Celtic’s results in the Europa League this season have been exceptional. From the 4-1 win in the play-off round over AIK, to the historic 2-1 win over Lazio in Rome, the Hoops have made great strides in Europe this season.
Now Celtic mainstay Callum McGregor has opened up on the secret to the success that the Hoops have had in Europe this season, where they finished top of their Europa League group.
McGregor has revealed that the players and management have worked on recycling possession as much as possible, to ensure that their opponents have no chance of getting on the ball.
“When you watch these top European teams, it’s one or two touch in the middle of the pitch and you can tell the difference when we step up to Europa League and Champions League” McGregor said, as quoted by the Herald.
“That’s the message from the coaching staff”
“That’s where we have to get to. That’s the message from our coaching staff. The quicker the ball moves, the harder it is for an opponent to get close to you. The Europa League stuff has been good this season.”
In the Europa League the Hoops players seemed to listen to the coaching staff’s instructions intently. Keeping the ball moving has been key to Celtic’s success in the competition so far.
Tactics will be tested in later stages of competition
The test will be to ensure that the Hoops are still able to use these tactics the further they go in the competition. In the later rounds, Celtic will come up against quicker players who will be able to stop the Hoops from recycling possession.
That will be another big test for Neil Lennon and his staff. However, the Hoops have passed most of the tests they have faced in Europe this season – with one exception. Still, Celtic should be confident when they take on Copenhagen in the last 32 of the Europa League in February. Win that, and then anything can happen.
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