Celtic fans are in panic mode after a 4-1 friendly thrashing by Sporting CP in the Algarve, with the big Premiership kick-off just 18 days away. The defeat has exposed a squad that supporters believe is badly undercooked, with only one new signing—Camilo Duran—through the door so far.
Hotline Callers Slam Board and Fitness
Paul McCormack from Coatbridge fumed: “We will hear all the usual nonsense, it’s about getting match fit, getting minutes into players’ legs, its only pre season, the result doesn't matter. Garbage, especially on this occasion. Yet again, when we have arguably the biggest rebuild for decades, we are putting minutes into the legs of players who will not feature this season. Why are this board not learning? It’s the same every season, we go into pre season short on signings, then signings eventually come in and right away are playing catch up with team mates. Utter madness, or contempt, from this board of dinosaurs, from Dermot Desmond down.”
Scott McAdam from Glasgow added: “Pre season games are all about getting your fitness levels up. But the state of that Celtic team was a disgrace. They look unfit and not coached. Where has Martin O’Neill had them, Greggs? The squad look overweight apart from Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran. The squad look a joke. Under three weeks to flag day, four weeks to Champions League qualifying. And we are miles away.”
Concerns Over Champions League and Title Hopes
Charles Maxwell emailed: “Yes it’s pre season, yes we have 50 days of the transfer window left, and yes, it looks like we might get a tune out of Duran. But Celtic are far from on-song. A couple of pre-seasons ago we were beating the likes of Man City and Chelsea. This time we struggled to find our rhythm against Shelbourne and were absolutely thrashed by Sporting. It could easily have been seven or eight. Celtic appear to be slipping down the charts. If we don't up our game we can kiss goodbye to the Champions League and most probably the league title.”
Jim Docherty emailed: “Since the end of last season it's become apparent that Brian Wilson, who was an outspoken MP, has fallen under the control of Dermot Desmond because after all his promises of board changes and fast tracking of new players, it stinks of ‘yes man’ and doing and saying what you’re told. Time to come clean before the natives do it for you.”
Maeda's Future and Rangers' Taunts
Daizen Maeda has yet to return after his World Cup exploits for Japan but has repeated his desire to move to the Premier League. Stephen Mulhern from Dumbarton said: “It’s all becoming so irritating for Celtic supporters like me with Maeda constantly ranting on about his desire to test himself in the English Premier League. One thing for sure he won’t need his passport for European football if he does move down south as I believe the top clubs have noticed how fellow Celtic icon Kyogo flopped miserably and it could turn out the only offer will come from a Championship club instead.”
Rangers fans were quick to rub salt in the wounds. Joe Graham from Garrowhill said: “Great to be a Rangers supporter this pre season. While Derek McInnes has started already with six new signings in and three or more in the pipeline, on the other side Martin O’Neill has one. Rangers are going to leave this Celtic outfit behind this coming season. It has been a long time waiting, now you can see it. A blue blood manager at last who knows this league and recruiting accordingly. Celtic supporters must be shivering at the thought of this new Rangers.”
Rob Hunter from Dumfries joked: “I had been led to believe that Hearts were abolishing their B team from this season but it now appears they will continue after all.. however they will now operate out of Ibrox.”
