A Low Ebb: Worst Feeling Around The Club Since Covid | OneFootball

Some time ago, I wrote an article titled ‘The Celtic Malaise’, which spoke of the declining atmosphere at Celtic games, how some fans were becoming accustomed to domestic success against poor competition, and feeling a sense of hopelessness in Europe. It put Celtic in a position of footballing purgatory, but that malaise has now gone way beyond and developed into anger, apathy and disconnect.

Such is the feeling around Celtic Park at present that the club must be at its lowest ebb since the dreaded Covid season half a decade ago. Losing to Kairat Almaty in the Champions League qualifier put the final nail in the coffin of aspirations to kick on in Europe, before the campaign had really begun. Ending the transfer window with Johnny Kenny and Shin Yamada as the squad’s only recognised strikers was also a disaster for morale, particularly as Kuhn and others departed the club and the team notably regressed in quality despite record funds residing in the club’s bank account.

Organisations like the Celtic Supporter’s Association quickly gave a vote of no confidence in the board, then days later over 400 fan groupings, from podcasts and ultras to supporters clubs and fanzines, put their heads above the parapet as signatories to a letter which not only expressed concerns about the way in which the club was being run, but sought answers to key questions at boardroom level. The powers that be wrote a statement, which spoke of things like Financial Fair Play and people’s lack of understanding about operations – remarks that were deconstructed by the likes of Simon Jordan (a former football club owner) on TalkSport. The fans were further irked.

These crisis points weren’t even the first expressions of discontent this season. Indeed, an increase in ticket prices coincided with a friendly and qualifier no longer being included on season books. As such, the Newcastle friendly, charged at £25 for adults, was attended by 10,000 away fans but there were empty spaces spotted in sections of the home end at Paradise.

Throughout the last few months we have seen displeasure about the club’s reaction to the Fairhurst Inquiry, regarding an incident between Celtic supporters and Police Scotland on London Road in March. Fan media have been banned from press conferences, including at women’s games. The Green Brigade have been banned indefinitely from Celtic Park. Brendan Rodgers resigned and then was scolded in an unprecedented statement released by the club. The results of the fan survey came out after a year’s wait. The AGM was brought to a premature end, with a section of fans being told their only vocation in life is to be anti establishment, and some fans being referred to as bullies. The Celtic Fan Collective was formed and the ‘not another penny’ protest was launched, boycotting merchandise and refreshments at the club. A protest march was held last weekend, following tennis ball and late entry protest actions.

On the park, performances haven’t captured the imagination. The Europa League has been indifferent. The team languishes behind Hearts in the SPFL table and a cup final loss has completed a trio of consecutive defeats in crucial matches.

Celtic have seen Brendan Rodgers depart with the keys to his Ferrari or Honda Civic, Martin O’Neill steadied the ship with a faultless domestic run and great result in Rotterdam, only for Wilfried Nancy to take over and become the first Celtic boss to lose all of his first three matches in charge.

Last night there were protests outside Celtic Park.

There is seemingly little faith in the manager’s 3-4-3 system at this stage, which has yet to produce a result. We have seen Hearts win at Celtic Park, holding a two goal lead for some time, and increasing their margin at the top (a game which became a source of ridicule as Sky commentators mocked senior staff members for seemingly sleeping in the stands and utilising tactics boards). We have seen most fans vacate the stadium in the 75th minute as the team couldn’t find answers to Roma storming into a 3-0 first half lead at Parkhead. Then, we saw another three goals conceded against St Mirren, squandering the chance of silverware in the process.

Confidence appears to be low among the playing staff. The atmosphere is non existent in the stands. The board and fans are disconnected.

There’s a feeling of disarray that hasn’t existed since the covid season.