final straw. However, Lennon has more lives than a cat! He is bullet proof! The board will not sack him and he is too deluded and stubborn to resign!
Too Little! Too Late!
Since the defeat to St Mirren, protests have continued against Lennon remaining in charge. In the weeks since however, results and performances have improved through four successive victories. Odsonne Edouard has also rediscovered his touch by netting in the last six matches.
As Celtic fans we always want the team to do well. However, part of us realises that this recent resurgence could also damage us moving forward if it is perceived as ‘moving in the right direction’. If the board was unwilling to sack Lennon when results were bad, what chance is there of sacking him when they are good?
The board must not try to kid themselves or the fans on any longer. Lennon was a decent stop gap manager at the end of the 2018/19 season following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden departure to Leicester City, but he should not have been appointed permanently. In fairness, he exceeded most people’s expectations by winning another treble in 2019/20.
Unfortunately, results and performances have been nowhere near good enough this season. Modern football has a very short memory. For example, Claudio Ranieri was sacked by Leicester a few months after their miraculous league title win in 2016. As an unwritten rule, managers at clubs like Celtic do not last when they are 18 points behind their greatest rivals (albeit with a game in hand).
The Winds of Change
The winds of change are starting to blow at Celtic Park behind the scenes with outgoing long-term Chief Executive, Peter Lawwell being replaced by Dominic McKay. Furthermore, it appears that the club will also appoint a Director of Football in the coming weeks or months. These are important steps in the club’s long-term progression.
In the short-term, the club will be aiming to maximise season ticket sales for 2021/22, but supporters will not put their money into the club if Lennon will remain in charge beyond the current campaign. He simply has to go! Celtic must make an appointment of the calibre of Martin O’Neil or Brendan Rodgers if they are to persuade fans to put their hands in their pockets as they have done previously.
Whilst it is encouraging to see an improvement in performances and results of late, the board must acknowledge that this is fact too little too late! Lennon should have gone months ago. If he stays until the end of this season so that the right manager can be shortlisted and appointed in time for the next campaign then so be it, but they will not fool us nor should they try to fool themselves into believing that he is the man to lead Celtic in the long term.
Although we were promised a January review towards the end of last year, it is now Valentine’s Day and there is no sign of the love affair between Lennon and the board coming to an end! What impact will Celtic’s recent run of improved results and performances have on the managerial situation at the club next season?
For decades, the prospect of Celtic and Rangers joining the English Premier League (EPL) has remained British football’s greatest fantasy concept.
In 2002, it could have become a reality following the collapse of the Nationwide Football League’s broadcaster, ITV Digital. Member clubs considered inviting the Glasgow giants into the second tier of English football, as a means of weathering an impending financial storm.
Unfortunately, the move was blocked, as some feared missing out on promotion or being pushed towards relegation. It was commented at the time that it would have been “Like turkeys voting for Christmas!” There was also strong opposition from other Scottish clubs, both football associations, as well as UEFA and FIFA.
Had the move gone through however, the recent history of both clubs would have been drastically altered. It would also have changed the course of football throughout Britain.
This article has been split into three parts:
Part 1: 2002 – 2004
Part 2: 2004 – 2011
Part 3: 2012 – 2020
An alternate timeline (shown in red) will be compared to each period to explain what might have happened if Celtic and Rangers had moved to England in 2002.
Part 1: 2002 – 2004
Reality Timeline:
Throughout the late 90s/early 2000s, both clubs were capable of competing on and off the park with the vast majority of EPL clubs.
The optimum time for Rangers entering the EPL would have been anytime during the previous decade. For Celtic it would have been at the start of the 2001/02 season, after winning the Scottish domestic treble in Martin O’Neil’s first season.
