RB Leipzig v Celtic: This is the Day, This is the Day… | OneFootball

There is a certain fatalism, one feels, about Celtic playing away from home in Europe. Too often we associate it with disappointment with missed chances, awful defending (Chris Sutton always used the word “sloppy”!) and lethargic performances. But we hope that Ange has sorted such things out, and we have turned over a new leaf in Europe.

Photo: NEWSPIX.PL — Newspix.pl

The game in Poland against Shakhtar Donetsk was disappointing as well – but in a different sense. We really should have won that game, and we were disappointed with the draw, even though the draw was generally regarded as a good result. Now is the time to deliver the away result that we have been waiting for.

No one will minimise the extent of the job in hand, but I cannot believe that RB Leipzig, who are 11th in the Bundesliga, are beyond us. We need to play sensibly with tight defensive play, and above all else, we must take every chance that is offered us. No more blasting over the bar, no more shooting straight at the goalkeeper! We need to be clinical in front of goal.

Greg Taylor and Stephen Welsh, Celtic against Aberdeen on flag day.(Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)

It seems that our central defensive pairing may not be what we would ideally wish for. Carter-Vickers with his calm assurance has been a big miss, but we trust that he will be back soon – for Perth perhaps, if not Leipzig. This leaves a heavy responsibility on Stephen Welsh, a boy who, although he has been with us for a few years now, is still learning. He was not at his best on Saturday, but I feel he deserves our support.

Up front, I feel that Kyogu lacks height and I was certainly surprised in the St Mirren game to see the amount of high balls that were sent across when we did not have anyone who could capitalise. Perhaps Giakoumakis might be a better bet, if he is fit?

Giorgos Giakoumakis applauds at the end the UEFA Champions League Group F match between Celtic and Real Madrid, at the Celtic Park on September 6, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The phrase “quality ball” is heard a lot. There is no point in “skinning” a defender, if the ball is then blasted across the penalty area “on a wing and a prayer”. We must find our man, and “our man” (whoever he may be) must be ready to score. Must has also been talked about “squad rotation” and did Ange make a mistake by too much rotation in the St Mirren game? I don’t know, but what I would say to the fringe players who may find themselves in the action at some point soon, is that they must seize their chance when it is given.

Above all else, I don’t want to see a cautious Celtic side. Don’t die wondering! I want to see confidence and conviction. Believe, Celtic!

Oh, and I want to see the green and white jersey tonight! No doubt someone will dig up some obscure European rule that may stop us doing that, but if we are compelled to do that, let’s have something green – like the all green strip that was frequently used in the 1960s, the lime green strip that we have used in the past, or even the white with green sleeves that was used long, long ago. But no more of any black, yellow or (worse still) grey rubbish that has masqueraded as Celtic strips in the past. We have worn the green and white horizontals since 1903; we have made it the most famous strip on earth; let us keep using it!

Let us hope we are all happy tonight. A win would be outstanding – and we are certainly capable of it – a draw would not be the world’s worth disaster, but a defeat might well mean that European football stops for the season in November. No self destruction, Celtic! Believe, and do it!

David Potter

CLICK ON IMAGE TO PRE-ORDER, THE CELTIC RISING IS PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2022

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