| Matches: 2021 – 2022 | League Table | Statistics |
Trivia
- Celtic win League and League Cup double.
- Celtic’s seventh league and league cup double season (excluding treble winning seasons).
- Ange Postecoglu appointed manager, his first season at Celtic.
Season points
- Ange Postecoglu (belatedly) appointed as new manager at start of the sesaon. First Aussie to manage a major club in Europe. Arrived with no coaching staff and little to no time to settle in properly.
- Initial environment: A dismal season last time round, a ton of rancour as Sevco stormed to the title, high profile exits from the dressing room, the manager gone and the boardroom, protests outside the stadium, a failed bid to land Eddie Howe as manager, and loss of a number of youth talents. Very demoralised support.
- Upto five substitutes allowed in a match again for this season due to covid. Six made in Scottish Cup semi final as went to extra time.
- Celtic made their worst start to a league season in 23 years. No domestic away wins in seven months (cumulated from last season). Six away losses out of seven in all competitions this season. Four defeats in five games, but soon turned it around domestically with Kyogo the main man.
- Celtic recovered and went on long unbeaten run domestically, not always convincing early doors but sufficient.
- General play was increasingly entertaining with the ‘Angeball‘ philosophy winning over converts.
- Injury blight impacted Celtic very heavily in the first half of the season (esp December). Kyogo & Turnbull lost for around 4-5months. Jullien lost for practically whole season.
- Celtic win League Cup final v Hibernian with Kyogo stealing the headlines with great goals.
- Turn of the year saw Celtic consistency in winning domestically and Sevco sliding in the league for Celtic to overturn six point deficit into six point lead over time!
- Celtic win v Sevco at Celtic Park & Ibrox this season, reversing the disappointments from last season.
- Celtic lose in semifinals of Scottish Cup after extra time to Sevco losing opportunity to win treble in debut season for Postecoglou.
- Celtic Women’s Team: Celtic complete the double, and overcome a red card to lift Scottish Women’s Cup and inflict 18-year first on Glasgow City A thrilling Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup Final ended in a green and white party as an extra-time goal from Celtic substitute Izzy Atkinson gave Fran Alonso’s side the Biffa Scottish Women’s Cup to add to their League Cup triumph earlier in the season.
Transfers
- Transfers: Celtic lost/sold want away Ajer and Edouard for big money.
- In came around 12 players, most notably the Japanese contingent, CCV, Juranovic, Jota and O’Riley. Arguably not a single bad transfer in.
- Rejuvenated players in particular Rogic, Ralston, Taylor and Welsh. A number of youth players brought in through the ranks some impressing but struggled to get opportunities due to strength of the squad and tough title race.
- Four players transferred in from Japan in this season.
- Young Ben Doak (16) given debut but then signs for Liverpool.
- Karamoko Dembele injured in pre season losing him out for much of the season.
- Lot of deadwood in the squad remains (Barkas, Bolingoli, Ajeti etc).
- Bolingoli sent to Russia on loan only for the Russia/Ukraine war to end it prematurely.
Europe
- Europe: League winner expected to have automatic group entry in Champions League next season so really key to win title this season.
- Celtic end up playing in three European tournaments in the same season for the first time! Lost in Champions League qualifiers, dropped down to Europa League, ended third in the group and so dropped down to the new Europa Conference League and out quickly.
- For next season: Some saying Celtic getting group stage champions league place because of the efforts of Sevco; that’s incorrect as Celtic contributed more to the 5 year coefficient: Celtic – 34.000; Sevco – 31.250.
- Sevco make UEFA Cup final but thankfully lose.
Notes
- Covid: Scotland and the world struggling to come out of covid. Stop start but started to dissipate. Crowds are back but further lockdown in December brought forward the winter shutdown of the league!
- World comes under major concerns due to the shocking invasion of Ukraine by Russia in the first quarter of 2022.
- New chief executive, Dominic McKay, appointed in a fanfare before leaving abruptly with so many unanswered questions and then airbrushed from history.
- Mark Nicholson given Chief Exec Role
- Celtic agree to play in Sydney Super Cup which Sevco later pull out of.
- VAR voted in to be introduced from next season.
- Celtic fans stop ex Police head Bernard Higgins from a role at Celtic due to his part in the now defunct execution of the OBFA Act.