However, between 2002 and 2004 both teams would have excelled in England’s top flight. Here is a summary of the Glasgow clubs during this period:
Celtic:
Very strong under Martin O’Neil
Considered an upgrade from most EPL clubs at the time (e.g. O’Neil left Leicester City to manage Celtic in 2000)
Star players included Larsson, Sutton, Lennon, Lambert, Petrov and Hartson
Won three league titles, including a domestic treble in 2000/01
Defeated the likes of Ajax, Juventus, Porto, Lyon, Liverpool and Barcelona
Reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2003
Rangers:
Had remained one of Europe’s biggest spending clubs since the 1980s
Star players included the De Boer twins, Ferguson, Amoruso, Kanchelskis, Van Bronckhorst, Numan, and Ricksen
Increased use of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) during these years
Alex McLeish replaced Dick Advocaat and won the treble in 2002/03
Lost two key players in 2003: Barry Ferguson and Lorenzo Amoruso left for Blackburn Rovers to experience the EPL
Alternate EPL Timeline:
Had Celtic and Rangers entered the Nationwide First Division in 2002, they would almost certainly have gained instant promotion to the top flight.
Even if both clubs had been parachuted straight into the Premier League, they would have been highly competitive. This was evidenced through Celtic knocking out Blackburn and Liverpool en route to the UEFA Cup Final. In 2002/03, both of Celtic’s conquests finished 6th and 5th in the table, as shown below:
English Premier League Table (2002/03)
Man United
Arsenal
Newcastle
Chelsea
Liverpool
Blackburn Rovers
Everton
Southampton
Man City
Tottenham
Middlesbrough
Charlton
Birmingham City
Fulham
Leeds United
Aston Villa
Bolton Wanderers
West Ham
WBA
Sunderland
Celtic’s ability to beat stronger teams in Europe (including two from England) suggests that they could have instantly adapted to the EPL. At the time, they were as good as any English team outwith Manchester United and Arsenal; therefore could have achieved a top four Champions League spot.
Despite winning the Scottish Premier League (SPL) that season, it was not proven how well Rangers would have fared against better opposition (unlike Celtic in the UEFA Cup). Though judging by the quality of their squad, they could have challenged for a top six European place.
In the summer of 2003, neither Barry Ferguson nor Lorenzo Amoruso would have moved to a smaller EPL club like Blackburn if they were in the same division (neither would Celtic’s best players join Southampton years later).
After consolidating themselves in the EPL by 2004, both Glasgow clubs could have used the vast influx of English TV money to strengthen each year.
Part 2: 2004 – 2011
Reality Timeline:
From 2004 onwards, Scottish clubs struggled to compete financially with their English counterparts, as the level of TV money between the two countries became increasingly polarised.
As the economic realities facing Scottish clubs became more apparent, a period of downsizing was required, as opposed to the more extravagant spending of the early 2000s.
Celtic:
Lack of investment after the UEFA Cup Final (2003)
Henrik Larsson left to join Barcelona in 2004
Martin O’Neil left for family reasons in 2005 – replaced by Gordon Strachan
Threw away the league in the final stages at Fir Park and lost 5-0 to Artmedia Bratislava in Strachan’s first game (2005)
On a smaller budget, Strachan rebuilt Celtic – winning 3 consecutive league titles between 2005/06 and 2007/08
Twice reached the knockout stages of the Champions League in 2006/07 and 2007/08 (defeated Manchester United and A.C Milan)
Decline after 2008 – failed to win the league for 3 seasons (including the calamitous reign of Tony Mowbray)
Neil Lennon became permanent manager after initially taking charge on an interim basis following Mowbray’s dismissal (2010)
Rangers:
Won the league in dramatic fashion in 2004/05
Reached the last 16 of the Champions League in 2005/06
Failed to win a league title for 3 years after 2005
Walter Smith replaced Paul Le Guen and revived Rangers’ fortunes
2008 – 2011: Reached the UEFA Cup Final (2008) and won 3 league titles in a row
The club’s financial situation became perilous by the end of the decade
In 2011, David Murray sold the club to Craig Whyte for £1
Alternate EPL Timeline
Celtic
By 2005, Celtic had evidently stagnated and declined. This was due to a lack of investment in an ageing team after Seville (2003), and talisman – Henrik Larsson departing for Barcelona in 2004.
