The same old story for Celtic fans

It’s starting to feel like a broken record but how long will it take before someone steps in and solves the problems at Celtic? Friday night was just another example of how poor Ronny Deila’s side has been this season and it truth, they’ve been very average for the last few years.

Yes, they’ve had a few decent results both domestically & in Europe over the last two years but one thing which seems to crop up time after time is the team’s ability match-winning mentality. Or lack of it.

In times gone by, Celtic teams with 10-men still were able to create chances and win games but most importantly take those opportunities. On Friday, other than the two big chances from Gary Mackay-Steven and Leigh Griffiths, Celtic were completely out of sorts after the red card for Dedryck Boyata.

Far too many times this season the Hoops have had their chances but not been able to take them when it matters. Why? Because the current crop of players are simply not good enough to produce when it matters. From the goalkeeper all the way to the striker force there is little quality there whatsoever.

It’s a strange one though because last season, Deila uttered the words that Celtic were progressing (which was true to an extent), and even this season, the Hoops boss suggested that the team has moved forward. But what does progress mean in his eyes, and in the eyes of the Celtic board? A dismal display in Europe, a woeful cup exit and a stuttering league campaign.

I, like many other Celtic fans, feel the pain when we are beaten or when we don’t give 100% in matches and Friday night was a perfect example of it. So-called “experienced players” going walkabout in the middle of the park, some poor play throughout and no real conviction cost Celtic again.

Interestingly, Deila elected to agree to with the referee’s decision to send Boyata off but surely as a coach you would protect your player at all costs, instead of exposing them in public. In this case as well, Boyata does have a case that he did get the ball but it’s that rash side of the defender, which cost him in this match and plenty of other times this season. Why make a challenge on the player, when he could have easily forced him wide into a less threatening position? What thought process runs through his mind to give the referee an opportunity to send him off?

It’s that weak mentality which runs in the mind of many players at the club and it shows when they face pressure even from the smaller sides in Scotland, they crumble. A common theme this season has been Celtic’s ability to underperform when it matters, and it’s a sad sight given that the majority of fans back the club wherever they play.

The sooner changes are made the better because for fans it feels like a constant repeat of a boring TV show, shown at 4am, when no one is watching. Change is needed and it must be done soon, before it’s too late.