Season Review
The new incoming manager Ange Postecoglu had arrived at a Celtic that was on the edge. Morale had once again hit rock bottom with the club in a shambolic state. An incredible situation as only 12 months previously, Celtic had been celebrating having equalled a record nine in a row league titles and then completed a record fourth treble in a row. Now Celtic were without silverware, a decimated squad and even senior board management was in turmoil, a combination that hadn’t been seen since the early 1990s.
Into this environment, came the mostly unknown Ange Postecoglu who had really only made his name in Australia and Japan, but now had the world on his shoulders. One thing he was going to have to deal with was the sky-high expectations and intensity that wasn’t in the game in his previous roles.
Off field events didn’t help with new Chief Executive Dom Mckay quickly leaving before he had even warmed his seat, with Michael Nicholson put swiftly in charge. It all looked amateurish and there were countless apocryphal stories trying to explain what had happened. The knives were out for the Club Chairman who was increasingly looking out of his depth but he seemed impervious to any attack.
A big campaign in the first half of the season was actioned by the support to stop the appointment at Celtic of senior police officer Bernard Higgins due to his past lead involvement in the enforcement of the OBFA act which was contentious and an abuse of power. In this one the Celtic support won out but again strained relations with the club board when unity was needed but instead diverted attention away from the play on field.
Transfers – summer 
At Celtic, first things first the squad overhaul. The inevitable clear out was difficult as few would purchase the discards from Celtic. On the other hand was the loss of some of the expensive loan stars (e.g. Elyounoussi) and then Ntcham being cut. Situation was complicated by another off field personal error by Leigh Griffiths after being given a season extension, and Celtic had to pap him off to Dundee.
The squad was a shambles and the previous season many youth players bailed out. It didn’t help that reports made clear that blue ribbon youngster Dembele was looking to leave once his contract was up, but then an injury in a preseason match lost him for much of the season. Deadwood was impossible to shift (e.g. Barkas)
In came Starfelt, the irrepressible Jota on loan, Carter-Vickers on loan, Giakoumakis, Joe Hart and Juranovic. A myriad of young players for the future were also brought in like Scales, Shaw and Urhoghide.
The most important was Kyogo. Brought over from Japan as an unknown quantity in Europe, Ange to prove his judgement needed a gilt edged player to provide confidence in his decision making. Kyogo was a 100 % Ange signing and probably too much rested on his shoulders in retrospect, but he was to more than prove his worth!
Taking in all the calls for spending it has to be said that sometimes the answers lie in front of you, and maybe again the youngsters showed the last regime under Lennon up.
Various youth players were thrown in most often as there was no other option. Yet they stepped up, most notably Ralston and Welsh. The former was written off and hardly played in two seasons, yet was a powerhouse in his full back role and chipped in goals too. Others like Moffat, Doak (soon to be lost to Liverpool) and Montgomery were proving there were some potential gems too.
Domestic 
Celtic got off to the worst possible start in the league, with a defeat on the opening day to newly promoted Hearts who had a bugbear with everyone else due to how they ended up relegated.
The truth is that many actually already began to talk of the long-run of rebuilding, and writing off this season with three losses in the first seven league games. In fairness to Ange, he had still to bring in new players and bed them in. Straight off two thumping wins reset the balance but really those victories were not again replicated curiously. The initial days did not signal much to look forward to: Celtic have made their worst start to a league season in 23 years; no domestic away wins in seven months.
The first half of the the season was a slow re-build with many new players and a new playing philosophy to install in the side. In came Angeball, but the old coaching staff were still around. The no nonsense gruff Aussie demeanour was to give nothing quarters to the anyone, as the media were to soon find out each time they asked their inane questions.
The results domestically were not always enthralling but undeniably the football played was the best to watch since Rodgers first season. The legaue was actually quite exciting across the board so matches were well looked forward to.
The first big test against Sevco away proved frustrating as despite being the better side for much of the match, Celtic squandered the opportunities and Sevco won one nil.
The honeymoon period swiftly ended when the results started stuttering especially with Europe. Some tried to parallel this reign with Lennon which was daft as in that last season it was decline, here there was clearly some progress.
When Celtic played Aberdeen, Celtic were potentially in a position that could have seen them fall 8pts behind and so then completely outwith of the reach of Sevco. A 2-1 victory was a relief (won with a late goal unexpectedly by Montgomery) but every game had now become imperative and the pressure level was on too high.
Many were beginning to question Ange and his ability. He appeared initially naive, as in Scotland and much of Europe there is an intensity and pressure that is not present in the Japanese and Australian leagues. The concerning results especially in Europe showed he was on a steep learning curve.