Had Celtic been in the EPL however, it could have strengthened. Most importantly, Larsson would have stayed until 2006 (the same year he left Barcelona after proving instrumental in their Champions League final victory).
Unfortunately, Martin O’Neil would still have left the club in 2005 due to family reasons. In a highly competitive league, this transitional period may have been difficult.
If Celtic had been an EPL club, Gordon Strachan might not have replaced O’Neil, as the job would have interested the best managers from around the world.
In reality, Tony Mowbray was appointed after being relegated with West Brom and Neil Lennon replaced him without any managerial experience. Had Celtic been in English football at this point, neither manager would have got the job.
Towards the end of the decade, the South Stand at Celtic Park could have been extended to raise the stadium’s capacity above 80,000. After years of accumulating EPL TV money, this would have been financially viable. Every home game would have been full to capacity against more glamorous opposition.
Throughout this period the foundations could have been laid for achieving success in the following decade.
Rangers
With access to EPL money and competition, Rangers would also have been able to attract the world’s best players.
Assuming Alex McLeish would still have been their manager until 2006, Rangers might still have appointed Paul Le Guen that summer. Although he proved to be a flop, his appointment was seen as a major coup after winning multiple French league titles with Lyon.
Whilst he only lasted a few months as manager, his tenure would have been even shorter inEngland. If the club were in relegation trouble, they would probably have still turned to Walter Smith.
After a couple of years, Smith could have consolidated them as a top six EPL team. Bear in mind he guided them to the UEFA Cup Final in 2008 and had previously managed Everton in the Premier League.
Most significantly, the club’s ownership would have fallen into good hands. As an EPL club, a white knight investor would surely have come to its rescue. Instead of buying Manchester City in 2008, Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi consortium could have bought Rangers (as Murray was desperate to sell).Such a scenario is not as outlandish as it may seem, as Everton and Newcastle were also considered for purchase. However, City was ultimately chosen because the club was available.
Part 3: 2012 – 2020
Reality Timeline:
The most significant event throughout this period was undoubtedly Rangers’ financial implosion in 2012.
After amassing huge debts to other clubs, businesses and HMRC (by avoiding paying tax through EBTs), the club went into administration and eventually – liquidation!
A ‘newco’ was formed in the fourth tier of Scottish football. It would not gain promotion to the top flight until 2016.
Since the mid 2000s, Celtic had applied a sustainable business model that operated within the confines of Scottish football. Whilst it could not compete with the transfer fees and wages in England, it invested in other areas like youth development and its scouting system.
Celtic’s Academy produced first team stars like James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Kieran Tierney. The club also signed relatively unknown players like Victor Wanyama (£900,000 from Beerschot) and Virgil Van Dijk (£2.5m from Groningen) and later sold them on for a large profit.
In the wake of Rangers’ financial collapse, Celtic’s focus on sustainability enabled them to emerge as the single dominant force in Scottish football.
Here is a summary of the key events throughout this period:
Rangers:
Went into administration followed by liquidation (2012)
A ‘newco’ Rangers began in the fourth tier of Scottish football
Owners, including Charles Green and Dave King offered little in terms of transparency or credibility
A host of managers, including Ally McCoist, Stuart McCall, Mark Warburton, Pedro Caixinha and Graeme Murty failed to deliver success
In 2018, Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard was appointed manager
Despite improving, the club is yet to win any silverware
Celtic:
Since 2011, Celtic has won 4 Scottish Cups, 5 League Cups, and 9 league titles in a row (winning the last 11 domestic trophies available)
Defeated Barcelona in 2012, and Lazio home and away in 2019
Lost top players like Wanyama, Forster, Van Dijk, Dembele and Tierney
In February 2019, Brendan Rodgers abruptly left to manage Leicester City (contrast this to Martin O’Neil leaving Leicester for Celtic in 2000)
The club could complete an historic ‘ten-in-a-row’ next season
Alternate EPL Timeline
Rangers
As discussed, Rangers use of EBTs, along with huge debts owed to other clubs and businesses led to the club’s liquidation in 2012.
