Where Do You See Celtic In 3-5 Years .

Celtic are Champions as they hold Rangers at Ibrox
16th April 2015, Bhoyyo reporting

Rangers hold Celtic in an enthralling 2-2 draw at Ibrox, but fail to stop the reigning champions confirming the destination of the title on their own patch.

Rangers fans will find little consolation in the fact that this is the first time it has taken Celtic until April to win the title since 2012, the year roundly acknowledged by Rangers fans as the worst in their history.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon hailed his squad, saying, "This is right up there with all our previous championship wins. Fantastic day, and to win it here just makes it all the sweeter."

When asked about talisman James Forrest's supreme solo run and chip which proved to earn them the point, Lennon had this to say, "Yeah, it was absolutely incredible. But we've come to expect that of James. 20 [goals] is it now? Absolutely fantastic!"

There's no doubt this will be a night of celebration for Celtic supporters, but once the hangovers clear there will be cause for concern. Manchester City have upped the ante in their bid to obtain Forrest and it was reported yesterday that Celtic were mulling over an improved £23 million offer. This will confound worries for those who fear for the squad, with club legend Beram Kayal, who was also on the scoresheet today, confirming that he will leave at the end of the season.

"I've had a great time here, but it's time to go on. I said I wanted to play in the Premiership and Arsenal are giving me that chance. Celtic have been fantastic to me, the fans, Neil Lennon and everyone. I'm glad to experience [the title win] once more, there's nothing like it."

Fans will forgive Kayal for leaving as a free agent, recalling his memorable brace against Roma at Parkhead which sent Celtic to the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time in six years.

The green and white stripes seem almost too comfortable on that league trophy now. With Rangers confirming the pre-contract signing of icon and veteran Gareth Barry, the Celtic board will have to shake off the complacency if they want the chants next year to be of 5 in a row.

Bhoyyo reporting, BBC news, Glasgow. Back to you, Chris!

 

Rangers signing even a 34 year old Barry ? No chance :icon_mrgreen:
Rangers holding us to a draw in 3 years ? No chance

 

The monetary side of Rangers demise will be insignificant if we can do ok in Europe. For as long as we do well enough to keep the co-efficient decent we will always get the £15 million from participating in the CL Group Stage. To be honest the money we make from the SPL is derisory and its Champions League funding we need. Without Rangers we will be able to always get the so-called "champions path" to qualification which makes it easier.

 

Bingo .

Celtic will need to spend to get there I feel ,but the rewards are there for any team thats wants it ,Im hoping the Board see the bigger picture as your bang on again in saying about the SPL money

 

I'd like us to continue on the path we're on. A good young squad and bleeding through some home-grown talent whilst also trying to improve the quality enough to go as far in Europe as possible.

 

I'm certain we'll improve. As I've said before, Lenny is a young manager. He's only going to improve. He's already said we'll be adding some quality in the summer. If we can bring in some good, quality players then we can get into the Champions League. What impact we'll have on it is a different matter. We gave a good account of ourselves in Europe this season. Had we been in an easier group, or even had a bit more luck, we would have progressed. I don't think we'll make the last 16 next year, but 3rd in the group may be a definite possibility. I absolutely think we'll win the title as well. The huns future is uncertain at the moment, but even if they do come out of this alive and in the SPL I can't see that they'll be able to build themselves back up for a while. That means not only will we get more money from winning titles and subsequently qualifying for Europe, but the players will have the will to win. A lot has been said about us not having the bottle for big games. Whether or not that's true I don't know, but one thing's for certain that the more experience these players get of winning trophies, the better they'll be able to cope with big games.

 

I can see it going two ways.

If as lenny has alluded to comes to fruition and we see a big cut in the playing squad by getting rid of some dross, then adding 3/4 players that will improve the first team then i can see us qualifying for the CL next season. If we can qualify for the CL then i have no doubt it will have a rolling effect. CL equals money/prestige and it provides an attraction for the fans if Rangers indeed go away or become a club that cannot in the foreseeable future compete with us.

I can see 4IAR, i can see CL group stages, i can see possible extended run in the EL with grit/determination and a bit of luck. Getting that invincibility back to parkhead is an absolute must, no longer can clubs come to Paradise and believe they can get a result, they need to come here fearing not just Celtic players but a CL atmosphere almost unparalleled in Europe.

