'Celtic should be measuring themselves in European competition,' Andy Walker

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | By Paul Gillespie | Last updated 4/30/24

Andy Walker has emphasised the need for Celtic to be using European football as the yardstick with which to measure themselves as a club and team. The pundit has always been outspoken when it comes to his old team, with many supporters taking umbrage at the ex-striker for being so eager to stick the boot in via the media.

However, Walker is right on the money with his latest assessment and it’s one that resonates well with mostly all of the Hoops fanbase. For too long now, the Bhoys haven’t really done enough in European competition and must work to improve the quality of the team in order for us to compete on all fronts, with domestic dominance obviously being the staple of our silverware diet for the last decade or so.

Even with that success at home in recent times, we have watched our main rivals go out of business and form a new club which has managed to get to a Europa League Final, so there’s really no hiding place for the Celtic powerbrokers when it comes to our dismal record on the continent at times in the past. Not since we put Barcelona out of the old UEFA Cup back in 2004, have we won a knockout tie in European competition – which is clearly abysmal for someone of our size and stature.

Walker, although recognising the necessity for domestic success and bragging rights for the supporters, reckons that it’s Europe alone which will show how good a team we are. Speaking to the Go Radio Football Show, the former Motherwell and Celtic attacker said: “They need a centre-back in my opinion and a goalkeeper. They need a few players to be in with a realistic chance of getting two victories in the Champions League. Celtic should be measuring themselves in European competition, they’ve been so dominant at home for so long.”

He added: “I know it’s important for every fan to be top dogs and keep Rangers second and below them but Celtic should be looking to do better in Europe and that’s where they should be trying to improve this summer.”

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

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