Celtic’s League Campaign Kicks Off Tonight – Of Course We Are Underprepared Yet Again.

Tonight, Celtic’s league campaign finally gets underway.

And naturally, I cannot wait for the new season and all it brings.

I am also looking forward to writing on here throughout the campaign with matches to focus on as well as The Board of course!

But enough of that misty eyed stuff Bhoycie, let’s talk about where we are at as a team and a club ahead of the flag being unfurled at Celtic Park for the 5th year on the spin.

Because tonight’s League opener has a crucial three points on offer, as will every game between now and the end of the season.

That’s why I find it completely unacceptable that Celtic begin another Premiership season with just two new signings through the door.

Before anyone says it, yes, I like the look of Kasper Høgh and Camilo Duran.

In fact, they look to be a cut above the type of player Celtic have often recruited in recent years.

But that’s not the point.

The point is we’ve watched 14 players leave the football club and only two have been replaced.

That isn’t squad building. It’s squad shrinking.

There seems to be a growing feeling that because Celtic have finally spent decent money on a couple of players, supporters should somehow forget everything else.

I won’t.

And neither should anyone else.

If anything, that’s exactly what the board will be hoping for. Make two eye-catching signings and suddenly the wider issues disappear.

We have to guess what they are thinking and hoping of course because they are deafeningly silent as ever.

The transfer window is still open, but the league season doesn’t wait.

Tonight matters.

These three points are worth exactly the same as the three points available in April, and Celtic are kicking off a new campaign nowhere near as prepared as they should be.

There are still obvious holes in the squad.

The defence still needs strengthening.

Depth remains an issue.

They need to improve the wide areas.

And there’s every chance more players could leave before the window closes, if not this week, with the likes of Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels continuing to attract interest.

If either of those players departs, Celtic will once again find themselves chasing replacements instead of staying ahead of the game.

It’s a cycle we’ve seen far too often.

The frustrating thing is none of this should be a surprise.

Yet here we are again, discussing what Celtic still desperately need to replace in the squad. Never mind the thought of actually looking where we can strengthen.

Last season ended with a domestic double, and nobody can take that away from Martin O’Neill or the players.

But if we’re being honest, very few supporters believed it was a vintage Celtic side. The performances were inconsistent, and there was a general acceptance that improvements were needed this summer.

So as the players walk out at Celtic Park tonight, the focus should rightly be on getting three points and starting the season with a win.

Only a win will do.

Otherwise the focus will sharply turn back to you know who.

Keep Your Eyes On The Board.