The day after humiliation in Midtjylland the Europa League tables tells an honest tale about Celtic.
After four matches they have four points, on course to finish outside the top 24 places that will progress into the knock-out stages.
So far their matches have been against opponents from outside the top five European leagues. That will change, in the remaining matches Celtic face two opponents from Serie A.
THE FEARFUL FIXTURES
It is a drastic reaction but in the cold light of day Celtic have to prioritise domestic matters. In reality interest in the Europa League has to be shelved.
It is a harsh reality but the only course of action to take. No statement is required but a look at the fixtures around the Europa League games leads to only one conclusion.
Celtic face Hearts in December and January. Two Sunday fixtures following Thursdays in the Europa League. There is a visit to Tynecastle on January25, sandwiched in-between matches against Bologna and Utrecht.
Similarly Matchday 6 at home to Roma is between a home match against Hearts and the League Cup Final against St Mirren.
Even with a fully fit squad those schedules look daunting. With the current run of injuries even the forever ‘faithful through and through’ need to face up to reality.
CELTIC EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES
- Matchday 5: St Mirren away, Feyenoord away, Hibs away
- Matchday 6: Hearts home, Roma home, St Mirren LCF
- Matchday 7/8: Dundee United home, Bologna away, Hearts away, Utrecht home, Falkirk home
Thursday night in Denmark highlighted the limitations of the Celtic squad.
Going 120 minutes at Hampden on Sunday took a lot out of the players. Martin O’Neill only made two changes, the options are limited.
Midtjylland played a league match on Monday, an hour into their win over Celtic they were able to take off. O’Neill doesn’t have anything like that luxury.
Between 11 December and 29 January Celtic have four Europa League matches, Hearts don’t have any. Derek McInnes’ squad will have free midweeks to prepare for matches against Celtic.
Signings made in January aren’t eligible to play in the matches against Bologna and Utrecht. Signings are needed to boost the Starting XI, not for a European charge.
With the best will in the world Celtic are going nowhere in particular in this season’s Europa League. To advance they will need to take six or seven points from their last four matches. Two Serie A opponents and a trip to Feyenoord make that point tally unlikely.
Traditionally December and January are tough demanding months. Should Celtic reach the top 24 in the Europa League table their reward will be two more midweek matches during February.
DEPLETED SQUAD
Last season, with a much better squad Celtic were over stretched in the matches against Bayern Munich. In the second leg Brendan Rodgers only trusted two of his substitutes.
At that time Celtic had a lead of 15-18 points in the SPFL Premiership, the League Cup had been secured. There was a fairly settled management team.
Right now Celtic have none of that. They are living game to game domestically, they have taken three points from their three SPFL matches, nothing can be assumed in any domestic fixture.
It is a drastic take but Celtic aren’t equipped currently to push on domestically and make a fist of it in the Europa League. The reasons are various but are largely down to horrific recruitment over the last however many transfer windows.
Repairing the damage is going to be a medium term task at best. At least three starters are required at the start of January, preferably with the impact of Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley.
In February 2022 Celtic lost meekly to Bodo Glimt in the Europa Conference. Ange Postecoglou wouldn’t admit it but his team sheet for the away tie suggests that his priority was on the home front.
A similar pragmatic approach is required this season. Otherwise it couldn’t quickly implode
3 Comments
by charlienic
Whether our management prioritis’ domestic over Europe I doubt we’ll progress in Europe anyway
by SARAH
Totally agree. Play sinisalo murray Donovan bernardo mccowan please Celtic please
by Dando
100%
HH