With every storm comes a rainbow, or at least that’s how the saying goes
Indeed, Celtic’s 1-1 draw against Aberdeen on Saturday afternoon was ocular proof of the dark clouds that had been circling Brendan Rodgers’ team, regardless of their run of wonderful results. Falling behind Bojan Miovski’s well-taken strike a couple of minutes after halftime, Celtic were up in opposition to it in the Granite City, with the hosts searching properly up for the battle in all areas of the pitch.
Those metaphorical dark clouds surrounding the group at that moment were symmetrical to the ones engulfing the club, thanks to their commercial enterprise – or lack of – in the iciness transfer window. Despite the manager’s repeated call for first-class in the form of reinforcements, only two folks arrived at the club, with more gamers leaving the membership than becoming members for the second 1/2 of the season.
No two approaches to it, despite Celtic pulling a goal lower back to stage proceedings, the eventual 1-1 draw would have felt greater like a defeat than a factor gained, specially given Rangers’ fine result a few hours later. As matters stand, there are now three factors between the two sides, with goal difference probably coming into play if the Ibrox facet wins their sport in hand convincingly. All of a sudden, the halcyon days of September and October seem like a lengthy time in the past for Rodgers and his squad.
However, it is no longer all doom and gloom with things at the moment, despite it potentially feeling that way. As an awful lot as Celtic’s dealings final month had been lambasted with the aid of the majority of onlookers, Pittodrie noticed a superb effect from two of the club’s most up-to-date recruits. The positives on Saturday afternoon – apart from Joe Hart’s goalkeeping heroics – got here in the shape of on-loan striker Adam Idah and right-winger Nicolas Kühn, who scored the equalizer on the day just minutes after getting into the area of play.
Quite ironic, thinking about the aim Celtic conceded highlighted their weaknesses at present, mainly in areas that place many concepts they would make stronger this month. From backup left-back Alexandro Bernabei’s misplaced pass to Miovski’s end – a participant that the membership has been linked with – it showcased the troubles that Rodgers has with his aspect at the moment.
Back to the positives, however, and it looks like Celtic’s two newest recruits already have a mutual understanding between the pair of them. Kühn – although possibly fortunate with the deflection – scored his first aim for the club in only his 2d appearance, at the same time as Idah played the ball to the winger, earning him an assist in the process. Despite each failing to, in addition, contribute to goals and assists later on in the match, the early signs and symptoms seem to be precise for the attacking duo in Glasgow.
With Celtic’s next healthy taking vicinity at Easter Road towards Nick Montgomery’s struggling Hibernian, you would think that both Kühn and Idah have put themselves firmly in the manager’s thoughts for this one, for two reasons. The first used to be their man or woman performances, as they lifted those around them with their contributions on the day. Kyogo Furuhashi – whose struggles have been apparent this season in the front of goal – seemed a long way more like himself as soon as Idah got here on, whilst Kühn did more than enough in his cameo to task those already in the region outside.
The 2nd cause why Kühn and Idah might also be perfect starters for Celtic’s Edinburgh time-out this week is due to the structure of others, especially in the case of the former. It is abundantly clear that both Liel Abada and Luis Palma are struggling at the moment, whether or not that be down to awful luck or confidence in general. Abada’s contribution in games – especially his wing work – leaves a lot to be desired, whilst Palma looks to be snatching at every shot he takes at the moment. Taking both out of the firing line may additionally be the fine path of action for Rodgers, even on a nonpermanent basis.
With Mikey Johnston away out on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Yang Hyun-jun nevertheless at the Asia Cup with South Korea, the stars may be aligning for Kühn. That might also additionally be the case for Idah, who used to be still at Norwich City this time remaining week. Like the wing position, Celtic have an ahead alternative nevertheless away on international obligation in the structure of Oh Hyeon-gyu, who plays alongside Yang beneath Jurgen Klinsmann. Despite no longer being called up to Japan’s squad, Kyogo has solely managed to find the internet towards Buckie Thistle due to the fact the iciness break, with his last league aim coming towards Rangers, returned on December 30.
With this in mind, will Rodgers be tempted to potentially bench Celtic’s big-name striker for his brilliant new toy in Idah? Or will he persevere with his misfiring forward? Either way, something needs to change, given the way the crew is performing at the minute. Even though Celtic went on a six-match unbeaten run from the middle of December to February, the club has not been firing on all cylinders at present. This – coupled with the off-field concerns regarding transfers – has amounted to the aforementioned darkish cloud surrounding the whole thing Celtic-related at the moment.
Wednesday’s hosts do not come into this sport with any incredible shape either, as they have been on the top of a 3-0 beating at the arms of St Mirren, who are Celtic’s opponents this Sunday in the Scottish Cup. With each manager under varying stages of pressure, it ought to make for a fascinating fit beneath the lights at Easter Road.
