Celtic's Champions League Humiliation Sparks Introspection
With Celtic's recent disappointing exit in Almaty, it is time for a reevaluation of the club's most significant and self-inflicted failures in Champions League qualifiers over the past dozen seasons.
Clubs like Maribor, Malmo, AEK Athens, CFR Cluj, Ferencvaros, and FC Midtjylland have all inflicted wounds that have prompted deep reflection and frustration within Celtic.
These teams have consistently posed challenges to Celtic's aspirations, exposing the gap between the club's self-image and its actual performance on the European stage.
The legacy of the legendary 1967 team and the electrifying atmosphere of Champions League nights have long bolstered Celtic's reputation.
However, on Tuesday night, Kairat Almaty decisively demonstrated that Celtic's previous conquerors were not their only adversaries.
Brendan Rodgers has witnessed some dismal performances before—such as seven-goal drubbings—but this defeat transcended those experiences. It was a display of ineptitude that could only be described as subpar.
The statistics from the two-legged encounter are staggering: no goals scored in 210 minutes, three missed penalties during the shootout, and several squandered opportunities, all while over £40 million slipped away in Kazakhstan. This represents a monumental failure, and the blame falls on everyone involved.
This defeat highlights a collective failure—players, manager, and board alike share responsibility. It underscores a club that has gambled on progress by delaying necessary squad refreshment until Champions League qualification was secured.
This situation starkly illustrates how Celtic has allowed its standards to decline, both on and off the pitch. Just months ago, Celtic faced Bayern Munich, featuring stars like Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, and Harry Kane, and came within seconds of pushing them to extra time after a 3-2 aggregate loss.
That encounter provided momentum and a sense of hope, supported by a strong financial position and a fanbase largely aligned with the board's vision. Harmony and positivity were prevalent—a rare occurrence in Glasgow.
Now, however, there is widespread bitterness and discontent, as the club has squandered its feel-good factor.
Identifying the Gaps in Celtic's Squad
The lack of ambition to enhance the squad has backfired, striking the club squarely in the face. This accountability primarily rests with the board of directors, particularly major shareholder Dermot Desmond.
Desmond wields significant power at Celtic. Would it be too much to hope for occasional communication from him? Could Chief Executive Michael Nicholson share insights into the club's vision?
Such transparency could help explain how Celtic has transitioned from the optimism surrounding their match with Bayern Munich to the humiliation inflicted by Kairat Almaty in just six months.
The deficiencies within the squad have been apparent for some time, and the need for new energy was evident. Yet, Celtic entered the Champions League playoff round significantly weaker than the previous season.
Rodgers also bears responsibility for this failure. At home, Celtic enjoys overwhelming support, and Rodgers often praises his team after victories against domestic opponents with significantly smaller budgets. Fans revel in high-scoring wins against weaker teams.
When they defeat Rangers and secure another league title, the sentiment often becomes that European progress is a secondary concern. The focus shifts to maintaining an edge over their city rivals.
Celtic should aspire to rise above such narrow thinking. Critics can fairly accuse the club of prioritizing staying ahead of Rangers over broader ambitions.
Occasionally, at Rodgers' urging, they invest in players like Arne Engels, Adam Idah, and Auston Trusty, at a combined cost of around £26 million, but the strategy remains conservative. This approach has yielded success in domestic competitions, player trading, and financial stability.
However, if the goal is to progress beyond Bayern's level, as Rodgers desires, a problem arises. Yet, Rodgers is not exempt from scrutiny in this situation.
Many players from last season seem to have regressed. Idah and Engels struggle to find a place in the team, while Trusty would not have featured had he been fit. These are Rodgers' signings.
The core of the team still relies on Ange Postecoglou's influence, as many of Rodgers' recruits have yet to make a substantial impact.
This exit from the Champions League is a collective failure. While the prevailing narrative may place blame on the board for not securing the necessary players, the board could counter that the contributions of Rodgers' signings have been minimal so far. If they are not starting, the answer is simply, 'not much.'
It would not be unreasonable for the board to expect more—a victory over Kairat or at least a goal and some semblance of cohesion across the two legs. With no contract extension currently on the table for the manager, it appears he may depart next summer.
This outcome might be mutually beneficial. Although Rodgers claims there is no conflict with the board, his frustration has been evident.
This complex situation could worsen domestically, especially if Rangers were not so intent on escalating their own crisis. Celtic is likely to win one, two, or even three trophies this season, but the unfortunate reality is that the lessons from Almaty may well be forgotten.
The Old Firm rivalry has intensified, with both clubs vying to outdo each other in terms of fan dissatisfaction. The stakes are high, as Rangers prepare to face Brugge on Wednesday, already trailing 3-1, with further challenges expected in Belgium.
Then, the two Glasgow giants will clash at Ibrox on Sunday, where tensions will undoubtedly run high.