Celtic’s recent 2-0 defeat at the hands of Lazio in the Champions League has cast a spotlight on a significant issue within the realm of European club football – the disparity in squad depth and quality stemming from differing investment strategies. This match, particularly painful for Celtic supporters, underscores how a lack of investment can markedly affect a team’s performance in Europe’s premier competition.
The substitution decisions during the game were telling. Ciro Immobile’s entry for Lazio was a game-changer, with his late brace demonstrating both skill and tactical acumen. Contrastingly, Celtic’s substitution, bringing on Mikey Johnston, failed to make a similar impact. This difference in bench strength and the quality of substitutions underscores a larger issue: how far this squad has gone backwards in just a year.
Celtic’s approach to the transfer market and their apparent hesitancy to invest robustly is a pivotal factor. The club’s recent financial statements, including comments from chairman Peter Lawwell about conserving capital in case of not winning the league and qualifying for the Champions League, suggest a conservative, risk-averse approach. While financial prudence is essential, especially for clubs outside the ultra-rich elite, this strategy of minimal investment in squad depth has tangible consequences on the field.
Here is Peter Lawwell’s quote to the London stock exchange about Celtic’s £70m in the bank:
Celtic’s Hyun-Jun Yang in action with Lazio’s Luis Alberto REUTERS/Alberto Lingria
“It is important to highlight that, given the increasing gap between the sums able to be earned between the Champions League and the Europa League, it is vital that we retain a cash buffer in reserve. History tells us that we will not always qualify for the Champions League and the benefit of holding cash reserves affords us the optionality of managing through seasons where we participate in the Europa League with the ability to retain our squad as opposed to selling key players to bridge the income shortfall between both competitions. The Financial sustainability rules are also a key feature of UEFA licencing and we need to be cognisant of running our club accordingly.”
The match against Lazio, a team perceived as a weaker opponent to most in the competition, highlights the need for a more aggressive investment strategy by Celtic. Having players of Immobile’s calibre available off the bench can dramatically alter the course of a game, a luxury currently unavailable to Celtic.
This Champions League misery serves as a reality check for Celtic and other similar clubs. To narrow the gap in European competition, a balance must be struck between financial caution and ambitious investment. It’s about enhancing squad depth and quality within financial constraints, ensuring more effective competition on Europe’s biggest stage. For fans, it’s not merely about competing; it’s about the aspiration to win games, necessitating a strategic shift in how clubs like Celtic approach player investments.
It’s never going to happen, so no point even discussing it. Tonight, Celtic broke a Champions League record by going 15 games without a win. It’s clear that Mr. Lawwell and his fellow bonus hunters are only interested in having sufficient quality in the team to almost guarantee Champions League qualification and another few tens of millions from which they take a large cut in bonuses. They are not remotely interested in strengthening the squad to a level where it can actually compete through the group stages. It will not change now or in the future, simple as that. The fans need to get used to European humiliation, I’m afraid.
We are woefully out of depth in the CL. Unfortunately we wont find out this season if we are even Europa League standard.
CCV & Hart IMO the only 2 players good enough at CL level. Yet again McGregor vanishes when we are up against quality opposition and while we rave about O’Riley, AJ, Kyogo, Hatate, Taylor in Scotland, they just can’t seem to make the step up. Atletico Madrid are clearly a very good side but we should have been able to push to qualify from that group
Yes Lawell is back and the team goes backwards.
DD sends his Son to the AGM, but Lawell is the guy in charge, we already know he is only interested in profit, profit is important but the team comes first as the fans want a team of players, not a team of players to develop.
Hart needs replacing.
Taylor is not a left back.
O’Riley, take the first offer and replace him with a player that can run, jump, tackle, shoot, he can’t do any of those.
Kyogo is not the same player, shoulder issue or the way Brendan sets them up is making kyogo look ordinary.
Forrest should be thanked and let go, he only holds back younger players.
Mikey Johnston has missed the bus, maybe a year at Aberdeen on loan could improve him.
Alistair Johnstone was good early, he’s now struggling.
Hatate is sorely missed.
Maeda has little to offer with final ball but his work rate is sorely missed.
Abada also missed.
Yang has promise if used correctly.
Palma is only half the player Jota was.
The rest of the team starting have to make up for the failings of the players who are not good enough for celtic.
11 players competing & complimenting each other are required.
Brendans pass pass pass does not create chances, he has taken the team backwards, few shots are taken, quick one twos are non existent.
The chosen team need supporting on match days, fans are there but none cheer, no 12th man.
Celtic are just about good enough for domestic football but Should withdraw from Europe.
Lawell and his signings are once again taking celtic backwards.
I’d love to see a great celtic team but all that is happening under lawell & Brendan is making fans depressed.
The performing players will become unhappy and want away.
Someone send DD, Lawell, Brendan an appointment for specsavers, none of them can see the mess developing in front of them.
Rant over until next match, I hope celtic change but as long as lawell is in charge, the only change goes in his pocket.
Mon the Hoops prove me wrong four ☘️
If Celts beat Feyenoord Lawell will consider that an improvement on last season thus giving him an excuse to cut transfer spending .One thing that bothers me is Rodgers excuses, continually blaming the players for lack of quality. I suggest he has a good look in the mirror but all he will see is failure .
As long as this board of directors are here getting their pay and bonuses whether CELTIC win,lose or draw there will be no major investment in players.They have no incentive to the progress of the club.