The new season is almost upon us, here’s what needs to happen | OneFootball

The new season is almost upon us, let’s hope it’s a successful one for Celtic domestically and progress is made in European football…

Monday evening will see Celtic hoist the Champions flag for the fifth year in succession and the 14th out 15 seasons, our only failing being in the season when fans weren’t allowed in the games.

Celtic take on Dundee in the campaign opener, and our aim like every other season is to be successful and win every available domestic honour with progress in European football on top of that.

It will sound rather strange after winning the double, but let’s hope this one is more of a success than last season, as our dramatic last day title victory, and Scottish Cup win merely papered over the cracks of what was a dire, frustrating and miserable campaign at times.

Yes, we made some wonderful and cherished memories due to the dramatic last gasp title win, one that was secured in the most dramatic of circumstances, but on the whole, the entire campaign was a wreck on and off the park and it was all self-inflicted.

Martin O’Neill, Interim Manager of Celtic lifts the Scottish Premiership trophy with players of Celtic following the team’s victory in the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic had three different managers, four actually if you count Martin O’Neill twice. Brendan deciding to walk due to the club failings in the transfer market , and the Celtic Board’s huge mistake to hire the inept Wilfried Nancy hit us hard as we slipped into a lacklustre state. Indeed at one point it looked like the best we could do was a third place finish, fourth at one point was even a distinct possibility due to the form of an impressive Motherwell side.

That was in a massive way down to the incompetence of our hierarchy, whose meddling in team affairs and failure on the recruitment front threatened to implode the club’s season.

Celtic player Camilo Duran poses for pictures at Celtic Park, Glasgow on Thursday 23rd July 2026. Photo Andy Buchanan Shutterstock

Have they learned their lessons? Well they have tried to make amends by splashing out to sign both Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh for a combined £17 million, but more similarly significant signings are needed if they want to try and get back on board with the supporters.

New Celtic signing Kasper Hogh is unveiled to the mainstream media at Celtic Park. Photo Roddy Scott IMAGO / Shutterstock

Celtic has released three strips this season and many supporters are desperate to buy at least one, maybe two and some want all three of these outstanding and historically significant kits. Yet the ongoing campaign to withhold spending at the club outside of season ticket and other match day ticket purchases frustrates that desire to own the jerseys.  And it hurts Celtic in the PLC’s pocket.

Daizen Maeda, who was instrumental in our double success has now left the building, and the likes of Arne Engels, Reo Hatate and maybe even Alistair Johnston could soon follow.  So as a support we will be keeping a keen eye on their actions in the coming weeks, and for the club’s sake, they must be better be much more efficient when it comes to recruitment than they were this time last year.

Then we can all unite, like we did when push came to shove and don’t underestimate the role played by the Celtic support in delivering that title.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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