The New Season Starts Tonight – Celtic Have Me Excited but Still Give Me the Fear
The Premiership starts tonight, but with Celtic kicking off on Monday there is still time for the board to complete a squad capable of achieving something special.
Phillip Cooney The Scottish Premiership kicks off tonight.
Celtic do not begin their title defence until Monday night. Even so, the return of league football always brings excitement.
As I look ahead to the new campaign, I still cannot decide exactly how I feel from a Celtic perspective.
Part of me cannot wait for it all to begin.
Another part fears the squad is still far from complete.
Celtic Attack Has Every Reason to Excite
There is no doubt the forward line looks stronger than it did only a few weeks ago.
Kasper Høgh arrives with high expectations and looks capable of becoming Celtic’s focal point.
Camilo Duran has already shown enough to suggest he can become a real asset.
Callum Osmand also gives Celtic another exciting option for the season ahead.
If Haissem Hassan arrives before the transfer window closes, while Jota returns from injury later in the campaign, Celtic could possess one of the most dangerous attacks in Scotland.
That prospect genuinely excites me.
For the first time in a while, there feels like there is freshness in the final third.
Goals should not be a problem if this group settles quickly.
Martin O’Neill will have attacking options capable of frightening any defence in the league.
Celtic Still Have Major Questions to Answer
Unfortunately, the excitement stops when I look elsewhere in the squad.
Callum McGregor staying is a huge boost.
However, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels continue to be linked with moves away.
Paulo Bernardo also appears to have fallen out of the picture.
That leaves Celtic needing fresh quality in midfield.
The defence also feels short.
Alistair Johnston continues to be linked with Everton.
Kieran Tierney is the only recognised senior left-back.
That is a huge gamble for a club expected to challenge on every front.
The goalkeeping position also concerns me.
Viljami Sinisalo is the only recognised senior goalkeeper.
One injury could create a serious problem.
Celtic Board Must Finish the Job
That is why my emotions are so mixed heading into the new season.
I genuinely believe this attack could become something special.
I cannot wait to watch Høgh, Duran and Osmand develop together.
Add Hassan and a fully fit Jota, and Celtic could become devastating in the final third.
Yet football matches are not won with attackers alone.
The midfield needs strengthening.
The defence needs strengthening.
The goalkeeping department also needs strengthening.
The board have laid exciting foundations.
Now they must finish the job before the transfer window closes.
When Celtic walk out on Monday night, I will be full of excitement.
I just hope the fear I feel today proves to be completely unfounded.
Bhoycie 
Spot on analysis—the frontline additions look lethal, but going into the season with such thin defensive and goalkeeping cover definitely leaves cause for concern. Me and the https://football-bros.io/ were just debating whether the board will complete the necessary squad depth before the transfer window closes.
Pretty much all the same weaknesses outside of the forward line, right to be worried. Also no accident McGregor was targeted every big game.
Having big CCV back is a bonus, but Trusty is a bigger bomb scare than Scales. Tierney should be a lot fitter, and more confident of seeing out games with increased consistency. Dane Murray is raw but with promise yet. Losing Johnston would be a hammer blow, and I actually prefer Donovan over Ralston to fill that space, but a proven RB will be needed. Hatate is done for me, liability now, wastes possession too easily and doesn’t have the box to box engine or grit to win it back quickly. His stamina has never been there, affecting his creativity in the final third. McGregor’s age is noticeable now, he needs reliable support in that midfield. Athletic and creative CM needed urgently, particularly if Engels is sold. Engels has always been huff and puff, not much output, overrated imo. Jota coming back into the width later in the season should be like a new signing, but will clearly need time to gather fitness and consistency. Confidence could be shot to bits, but hope not. Duran and Hogh hopefully click early doors and we play them both more often than not. They’ll be a handful for most defences. Duran can press and create – Hogh should benefit from that – but good delivery and service will still be required from wide and centrally. Hassan? Haven’t seen enough of him, but a bold and confident winger is much needed. I like Tounekti but his consistency isn’t there yet – he’ll need a run of starts to get motoring and improve his decision making. Provided the goals are flowing, he will probably get it. I get the impression MON thinks there’s a player there. And of course Sinisalo needs another to compete for GK. Are we good enough as we stand today to get through the CL qualifier – yes. Can we make do with this until January – no chance. GK, RB, LB, 2 x CM, Winger required, with a mind to Johnston, Engels and Hatate moving on.
I thought the new season began the day after the Scottish Cup triumph – 9 some weeks ago ? With around a dozen guys OUT and only 2 brought to the club in that time does not look particularly like all of our ducks are sitting nicely in a row for this weekend’s new season ? If the Celtic board utilised a fraction of the fervour for recruiting new guys as they do in letting people go then lots of fans would be feeling more comfortable for this season’s rigour and tests on all fronts ! I can’t forget big Ange’s mantra of ‘we never stop ‘ particularly now . It feels like an old piece of yellowed paper set alight and tossd into a big tin bin ….. It’s an impossible way of doing business from this inept and totally inadequately qualified board .