Chris Sutton reckons that Ange Postecoglou won’t abandon his attacking principles in next season’s edition of the UEFA Champions League, but will make tactical tweaks to better prepare Celtic for success.
The Bhoys managed just two points from six matches in this year’s group stages. However, hopes are high that there’ll be an improvement in 2023/24, with the Bhoys having already confirmed their place in the tournament without the need for summer qualifying.
Sutton has a lot of experience of performing well in Europe for Celtic. While there’s always reminiscing of big nights gone by, the former striker reckons it’s this generation’s turn to see the Bhoys make their mark in continental action.
Sutton looking for Celtic Champions League tweaks
Writing in his Daily Record column today, the pundit said: “Ange Postecoglou wasn’t able to bloody noses during his first few swings in the Champions League. Funnily enough, we quite fancied smashing a few Porto faces 20 years ago as they cheated and dived their way through the last stages of the UEFA Cup Final. But, looking to the next tilt at Europe, Postecoglou might just alter his strategy slightly. And I definitely feel the key to winning a few rounds next season is properly defending their own patch.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it has to be the next step in his progression if he is to take Celtic where he wants to go. I’m a big admirer of how he plays. The fact he sticks to his principles. Even if I was watching through the cracks in my fingers when Celtic were 5-0 down in the Bernabeu with just an hour gone and were still throwing bodies forward and getting countered.
“Postecoglou won’t change his ways. But that doesn’t mean he can’t tweak them and I’ve a hunch he might well do just that next season. Plaudits are all very well, but he’s all about results and, if it has to be reined in a bit to get them, then that’s what’ll have to happen. He’s too smart not to see that. He needs to keep certain players. Buying and selling will come in the summer, but he has to keep Reo Hatate, Cameron Carter Vickers, Kyogo and Callum McGregor. The draw, obviously, will play a part in how it goes. Champions League success is asking too much in the current climate, but performing well, obtaining a scalp, then getting past Christmas and making a mark in the Europa League is not.”
Celtic are again likely to be a pot four team in the group stages, meaning that the odds are against the Bhoys qualifying for the Europa League, never mind the last 16 of the competition. However, Sutton clearly feels Postecoglou’s side can be more competitive this time around.
The manager will feel that way too. He’s consistently talked up the improvement in his group over the last 12 months, specifically in the big season-defining matches that have massive consequences. Postecoglou is not one to back down from a challenge and the Champions League is now where the biggest marker of progress of his team now lies, having won back-to-back titles. Understandably, fans can’t wait for it to come around.
In other news, The Green Brigade confirm Celtic tifo plans and more are on the way.
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