For properly or for bad, Celtic now understand precisely what hand they’ll be taking part in with for the length of this season. As a lot as Rodgers can grumble about the lack of ‘quality’ brought in over the direction of his 2d tenure for that reason far, he ought to work with what he has at his disposal.
The poor storm that the Celtics have created – largely of their doing – has to be quelled. It in reality is sink or swim for Rodgers and his guys this season, beginning in the capital this Wednesday. That consists of Kühn and Idah, regardless of how shortly they’ve been thrown in at the deep end.
Celtic’s draw towards Aberdeen at Pittodrie genuinely has set the cat amongst the pigeons this weekend
Failing to beat a managerless side struggling in the Scottish Premiership just about sums up Celtic’s season so far.
And whilst Brendan Rodgers‘ side continues to flounder and scrape results, the center of attention will never shift from the club’s recruitment over the past two windows.
Whilst there is a lot of anger over the lack of transfer business in January, it was £3m summer season signing, Gustaf Lagerbielke, that had Michael Stewart in a spin over the weekend.
The BBC pundit was particularly vital of Celtic’s recruitment manner and said that the scenario of the Allsvenskan’s Defender of the Year should had ‘red flags’ written all over it.
Stewart stated [Scottish Football Podcast], “And when you look at the likes of [Gustaf] Lagerbielkethat they’re attempting to offload a window later, that in itself tells you that that’s not a successful transfer.
“Because that is simply ludicrous to bring any person in in the summertime and attempt to offload them in January.
“That is you can apprehend from a fan’s perspective, has red flags and alarm bells all over it and he’s no longer alone.”
Gustaf Lagerbielke’s state of affairs at Celtic is ridiculous
How the membership can sanction £3m to be spent on a player who is now deemed no longer correct enough just six months into his Parkhead profession is virtually baffling.
Lagerbielke didn’t have the nice of starts at Celtic. A protective harm disaster supposed that he used to be thrown into an untested partnership with Liam Scales for the first Glasgow Derby of the season.
After a stuttering start, Lagerbielke sooner or later located his feet and Celtic won the game 1-0.
However, after being red-carded in his Champions League debut, Lagerbielke has struggled to rescue his profession at Celtic.
Quickly deemed now not correct adequate with the aid of Brendan Rodgers, the 23-year-old used to be instructed he should depart Celtic and did appear to be on his way out in January.
Again, some other damage picked up using Cameron Carter-Vickers intended that a proposed pass to Lecce was curtailed via Celtic and Lagerbielke used to be instructed he had to stay.
To make matters worse, the Swede didn’t even make the bench for the day out to Pittodrie with the sought-after Stephen Welsh being desired as the backup center-back.
It really is a curious scenario Lagerbielke finds himself in and with Celtic also offloading Marco Tilio and Hyeokkyu Kwon on loan, serious questions are now being raised into Celtic’s summer season business that the membership will want to answer.
‘Wow’… Robbie Savage was left stunned after what he’s been listening to from Chris Sutton about Celtic
Celtic’s switch business has been scrutinized to the nth degree over a previous couple of weeks
Even during the transfer window, questions have been being asked as to why the membership appeared reluctant to spend any of the £70m they claim to have sitting in their financial institution account.
And when former Celtic hero, Chris Sutton, says he is now questioning not solely the recruitment branch but also the Hoops manager, his feedback greatly surprised fellow BBC pundit, Robbie Savage.
TBR Celtic told formerly how Sutton was fuming at Celtic’s failure to sign a left-back in January and Savage was once left relatively greatly surprised at his colleague’s criticism of his ancient club.
Speaking on BBC 606, Savage said, “Wow all I am listening to from three or four weeks ago, you are now questioning the club’s recruitment.
“It’s falling apart, the wheels are falling off.
“That’s all I’m hearing.”
And Sutton responded in his usual calm demeanor, “Once again, a large exaggeration.”
Indeed, from the outside looking in it does look like the wheels have come off of Celtic’s title defense but, as we all know, anything can show up in football.
Brendan Rodgers has had to deal with an exceptional run of accidents so far this season. With Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate out for yet some other prolonged period, the Hoops gaffer has never had his full complement of players available at any one point this season.
With 14 games left to go there is still all to play for in the title race and Celtic are nonetheless pinnacle of the league. A lot will depend on what occurs on Wednesday night.
Celtic are away to a terrible Hibs aspect and Rangers entertain an Aberdeen side who have just hired Neil Warnock as their manager.
The midweek fixture card will without a doubt be an interesting one on how the title race will go.
In different news, St. Mirren followers are all announcing the identical component after Celtic loanee Hyeokkyu Kwon’s present-day show
Ally McCoist believes West Ham have done Celtic a “massive favor.”
The previous Officers striker was talking about how the more modest clubs in Europe get no opportunity of contending in the Bosses Association when he said that West Ham has helped groups like Celtic out in Europe.