Going back to 2002, there are two possible scenarios that may have prevailed had they moved to England.
Firstly, they would not have needed to use EBTs to sign players like Ronald and Frank De Boer; therefore may have stopped using them.
Secondly, if they had continued to use them, the annual English TV money accumulated could have paid off their enormous tax bill. The club may still have faced financial sanctions and a possible points deduction (and even relegation), but administration and liquidation would have been avoided.
In either scenario, the club would not have sunk into the abyss! In the EPL, a billionaire investor would most likely have bailed them out – perhaps even Donald Trump! (He was supposedly interested in buying them in 2012).
Celtic
During the initial period (2002-2004), it was easier to measure how well Celtic would have done in the EPL. In reality, its financial capability and standard of team were more in sync with what it would have been in English football.
By 2012,Celtic could have been in the EPL for ten years (18 by 2020). As time has moved on, the difference between reality (i.e. the nature of the club/standard of the team) compared with an alternate reality (i.e. what it could have been in the EPL) has continuously widened.
On an EPL timeline continuum from 2004 onwards, Celtic’s recent history would have been unrecognisable (e.g. through receiving vast increases in TV money).
Celtic’s majority shareholder, Dermott Desmond would have invested far more of his personal fortune if he was guaranteed a return. Furthermore, an overseas billionaire would probably have bought the club around the turn of the 2000s/2010s decade. The club’s focus on sustainability would have shifted towards paying enormous transfer fees and wages.
An enhanced financial capability would have resulted in a lot of players and managers (e.g. Ronny Deila) not representing the club. Had Brendan Rodgers been at Celtic in the EPL, he would not have deserted his ‘boyhood heroes’ to go to a smaller English team like Leicester City.
Celtic would also have retained and built their team around stars like Moussa Dembele and Virgil Van Dijk (the foundation of Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League winning side).
In comparison to dominating Scottish football, achieving success in England would have been extremely difficult. Bear in mind a number of big clubs have not won anything for decades (e.g. Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle, Leeds United etc.). Even Liverpool went 30 years without winning a league title!
However, even if Celtic had joined England’s list of sleeping giants, it would at least have had the opportunity to compete on a level playing field (in terms of finances and competition). Depending on how well the club was run, it could either have fallen on its sword or emerged as a major force in British and European football.
Other Scottish Clubs
After losing its two biggest clubs in 2002, the remaining SPL may have struggled financially (e.g. selling its TV rights). However, clubs like Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibs, Dundee United, Motherwell and Kilmarnock would all have competed for league titles. In a more open league, weekly attendances may even have risen.
Furthermore, there is evidence that member clubs could survive. After losing Rangers from the top flight in 2012, many observers believed this would result in the “Armageddon!” of Scottish football, although such fears were not realised.
Without either club indefinitely, it would have been even more challenging. However, even if some were forced into eventually becoming part-time, they would have adapted accordingly to ensure their survival.
Conclusion
ITV Digital’s collapse in 2002 provided a small window of opportunity to finally answer British football’s greatest debate: How would Celtic and Rangers fare in England?
Although the move was ultimately blocked, it continues to be contested by fans on both sides of the border (more so in the age of social media).
As time has moved on, the difference between reality (i.e. the ability of both clubs playing in Scotland) compared to an alternate EPL timeline (since 2002) would have become increasingly polarised due to the potential impact of accumulating vast sums of TV money each year.
Whilst increased TV revenue could have enabled both teams to compete at the highest level, it would have altered Rangers’ history more profoundly, as the club would have been saved from financial ruin.
