Former Celtic striker and current BT Sports pundit Chris Sutton has insisted that Ange Postecoglou’s side should be aiming for success in all three remaining trophies this season, after the recent performances and momentum they have built up.
Over the next week, the Hoops take a week away from League action in the Scottish Cup and the UEFA Conference League when they face both Raith Rovers and Bodo/Glimt.
At the beginning of the campaign, you would likely have been written off for any claims that Celtic will win more than one trophy.
However, Postecoglou has turned that around completely after just over six months in the job, and Sutton believes that Celtic now found themselves in a place where the Conference League should be an aim with the position the Hoops find themselves at this moment in time.
“The title race takes a backseat for Celtic this week, but they can’t afford to take the foot off the gas,” he said, writing in his weekly column for the Daily Record.
“I understand why the Premiership crown is the be-all and end-all this season, especially with the Champions League prize at stake for the winners.
“But I believe Celtic have got themselves into a position where they should be thinking about winning everything – including the Europa Conference League.
“That would have sounded a preposterous idea back in the summer when Ange Postecoglou inherited a shambles.
“Yet they are now in a position where they have the squad and the momentum to challenge on all fronts.
“Look, I’m not saying they will win a quadruple, and I don’t think the title is in the bag just because Celtic thumped Rangers last week to go top.
“But if I was in that dressing room, I wouldn’t be thinking about being second best in any competition.
“Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup could be a tricky test as John McGlynn is a wily manager who will make his side hard to beat.
“Bodo/Glimt have shocked teams all across Europe this season and will be another difficult tie.
“I don’t know if fans would rather Celtic made the league a priority, but I would be looking to take each challenge head-on.
“And I suspect Postecoglou will be the same. He doesn’t seem to have a reverse gear, and he will want to keep the momentum rolling.
“He can rotate more now, and you’d think the likes of Christopher Jullien might get a run-out against Raith.
“But it should be all guns blazing against Bodo and see where it takes them.
“There are some decent clubs in the Conference League – such as Roma, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Fenerbahce.
“That’s a company Celtic can mix in, though, so why not aim to go far, and maybe all the way.”
With the confidence that fans and pundits now have in the side, it just goes to show the incredible turnaround that Postecoglou has undergone in such a short space of time this season.
The 56-year old has supporters relishing every game, and next week’s European tie will be no different, as the Hoops head in full of confidence.
Of course, there is still a long way to go in all three competitions, with no guarantee at all of Celtic’s success.
However, considering where we were at the start of the season, we appear to have put ourselves in a brilliant position to at least have a go at things and aim for more success under Postecoglou.