The question was if Kyogo was the single player that made Celtic tick, and was he bailing Ange out? Some justification to this but his form was phenomenal and more so than anyone, Ange owes a debt to Kyogo as he showed the way forward to pull Celtic out the trenches. A debut hat trick and a myriad of goals lit up the field but it was also his incredible on the field work rate which was an example to everyone. It was frustrating when he was lost due to injury in December.
However the developing form of the vast number of new recruits was encouraging especially from Jota, Carter Vickers and Joe Hart who all made significant contributions.
The big problem was the lack of leeway as in fairness Sevco were dropping few points and so any errors from either side were costly. This meant that players had to be on the top of their game every time which is asking a lot. Other sides were taking advantage and enjoying the limelight whenever they took anything. Referees as ever were blatant in their bias. The number of penalties Sevco earned but also next to no red cards was questionable.
It’s hard to say if there was a turning point but really the League Cup title run was vital. Sevco being knocked out early helped Celtic avoid them, and a relatively uneventful ride to the final v Hibernian was a relief. Hibernian may have taken the lead against the run of play but that lasted 60 seconds. Kyogo was the hero with his sublime goals to win Celtic the title and it put all finally united behind Ange. He needed that as to date it was a common complaint that his sides were repeatedly coming up short. To win from coming behind and with some panache from Kyogo was a great filip for Ange as much as it was for the players.
Various players were revitalised after having been written off such as Bitton, Ralston and Rogic. It showed that the new manager’s methods were working. McGregor was a powerhouse in midfield and ever reliable, filling in for the much missed Scott Brown.
At the end of the first half of the season with the winter shutdown brought forward due to another covid supporters lockdown, Celtic were still behind Sevco hindered by unnecessary trip ups. The match with Sevco was postponed due to the winter break change.
Celtic had work to do on defence and tactics as well as reducing the over reliance on Kyogo to bail the side out. Set pieces were a shambles (both defending and attacking) and the side too often blew out of steam after 60 minutes.
A growing injury list was problematic too, and the list just seemed to keep growing. This mounting problem more than anything was an anchor to any expectations, which meant that most at this point were resigned to a likely second place in the league title race. It seemed that luck was deserting Celtic again.
First half of the season was overall one of progress but still much to work on but at least there was hope & joy at Celtic on the terraces after last season’s travails.
Europe 
There was no point claiming otherwise, there was no expectations here for this season. Getting knocked out ignominiously in the Champions League without much of a fight v… Was demoralising but too early in Ange’s reign to criticise.
Once in the Europa Legaue group stages, Celtic hit the buffers. Humiliating defeats to Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen were making waves in the support who felt that Ange was not progressing. Neither of the sides were anything special yet Celtic were humiliated.
Back to back wins v a poor Ferencvaros side rallied the support, but Celtic were to end in third spot after a better performance in the second game v Bayer and then a win v Real Betis in a dead rubber match. It did fairly reflect the state Celtic were in at this point, but in comparison Sevco qualified from their group.
For Ange this was all frustrating but at least illustrated the problems at hand. A lot of work across the team was needed, but also his own development too.
Now down to the new Europa Conference League for the first time, albeit into the knock out phases, and Celtic humiliated themselves with a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate defeat to Bodo Glimt who really flatterred to deceive, but again showed up the weaknesses in Celtic’s system. Ange Postecoglu had been coming unstuck in a number of these challenge matches, especially in Europe, and if nothing else this showed Celtic were still far behind in schedule.
Sevco at the same time were on a surprisingly excellent run in the Europa League, which demonstrated that Celtic had little room for excuses for their own lack of form in Europe.
After the halfway stage
After the winter break Celtic narrowed the gap down to two points v Sevco just as the pivotal match at home between the sides was coming up.
The squad had been bolstered by the arrival of three key Japanese players, with Maeda and Hatate hitting the ground running and amazed everyone. The big surprise was O’Riley from MK Dons who was equally good. Optimism was up albeit with some concerns still on the surface. It made up in part for the frustrating poor luck Celtic were having with injured players.
Covid had led to a new shutdown and inevitably delayed the second legaue meeting with Sevco. Hatate and Juranovic stole the show with an emphatic 3-0 victory at home, and turned the tables around domestically. For Ange this was taken as his first major success head to head after the disappointments in Europe. The performance and the atmosphere at the ground lifted spirits.
