How far have we come from 2001?

It doesn’t feel like 12 years ago since Celtic famously hammered Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena. When you look at the team we had back then it’s hard not to look back in envy, even without the likes of Petrov, Thompson, Hartson and Moravcik.

It wasn’t a bad side they played that day either. The likes of Cristian Chivu, Hatem Trabelsi, Maxwell, Van der Vaart, Mido, Steven Pienaar and Zlatan Ibrahimović were all in the Ajax squad. All of which were terrific players at one point in their careers. 

Looking at the 2 teams nowadays shows a different story. Two teams from two suffering leagues. The SPFL Premiership and Eredivisie seem to be stepping stones to apparent bigger things. Years ago it would be inconceivable for a player to force a move from Celtic to the likes of Norwich or Southampton, hence why both Ajax and Celtic are placing more and more emphasis on youth. Quite refreshing it is watching youth prospects grow into talented football, young James Forrest a prime example of this. Hopefully we get to see more home grown talent being introduced throughout the remained of the Premiership campaign.The focus on youth does come with a downside however. Is there much quality in Scotland? Have they just not been given the chance? Maybe if they had a foreign sounding name they might.  

It’s evident what we are missing from watching the Celtic team this past 10 years. Playmaker, playmaker, playmaker. In my opinion Celtic have not replaced Moravcik, and how can you? What a player. Henrik Larsson, still to this day, has no clue to Lubo’s favoured foot. The lack of playmaker was evident again last weekend against HIbs. Looking at our currently attacking squad, we have box to box midfielders and quick wingers, but who can link the strikers and midfield with 1 defence splitting pass? Kris Commons is the closest thing we have to that. Worryingly it seems he may miss the big game tomorrow. Who can take his place?

The days of being linked with quality attacking players are gone I’m afraid. Basturk, Rivaldo, Giroud, Hakan Yakin, Saviola, Quaresma to name a few we’ve targeted throughout the years. I’m not convinced this type of player can shoot through the youth ranks. We can only hope to find a diamond in the rough like Lubo. That being said, tomorrow should give us a good insight into where we stand in Europe, with Ajax in a similar situation to ourselves. We have one thing that differentiates us from the rest of Europe however. One thing that in my opinion will secure 3 points tomorrow. That is, of course, 60,000 passionate fans packed into Paradise. 

Prediction: 2-0 Celtic

C'mon the Hoops!!

Celtic in Ireland

Firstly, let me welcome you to this new venture of mine. To give you a brief background I'm a passionate Celtic fan who has recently graduated in communications. With the lack of job opportunity, what better way to start than to write about my beloved Celtic.

As I struggle to think of the first Celtic topic to write about, I think about my own experience with the club. Originally from a border county in Ireland, I found myself born into a Celtic family. My father having been a frequent traveler to Paradise, like his father before him. I attended my first game in 1998. If I recall correctly sitting in the Lisbon Lions stand, looking over at a half finished Jock Stein stand. By the age of 13 I was fortunate enough to be a season ticket holder, which I held for 5 years. Long day trips to Glasgow once every 2 weeks. They were long days for a young fella like me. Get out of bed at 5am for the trip to Belfast, ferry to Stranraer before the long haul to Glasgow. The shear scale of buses from Ireland on these trips shocked me at first.

Which got me thinking. I watch a considerable amount of football; from English football to Brazilian football. Is there a more passionate support than Celtic? In my opinion no, especially not in Ireland. I concede to my English supporting friends, yes, there's probably more Liverpool & Man Utd fans on this island, but in terms of passion, Celtic are unrivaled. I remember watching a Celtic reserve game last season over an English Premiership match and that's not me gloating, that's the Celtic fan mentality. Celtic first, Celtic reserves second. I also remember years ago Football Focus having a special report on two West Ham Utd fans from France travelling to their games week in week out. I remember hearing phrases like "proper football fans" and "unbelievable dedication." I wonder what their reaction would be watching 30 Irish bus loads driving through Girvan at 10am.

I've read quite a lot of Celtic blogs in my time, the majority of which were written by a Scotsman. Hopefully this blog can provide an Irish perspective of our famous club. North men, south men, comrades all.