Winning our next two games will kick start our season | OneFootball

Heading in to this week a lot of talk has been around the Celtic Fan Collective and their ‘3 match silence’ and the merits of how effective the silent protests would be.

Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Our editor shared the great news that the club has finally agreed to a meeting on Monday, which is the first real sign of progression since the disastrous transfer window this summer, and we are all hoping this will be the first small step which will ultimately lead to a lot more dialogue between the club and the supports in the near future.

Personally I’m happy on a few different levels over this. As mentioned it seems like it could be the beginning of the club finally improving their communication with the fans but it’s also a huge boost to our players on the pitch.

It was clear to me that the Celtic Fans Collective had all the right intentions with their silent protest but I feel that it inadvertently weakened us where it matters most, out on the pitch. Their recent statement shows that they were perhaps feeling the same after the first stage of the protest against Hibs last weekend.

You only have to listen to the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Callum McGregor and Kasper Schmeichel recently to realise the boost our players get from a raucous Celtic Park and it honestly felt like we were self-harming by continuing our vow of silence.

Yes, the whole point of the protest was to show the board that the team is weaker without that vocal ’12th man’ but none of us would want a protest to affect the teams performance and unfortunately it has.

Remaining silent for 29 minutes against Braga then 32 minutes against Motherwell most certainly would have negatively impacted our players on the pitch so I for one am glad it’s been postponed.

Benjamin Nygren and unused substitute Kieran Tierney of Celtic applauds the Celtic fans at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

I’m especially pleased that the team will be getting the full backing from the crowd over these next two games because even at this early stage of the season, I feel like this could be a vitally important week for Celtic.

As mentioned we have a home Europa League tie against Braga followed by a home match against Motherwell in the league. After this we once again have a dreaded international break to contend with. Personally I feel like it’s imperative that we pick up six points from these two games.

I was happy enough with our opening game in the Europa League, as I said at the time getting a point away against Red Star Belgrade isn’t a result to be sniffed at, especially when you consider our awful away record and their impressive home record.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses the ball in front of the Hibernian goal. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Tonight however I won’t be happy with anything other than the full three points against Braga. The Portuguese side have had a pretty woeful start to their league campaign and their manager is under serious pressure from the fans. He’s perhaps only still in his job due to the fact his team beat Feyenoord in the opening round of the Europa League but there is no denying that even with that good result, this is a team who are struggling and it’s up to us to take full advantage.

On Sunday we play a Motherwell team who have looked rather impressive so far this campaign under new manager Jens Berthel Askou. Once again, similar to our home tie against Hibs, this will be far from a mere walkover and their manager has already stated his team will be coming to Celtic Park looking to win.

We certainly don’t carry that same aura that we have had in recent seasons where teams turn up to Celtic Park hoping they might be lucky to escape with a draw. And it’s easy to see why. We have struggled so far this season, there’s no doubt about it.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic reacts after missing a good scoring opportunity. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock/IMAGO

Offensively we have been poor and the stats back that statement up. Eight goals in six matches in the league. 210 minutes against Kairat Almaty without scoring. One goal against Red Star Belgrade. We are struggling in the forward positions.

Our attackers need to start clicking, and fast. If we struggle for goals in these next couple of games our manager and players might be hoping for a silent protest as the moans and groans coming from the stands might be even worse!

Both Braga and Motherwell will come looking not to sit back and park the bus but to actually have a go at us. This should play right into our hands and we need to be quick in transition when we get the ball and carve out opportunities before the opposition can regroup.

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic & Josh Mulligan of Hibernian Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

The starting line ups will be interesting as they have all season with Brendan Rodgers having yet to work out what his strongest eleven actually is. He must get it right otherwise the fans in the group that is doubting his ‘elite’ level may continue to grow.

Let’s do this tonight Celtic. With the fans now backing you from the start let’s get out there and put Braga under the cosh from the first minute and try and maintain that for the next 90. We are yet to see a full 90 minute display yet this season.

Tonight would be a good time to start.

COYBIG

Conall McGinty