Then once again things went a bit flat albeit still getting the results, but with Sevco stalling, Celtic nipped in front to finally take the lead in the season. Some key matches were won by just the odd (and late) goal, which was risky. A notable game was the 3-2 victory v under pressure Aberdeen. Celtic squandered a two-nil lead only to quickly fight back after Aberdeen’s equaliser to steal the spoils. A year ago, this fighting spirit was absent. A 90th minute victory over a stubborn Dundee Utd also proved the point.
The side was bolstered by some convincing wins over Ross County and Livingston, with Giakoumakis finally making his mark and stepping up especially with his sublime hat-trick v Ross County in a 4-0 win which followed his double v Dundee Utd in the Scottish Cup a week before. It finally took Celtic out of Kyogo’s shadow.
You could now see the steady changes coming together with a strong and settled unit at the club. Hart from goals marshalled the defence in front of him, McGregor was in charge of the tempo of play, whilst the others worked around them and contributed in a fine unit on-field.
In many ways, this incredible turn in form since the difficult early days demonstrated Ange’s mantra:
“We’ve just got to keep going and keep performing, keep making sure that we play our football and believe in our football.”
It all came down to a stressful match away at Ibrox just before the split in April 2022, billed as the most important in many years. The atmosphere was fraught and tensions were high, with only 700 Celtic fans allocation at Ibrox. After Sevco scored quickly from on loan Ramsay, the writing appeared to be on the wall yet Celtic then equalised quickly and from then were on top sealing a 2-1 victory. A big win for Ange and many would call this his biggest victory of the season. The performances by Maeda and Carter Vickers were exceptional and showed the Ange experiment was a success. It put Celtic six points ahead in the league with +16 goal difference so effectively sealed the league title.
This performance at Ibrox, even when Celtic were under pressure, demonstrated Ange’s approach to the game to its fullest and how he had adapted too. It made the dirge from last season feel like an aeon ago.
Then once again things went a bit flat albeit still getting the results, but with Sevco stalling, Celtic nipped in front to finally take the lead in the league title race. The side was bolstered by some convincing wins over Ross County and Livingston, with Giakoumakis finally making his mark and stepping up especially with his sublime hat-trick v Ross County in a 4-0 win.
A sublime 7-0 win performance over St Johnstone with multiple contenders for goal of the season sealed Ange’s philosophy with inevitable outsiders now taking interest.
Post split 
The post-split began with the Scottish Cup semi-finals, which Celtic squandered in an incredibly badly refereed performance by Bobby Madden. Celtic had taken the lead but then Sevco fought back to equalise and then win in extra-time. Lost Postecoglu a chance for the treble in his debut season but it didn’t take away all the progress to date, and at least brought some back down to earth in the development still needed both at the managerial & team level.
Disappointing as it was this was really another one of a series of setbacks this season where Celtic have still risen to the next challenge.
It was laughable to hear some of the critics from outside which often went along the lines of: “Ange shouldn’t be manager of the year because he had millions to spend”, and was mostly said by people who argued that when the dead Rangers spent millions they didn’t have a sporting advantage!
What had Ange Postecoglu achieved? In many ways it was a success against the odds despite what any cynic may argue.
Ange Postecoglou hadn’t just revitalised a team, he had reconnected a disenfranchised support and incredibly even brought back some credit to the board for their appointment & backing of him.
Whatever happened over the past season, had had done an incredible job rebuilding a squad in tatters. A great season which few could have honestly predicted. It also was vindication for Postecoglu as he said himself on his prior experience to Celtic that:
“There was no great recognition of what I have done [prior to arriving at Celtic]”.
The challenge to come would be to carry this on but more importantly aim to step up in Europe too and keep the squad together & motivated to build on the success.
A HIGHLY EMOTIONAL SEASON
Posted by St Anthony | May 8, 2022 | Season 2021-2022 | 0 |
A HIGHLY EMOTIONAL SEASON
So, it’s all over bar the shouting. One more point at Tannadice on Wednesday will give Celtic the league title. Something which looked a far off possibility back in early autumn when the team struggled to get results and fit into Ange Postecoglou’s new system.
In my 50 years of watching the Celts, this one has been one of the most remarkable seasons ever. Probably comparable with Billy McNeill’s unlikely 1979 league title win when, similar to this season, not much was expected of the team with a new manager taking over in hugely difficult circumstances after a highly painful season, when they probably over achieved in the process.
Bear with me for a couple of minutes and read some personal memories of a very highly emotional season.
