Are Celtic losing their European fear factor?

Celtic Park was once a fortress in Europe, but it is beginning to crumble, and fast.

Last night the Hoops crashed out of the Europa League thanks to a late winner by Ajax youngster Vaclav Cerny. What started off as a very promising campaign has slowly turned into a nightmare. With Celtic finishing rock bottom, maybe it’s for the best that the club didn’t progress into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Celtic fans watching the game, both in the stadium and worldwide, may have felt a sense of relief after the full-time whistle. A campaign which has resulted in no European football after Christmas. Throughout the club’s European adventure this season, the Hoops have failed to establish themselves as a Champions League team or a Europa League team.

So where does that leave them?

Back in the 2012/13 season, Celtic looked like a proper European side as they reached the last-16. However, this has slowly but surely depleted into a team that can’t beat sixth placed Norwegian outfit. Embarrassing no doubt.

For the three following seasons, the club has had the chance to establish themselves as a European team, but have failed spectacularly – and the so-called progression is now turning into regression. Teams would fear coming to Celtic Park, but this isn’t the case anymore. Season after season, European giants like Barcelona, AC Milan and Manchester United would leave Paradise with nothing. Now every time a team travels to Celtic Park they are filled with the belief that they can beat Celtic because of their European record at home recently.

In the last three seasons, since the 2012/2013 campaign, the club in European competition (including qualifying) have won just nine out of 17 home matches. A very poor record considering the teams the club has faced in recent years. In the 2013/14 season, it was labelled the group of death – with Ajax, AC Milan and Barcelona. However, in the two years which have followed under Ronny Deila, Celtic have won only seven home matches out of a possible 13. Most of which were against Europe’s footballing minnows.

In the big games, whether it’s been this season or the one previous, Celtic have failed to deliver. It’s a simple fact. Against Red Bull Salzburg and Maribor, Deila and the team failed to deliver. This season, two cheap goals were conceded at home to Malmo, allowing them back into the Champions League play-off tie and this season, they haven’t won one single Europa League group match. It’s the first time ever that Celtic failed to win a home game in Europe.

Essentially, the blame is down to a number of people, but this is the result you expect when you don’t replace quality. Celtic have had numerous chances to buy good players in past windows but have been reluctant because of their transfer system. The blame does start at the top but trickles its way down to the bottom.

Peter Lawwell may have the club in a stable position, but sometimes you have to spend in order to gain. Signing Jozo Simunovic from Dinamo Zagreb for £3 million indicates that money could be spent on rebuilding in January or next summer. Though judging by the club’s past windows, quality may be a hard to find given that in January, transfer fees can go up.

As well as Lawwell, Ronny Deila has to take some of the criticism as well. From some strange selections in the starting line-up to the lack of tactical awareness in matches, it has cost the club in Europe. Had Celtic qualified for the Champions League last season and this, then the green light would be given to maybe spend that little bit more on players given the finances which accompany Europe’s elite competition. However, as we witnessed previously, zonal marking or being too attack minded, has cost Celtic dearly on the counter or at set pieces, which ultimately comes down to the coaching staff.

Finally, the players have got to take some slack as. It may not be the squad Deila wants, but those players are playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The club and its crest are renowned worldwide but unfortunately at times, some look disinterested and won’t put in that performance that the club needs in Europe.

Ultimately there are a number of factors which contribute to Celtic’s horrible home record in Europe in the last few seasons, but this has been starting to bubble for years. Fans and the board have had reasonable expectations for European football but in the past few seasons, those targets haven’t been met.

Will Celtic be able to turn it around sooner rather than later or will the Hoops face an even more painful campaign like this season?