RB Salzburg’s home victory over Celtic in December 2018 was dismissed, despite the fact that it was evident to all. Part of the turmoil caused by AEK Athens’ Champions League qualifying loss was mitigated by Brendan Rodgers’ leadership of Celtic to the Europa League knockout stage. Due to the wealth connected with the Red Bull model, Salzburg’s success—they won six of the six group matches they played—could be contextualized in terms of money. For second place, Celtic defeated Leipzig, another member of the RB family.
This Celtic team was quite good. Kieran Tierney was developing quickly. Among the participants were Mikael Lustig, Callum McGregor, Scott Brown, Tom Rogic, Ryan Christie, Scott Sinclair, and Odsonne Édouard. “This represents a significant advancement for our players,” stated Rodgers. After 90 minutes, and eight weeks later, Valencia’s 2-0 victory in Glasgow put an end to the last-32 match. “We made far too many errors,” Rodgers remarked. “At this level, it is tough for you if you put pressure on yourself. You can get away with it domestically sometimes. We committed simple errors.
Rodgers was appointed manager of Leicester City in a matter of days. His desire to rejoin the Premier League had always been there, but for months he had been hiding his annoyance at Celtic’s unwillingness or incapacity to share his goals in a bigger picture than Motherwell. Rodgers needed out when he thought that the final 32 of the Europa League was as good as it was going to go. He had become tired of managing learning curves. The main question surrounding his summer return to Celtic was why the 50-year-old thought things might be so different in his second spell.
Celtic has not made a post-Christmas return to Europe in nearly four years. Despite receiving praise for his achievements at home, Ange Postecoglou was eliminated from three European events during the 2021–2022 season. It was only because Rangers were struggling to the worst sectional performance in the competition’s history that last year’s miserable Champions League campaign was overlooked. When the stakes are heightened, Scottish football’s other domestic sides may laugh themselves silly, but the harsh truth is that this is as good as it gets.
The two Champions League games that Celtic has played thus far could serve as self-harm case studies. Prior to losing the most comfortable of opening games against Feyenoord in Rotterdam, they were the superior team. There were two red cards, then another goal. Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm, the terminated players, are the kind of project signings the team specializes in making regular profit success out of. Their mistakes were appropriate for rookies in the Champions League.
At that moment, struggling in Serie A, Lazio appeared satisfied to send Glasgow home with a draw, but stoppage-time Celtic mishaps gave them the most unlikely of victories. Rodgers remarked, “There’s learning there.” “You have to keep the ball in the game, and you can’t lose it even if you’re not going to win at that point.” This seemed uncannily similar.
The idea that the football department is not given enough resources will be bitterly opposed by Celtics’ board. In his most recent chairman’s statement, Peter Lawwell mentioned spending £66.4 million over the course of 2.5 years on player registrations. Subtext: We support managers. While Celtic is still a profitable, self-sufficient company, its operating expenses are £95.4 million. Supporters must demand a considerably higher European return in exchange for that spending. With their incredible run to the 2022 Europa League final, Rangers captured hearts and showed Celtic just what they were capable of. As Rangers defeated Borussia Dortmund, the gap between the top leagues and the others was made fun of.
Atletico Madrid is not going to give Rodgers much leeway on Wednesday night. Even though this seems like the voice of a brave underdog, the manager is right to emphasize that his squad has been competitive over match days one and two. At this stage, Celtic success is no longer guaranteed, even against the best opposition. Barcelona lost badly in 2012. During the same era, Manchester United and Milan suffered at Celtic Park. For ten years, Celtic has not triumphed in a Champions League group game at home. One can mock the run, but what’s more interesting is how Rodgers, who believes he is a great coach, intends to defy the norm.
Rodgers has played up how hard it is to win games in Scotland, almost like he’s trying to persuade himself instead than everyone else. With the occasional Ibrox scrap, Celtic’s under-18 team plays in an under-10 competition. Because of this, having European status is quite significant. The last time, Rodgers understood all too well this. Teaching players inadequate skills for a certain setting has its limits.
