Broadsword has had a look at the state of play at the beginning of season 2015-16, and shares his thoughts with us
This time last year was a bit strange. One year on, a fourth consecutive title and the league cup in the bag, settled squad and the possibility of the CL group stage is a very real one. So, what, in my inebriated opinion, are the hopes for the season ahead?
1. Champions League- with a difference
I don’t know a single Celtic fan who doesn’t hope to be in the group stages of the Champions League. Unless they are some kind of Thursday night fetish weirdo who has a penchant for Sunday league games starting at 8.23am. Nah, there’s none of them, so I think in a ‘stating the fecking obvious’ award entry we all want to be in the group stages of the Champions League. However, I want it to be a bit different, if we make it.
Barcelona, Shaktar Donetsk and Benfica. Three teams we have richly enjoyed beating at Celtic Park, three teams I really don’t want to play again, because, sometimes a change is good. Aye, if we were drawn with any of them I’d be more than happy as it meant we had made it this year but I’d love to see us play Real Madrid in a competitive match. A pumping could very much be on the cards but getting to mix it up a bit, in terms of ‘glamour’ opposition, is one of the attractions of this tournament. I wouldn’t be expecting us, as the Pot 4 team, to qualify from any group but would like to think that we could cause some degree of concern to more ‘established’ CL competitors.
Post Crimbo European football would be a very pleasant bonus for me.
2. Treble
Short and sweet. All three domestic trophies are achievable. We’ve got the players and the appetite to achieve this. It will not be easy but we are capable of doing it. So long as we continue to outspend other fans…
3. Fist pumpings
Aye, I want plenty of fist pumpings. If we win, then Ronny dusts the knuckles. I hope Ronny gets to pump at every ground we play at…
4. Improving the squad
I think Ronny has done a good job of this, one year in. I am hopeful that it continues. The transfer business, so far, has been decent in my view. Boyata was a necessity given Denayer’s return to Man City and the very possible departure of Van Dijk. Another centre back would be nice, although there are options – personally, I don’t mind Mulgrew in there. A left back would be just lovely, but I think we say that in every transfer window. If some of the younger players in the squad could make an impact upon the first team then I think we would all welcome that; a decent lead in the league could allow us to take the chance here but then again we might be scared by everyone on Radio Clyde tipping Aberdeen to win the league…
Overall, I think we are in decent nick. Compared to this time last year we seem to be more settled, the management and the players are more in tune with each other, the squad is better and there are some lovely curtains hanging outside the stadium. The major hope is for a good showing in the Champions League and a continuation of the ‘outspending’…
As far as the treble is concerned we also have other hurdles to overcome. Namely one with a whistle, 2 with flags and any other so called impartial observers.
Shouldn’t be hard tae outspend a bunch of tramps from Govan, surly. Champions league is a must, we’re good enough tae get there this time and I’m sick tae fecking death of Sunday home games…KTF..COYBIG
I really like the look of this Celtic team but I have 4 concerns: 1) Is Mikel Lustig free of injury?
2) Griffiths being dropped for Ciftci is unfair on Griffiths, this could dampen his morale.
3) Bringing in an outstanding left back is a priority.
I’ve forgotten the 4th one now……
What has happened to Saidy Janko, my understanding was that he could play at either full back position? He ticked the boxes in terms of age and potential that Celtic are looking for, but I can’t remember him getting a sniff in any friendlies, is he injured?
I wouldn’t want to throw the guy into the deep end but it’d be good to see what he could do; apparently Man Utd fans were surprised to see him go.
He played against Raith Rovers on Tuesday night I believe Gerry.
After watching us play a mid table english lower league side,Ijust cannot see any improvement,last season we were much more in control against another side from the whale killing country,ffs pukki scored twice,and looked a much better player than Ciftci,given our recent transfer activity , looks like were turning into Dundee utd.Don,t think our fifth rate manger has learned anything,still carrying on the same crap as last season especially dropping strikers after they score,and playing inferior players just because they have just signed(berget anyone),defensively we look much worse Boyata is much poorer than denayer,and he turned a record breaking defence into a bit of a sieve last season,as for getting the young boys in ,why the feck has Henderson and fisher both been sidelined,especially fisher as lustig looks like he can only play for an hour,that must be making his injury worse,cannot see us getting to group stages ,and if we fuck it up on wed,s that will be europe over even before domestic season starts
The Reverend I.M. Jolly lives and breathes.
Deadhead I assume you nevergot that puppy I suggested?