Brendan Rodgers’ deceptive smile hides the pain

In light of Celtic’s embarrassing – not shock – exit at the hands of yet another European minnow, Kairat Almaty, the writing was always on the wall, and we all saw it coming.

It is an inconvenient truth that we knew we’d be let down, yet again, but were powerless to stop the good ship Celtic hitting the all-too-clear iceberg. Yes, the same obstacle which has sunk us for too long now.

The litany of clubs who have brought shame and humiliation to our great support over the years is appalling. The manner in which we have been hung out to dry is even more so! Maribor, Cluj, etc. now Almaty – you know them, all dismissing Celtic’s hopes and dreams of replicating Cesar, Jinky, and Wispy at the top table.

How did we fail so miserably? Well, answers on a postcard (from Kazakhstan) to D. Desmond and co. (very, very) Ltd!

Rodgers has had to bite his tongue on several occasions as he challenged his paymasters to up the ante and give him a reasonable shot at Europe. Never mind Scotland, that’s a walk in the park, (literally), and we will clean up, again, despite the odd hiccup.

Europe is the benchmark and always will be. However, whenever we do an Oliver Twist and ask for ‘more’ just to get us there, we are rapped on the knuckles and sent to the ‘grateful room’ as punishment for our impudence.

The trend of waiting until we have qualified (which, more often than not, we don’t) until we speculate to accumulate, is galling. I don’t need to regurgitate the number of players lost compared to the few acquired, nor the cash-in versus booty smuggled away in a hidden, well-guarded bank account.

The smugglers have well and truly shafted both the manager(s) and the fleeced fans. It’s been going on for eons, so, when Brendan smiled (tentatively) and publicly offered a glimmer of hope that by the time the squad returned to Glasgow, there may be one or two signings waiting. Too damned late!

By the time they are back in Paradise, we are out of the Champions League, and that is yet another kick in the Henry Halls for a fanbase who have shelled out fortunes for replica strips, flights and accommodation, and overpriced season tickets.

It has always been thus, but, as far as the Rhett Butlers are concerned, frankly my dears, they don’t give a damn!

If Celtic beat an average theRangers team at Ibrox on Sunday, they will expect that all is forgiven. They are so wrong – they will not be forgiven until they invest OUR money in the squad and provide a real prospect of regular Champions league football.

I would encourage the support to continue their vocal dissidence against the men who refuse to engage with their customers in a meaningful way, but we must always back the team! It’s the Celtic way.

Hail Hail

Eddie Murray