Had Celtic and Rangers moved to England in 2002, it would not only have had massive ramifications on the remaining SPL, but also for English football. Adding these huge clubs to its ranks would have been like inserting two predators into a finely balanced eco system – it would have disrupted its natural order! Furthermore, such a fiercely intense tribal rivalry would have added another dimension to the glamour of the EPL.
Although it is difficult to know for certain how successful either team would have been in England, the move would have provided them with a platform for becoming elite clubs in world football.
Yesterday, the governing bodies in Scotland and England announced that league football would be suspended until 3rd/4th April due to the impact of the deadly Coronavirus.
This new virus strain is having a devastating effect throughout the world; Thousands of people have died in China, Italy, Iran and elsewhere. There is the very real danger that Britain could face a similar fate if drastic action is not taken now! As a result, it is sensible for football to take a back seat until the crisis is resolved.
When will football resume?
The proposed recommencement of football in three weeks time appears to be highly unrealistic. This will not be a quick fix.
Until the virus starts to be contained and the daily number of infections and corona-related deaths falls, football will not resume.
The truth is, nobody knows when this will be. Early estimates indicate that it will be at least the summer – the time when next season is due to begin following Euro 2020 (a tournament that will not go ahead this year).
Due to the inevitability of a prolonged postponement of the national game, many are wondering how the 2019/20 season should be concluded? The timing of the crisis on the football calendar could not have been worse! Over three quarters of fixtures have been played. League champions, cup winners, European places, promotion and relegation have yet to be confirmed.
Here are four options that could come into effect in the coming weeks/months:
Option 1: We see this out!
No matter how long Scottish football is suspended (3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, a year, or even 5 years), the season under this option would resume once it is deemed safe. Yes this could mean that certain player’s contracts run out by this point, but regardless of playing staff, the season resumes with all clubs having their current points tally.
A new season would not start until this one is concluded. This could mean that next season does not start until January 2021.
Option 2: Declare the 2019/20 season null and void!
For Celtic, this would be the worse case scenario as the club’s (almost) inevitable march towards nine-in-a-row would be put on hold. It would be forced to start a new season from eight-in-a-row level with all of the other teams. As a result, the club’s hard work throughout this season would be undone.
Clubs such as bottom of the table, Hearts and second placed Rangers, would no doubt welcome this scenario.
Unless the top division is expanded, Dundee United (currently 14 points clear at the top of the Championship) would be denied promotion. This would also impact teams hoping to go up through the play offs, as well as those in contention for promotion from the lower leagues.
Furthermore, clubs chasing European places would also be denied.
Option 3: End the league season with the split
With only three league games remaining before the split (albeit one more for Rangers and St Johnstone), the season could be ended at this point instead. Although the goalposts would be moved, all clubs would have played each other three times.
As it stands, clubs have 8 or 9 remaining games. If football cannot resume before the summer, fulfilling these fixtures could prove highly problematic before the proposed start of next season.
Fulfilling three or four fixtures behind closed doors however, would be a more feasible and practical solution should the crisis improve. The two Scottish Cup semi finals and final could also be fulfilled in empty stadiums.
This is not an ideal situation, especially for bottom placed Hearts, but at least the season could reach some sort of natural conclusion.
Option 4: Finish the season now based on average points tally
Awarding Celtic this season’s league championship (based on its average points tally) has been suggested by both Neil Lennon and Chris Sutton. However, other clubs like Rangers (who can still mathematically win the league), and Hearts (who would be relegated) would strongly oppose such an outcome.
Even from a Celtic point of view, do we really want this?
The Best Outcome
Hopefully, the Corona Crisis will come under control in the coming weeks/months and the remainder of the season will be played. However, as discussed, it appears highly unlikely that it will recommence at the start of April. As a result, compromises will have to be made. There is not one outcome that will please everyone.
By far the two most controversial outcomes would be Option 2 (declaring this season null and void) and Option 4 (ending it now based on an average points tally). Either one of those scenarios would be venomously opposed by either Celtic or Rangers/Hearts.
