World class in everything we do- Nicholson’s European claim is already looking very fragile

Back in the giddy days of June Michael Nicholson must have felt like a lucky guy to quote a soon to be sacked SPFL manager.

In 2021 it took Celtic over 100 days to appoint a new manager, this time there was barely double figures involved when Brendan Rodgers agreed to take over from Ange Postecoglou.

It isn’t often that you find an out-of-work treble winning manager to replace the guy that had just landed another treble, leaving behind a young yet experienced squad with two title wins to their credit and a decent if ultimately unrewarding Champions League campaign on their CVs.

The initial hostility to Brendan Rodgers returning was quickly turned around by reality, the big question was why on earth was the Irishman returning to the workplace he had escaped from four years earlier with a 100% record record in domestic competition.

Europe was apparently the clincher. During his first spell in charge Rodgers twice led Celtic through qualification but bar an away win at Anderlecht it had been tough viewing, twice Celtic lost seven goals, away to Barcelona and PSG, those scorelines didn’t flatter the home teams.

This season there was no need to go through the qualification nightmare, a second successive group place was secure with another guaranteed for the winners of this season’s SPFL.

Europe, progress and having a fighting chance of matching Copenhagen or PSV Eindhoven was the plan, as Nicholson outlined when the ‘new’ manager was reintroduced.

Do you think that Michael Nicholson and the Celtic board have achieved their aim to be “world class in everything we do”? pic.twitter.com/aFlCePvsCX

— tommy (@Tomtheleedstim) February 4, 2024

Somewhere down the line the communication wires have crossed, while Rodgers wanted four quality additions Mark Lawwell presented him with seven projects, all under the age of 24 with only Maik Nawrocki costing over £3m.

Given a relatively friendly draw Celtic crashed out with a tame 2-0 defeat away to Lazio on Matchday 5. Two of the projects, Gus Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm were sent off on their Champions League debut.

Hard luck stories followed at home to Lazio and Atletico Madrid, the roof fell in away in the Spanish capital with elimination confirmed in Rome.

Adding Nicolas Kuhn to the squad last month is unlikely to make much difference to Celtic’s European prospects. In the summer a major rebuild will be required. Matt O’Riley and Joe Hart will require replacing, doing that with players u-24 and costing £3m or less looks virtually impossible.