We’ve invited fans of the 42 SPFL clubs (well, some of them at least) to give us a preview of their team’s upcoming season. Let’s find out what Euan Davidson thinks is in store for Celtic…
Last Season’s Position – 1st
This Season’s Prediction – 1st
Best Signing of the Summer So Far – Dedryck Boyata
Since the regrettable departure of the best Belgian since Tintin, Jason Denayer, Celtic have acted quickly in replacing the promising centre-back with another. Dedryk Boyata has (albeit, limited) Premier League experience, an intimidating frame and fantastic ability in the air. This is especially good news for a Celtic team who were exposed from set-pieces in Europe last season.
Key Man – Scott Brown
Who amongst us isn’t prone to spending evenings getting ‘pure mwi’, before collapsing, kebab-in-hand, outside of a strip club in Edinburgh? Certainly not I, readers, and neither is our fantastic captain Scott Brown. Highlights of his 14-15 season included taunting Ian Black in the underwhelming Old Firm Derby, and inspiring some genuinely impressive performances in Europe.
With an improved temperament and useful techniques in pre-Cup Final stress relief, Broony is an institution. We’d be lost without him. A captain as capable as McStay or Boyd.
The Manager – Ronny Deila
Deila is Florence Nightingale in a league of Harold Shipmans. His beautiful, fluid football took a little while to come to fruition in Scotland, but he’s managed to get this Celtic team playing his way – on the deck, fast, pressing, combative. Compared to managers around the league, he is a Mozart among Motorheads (with the notable exception of Derek McInnes). Also: the Ronny Roar is a good thing, since it annoys you all so much. That’s the point.
Expectations
When Neil Lennon left, Celtic dithered in finding the right man. Considering that ‘right man’ could well have been Roy Keane, last season was a miracle. Sure, the Champions League debacle was an embarrassment, but realism would indicate that at the time, Celtic were adjusting; not getting into the competition proper might’ve been a blessing in disguise. Instead, we had a reasonable wee run in the Europa League, and took Inter Milan to task over two legs. With the signings of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong, the midfield is full of creativity, and Boyata joins Janko in a new-look defence.
In my view, Nadir Ciftci’s transfer doesn’t represent a ‘sorted’ attack, but the more cynical Celtic fans would love to be proved wrong. Another title and a Scottish Cup – a trophy which has eluded our grasp for too long now – as well as a respectable run in Europe would indicate progress. The integration of a few more youngsters in the league and the continued rise of the impressive Nir Biton would be useful, too.
About The Author
Euan L. Davidson, a long-term Michael Park-botherer and writer for VICE and DIY. Generally a shambles and unpunctual. @tweeteuan
