"Celtic is not a project"; Bertie Auld issues brilliant Bhoys verdict ahead of rebuild

By John McGinley

May 1, 2021

Celtic legend Bertie Auld believes the club can bounce back and immediately challenge for silverware next season, despite talk of a multi-year rebuild.

Celtic are entering a new era and nothing is guaranteed.

With a new CEO, manager and director of football arriving at the club this summer, as well as a squad overhaul on the cards, it may seem unrealistic to expect a return to title success again next term.

There have been some suggestions that Celtic could take years to rebound the levels seen on the road to a quadruple treble.

However, Auld isn’t having that. He wants any new people coming into the club to hit the ground running and aim for success from the off.

Asked by the Scottish Daily Mail [01/05 print edition, page 121] if Celtic can challenge next season, the Lisbon Lion said: “Why not? If the right people are in place, the recruitment is correct and we can get players who are 100 per cent concentrated on Celtic, then, of course, they can come straight back.

“Players will come and go, but they must hit the ground running.

“There are no three-year plans at Celtic. I recall Tony Mowbray saying something along those lines when he took over from Gordon Strachan. Celtic is not a project. The here and now is what matters at this club.

“I have said often that Celtic is not just about the chairman, directors, managers, backroom staff or players. It’s about everyone.”

That’s the attitude Celtic need

The Champions League qualifiers this summer are like a write-off considering the timescales involved. However, Celtic should be looking to be competitive in every other tournament they are a part of next term.

We badly underachieved this season and there’s little to suggest that Rangers will be an unstoppable force next term.

A new manager with new ideas and fresh, hungry players could be enough to bring balance back to the rivalry in Glasgow.

The Celtic Huddle / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

No doubt Celtic need better planning and need to look at the next five years in totality. We can’t keep barreling from transfer window to transfer window.

However, in terms of goals next season, title success will be at the top of the agenda.

In other news, Celtic fan group unveil class Lennoxtown banner; Kieran Tierney responds.