Little time to prepare... but clubs can pass Euro test
FOR seven consecutive years, I experienced the buzz of preparing Aberdeen for the European qualifiers. It was a tough challenge, one that required us to work fast — whether that be acquiring players, preparing the squad or getting a handle on the opposition.
A traditional pre-season wasn’t what was needed. It was about firing the players up to be ready to go again.
And so I can well relate to the challenge facing Ange Postecoglou, Jack Ross and my successor, Stephen Glass, as they gear up for this week’s preliminaries.
My old club welcome Swedish side Hacken to Pittodrie on Thursday, while Jack and Hibs have a more straightforward looking tie against Andorra’s Santa Coloma the same night.
On the face of it, Celtic have the trickiest task of the three.
Midtjylland were good enough to qualify for the Champions League group stage last season while Danish
football has been enjoying
Christie is a key player, his experience can help Celtic get through this tie
a bit of a resurgence, as we saw in their national team’s exploits at the Euros.
Just a few weeks in the job, there’s no doubt Postecoglou would love to push the game back a bit. Only now is he starting to get players in for that much-needed rebuild.
Although Celtic won’t be at full strength, they have to find a way to be fit enough, organised enough and good enough to get through.
I still think they have enough there to squeeze through.
Callum McGregor and James Forrest have been over this course many times. And Ryan Christie, Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer are still on the books, too. That level of player can get them through but it’s about making sure each is mentally right.
I have experienced it myself — if players are hell-bent on leaving, you have to be able to see that situation from all angles. You need to try and get something out of those guys, make them see the sense in the value of producing what might well be their last big performance for the club.
It looks like a deal is close for Ajer to go to Brentford. Edouard seems sure to leave, too, but until the money is finalised these players are obliged to give Celtic their full focus. If the manager doesn’t feel he is going to get that, then they should not be anywhere near the team.
I wouldn’t have any concerns about Ryan. His situation is slightly different because he is out of contract in six months’ time.
There is going to be a lot of interest and there will be calls from here there and everywhere, with Saudi Arabia the latest destination to be mentioned.
I am sure there are clubs hovering. But if he has a preferred destination, then putting in a couple of good performances here will do him no harm at all.
During Ryan’s time with me at Aberdeen I always found him very competitive. He had a pride in his performances, not only on match days but in training.
I think it’s important that nobody questions your professionalism and commitment and I don’t think you could ever aim that at Ryan.
He may also feel he has a point to prove after the Euros. He probably went there with the intention of getting more game time. After being chosen to start the first game against the Czech Republic, he will have been disappointed to only get 45 minutes.
But he has so much European experience and I think he can be a key player in helping Celtic get through this tie.
Likewise, I believe Aberdeen have enough quality and know-how to get through their Europa Conference League match against the Swedes.
The obvious concern is that Hacken are already 10 games into their domestic season. But while that’s a disadvantage, Scottish clubs always face against Scandinavian opponents, it’s important not to dwell on that fact.
There are positives — you can do some proper homework on the opposition while all they have to go on are pre-season friendlies. I used to rely on our scout Tam O’Neill at this time of year, he’d be ready to jump on a plane at a moment’s notice to go and watch the opposition.
I always felt it was vital to have those boots on the ground, that feel for the opposition that you just don’t get watching on a laptop. And I found that we were at our best when we were forced to bring that intensity and speed to these games.
I remember starting out in management at St Johnstone and trying to spread the minutes round everybody in pre-season matches. Some words from Walter Smith changed my thinking on that.
He said it was important to identify at least eight or nine of your starting XI and make sure those certainties got enough game time in their legs. The rest could make up the minutes later.
His view was that this is not a time to be keeping people happy, it’s about getting your team fit — even more so when these qualifiers are on you.
Scandinavian teams are normally well organised. I know Hacken are nearer the bottom of the league this season but their position last term proves their capability.
As tough a game as it could be, I think it’s a tougher game for Hacken as Aberdeen have the ability and experience to deal with the game.
They have added Scott Brown, who is perfect for these games and has seen it all. Declan Gallagher has come in too, someone with international experience. He is not going to be fazed.
Hibs are fresher to this situation and, while it’s an easy thing to say they are favourites, you can always get stung if you don’t do your homework. But if they get close to their level they should go through. Jack will want to keep his better players as stability is important. He still has work to do in recruiting one or two but it’s vital to hold on to Josh Doig and Kevin Nisbet (left) if possible.
It looks like they are playing well in pre-season. Results aren’t the most important thing but beating Arsenal last midweek won’t have done them any harm at all. European football is a real reward for a decent campaign. It does bring early scrutiny and pressure but you have to remember to enjoy it.
Europe has given me some of the greatest nights of my career, whether it be playing in the Champions League with Rangers or managing in front of the fans at Pittodrie.
Each year, we set a target of getting to the Europa League group stage, but we found that tougher and tougher.
One year we finished second in the league and got drawn against Burnley. We were well in that tie but fell short, just as we did against Real Sociedad and, most recently, Sporting Lisbon last season.
The biggest frustration was Maribor away when Adam Rooney missed a penalty and Jayden Stockley was sent off by a really fussy official who made me question a lot of things that night.
The two that stick in my throat are Kairat Almaty and Apollon Limassol. Against Kairat we got an away goal through Kenny McLean and we took a lead to Cyprus, yet on both occasions we fell short. Looking back, we never lost a tie where we were seeded. I take a bit of pride in that.
We’ve still got St Johnstone to come into the Europa League as Scottish Cup winners and, of course, Rangers have a crack at the Champions League for the first time under Steven Gerrard.
UEFA’s decision to introduce this new third-tier Europa Conference competition gives our clubs a better chance of enjoying European football until Christmas.
It’s doable and it’s a real incentive for all of them.