Yet what i do see also possibly occurring is a lack of, call it what you want, ambition by the board. Do we keep going as we are with Rangers in turmoil, do we base our business on the strength of Rangers? That is the troubling aspect i have, in fact its the only thing that really troubles me, Lennon with the right resources can take us back into the CL and he can make Celtic Park a place to be feared again, but he needs the backing of the board.

 

I don't even fear the possibility of the board not backing us again.

I think Lawwell will actually fork out for a couple quality players, he seems to be backing Lenny 100% and has certainly stood up for him on matters way more important than football, so when it comes to spending 4 or 5 million I think he'll be on board - plus he knows Lenny and the scouts' expertise which will comfort him as he knows 8/10 signings we make will be good ones.

But even if the board keep their hands in their pockets i'm not fussed as we're in a totally different situation to the "Fletchergate" scenario a few years back.

Now we have so many valuable assests we didn't have then - if worst comes to worst we can sell the likes of Ki, Forrest, Matthews for easily 8 million each and then get some real quality on - but I seriously don't see that happening.

We are one the up with Lenny as our leader and i'm positive the fans, the players and the board are all behind him.

We'll have some bumps along the way, sure, but the next 5 years is going to be a brilliant ride - I can feel it.

 

I hope we can go out and take advantage of rangers troubles and dominate the league, and strenghten in the summer so we have a chance in Champions League and make Parkhead the fortress it used to be.

But: I think that this depends alot on what will happen with rangers. IF they liquidate and go down to 3rd division as a newco, we wont s pend a penny untill they are a threat again, because we could win the league with our reserves. And this will gain some massive massive money that fans wont see, because we will be to busy getting easy silverware.

 

In 3 yrs time it will still be the same- we will not be intouchable- every team in the SPL is capabale of beating us!!! And Rangers in whatever shape or for WILL BE our challengers.
Look at Motherwell this year, who don't have a great budget.

 

I think we might take a few steps up, and that will be fine for me.

I think that we will be making the CL, struggling slightly, finishing 3rd and going in the EL. And that is progress. As long as we can stay in Europe and get the name back out their and show that we're back.

Tbh, I'm really hoping that in the absence of a "strong" hun side, I'd like to think a couple of other teams can make the step up and qualify for Europe every season and then Scotland can make a dent on Europe.

In that hope I don't want to see us cheap-out because of rangers. We still need to get into Europe for the pride of the CL (and the benefits of a good flow for good players).

And on addition I'd like to think that a good few of our young stars will be in the first team saving us some money in the transfer market.

 

totally unpredictable for me, i'd never have thought when i was a kid that the standards of football players playing for celtic and rangers would've dropped so much now compared to the o'neill times. hopefully they improve but again

 

Winning Europe League is more then possible imo. Atletico Madrid (who i think will win it) are not a much better side then we are to be fair. We had a nightmare of a group and were unlucky to not go thru.

 

NEXT 10 YEARS:

basically do the same thing that lyon did in france some years ago.

1. completely dominate the domestic league. beat our own record, i.e. get a 10 in a row (at least).

2. buy promising talented players from the spl teams as well as promising talented players from abroad. also, continue producing gems like forrest and (hopefully) watt. sell them for loads of cash after they play 3-4 seasons with us and have proven themselves in scotland as well as in europe.

3. be a european force (especially at home). play regularly in the champs league. get to the knock out stages with time. build a team that could get to the last 8 or even the semis.

it might sound a bit optimistic, but i believe that these are all reachable targets.

 

No chance mate. Forrest possibly (if he continues in the way he has been), Ki? Long shot. Matthews? Not worth 8 mil by any stretch of the imagination, and probably won't be in 3 years either.

 

for us to be a force in Europe we need the EPL bubble to burst,the SPL to become more competitive, UEFA to instigate some form of salary cap.

In 4 years time I think we'll be heading for 5 in a row, the new Rangers will probably just be challenging for a top six spot with Dunfermline and St Mirren.
And Scotland will be independent and heading for a republic!

 

I think Lennon will still be with us, we'll have just won 4 in a row. The huns will be completely gone. Most of our best young players like McGeouch and Watt will be here along with the rest of the youngsters (hopefully). A powerhouse :icon_mrgreen:

 

If you look aorund Europe, all the successful teams have consistancy in their teams. If we can keep the nucleus of the squad together for a number of years we will be a lot more successful in Europe. We may not win it but our aima and expectations should be to qualify and get through the group stages every season.

 

Hopefully moved into the EPL getting the TV money we deserve. Leave the huns to rot up here.