Some will be some Celtic fans who are taking great delight in Rangers earning the embarrassing tag of being the worst Champions League team in history. But not being as bad as their rivals should not be the extent of ambitions at Parkhead. It’s certainly not for Ange Postecoglou.
Rangers might have rolled up the white flag on match day one when they said they can’t compete. But Postecoglou’s side DID compete and the signs are they can make more of an impact in the future. That might sound daft after a 5-1 defeat to Real Madrid, but there was enough evidence over the six games to suggest there can be progression at this level.
Celtic have to keep moving forward though. The talk at yesterday’s AGM was about backing the manager and so on, stuff that gets said every year. Chairman Ian Bankier is stepping down and the new man – along with chief exec Michael Nicholson – needs to back the manager’s vision.
That means trying to keep hold of the club’s best players as long as possible, funnelling the money Postecoglou’s way if they do have to sell for top money, and allowing him to keep building the team he believes will be able to go toe-to-toe with the best in Europe. Postecoglou has spoken about being a Champions League team every season to properly develop – and that has to be the target. Not just being marginally better than Rangers.
Bankier has largely remained in the background during his 11 years at Celtic but it’s been a period of huge domestic success. But it’s also been a time of underachievement in Europe. There simply has to be improvement – but I believe they had every chance under this manager if he gets the right backing.
The other night threw up the same old arguments over whether Postecoglou should be more pragmatic. Listen, I understand that, and maybe I’ve been suckered in a bit as well. At one point the other night, when Celtic were about four down, Matt O’Riley lost possession on the halfway line and there were six teammates in front of him on the edge of the Real Madrid box.
The player in me was thinking back to my time at Celtic and the players in that side. We’d be thinking, ‘f*** me, this could end up seven or eight if we don’t shut up shop. We could get humiliated.’ Five was bad enough but it could have been worse and there was a moment to give the fans something to cheer about when Jota scored.
Mind you, by that stage the supporters were just there for a party. I get that the strategy was risky and Celtic were wide open at times. But on the other hand, don’t forget there was nothing to play for the other night for Celtic apart from pride.
It was worth a bash, but it might have been different if they needed a point to qualify. If this is Postecoglou’s approach and he wants players to learn and develop at this level, then there was nothing wrong with sticking to his principles. We know there are different ways to play.
But who is to say Celtic would not have ended up in the same scenario if they’d taken a more defensive approach in this competition? Brendan Rodgers tried to change his style when he went to the Nou Camp with five at the back – and ended up shipping seven.
He also found out the hard way the Champions League is a tough school. But I don’t think Celtic are a million miles away from being able to make an impact at this level. Some of the patterns of attacking play in this campaign were really impressive.
Josip Juranovic penalty kick the other night summed it up though – Celtic were not ruthless enough. You look at some of the stats in this section. Celtic had nearly 80 shots on goal in the six games. You hear the hipsters talking about xG and apparently their expected goals total was nearly 10.
In old money that means they missed about 10 sitters in the campaign. That sounds about right when you look back at some of the real gilt-edged opportunities they failed to put away. They do need to defend better, of course they do, but taking those chances changes the entire tonne of games.
They are not far off, so why should Postecoglou change? Would fans rather see the Rangers approach? It was difficult to see what they were trying to do in their campaign but no one could say the same about Celtic. And no one can say they are not entertaining.
It’s my job to watch Celtic’s games every week and as someone who loved their time at the club I’ve always had – and always will have – a vested interest in what they are doing. But there are maybe times over the years it’s more of a chore to tune in.
Not with this Celtic side. It doesn’t matter if I’ve got work on or other things to do, I look forward to seeing this team playing. I’m not alone as you saw the response from the supporters who were in Madrid the other night and the way they stayed to salute the team at the end.
Postecoglou might have also made some mistakes in this campaign but he can do no wrong in the eyes of the fans. He has to win the league and get back to the Champions League next year – and make a better fist of it. But he’s got the trust of the club’s directors and the fans as everyone is on board for the thrill ride.
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