How do Celtic win the league?

Celtic are one of the most successful football clubs in history, having won the Scottish league title a record 53 times. However, their last league triumph came in the 2020/21 season. With Rangers taking the title in 2021/22, Celtic will be hungry to reclaim their crown in 2022/23. So how can they win the Scottish Premiership this season?

The key questions are:

  • What went wrong last season?
  • How can Celtic improve under the new manager Ange Postecoglou?
  • What signings do Celtic need to make?
  • How do Celtic get the best out of their existing squad?
  • What tactics should Celtic employ?

Answering these key questions will provide a roadmap for how Celtic can wrestle back the title from their fierce rivals Rangers this season.

What went wrong last season?

The 2020/21 season was an unmitigated disaster for Celtic. After winning the previous 9 league titles in a row, they finished 25 points behind Rangers in second place. So what went wrong?

The main issues were:

  • The lack of fans due to COVID-19 restrictions seemed to impact Celtic more than other teams.
  • Key players like Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie were out of form and unsettled.
  • There was turmoil in the dugout with manager Neil Lennon leaving in February.
  • New signings like Albian Ajeti failed to make an impact.
  • Celtic were defensively fragile, conceding 43 goals.
  • Rangers were excellent under manager Steven Gerrard, winning 32 of their 38 games.

It was a perfect storm of issues that saw Celtic’s dominance crumble. But with a reset in the summer of 2021, there were hopes they could bounce back this season.

How can Celtic improve under the new manager Ange Postecoglou?

The first major change was the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as manager in June 2021. The Australian came with an excellent reputation after winning league titles in Japan and Australia.

Postecoglou has promised to bring an exciting, attacking style of play to Celtic Park. He has experience implementing his football philosophy quickly into new teams. His credentials suggest he is the right man to revitalise Celtic after last season’s disappointment.

In pre-season, Postecoglou has focused on bringing through young players from the academy and improving fitness levels. There were promising signs as Celtic won the majority of their friendly matches.

With a full pre-season under his belt, Postecoglou now needs to implement his style and create a winning mentality in the squad. Key to this will be making the right signings before the season kicks off.

Implementing Postecoglou’s playing philosophy

Postecoglou’s teams play on the front foot, with high-pressing and speed in attack. He prefers brave, positive football focused on scoring goals. This style suits Celtic’s traditions perfectly.

The manager needs time to drill this approach into the squad on the training ground. But Celtic have an excellent academy providing young players ready-made to fit Postecoglou’s philosophy.

With shrewd signings added to this foundation, Celtic can become an energetic, ruthless attacking unit this season. If Postecoglou can get his ideas across, it will transform Celtic’s style of play.

Improving fitness levels

One of Postecoglou’s first priorities was boosting the squad’s physical condition. Last season, Celtic looked off the pace and vulnerable to injuries.

Intense pre-season training and double sessions have addressed these fitness issues. Celtic should now have the stamina and strength to maintain their attacking style all season.

With fewer injuries, Postecoglou will have a settled squad available for selection. That cohesion and continuity will be a platform for success.

Promoting youth

Celtic have excelled at producing young talent from their academy in recent years. Postecoglou intends to capitalise on this by promoting prospects to the first team.

Players like Adam Montgomery, Dane Murray and Joey Dawson have all caught the eye in pre-season. They are hungry for first-team action.

Blending these emerging players with new signings and current stars gives Celtic squad depth. It also creates competition for starting places.

Providing pathways for academy talent helps ensure Celtic’s long-term success. These prospects can make an immediate impact if Postecoglou shows faith in them.

What signings do Celtic need to make?

While Postecoglou has boosted fitness and begun implementing his style, Celtic still need 3-5 signings to mount a title challenge this season.

Their transfer business has been slow so far. But with Champions League qualifying soon starting, the pressure is on to strengthen the squad. Here are the key areas Celtic need to invest in:

Centre back

Celtic’s central defence looked vulnerable at times last season. Christopher Jullien is still recovering from long-term injury. Postecoglou needs reinforcements here.

Reports suggest Celtic are interested in targets like Mario Vuskovic of Hajduk Split. Signing an imposing, dominant centre back should be the top priority.

Full backs

Modern full backs need to be attacking threats as well as defensively sound. Postecoglou relies heavily on his wide defenders overlapping to provide width in attack.

Josip Juranovic was signed last season but the opposite flank needs upgrading. A left back comfortable driving forward with the ball would perfectly suit Postecoglou’s system.

