Introduction
Celtic's march into the upcoming match against Motherwell is fraught with questions. After a dismal run that saw them fail to score multiple times early in the season, fans are left wondering if Brendan Rodgers can rediscover the attacking X-factor that once defined this team. The backdrop? A fifth goalless performance in just 12 matches against Braga. How did Celtic find themselves in this predicament?
A Swashbuckling Past
Once a formidable offensive force with the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, and Daizen Maeda making waves in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic now seem a shadow of their former selves. In the 2022-23 season, they scored an astonishing 38 goals in their first 12 matches.
Fast forward to the present, and that figure has plummeted to just 17. The difference is stark and alarming, a decline that is hard to explain beyond a plausible verdict: poor recruitment and the loss of proven game-changers. “It's not rocket science,” argues one analyst after a disappointing campaign in which vital game-breakers were sold or sidelined.
Game-Breakers Gone
Celtic has offloaded a staggering 227 goals and 120 assists since parting ways with key players, including Jota. Their current crop of attackers still has potential—Sebastian Tounekti shows promise, while Kelechi Iheanacho has had a few bright moments. However, if Rodgers' attacking unit is to succeed, they must rediscover the spark of their previous lineups.
The Invisible Hand
Adding to the team's woes are disallowed goals that have confounded the club's strategies. Kelechi Iheanacho had a brilliant strike ruled out for a ghost handball in their recent loss, leaving fans frustrated and questioning officiating standards in the league. It raises the question: can Celtic thrive when the odds seem stacked against them?
Recruitment Issues
The recruitment challenges are evident to even the casual observer. New signings like Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand have not made an impact strong enough to merit regular appearances in the squad. Meanwhile, stalwarts such as Callum McGregor and Reo Hatate seem at a loss as they struggle to emerge as game-changers.
Addressing the Problems
Rodgers has publicly acknowledged the need for solutions. “We need to be quicker, slicker, and more efficient,” he emphasized after their latest loss. But with just weeks in the season, the timeline for serious adjustments is growing short. Celtic's upcoming match against Motherwell constitutes a crucial opportunity for redemption.
Conclusion: Back to Basics
As Celtic gear up to face Motherwell, the question becomes whether they can find the attacking flow that once made them a leading force in Scottish football. Will Rodgers tap into the remaining potential of his squad, or are we witnessing the birth of a new norm for the club? One thing is clear: the stakes couldn't be higher, and every moment counts.
Source reference: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c3064nrn6rpo
