After that painful defeat to St Mirren, which cost Celtic the chance to win the Premier Sports Cup, the team returned to face Dundee United. The days leading up to this game were filled with frustration, disappointment, anger, tears and grief, capped by furious Celtic fans staging a further protest outside the doors of Celtic Park.
After the bitter disappointments the Celtic players have put us fans through, I think it’s high time they stood up and started winning games.
As I said in my previous article, the atmosphere at Celtic Park is boiling.
Fans are furious and the pressure is mounting — not only on the players in green and white, but also on Celtic’s new manager, Wilfried Nancy. What’s more, many supporters are demanding that the Celtic board step down immediately — Nicholson, Desmond and Lawwell included. He is going. The Collective’s response is to say “One down.”
Their era is over. They have run their course. The board now resembles extinct dinosaurs, whose fossils belong buried deep in some forgotten abyss.
Turning to the Dundee Utd game itself, it has to be said the first half started quickly and brilliantly for Celtic. The players dominated, created chances and Maeda finished his with precision. For the first time in weeks, this looked like the Celtic side we want to watch and admire. It was sweet — but, as ever, there was bitterness to follow.
Towards the end of the first half, Celtic slowed down and squandered several excellent chances to extend their lead. And as we all know, if you don’t take your chances, this game can be cruel.
I still don’t know what is wrong with the language of Nancy’s dressing room, but it clearly isn’t working. We’ve seen that again, very clearly, against Dundee United. Once more, something went wrong in the second half. Chances went begging, dominance evaporated, and Celtic allowed the opposition back into the game.
Yet again, Celtic lost — this time to Dundee United, a club sitting eighth in the Premiership — and allowed themselves to be humiliated. As I see it, the Hoops are currently incapable of winning games against anyone.
They are deprived of support from the board, short in key areas, desperate for fresh blood, and worst of all, there appears to be no real communication between the players and the manager. That is frightening.
When the dressing room language works, performances on the pitch work too — often spectacularly. To do it takes good communication, like Rodgers and O’Neill showed. Does this man communicate clearly? Are his messages getting through?
Wilfried Nancy must work on his communication with the squad. He must simplify his tactics, fight for reinforcements in January, and find a way to start winning games — quickly.
Celtic fans are furious and disappointed yet again. Is this how things should be? The answer is no. There is no time for learning on the job. There is no margin for error. Celtic need to start winning now.
Yesterday afternoon, prior to the game, we learned some unexpected news: Peter Lawwell has announced that he will step down at the end of December. I won’t lie — it put a smile on my face.
Reading his statement, however, left a bitter taste.
He spoke of abuse and threats from “detractors”. Who exactly are these people, Mr Lawwell? Are you talking about Celtic fans? Are you really suggesting that supporters are responsible for the mess you helped create?
That is shite overload.
You have lived in a bubble while this club has drifted, and even now you try to shift responsibility elsewhere. Enough is enough. Step down. Say nothing. And stop despising the very supporters who built this club.
I am glad Peter Lawwell is leaving.
It still isn’t enough. Nicholson and Desmond must follow. One down, more to go. Those responsible for this mess must leave, and they should never return.
Celtic needs rebuilding from the bottom down. Without sweeping change at the top, nothing else will stick.
Yes, today Celtic fans feel angry and frustrated.
But Lawwell’s resignation could be the first step in a broader push for real reform. If the board changes, if the squad is strengthened with fresh blood, and if communication improves, there is still an opportunity ahead.
My advice to fellow supporters is simple: stay patient and keep up the pressure. It is having an effect.