From the point of view of a Celtic supporter, I would hate for Option 2 to come into effect as it would deny us an inevitable league title – our ninth on the way to the Holy Grail of ten-in-a-row.
In addition, I am also against Option 4 even though it would result in us being declared champions. We have standards. This is not the way we want to win the league. Furthermore, rival fans could question its legitimacy and ‘sporting integrity.’ Celtic will win the league if the remaining fixtures can be fulfilled. Subsequently, the fans do not want its achievements to be undermined (rightly or wrongly).
The most practical solution could be Option 3 (end the season at the point of the league split). Even without allowing fans into stadiums, it might be possible for games to be played behind closed doors, depending on how the situation develops. Playing three or four fixtures could be more feasible than playing eight or nine. This would minimise its impact on further delaying the start of next season. It could also allow the season to reach some kind of conclusion after every team has completed three rounds of playing each other.
Despite leading to an increased delay to the start of next season, however most fans’ preferred outcome is Option 1 (we see this out!). Regardless of how long it takes to resume society and sport to a state of normality, this season must be concluded. If that means next season does not start until the following calendar year then so be it.
Let’s see who deserves to be promoted and relegated! Let’s see who deserves to qualify for Europe! Let’s see who deserves to be crowned champions!
However, despite our passion for the club, the best outcome is for the Coronavirus to be brought under control so that lives can be saved.
Despite the old cliché “You can’t win them all!” the recent derby defeat to our bitter rivals has been a bitter pill to swallow.
For the first time in nearly a decade, we are not going to stroll to another league title. Nine-in-a-row is not a formality. As a result, the club’s quest for ten could be in jeopardy. If we didn’t know it before, we do now – we are in for a real battle to win the league title. That is the reality.
However, whilst some supporters and sections of the media are treating the defeat as catastrophic, it must be put into perspective. It is a disappointment and a set back but by no means decisive. That being said, it has definitely raised the stakes!
Give The Devil His Due
First of all, I will do something that is very difficult for any Celtic supporter to do and give credit to Steven Gerrard’s team. His side has come on leaps and bounds this season both domestically and in Europe. They hold a slight advantage in the title race (assuming they win their game in hand at home to St Johnstone). This is despite Celtic being 10 points better off than we were at this stage last season.
Despite the under-par performances of the last two Glasgow derbies – one we won and one we lost – Celtic have also improved since the summer. As well as having a greater points tally than a year ago, we have been very impressive in Europe. Furthermore, a number of summer acquisitions (e.g. Forster, Frimpong, Julien, El Hamed and Elyounoussi) have all added greater quality.
Whilst fatigue and injuries to key players like El Hamed, Elyounoussi and Edouard (in the cup final) were contributory factors, give the devil his due! Rangers were the better team in both games. Celtic were lucky to win the final and were comfortably (if not emphatically) beaten on December 29th.
Although we have made some improvement, the extent to which Rangers have improved has been greater than ours (from where both clubs were at) on the evidence of the first half of the season.
Where do we go from here?
In the film Batman Begins, Alfred asked Bruce Wayne “Why do we fall?” The answer is so that we can learn to pick ourselves up! This ties in with another football cliché that sometimes you can learn more from a defeat than you can from a victory.
Had Celtic scraped a point on the 29th, we would all feel more content and be siting more comfortably at the top of the league. However, it would have papered over the cracks and not addressed the urgent threat posed from across the city.
Following every hurtful defeat, whether it be a humiliating cup exit at the hands of Inverness Caley Thistle (2000); a 5-0 hammering against Artmedia Bratislava (2005); elimination in the Champions League qualifiers at home to Cluj (2019) or the recent derby defeat; there is the opportunity for soul searching and reflection.
What went wrong? Why did it go wrong? What lessons have been learned? How can we improve?
