From Charlie Saiz…<\/p>\n
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Was left wondering after a wee late last night discussion with a fellow Tim online as to where most folk wanted us to be come this stage in the proceedings in this Years campaign at Celtic?<\/p>\n
Personally speaking I looked on listened and listened to what Ronny Deila had to say about his hopes and aspirations for our wonderful Club.
\nAnd I liked what I was hearing.
\nHe was clear and positive about where he wanted us to go even though he came across as a guy who had just won the Lottery but who was calm enough to plan what he was going to Invest his money on.<\/p>\n
He had a very tough act to follow in Neil Lennon probably a tougher act than Martin O’Neil was for Gordon Strachan as Neil was a Successful Celtic man through and through.
\nNeil brought back the “Thunder” and gave us quite a few bolts of Lightening throughout hi stormy tenure as Boss.
\nReal highs and real lows…. Barca and Morton say no more real genuine extremes.
\nNeil of course was afforded the luxury of time and patience after all he was a Celtic Man proven both on and off the field and how much he got what it is we demand from our side.<\/p>\n
Ronny had no such foundations to build on when the name Ronny Deila emerged from the Green and White Chimney Smoke at Celtic Park most of us simply went blank and headed for Google.<\/p>\n
All that aside I watched as pre Season unfolded,took notice of the Youth getting involved and thought (prayed) perhaps the guy is not all PR and sound bites handed down from the sharp suited man upstairs.
\nI too cringed through splayed fingers as we crashed in Europe to Legia and Maribor then naturally wondered if he was going to be afforded the luxury of time and patience Lenny got?…a big ask for some as it would turn out.
\nI was prepared to afford the man 6 months to steady the Team and another 6 to set proper our course.
\nAfter all the loss of the Lenny Management Team coupled with the departures of both Forster and Samaras was always going to affect things on the pitch.
\nEspecially in Europe.
\nEven more so as Ronny was adamant we were going to pursue a more expansive,quicker more attacking pressing game at Celtic.
\nAll of this was going to take time,effort and patience from us to let it develop.
\nI asked myself several weeks after Deilas arrival what did I expect this Season given all the upheaval,given we have appointed a Manager from a much smaller Club and arguably a poorer League in Norway?
\nThe League Title had to be a must as we had cantered the previous Season no Team had offered a challenge worth talking about so that was a given.
\nAs for the Cups I wanted the Scottish Cup but then I always do as I don’t much hold much regard for the League Cup..never have only in the context of treble does it matter to me.
\nWe all know how scarce those have been at Celtic Park.
\nSo I settled on a League and Cup Double as I do most Years as I thought both were attainable given the side Deila picked up and the general strength in depth of those around us.<\/p>\n
As for Europe…well that’s an entirely different kettle of fish.
\nMy overall summation of Europe last Season was that we struggled in the Qualifiers (no big thanks to our Buy to Sell Policy and the timing of the departures)narrowly squeezed by a Shakhter outfit who I consider the most one dimensional team we have ever played at that Level ie a big punt into the giants in the box whenever possible.
\nThe home game was exciting yes it got the juices flowing but goal line clearance and crossbar saved us that night make no bones about it we got lucky.
\nIn the Groups I felt we were Average to poor as neither AC or Ajax were particularly strong last Season and Barca… well Barca just destroyed us.
\nI can honestly say that the Barca game was the first game in many ,many years I actually thought “Ref blow the f’kin whistle and put us out our misery”. that was after 60 minutes btw.
\nWe were humiliated by Barca.
\nWe got away with it previous Season defended for our lives and caused them problems on the set piece and break not so this time.
\nLady luck went awol and reality kicked our c#nts in.<\/p>\n
The problem I have always thought is this mentality of having two styles of play for Domestic games and Europe.
\nIt’s not natural for a side to play 95% of it’s Football all year on the front foot attacking teams then reverting to a defensive mindset whilst playing on the back foot for the bulk of games as we have done in Europe.
\nWe don’t have the squad for that and we don’t have the quality of player either.
\nIt was only a matter of time before it caught up with us.
\nSo it makes sense to me to deploy a System that caters for both and requires less thinking about in the long run.
\nRonny Deila said from the outset he wanted us playing a more aggressive,attacking way in a Formation he thinks will serve us just as well at home as it would abroad.
\nI happen to think he was spot on.
\nMany questioned the set up reverting to one main Striker being Supported by 3 fellow Attackers.
\nAs I said change is seldom easy or problem free.
\nSo my thoughts were perhaps an extended run in the Europa for a Season whilst we add to and bed in a new Ethos and players.<\/p>\n
So in finality was my thoughts on the Season ahead my hopes were a League a Cup and a good showing in the Europa a level I think we were at last Season.
\nSo far yes there have been a few blips along the way but that was always going to be the case.
\nBut I did believe we had the players to do it and the Manager to perhaps see it through.<\/p>\n
Tonight we take on Inter Milan in the San Siro for a last 16 place in the Europa League, we sit on top of our League whilst still being involved in both Cups …a Final already secured.
\nWould I have settled for that in June last year?<\/p>\n
Damn right I would.<\/p>\n