Celtic now
have the
chance
to learn a
lot if they
make it
through
by playing
in Europe
POOL CAN MAKE SPLASH Charlie Nicholas reckons squad additions like Hartson, Guppy and Sylla can inspire stars like Petta, below
confidence and belief that is in the
Celtic squad at the minute is fantastic
and I was pleased to see a certain
amount of arrogance about the team
when they played at Old Trafford, and
then again in the Amsterdam ArenA.
"The right amount of arrogance gives
you the look of a team with a point to
prove, and makes you better equipped
going into grounds like that.
"It takes time to strengthen and to
allow players to gel together and adapt
to different positions. I don't think it's
any surprise that since Martin O'Neill
introduced the trio of Steve Guppy,
John Hartson and Momo Sylla
that Chris Sutton, Bobby Petta and
Didier Agathe are all playing at an
even higher level yet again.
"No-one could fail to be impressed
with the way they have played over the
last couple of weeks.
"I don't think particular individuals
are under threat, it's just that certain
positions are under threat. However, I
think the team are well equipped for
the season ahead and I must say I have
been impressed with the way Celtic
have started the season.
"Celtic have never played in the
Champions League before, but I
think it's nice to test yourself against
better teams and the games are ones
that everyone connected with the
club will really look forward to.
"I'm not getting carried away with
the tremendous result from the first leg
in Amsterdam, but I think the chance
to learn a lot in Europe is a fantastic
opportunity and I'm sure a few lessons
will be learned which can only be of
enormous benefit to the team.
"If you listen to the Lisbon Lions
they'll tell you that they had to adapt
to certain games and change their style,
and I think that Celtic will find that
there'll be games where they might have
to play with a great deal of caution."
Defending a hat-trick of domestic
prizes will provide a stern enough task
for the Hoops this season but with the
added prospect of competing in Europe
as well as at home, O'Neill's side will
have their work cut out.
Nicholas said: "It can be difficult to
appreciate just how difficult it is to go
to Old Trafford for a game, and then
within a few days to be at Rugby Park
and forced to grind out a win.
"It was exactly the same situation
when they had to lift themselves for the
trip to Amsterdam, then return and make
sure that they did the business with a
win over a very defensive Hearts side. A
lot of credit is due to the team for
coming through those games unscathed."
When Nicholas and his colleagues
dismissed Aj ax from Europe almost 20
years ago, hopes of a lengthy European
run quickly faded when the Hoops
came up against Real Sociedad in the
next round.
This time however, there's genuine
optimism that the passports will be
needed for at least another few months.
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