13 Dec 2023 12:32:23
It would be good to get our first win the Champions league in 10 years out the way tonight. But with Copenhagen getting through it's so disappointing to see how the Celtic model in Europe has failed. We chronically under fund the recruitment sector. Yes we do need to start offering wages at least up to the 50k for top players (realistic) . We had all that profit that's all the more reason to expand the budget and attract better players.

January will give us an insight to Brendan's and the boards approach for the following season. There is significantly more to play for this season with the winners getting the chance of extra games in the Champions league. With the gap in the league closing from rangers it's all to play for.

I also buy into the fact the green brigade being punished (rightly or wrongly) has had it's impact. The board disregard for everything but themselves and profit will come to a head. If the issues aren't sorted.

1.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 13:04:53
Good post 4leafclover.
Celtic haven’t won a CL match for 6 years away from home and 10 years at home.

2.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 14:19:58
Yes 4 leafclover . It was great. to see a club like our own in size Qualifying for the later stages of Champions League . Of course to do that Copenhagen had to take advantage of enormous slice of luck . And they really did, it should have been impossible for Copenhagen to better Man Utd, annual big spenders and a club with a reputation next to none . They surely did and took 4 pts out of 6 against a pathetic Utd side, this gave them confidence to go on and take 2nd place . Fair play to them, could we avail of one of the stronger clubs playing pathetic Football and continue to get enough points to come 2nd .
I don’t think so because in Champions League football and indeed UEFA, I can’t remember us getting any luck, we never get “homers” as referee, we do when playing away come across refs who look after home team .
Whether it is luck or H Dallas influence, we are along bit short of winning in Europe when we are not getting the rub of the green.

3.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 14:32:40
Just one other point 4 leaf clover . Big profits and bigger dividends come from the club gaining more success on the playing field . I am sure our Tory Board are doing everything in their power to maximise football club success on playing pitch . True Tories would ignore upgrading Lennoxtown and Barrowfield, they would do away with academy which isn’t bringing many players through . They would have prop-up Celtic shops all along concourse of every stand where they aren’t selling alcohol.

4.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 14:33:16
Lots of big names failed, the same as us, it's not a case of underfunding, are Man U. Underfunded,?, in our case it's the manager not utilising the players to the best of their abilities, and then claiming, that the players just are not good enough for the champions league .

5.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 14:54:51
That fact is still as frightening. We really need to change direction. I don't get why we haven't got 3-4 extra players in with top quality on competitive European salaries.

I remember ed a few years back bringing this up how other teams with similar incomes were offering better salaries. It was round about the time we played Molde. We were demanding better players but salaries has always been our problem. I don't get why not offer 1-3 top quality (our standard) 50k. Give general players a boost and then be offering incentives like if you win a champions league game a bonus of £1million split between all players that play. I'm sure you'd find them training harder and demanding game time. Giving it everything on the park. Might eventually get us results.

6.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 15:58:52
Aindoh I know what you mean that money doesn't guarantee a successful campaign but it helps.

We wouldn't be worrying about the quality of our squad in Scotland if we were building a European standard team. Even if we aren't aiming for Champions league beyond Christmas we should at least be looking to be competitive at Europa league level. But we're not. If you were any other team in the champions league and you drew Celtic you'd be rubbing your hands guaranteed football after Xmas. That needs to stop. At least make us a decent standard for Europa league football.

Man U are not the team to look at they've allowed the decline so much between there drama players who all think they were superstars, paid for overpriced bang average players and had allowed the systematic decline of their team as it was run for the business as opposed to the team.

7.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 17:18:12
In my seven decades plus, Man UtD have always been the club to immulate and. their supporters were the envy of all .
After no success for about 20 yrs in Europe, Celtic Changed their method of recruitment, we started concentrating on teenagers and 20yr. Old to supplement our new scouting in Japan and S Korea .
We haven’t fully tested this recruitment policy &. maybe we should continue.

8.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 19:31:03
Surely Celtic have always offered bonuses for various levels of success in Europe . They give bonuses for wins and draws in SPL and for winning it.

Changed time from when Bertie Aulde asked the Rangers player next to him in tunnel how much a bonus were they on& was told a tenner, Bertie said ours is just £7 -10 shillings, but ours is quaranteed.

9.) 13 Dec 2023
13 Dec 2023 19:36:21
As for the GB, I didn't realise they had been banned for the last ten years.