Everyone has their own opinion as to why we lost the game. This may relate to the manager’s team selection and tactics, a lack of investment in the summer, injuries to key personnel, not enough depth in certain positions (e.g. striker), players bottling it/not rising to the occasion, combinations of these factors etc.
Whilst a lot of the negativity/jubilation from both sets of supporters has been greatly exaggerated, what is abundantly clear is that Celtic must find the answers and quickly!
A ‘Do or Die’ January
First and foremost, the existing playing squad must use their winter break in Dubai to recuperate and re-energise. It has been a long hard season for them already and they deserve a lot of credit in spite of last week’s result. Aside from the ‘dead-rubber’ game in Cluj, this was the club’s first defeat in all competitions for over three months.
Secondly, this is without doubt the most important January transfer window in Celtic’s recent history. The first team squad needs more quality in key positions:
1. Striker
In terms of the squad, this is the most obvious area that Celtic lacks depth. As good as Edouard is, he cannot do it all by himself. He was not fully fit after his injury lay off and the team really struggled in forward areas as a result.
Unfortunately, Leigh Griffiths has had his personal problems and injuries. Since returning, he is yet to rediscover his sharpness in front of goal. Bayo is still injured and whilst he could be a good player in the future, he is still very raw. Perhaps a loan move to another Scottish club could help his development.
2. Centre-Half
The team also needs another centre-half to provide competition for Julien and Ajer with Simunovic out injured. Young Ajer is a very good player, but he is still not the finished article and was at fault for Katic’s winning goal last week. Previously, I wrote an article that Ajer’s best position could be in central midfield, which is a view that I still hold.
As a tried and tested short-term solution to the centre-back position, another loan move for Benkovic (a player that was outstanding last season) would be very welcome.
3. Central Midfield
Scott Brown and Callum McGregor have both been excellent for a number of years. They were also two of Celtic’s better players last week. However, we cannot expect them to continue playing the amount of games that they have been without a rest!
One of the telling factors in both of the recent derbies was that Celtic lost the physical battle. The man that we all want to re-sign is Kenyan powerhouse, Victor Wanyama. Whilst funding such a move could prove difficult, a marquee signing like this would give the whole club a lift and show a real signal of intent!
3. Left Back
In contrast to right back where Frimpong and El Hamed have both excelled, left back still has not been fully resolved. After a slow start, Bolingoli put in a number of good performances, including the victory at Ibrox in September. However, he still appears liable to lapses of concentration.
Johnny Hayes has also performed admirably well at left back but this is not his natural position, and Lennon has yet to fully put his trust in summer signing, Greg Taylor.
A player that Celtic should go back in for is Rosenborg’s Birger Meling – a player we were heavily linked with in the summer. As far as I’m aware, he has not signed a new contract with his club or anyone else. As he will be a free agent in the summer, we could probably sign him now for around £1m. Meling looks like an excellent full-back both defensively and going forward, therefore could be the man to finally replace Kieran Tierney.
4. Left Midfield
This is arguably a lower priority than the other positions discussed, but it is one that Celtic still needs to address.
Mikey Johnstone is a superb young talent that has time on his side, but he has struggled in the cauldron of a Glasgow derby (although the same could be said of Forrest and Christie in both of the recent games).
Elyounossi has impressed in this position since he joined on loan in the summer. Unfortunately, he has been ruled out by injury since November and we have missed his ability to score goals from midfield. Hopefully he will be fit again soon and get back to the form he showed before his injury lay off.
The question is: should Celtic sign Elyounossi permanently? Reports suggest that Southampton would be willing to sell him for £9m. Whilst he would undoubtedly be a good signing, it is a far greater priority to sign Fraser Forster on a permanent deal (as well as another quality striker), therefore it seems unlikely.
5. Goalkeeper
As stated, signing ‘La Gran Muralla’ Fraser Forster on a permanent basis is a major priority (either now or in the summer). He has been outstanding since he re-joined the club. He made vital saves in both games against Lazio in the Europa League and almost single-handedly won Celtic the League Cup Final.