McCoist said [Talksport], “West Ham have helped football out winning that competition since it gives groups like West Ham that get no opportunity, including Celtic of winning the Heroes Association, it gives them a fantasy.
“It offers them a chance. You simply see those folks whose fathers and children and mums bounce on that departure from the east finish of London to take a quick trip and see their group in Europe.
“It’s splendid, that is what’s going on with it.”
While what McCoist is talking about sounds valid, for Celtic his remarks are insignificant.
Celtic are probably not going to at any point contend in the Europa Meeting Association. At the point when Europe rebuilds, no groups will drop down from their initial rivalry into the following one if they don’t qualify from the gathering stages.
For instance, Celtic are hoping to snatch the third spot in Gathering E of the Heroes Association so they can drop into the Europa Association.
From next season that wellbeing net goes, as does the one for groups dropping into the Gathering Association from the Europa Association.
When you’re out, you’re out. Furthermore, regardless of whether that new rule comes into place, programmed capability for the Heroes Association or the CL qualifiers implies that the Scottish Bosses could never show up in the Gathering Association at any rate.
Celtic react to the Green Brigade’s tweet
The Green Unit asserts that regardless of being banned from going to matches, they keep on bringing about charges for games they are not allowed to join in.
The gathering is composed via web-based entertainment: This week, fans are losing many pounds on movement to Madrid for a game they are restricted from. On top of this, the PLC keeps on taking direct charge installments for matches fans are as of now prohibited from, with still no further correspondence with the fans impacted.
In an explanation exertion, the club has confirmed that those under suspension have not been charged for passes to the Atletico away game. They likewise guaranteed that pay for any matches missed because of the suspension would be tended to at the appointed time.
A Celtic representative said: ” No tickets were given to the gathering for the match in Madrid or installment taken by the Club. For all home matches where tickets are suspended, repayment will be offered and an update will be made to all allies in practically no time.”
There is an obvious feeling of dissatisfaction among the gathering because of the absence of prompt correspondence from the club in regards to pay for the matches they have missed, notwithstanding having paid for these through their season tickets.
Normally, Celtic will discount the impacted allies. Nonetheless, the present status of undertakings concerning the suspension is fairly unsure. Celtic is planning for their impending match against Aberdeen on Saturday, with the Green Detachment’s suspension still set up.
The clash between Atletico Madrid and Celtic has been labeled “high risk” due to the precedent set by Feyenoord.
The Metropolitano Arena will be supported by countless security staff
Celtic’s Bosses Association conflict with Atletico Madrid in Spain on Tuesday night has been classed as a ‘high gamble’ game, as per a report.
In excess of 3,300 Celtic fans will make the outing to Madrid for the experience, who as per Mundo Deportivo, will be ‘firmly observed’ as a feature of a high sending of safety staff at the Metropolitano Arena. This is because of the difficulty that heightened during and after Atletico’s home Bosses Association coordinate with Feyenoord on October 4, with the previously mentioned report expressing that there ‘were a few captures after the Dutch (fans) stirred up some dust in one of the celebrity Zones of the Metropolitano.’
Celtic target transfer talk heats up.
Andriy Lunin has one more club keen on his marking with Celtic said to be in the blend for his exchange
Genuine Betis have joined a rundown of European sides inspired by Genuine Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Betis’ flow number one Claudio Bravo, is supposed to resign toward the finish of the momentum season, and Lunin’s involvement with La Liga imply that he is areas of strength for a to supplant Bravo next season.
Lunin has just begun two games in La Liga this season, despite Courtois’ physical issue. This absence of game time has left the goalkeeper disappointed and has further fuelled hypothesis about his likely takeoff from Madrid soon, with Celtic supposed to think about a bid.
The Everyday Record initially connected Celtic to a move for Lunin last month, with the Ukrainian worldwide being essential for a gathering of goalkeepers viable for the job of Celtic’s main next season, with Joe Hart’s agreement terminating the following summer.
Hart said [Celtic FC]: ” Nothing that I’m mindful of. I’ve expressed it previously, I’m avoiding that business. That is for individuals over my head to discuss.
“I’m simply so centered around attempting to give my all for this group, partake in each second, partake in each moment, and attempt to give myself to help admirably well.”
At 36 years of age, Hart has a lot of involvement as a footballer yet the previous Britain worldwide’s exhibitions have plunged this season. Hart’s new shipping off against Livingston and his presentation in the Heroes Association against Feyenoord have left space for analysis.
Lunin’s battle for minutes during his five years at Madrid raises questions about a likely marking. The last time he made in excess of seven association appearances was in 2020 while borrowed at Genuine Oviedo in the second division in Spain. Considering that he hasn’t played as a first-group starter for quite a long time, there are worries about whether he is an able trade for Hart.
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