For the first time in a long time, it’s very tough following Celtic for the fans. That’s understandable, as the side embarrass themselves in Europe and trail the league leaders at an alarming rate domestically.
It has sparked protests and created a real animosity among the support towards the powers that be. In a normal environment, you would just switch off and get away from something that left you so annoyed. After all, there are other sports to enjoy. You can try rugby, cricket or snooker, for example. And you’ll always have fun with horse racing betting if you want some entertainment – at online sportsbooks, there are always plenty of options.
? Neil Lennon held his #CELLOSC Media Conference today at Lennoxtown, via video call.
? “The atmosphere is good today. The players are looking forward to the game. We all want success and the team to play the vibrant football we know they can.” pic.twitter.com/CMKPKle4jd
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 9, 2020
However, no matter how bad it is, fans will always have that emotional attachment to the Hoops. So, questions need to be asked, and plans need to be put in place moving forward.
Everyone connected to the club knows how important this year was. It was the chance for the current crop to go down as legends, to be remembered forever, and to carve their name into the history books. Whilst it’s too soon to throw the towel in, we know it’s not going to plan, and we’re already at the stage where we need a miracle to get the magical tenth title in a row. They’ve squandered that opportunity.
In the bigger picture, this recent collapse could have ramifications for the club moving forward. The relationship between the fans and the board has disappeared, and that’s something that will take time to heal. It’s also something that shouldn’t be underestimated, as it’s that passionate backing that makes Celtic one of the most unique clubs on the planet.
Yet, it’s also exposed the decision-making by key figures and shown how Celtic don’t operate as a top club. Despite having a wage bill and transfer budget that dwarfs everyone domestically, the squad is packed full of players who haven’t lived up to their fees. Meanwhile, they’ve let four of the most valuable players at Celtic Park; Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie, Kris Ajer and Olivier Ntcham, enter the final 18 months of their contracts.
There doesn’t seem to be a plan with the recruitment and there is no modern structure that could allow the club to kick-on. Instead, it’s as though Peter Lawwell and Dermot Desmond thought the club were untouchable, and they were careless in the way they went about things.
Stuart Kettlewell has called the scenes of disorder outside Celtic Park after his side’s 2-0 win on Sunday “despicable”.
??”You have to realise that we are in the middle of a global pandemic.”
More: https://t.co/HB9F3lQHnX pic.twitter.com/LU6BAAJ8d4
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 1, 2020
The fallout from this season will be significant, but it can’t shape Celtic moving forward. Those on the board need to be acknowledging the errors they’ve made, and they need to understand how they can improve. There are countless examples of clubs across Europe, with fewer resources than Celtic, who have competed in Europe and maximised their potential. That’s still possible for the champions, no matter what happens this season. However, there is an understandable worry that those calling the shots have got their heads in the sand.
Ultimately, this terrible campaign has shown Celtic up in so many ways. They don’t operate like an elite football club and they don’t have the structure of an elite football club. No matter what happens in the next few months, that needs to change. Otherwise, more years of struggles could be ahead, instead of having a platform to build on.