Signing Forster would likely cost upwards of £10m and he will demand big wages. However, we must ensure that he stays with us, as goalkeeper is without doubt the most important position on the football field.
The Celtic Board’s Strategy
It is up to the Celtic Board to finance a permanent move for Forster, but also find ways to improve other areas of the team. Even with him in goal, there were obvious short-comings that were exploited in both of the recent derbies.
Should Celtic fail to win nine-in-a-row (and with it the dream of ten), the fans will inevitably blame Lawwell and co. There is money to spend, but it is more important to spend it wisely. From the position of strength the club has been in recent years, failure would be inexcusable!
Rather than signing long-term ‘projects’ as it has done in recent years, the board must focus on its short-term strategy to ensure that the league is won this season. The fans will never forgive them otherwise! If this means signing experienced players or bringing in loan signings until the end of the season, then so be it.
Rising to the Challenge
Whilst the derby defeat hurt us, it was also a clear warning shot. The battle lines have been drawn. The challenge has been set. However, as the dust settles in the aftermath of this result, a degree of perspective can now be gained.
It is not the travesty that many have portrayed it. Nor is it a shift in the balance of power in Scottish football and the end of our quest for nine/ten-in-a-row. We are (possibly) a point behind with half of the season remaining; one trophy is already in the cabinet, and we are still in Europe.
Rather than being ‘the end of our world!’ it is actually an opportunity for Celtic to rise and overcome the challenge that has been set. Yes lessons need to be learned and wise investment is needed in this window, but with money in the bank and a squad that boasts serial winners like Scott Brown, James Forrest, Callum McGregor, Odsonne Edouard and Fraser Forster, the club is more than capable of galvanising itself to winning a ninth straight league title in May.
Celtic has a long and illustrious history of playing in European club competitions. Since making our European debut against Valencia in 1962, Celtic has played European football almost every season.
The club’s crowning glory was of course the European Cup triumph in 1967. Furthermore, Celtic also reached the final in 1970, as well as two semi-finals in 1972 and 1974. The club also reached the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, and has competed in both the Champions League and Europa League numerous times.
Over the years, Celtic has faced some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern, Juventus, Ajax, Internazionale and AC Milan.
Despite Celtic’s long history of playing in Europe, there are still a number of major clubs that we have not faced. These include clubs with large fan bases; historic clubs that have fallen on hard times; wealthy clubs that have risen to prominence more recently; as well as former European Cup winners.
Napoli vs. Chelsea (two clubs Celtic have never played in Europe)
Here are some big clubs that have never had the privilege of playing under the lights at Paradise on a big European night:
England: Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Everton
Italy: AS Roma, Lazio, Napoli and Torino
France: Marseille and AS Monaco
Germany: Schalke and Eintracht Frankfurt
Spain: Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Real Betis
Netherlands: PSV Eindhoven
Belgium: Club Brugge
Turkey: Galatasaray
Romania: Steau Bucharest
Russia: CSKA Moscow
Former European Champions:
Interestingly, there are five former winners of the European Cup/Champions League that Celtic has not played before: Aston Villa, Steau Bucharest, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Chelsea.
Summary:
As discussed, Celtic has a long history of playing in European competition since its inaugural campaign in 1962/63. It has played in now defunct tournaments, including the European Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup (as well as the Champions League and the Europa League).
The modern group stage format of both competitions have increased the possibility of playing more of Europe’s biggest clubs. For example, Celtic has played Barcelona five times in European competition since 2004. However, the draw has continually separated us from the likes of Chelsea, Napoli and PSV Eindhoven.
European football is essential to the development of a big-small nation club like Celtic from both a competitive and financial standpoint. As a result, the club must do all it can to invest in the playing squad so that it has the best chance of reaching the Champions League (or at least the Europa League) each year. By continuing to play in the group stages of either competition, it should only be a matter of time before we meet more clubs for the first time.
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