European knockout football could prompt Celtic into transfer activity that would boost their domestic title hopes
Celtic host FC Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday knowing that a win would ensure a ticket to the knockout rounds and possibly help their SPFL Premiership title chances in the process. The Scottish champions currently lie third in the domestic league, but the promise of more European football could be the spur needed to kickstart the rest of the season.
It has been a puzzling and infuriating season for Celtic fans who find themselves in the unfamiliar position of seeing two teams above them in the Scottish Premiership table. A rejuvenated Hearts under the influence of Tony Bloom have been leading the way this campaign, having beaten the Bhoys twice, and remain six points ahead of the reigning champions after the weekend’s 2-2 draw at Tynecastle.
That result in a stormy and controversial top-of-the-table clash, allowed Rangers to sneak in between the two in what seems set to be the first genuine three-horse title race in Scotland for many years. After years of domestic dominance, winning 13 of the last 14 titles, Celtic must now react to this fresh challenge.
Transfer business without a permanent manager
While long-term planning has never been the club’s strong suit, often coasting to success in recent years despite questionable off-field decisions, this season has presented an even trickier proposition.
With Martin O’Neill currently in his second stint as interim manager this season after Brendan Rodgers resigned and then Wilfried Nancy was sacked, a mid-to-long-term strategy is conspicuous by its absence and not helped by the lack of a sporting director or director of football to oversee matters such as recruitment.
As we approach the end of a January transfer window in which Celtic desperately needed to strengthen the playing squad, the club have managed just two loan signings: Julián Araujo from Bournemouth and Tomáš Čvančara from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Having lost and failed to adequately replace key players such as Kyogo Furuhashi, Adam Idah and Nicholas Kühn in the last two transfer windows, in addition long-term injuries to regular starters Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, this Celtic squad needs help if they are to claw back the lead Hearts have built up.
Europa League the key to domestic success
This is where the Europa League could be key as Martin O’Neill has already hinted that progression in Europe is likely to determine the club’s transfer strategy. Having a minimum of two extra high-level games to prepare for could prompt the board to loosen the purse strings and boost the Irish manager’s arsenal for the remainder of the season.
“We have to see this competition through, which will be at the end of January,” said O’Neill at his press conference on 13 January as part of a discussion on transfers.
“And whether we make it or don’t make it, that might have a bearing on [transfers] as well.
“If we didn’t make it, we won’t have at least a couple more games to play and if we do, that’s always a thought.”
Those words from a couple of weeks ago may take on huge relevance this week as Celtic prepare for their final game in the Europa League group stage. As twisted as it may sound, progressing in the Europa League may be Celtic’s best hope for domestic success if it is a factor in encouraging the club to make moves in the transfer market.
What do Celtic need to do to progress in the Europa League?
Celtic have their fate in their own hands on Thursday as three points will secure a play-off sport. However, a draw could also be enough, depending on other results and even a defeat would leave them with an outside chance.
A draw would see the Bhoys eliminated from the Europa League if Ludogorets, Feyernood and Basel win. FCSB and Go Ahead Eagles would also find themselves ahead of Celtic if they can manage three and four-goal swings, respectively.
A defeat would result in the same teams being able to overtake Celtic with wins, except for Ludogorets, who would only need a draw due to their superior goal difference. FCSB and Go Ahead Eagles also wouldn’t require any goal swings if they win.