Celtic on upward trajectory, jeopardy missing since Munich

Remove the frustrating defeat to an Aberdeen side with a gameplan that would make a Catenaccio coach blush and Celtic by most measures had a very successful season.

Some readers may disagree, but a league title immediately counts as a success in this writer’s eyes and the second priority in any given campaign, that of European progression, saw Celtic hit the knockout rounds of the Champions League and a Celtic support breathing in rarefied air.

That is certainly advancement and is the continuation of a much wanted and greatly overdue upward trajectory Celtic have exhibited since Rodgers’ return to the club in Europe’s only real show in town, both in terms of standard of opponent we’ve competed with and of course continued financial benefits.

In the search for perfection there will be some who will question certain performances en-route to the play-off round, however, given Celtic were playing European level opposition from the top table until that agonising defeat to Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena, facing nine different opponents over ten top level challenges, the performances were more than acceptable. Much more in fact, we showed we could compete, and we showed we belonged at that level.

Celtic performed better than any of us probably expected 

Allied to that we’ve had the experience of playing more teams from more Champions League pots the learnings going into next season’s campaign will be invaluable. For Celtic to play nine different opponents in the Champions League would previously have taken three consecutive campaigns. The new format for the Champions League allowed for such experience to be gained in just six months and across the board we performed better than any of us probably expected – if we’re being honest.

The domestic cups, as with any knockout competition, come with the pitfall possibilities that on any given day a drop in standards or a bit of bad luck or poor officiating can lead to an exit from the competition.

Celtic won – and we did win despite some wild takes – a Glasgow Derby to regain the League Cup and the Scottish cup was also settled from the penalty spot rather than open play. Unfortunately, this one did not end quite so jubilantly.

The performance against Aberdeen was disappointing and it was lethargic

The performance against Aberdeen was disappointing and it was lethargic, both from those on the pitch and in the dug-out. Ultimately it cost the club a treble, but after a gruelling season where there was only manufactured jeopardy from the defeat in Munich on 18 February, until the Scottish cup final on 24 May, a gap of some three months, I’m sure even the hardest of hearts would admit a Celtic defeat whilst unexpected and disappointing is not grounds for both the baby and the bathwater to circle the drain.

ICeltic won the Glasgow Derby games that really mattered

If there was disappointment this season it is likely a percentage of the Celtic support would look to Glasgow derby performances with some regret. In truth Celtic won the games that mattered, the ones where jeopardy was in place.

The first 3-0 victory at Celtic Park and the League Cup final win on penalties both had something on the line with no room for error. By the time Celtic lost 3-0 at Ibrox and again tasted defeat at Celtic Park the Hoops had a double-digit cushion in the title ‘race’ and whilst ground for some introspection this summer there was no damage done – same with the draw at Ibrox long after the destination of the title had been decided.

It’s understandable for Celtic fans to demand laser focus on every derby encounter, it’s a bit unfair to expect the same of a group of players – bar some notable exceptions – to exhibit a similar appetite for another scrap when the battle had long been won.

It is only human nature to drop off when targets have been reached

They are players not supporters and it is only human nature to drop off when targets have been reached, the fact is they rarely do when there is something on the line.

The Scottish Cup final defeat has left us with feelings of disappointment and when that happens on the last day of the season it can linger without another game to quickly turn out attention to.

It is however worth casting the mind back to the earlier parts of the season, where some of the football played – and against some excellent opposition – was in the main expansive and entertaining and on occasion stubborn and resilient.

Take that into next season when jeopardy returns, alongside some strengthening of the squad, then a pre-season of optimism should also result in a similarly fast start to next season, and hopefully a strong defence of our title and further European progression.

Domestic cups come third and fourth in a list of any season’s priorities

For this writer the domestic cups will always come third and fourth in a list of any season’s priorities. Indeed the fact Trebles have become an expectation rather than a target says a great deal about the man in the dug-out.

After all, that same guy who is now getting somewhat unfair criticism is the creator of the culture of domestic success – and now European progression – we’ve grown to demand rather than hope for..

As far as I can see a penalty kicks defeat in a Scottish Cup final at the end of a draining but ultimately successful season, means he is a manager who should be cut a bit of slack, as should his players. Thankfully Brendan Rodgers remains in situ. He has also earned a contract extension to boot.

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