Difficult Season Ahead: Is Strachan up to the Job?

Difficult Season Ahead: Is Strachan up to the Job?

Going abroad is proving disasterous for Celtic, first in Poland and then in America.

Strachan seems to have let the club fall apart by not securing the services of longtimers while trying to build together a new and younger team.

Everyone knows it takes time to gel these teams, but its too much of a clean break between the old and the new, with Neil Lennon proving the only leadership link of substance between the two.

Last season, a houdini act was pulled, and it could have so easy been the Jambos season - a fact a lot put down to the kick in the posterior given by the arrival of Roy Keane. Well, Keane is not there this season, the Gers have new comitted management and the Jambos are still looking sharp as ever.

Many commentators are saying the European comittments will further drain them: if the have results like in Poland and America, they need not worry about Europe: they'll be out first thing.

I predicted last season that Celtic would be in trouble: thankfully I was well wide of the mark after the Artemeda fisco, and things came OK. I feel uneasy again, as do many supporters: I just hope Im wrong as * again.

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The Guy can do it ! Come on he had a bad start last years so why not this year !

 

champs league for the celts this year lads!!

 

Its definitely gonna be a difficult season, least of all due to the loss of so many key players in recent years. I think we'll come good though. We're a couple of signings short of a really good side I think and we have a VERY talented young squad

 

The young players are talented, the old ones are terrible, thats the problem

 

every side look completely different with the loss of a few key player + we have magic boruc n naka all too come back into the side and with the addition of a few more quality players i think we'll look a * of a lot better pre season imo is jus an ironing out the problems sort of period lol

 

erm am not voting theres not a option of ...there not going to strugle

 

Time will tell but remember the start to last season.

 

GS has a tough season ahead, he is in the back pocket of the people running Celtic, and is limited in what he can do or work with, even MoN had that problem, however he will be judged on how it comes out this season, handicapped or otherwise, I like the man and wish him all the best, but as I said in MoN`s case he isnt a magician, and neither is GS.

 

Last Updated: Sunday, 16 July 2006, 11:50 GMT 12:50 UK
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Strachan questions wisdom of tour

Strachan has watched his side struggle in the US

Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will consider missing out a pre-season tour of the United States next summer to save the fitness of players.
Celtic are on a three-game visit to the US, after two matches in Poland and face a Japanese trip next month.
"It is the first time I have been to America for a pre-season and it is definitely not easy," Strachan told the Sunday Mail.
"It is good for those who don't have to play but not so good for players."
Celtic also face friendlies with Everton, Manchester United and Chelsea in what is a financially lucrative but gruelling schedule.
"We are just getting our second wind and what we are really looking forward to now is some time," added Strachan.
"Because of the games, you can't sit down and plan your coaching.
"So what we'll need to do is sit down and reassess it as the season goes on."
Celtic, who have yet to score in their first four warm-up matches, take on New England Revolution in Boston on Wednesday.

"I sure hope this isnt the start of excuses, Gordon?"

 

He's only seeing that now.

 

Well "success" isn't a very definite term. I define it as winning the SPL and being respectable in CL (third place, maybe the second round if we get a good draw). In those respects I feel he is more than capable.

 

The tour is a money option, but did not showcase the team in a good light. I think it was a mistake.

The players had no committment, as the matches meant SFA. I cant blame them.

 

He will need this season to test him. But i am willing to edge my bets on him doing well 2007/2008 in the SPL and Europe. He is the type of manager that needs slow start to get the best out of himself and the team.

 

Well I feel its another failure on the Celtic people running the club, and indicative to the way they are treating the Celtic following, its the proverbial take it or leave it, or if you like, lump it or leave it?

 

Yes but you are not considering the fact, a serious element, that he is NOT getting support from those that should!
Ffs even MoN who is a first class manager/coach couldnt get decent support from those people, MoN did good one season in Europe, and remember even then it was the UEFA CUP, NOT the CL?

 

Great quote Hubert, Some of us are starting to see sense here!!

 

They went to Poland because of Boruc and Zurawski and they new polish fanbase because of having them. They went to the states because of their american following, people like you hubert, they are going to japan because of the fans we got because of Nakamura. And the Scottish are getting to see Chelsea, Man Utd and Everton. How is this mistreating the Celtic following?

 

It introduces the team to the markets they wish to build support in: not support for the ethics of the club, but support as in big business.

The real origional fans are overcharged and ignored. thats mistreating the Celtic following.

 

I agree with you competely, except for your wording of "real original fans". How are we not original fans? How are we not *real* fans? Though I do agree with your points.