Dickie Felton | 31 July 2021 |
Celtic fans will be praying the Hoops get off to a flyer at Hearts in tonight’s season opener.
But after crashing out of the Champions League in midweek some people seem to be lowering expectations each passing hour.
Yet failure to reach the group stages of Europe’s premier competition has, unfortunately, been the norm for the last four seasons.
Had Celtic got through this week they would’ve faced PSV Eindhoven – a side which strolled through their qualifier against Galatasaray 7-2.
Who in their right mind would’ve expected Celtic to defeat the Dutch and reach the holy grail of the group stages?
When Celtic lose all hell breaks loose.
Given the club’s domestic dominance for a decade (until last season’s horror show under Neil Lennon) there is an expectation for Celtic to win every game they play.
Last weekend’s sobering 2-6 friendly defeat at the hands of West Ham United pinpointed problems in Paradise.
There’s a lack of squad depth, a reliance on youngsters who aren’t ready, and a goalkeeper who makes mistakes.
Adding to the perceived panic, there’s a few stars who look to be on their way out (Odsonne Edouard) and others who are getting booed by their own supporters. Leigh Griffiths and to a lesser extent Nir Bitton, both received a rough ride from the stands in the West Ham defeat.
This all adds up to a catalogue of challenges inherited by the new boss Ange Postecoglou.
Last weekend I was just delighted to be back in Celtic Park after 18 months away.
Pre-match there was a vibe of positivity among those walking up London Road. At least until the Hammers started to run amok.
After new captain Callum McGregor fired Celtic ahead, one fan in the Lisbon Lions stand said: “I like the look of Ange. I’m glad we didn’t get Eddie Howe. Postecoglou will be better by miles. And I don’t think the squad is as weak as people make out.
“We just need a new goalkeeper, a centre back, two full backs, another midfielder. And some strikers…”
It was a quote which starkly exposed the epic task facing the new manager.
Another supporter said: “I don’t know how Ange will get on. He could be the greatest thing to happen to Celtic. Or it could be a nightmare.”
The Australian had just 40 days to prepare his side for the campaign. This, a result of Celtic’s marathon pursuit of Eddie Howe. That appointment looked a formality but hit a sudden wall, forcing the board to look elsewhere.
If there was a few “Ange who?” eyebrows raised when the 55-year-old Australian was appointed, no Celtic fan is any doubt of his credentials and character now.
The new boss has taken a few people aback with his direct style – especially with the media.
In this week’s pre-Hearts presser he was quizzed about what he knew about this evening’s opposition. Postecoglou: “I’m still on the same planet, I haven’t come from outer space. I know about Hearts…”
When the inquest began into Wednesday’s Champions League exit one reporter told Postecoglou the defeat was “catastrophic”. The manager replied: “I don’t know what your definition of catastrophic is, it certainly doesn’t fit my definition of what happened tonight.”
When asked about some players being unhappy and wanting away: “If they are not happy here they can move on. Representing this club should give you every joy and happiness.
“I’m here to hopefully create a culture that maintains the traditions and values of this club and also brings success.”
Postecoglou could become a Celtic great. Especially if he succeeds given the enormity of his initial challenge.
The minimum expectation should be to get closer to Rangers who finished 25 points clear last season. But some will still expect Celtic to become champions (which this year means automatic Champions League qualification).
Reinforcements are on the way. Experienced Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt is through the door and set to start tonight. While there is much excitement and a fair bit of mystery around new Japanese attacker Kyogo Furuhashi.
There are also rumours English goalkeeper Joe Hart could be Glasgow-bound to help the Hoops.
It is clearly going to take time for new additions to bed-in. The team will need to get used to the new manager’s style of play and each other.
But time is not something the suffering Hoops fanbase has in heaps.
Postecoglou may be surprised to have the media throw the word ‘catastrophe’ at him after only his second competitive game.
If there are defeats in the early days of this rebuild then fans may have to live with them.
The question is whether supporters can hold their nerve and play the long game.
The harsh reality is that success might not come this season. The Ange odyssey might take some time.
Postecoglou may not be from outer space but he brings out-of-the-box thinking and fresh philosophy to Celtic.
Give him time.