Much of the current footballing focus, at least in Scotland, lies on the national team and the upcoming European Championships.
Four Celts – Greg Taylor, James Forrest, Callum McGregor, and Anthony Ralston – will represent their homeland in a tournament that has long been in the making.
The Scots open the Euros in a showpiece tie versus hosts Germany on Friday night, with at least two Bhoys likely to be in the visitors’ lineup.
The Tartan Army are relishing the opportunity to represent on foreign soil and ahead of the game against Die Nationalmannschaft, Celtic youth coach Stephen McManus has compared Scotland gaffer Steve Clarke to Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers.
He reckons the calm demeanour in which both managers help their respective teams block outside noise makes them similar.
“The manager, Steve Clarke, is very calm”, said the 41-year-old (PLZ Soccer).
“He’s similar to Brendan (Rodgers) that way where everything is kept under wraps, everything is very, very calm and that mediates through the team.”
If Clarke manages Scotland in a similar way to what Rodgers did in the season gone by in terms of disregarding the critics and doubters, Scotland will go far this summer.
Getting the dark blues out of a group at a major tournament, however, is a difficult task and if it was to be done, history would be made.
