Countdown to new season looms for Celtic

As Celtic head into a new season that will begin prematurely to most, they’ll start out with their usual two targets; win the championship and European football after Christmas. As both of these goals fell painfully and agonisingly by the wayside last season, with the team hitting the self-destruct button, attainment of these objectives is imperative.

With Gordon Strachan and his management team walking after failing so spectacularly in the league from an almost unassailable position, comes a new regime with fresh ideas and impetus. Throughout Strachan’s reign the Scottish media often portrayed the reason for his lack of popularity amongst the support as not being “Celtic minded”. The real reason was down to the often cavalier and laboured performance of the team, as well as frequent bizarre post-match interviews, where he offered analysis that would differ from the majority to the say the least.

The new men in place can hardly be described as reminiscent of the Strachan era. In Tony Mowbray, Celtic have employed a manager renowned for his passing and creative style from his days with Hibernian and West Brom. Having played for the club in the early nineties and invented the “Celtic Huddle”, Mowbray’s Celtic connections are strong. With Neil Lennon and Peter Grant also on board the new management team are about as “Celtic minded” as you can get.

With the team looking to re-establish their dominance over Scottish football, Mowbray has been quick to bring in new players; Lukasz Zaluska from Dundee United, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Landry N’Guemo from Nancy and Danny Fox from Coventry. Out the door go Shunsuke Nakamura, Paul Hartley, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Bobo Balde.

Rangers have been quiet on the transfer front to date and this suggests Celtic are the ones currently making the more impressive strides to taking their title back. It’s only July of course, and whoever is really going to be champions come May need to improve on their form away from home against the top six. Both sides fell down repeatedly last season in these fixtures, with a late surge from Rangers enabling them to take the title.

However, there appears to be a lack funds available for Rangers and with Celtic prudent in this department in previous seasons they have an advantage over their rival’s. Also, Rangers form under Walter Smith can be described as nothing more that steady and with no transfers coming in, there’s nothing to suggest a major change will occur. It is probably for these reasons Celtic have been employed as the early favourites.

Europe represents an entirely different conundrum for Celtic this season. Two difficult rounds of qualifying for the Champions League, starting with a difficult tie against Dinamo Moscow this coming week. If Celtic can overcome the Russians, they will most likely face an even more daunting prospect against a team from one of Europe’s more glamorous leagues. Not the most desired route for the Bhoys, but it’s the position they find themselves in and they’re just going to have to get on with it.

If Celtic are eliminated by Dinamo Moscow they will, however, parachute into the newly named, Europa League. Although Celtic’s board, fans and accountants would rather achieve European football after Christmas via a Champions League campaign, it appears Tony Mowbray will have to apply some quick miracles to avoid the Europa League.