CAMERON CARTER-VICKERS believe Celtic have shown they can compete at Champions League level despite the results not matching up with some of the performances.
It’s been a huge learning curve for the players and the manager this season and we’ve not been good enough to make it into Europe beyond Christmas.
However, Celtic fans can see progress. They can also see Ange Postecoglou’s unwavering belief in his system and the way he wants to play the game shine through.
Celtic have not played backs against the walls stuff in this years competition. They have taken it to every opponent and gave them a real game. The Real Madrid game at home a perfect example. For the first half, Celtic had the current European Champions on the ropes and should’ve been ahead. In the end, they made us pay for not finishing our chances.
REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
In other games, they have been tight, especially the two Shakhtar games which could have easily been wins. We were in all these games and had a chance to win every single one of them. In the end, our finishing was not up to scratch.
CCV has made it clear it’s made this group of Celtic players want more of the competition next season. As the stand in Celtic captain told SunSport, they want another crack next term.
“It has made us want more of it. Definitely.
“The results haven’t been great, we know we’re not there yet — but we’ve still shown we can compete at this level.
“Within this group, we feel we can get there eventually.
“For a large number of us, playing Champions League has been a new experience.
“It was always going to take a bit of time to adjust.
“But, I think we’ve all grown in belief and become better players for the experience.
“I actually think we’ve done well without getting the results we all wanted.
REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
“We’ve still got another game to go, away to Real Madrid, and that will be another fantastic experience. But like I say, we also want to get a result.
“I feel good. It’s been challenging, but at the same time it’s been good to match up with some of the best teams, some of the best players in the world and I’ve enjoyed it.
“One hundred per cent we want to get back to the Champions League.”
The majority of the support, while frustrated, accept this is a project an not a quick fix. There’s signs we can continue to grow and get the results we didn’t quite manage this time around.
If we want to be back there next season, we must make sure we win the league. It’s back to domestic action for Celtic on Sunday with Livingston away.
