SCOTS VOICE OF
THE job that Brendan Rodgers has done at Celtic, and the dominance that has followed domestically, is well worthy of every plaudit that he has received.
But the next challenge for the Celtic manager will be to make his side more competitive in the European arena, and a formidable challenge it is likely to be.
What can’t be overlooked either is that the qualifiers to get into the Champions League are fraught with danger, and just because they managed to navigate them this year, doesn’t mean that Celtic have a divine right to sail through them next season.
They will be coming up against teams that are of a similar level to them even at that stage, and while sides from nations such as England, Germany and Italy see them as a formality, the same cannot be said for the Scottish champions.
With that in mind, there are a few deficiencies in the Celtic side which I expect that Brendan Rodgers will want to address, and at the top of that list for me has to be his defence.
On the Scottish scene, his backline has been imperious, and whatever combination of Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko that has been put out, they have tended to be able to snuff out Premiership attackers with the minimum of fuss.
In Europe, however, the story could hardly have been more different.
Even at the qualifying stage, Celtic lost four goals over two legs to Israeli champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva before squeezing through into the group stage, and once they were there the goals against column really started to motor.
The seven they lost to Barcelona could happen to anyone, but Celtic didn’t help themselves on the night with some woeful defending.
They also lost three at home to Manchester City and another two in avoidable circumstances to Borussia Monchengladbach.
It all added up to 16 goals against, and historically, you would probably be looking at letting around half of that amount in if you are to have much of a chance to progress further in the competition.
It appears that Brendan Rodgers may be trying to address this already by strengthening at the area in front of his back four, with Eboue Kouassi being brought in to be that mobile player who can break up play and distribute the ball accurately and with good technical ability.
PTo my mind, Celtic really do need to look at bringing in stronger options in the centre of defence. All three of their centre-backs are good players, but they also all have deficiencies which will be punished at the top level.
It is an interesting question to ponder what would repre- sent success for Celtic in next season’s elite club competition. For me, simply getting to the group stages would be a great achievement again.
The natural thing is to aim for progress from the previous season, but I think that Celtic are still at the stage of taking baby steps on the European stage.
There would be no shame in targeting Europa League football after Christmas, and if they can achieve that, then I think they would be exceeding current expectations when you take into account the country’s low co-efficient.
Borussia Monchengladbach made no secret that this was their target this season, and they were delighted to achieve that feat. I think Celtic should also be glad if they can reach that goal next season. day as coach here.
“I don’t know what will happen after the season ends.”
The glow of invincibility following Zidane’s success in securing the Undécima has been short-lived. Several commentators known to be close to – and influenced by – the club’s hierarchy have recently begun to turn on the previously untouchable Zizou.
Most recently, his treatment of James Rodriguez at Leganés on Wednesday was put under the spotlight, amid claims the Columbian playmaker and Manchester United target fired a volley of abuse at his manager after being hauled off.