29 August Rangers 1-0 Celtic
In the days preceding the game I contracted Covid. Had it pretty bad too. Splitting sore head (something I never get), fever symptoms and suffering from general fatigue. I isolated myself in the living room to protect the rest of the family. It didn’t work. The night before this game I passed out in the bathroom and woke up on the floor. All was not well. This game didn’t make me feel any better. Edouard went through the motions with his head (and heart) now clearly elsewhere and although Celtic mounted a late flurry, it was all in vain with a 1-0 defeat for their new manager, Ange Postecoglou. After the game, lying in miserable darkness, it was clear that new faces were required. The phone began to beep with rumours which eventually were found to be true. Jota on loan from Benfica. Never heard of him. Cameron Carter-Vickers, another loan, from Tottenham. Uninspiring, although his links with Catholic United proved to be highly amusing on social media. Georgios Giakoumakis, from a second tier side in Holland. All very unexciting. Clearly, this was going to be a long and arduous season.
2 December Celtic 1-0 Hearts
Things began to improve by early winter. But more Covid unpleasantness for me. Given the booster jag on the morning of the game, together with the flu jag, I felt unwell on the way to Parkhead that night. Really bad, so much so that I just couldn’t get a heat in me despite having several layers of warm clothes. Kyogo gave Celtic the lead. A second goal would clinch the points and allow me to happily leave early. However, that goal wouldn’t come. It became something of an endurance test. The Celts were out there giving their all so I should be able to stick it out and play my part for the Celtic cause. Fans are always concerned with superstitions. I had it in my head that if I left, Hearts would equalise. They didn’t. I stuck it out and Celtic prevailed.
15 December Ross County 1-2 Celtic
Kyogo and Jota, fast becoming the talismen of Ange’s new side were missing. Yet it all started so well with Abada giving the Celts a 1-0 half time lead. County equalised, then a clearly rattled Starfelt was ordered off with 12 minutes to go. The ten men drive on but a winning goal looks a forlorn hope during injury time. Then, in the 97th minute, with all looking lost, the most unlikely of heroes comes to the fore. Anthony Ralston rises gloriously at the back post to score the important winning goal in the most dramatic of circumstances. Celtic fans invade the pitch in gleeful celebration, as carnage is witnessed in living rooms across the country. That feeling of disbelief as the ball hit the net, one of those games you just know you will tell the grandkids about in years to come. Where were you when Tony Ralston scored in Dingwall? The good ship Ange remained on course. But only just.
19 December Celtic 2-1 Hibernian
The first major final of the season and Hibs score first. Just before despair could set in, through the thick man-made pyro-mist, McGregor feeds Kyogo with the most delightful of passes, and it’s one each. Then, with inspiration desperately needed, Kyogo scores the winner with the most delightful of lobs you will ever see, the ball seeming to hang in the air for an eternity before dropping into the net. A class finish, worthy of winning any cup final from a player who is fast approaching Henrik-like adulation from the supporters. Perhaps Celtic, and big Ange, are on to something special after all.
3 February Celtic 3-0 Rangers
THE crunch game of the season. The recent poor record against our city rivals is one which was fast approaching the psychological as well as the physical. New recruits had been added from the land of the rising sun. New names to contend with – Hatate, Maeda, Ideguchi. The game was arguably won before a ball was kicked. The ‘disco lights’, often maligned, never looked better. With no away fans the noise inside the stadium was even more deafening than usual. As the huddle took place, the Celtic players looked glorious, bathed in the bright glow of green lights as the opposition stood in total darkness listening to the banshee cries of 60,000 Celtic fans. Send them back to hell Bhoys! Be in no doubt, it fazed them. By half time the Celts had a 3-0 advantage. The second half was uneventful and irrelevant. What really counted was that Celtic went top of the table for the first time. Question is; could they stay there?
11 May Dundee United v Celtic
The Celts stayed on top through to May on the back of an incredible 30 game unbeaten run. Something which seemed unimageable after the miserable 1-0 defeat at Livingston in late September. Six points clear and a huge advantage in goal difference, one meagre point will now see Celtic as league champions and kick of the celebrations which will be long and loud. A quite remarkable turnaround from the misery of last season when so much went wrong in such a short time. All a distant memory now, time’s a healer. The big Australian who joined Celtic in their time of need and was ridiculed during those difficult early days, will now have the last laugh. The manager’s proclamation during that difficult autumn period proved to be prophetic – league tables are not decided in October. The hope is that Ange Postecoglou, and Celtic supporters, will be laughing for a long time to come.