Midfield creativity

Celtic have playmakers like Tom Rogic and David Turnbull on their books. But they lack a mobile number 10 able to knit attacking moves together.

Someone like Aaron Mooy would be an ideal signing if available. Adding more guile and craft to central midfield would improve Celtic’s potency.

Striker

Greek marksman Giorgos Giakoumakis has arrived to bolster Celtic’s forward line. But Postecoglou ideally needs another versatile striker to share the burden.

Odsonne Edouard’s return to form would be a major boost. If not, Celtic should consider players like Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet to increase their attacking firepower.

If Celtic can strengthen these 4 positions before the transfer window closes, it would transform their starting XI.

How do Celtic get the best out of their existing squad?

While new arrivals will help, Celtic already have plenty of talent in their squad. Getting the best out of current players is equally important for a title challenge. Here are some ways Postecoglou can achieve this:

Restore confidence

Last season damaged morale and self-belief within the squad. Postecoglou’s man management and motivational methods need to repair that damage.

Improved fitness, signs of his style working and new signings could all help restore confidence levels.

Playing with positivity and freedom will help the existing squad recapture their best form.

Establish set roles

Chopping and changing the team was disruptive last season. Postecoglou needs to identify his best XI and establish set roles within it.

Stability in selection, positions and tactical duties will allow players to build partnerships and momentum.

David Turnbull thrived once a regular starter under Lennon. Continuity in selection can get the best from Celtic’s talent.

Get Edouard and Christie firing

Two of Celtic’s biggest disappointments last season were Odsonne Edouard and Ryan Christie. Both are proven match-winners on their day.

Postecoglou needs to give them an attacking platform to shine. If he can help Edouard and Christie rediscover top form, it would be like two new signings.

Improve fitness and conditioning

Hoops legends like Scott Brown have admitted the team’s fitness was not up to scratch last season. Celtic looked out on their feet at times.

Postecoglou’s heavy pre-season workload aims to address this. A fitter, stronger squad will help existing players maximize their performance.

Promote academy prospects

Giving youth a chance creates healthy competition while breeding future stars. Postecoglou recognises Celtic’s academy is packed with potential.

Introducing prospects like Adam Montgomery into the first team squad keeps everyone on their toes. The kids could even break into the starting XI on merit.

What tactics should Celtic employ?

For Postecoglou to implement his attacking style successfully, Celtic must set up tactically to dominate games. Here are some key tactical elements the manager could use:

Fast transitions

Postecoglou likes his teams to win the ball high up the pitch and break swiftly. Rapid transitions when possession changes hands suits Celtic’s attacking talents.

Edouard, Turnbull and Christie have the vision to instigate counters quickly. Celtic should constantly press to regain the ball in dangerous areas.

Overloads out wide

Full backs bombing forward to overlap, wingers staying high and wide, and central midfielders shuttling out to the flanks. Celtic should overload wide areas to stretch opponents.

This will create openings through the middle for runners like McGregor. It also provides dangerous crossing opportunities.

Box-to-box midfielders

Bossing the centre of the park is vital in Scotland. Celtic’s central trio should combine graft with guile.

McGregor and new signing Liel Abada have the energy to contribute at both ends. They need a schemer like Turnbull alongside them rotate the play.

Tactical Element Reasoning
Fast transitions Suits Celtic’s attacking talents
Overloads out wide Stretch opponents to create openings
Box-to-box midfielders Control the game and tempo

Overloading the box

Postecoglou wants his attackers to almost swarm the opposition box. The more Celtic bodies thrown forward, the more space and chances they can create.

At times, Postecoglou may field two strikers plus Christie or Turnbull pushing on. Committing players forward overload defences near their goal.

Counter-pressing

When possession is lost, Celtic will aggressively hunt the ball in packs to win it back immediately.

Stopping opponents building attacks from the back disrupts their rhythm. Celtic then regain the ball in positions to create goalscoring opportunities.

This combination of tactical elements generates the high-tempo, attacking style Postecoglou desires. It plays to the strengths of the existing Celtic squad.

Conclusion

Last season was a painful reality check for Celtic after near total domination of Scottish football. But the crisis may become an opportunity under the innovative leadership of Ange Postecoglou.

Implementing his attacking philosophy, strengthening weak areas and getting the best from current stars could see Celtic quickly bounce back. If everything comes together, they have the quality to wrestle the title back from Rangers.

Celtic might not enjoy the long periods of dominance seen under Brendan Rodgers and Neil Lennon. But in the hands of Postecoglou, this squad has ample quality to reclaim their Scottish Premiership crown this coming season.

Leave a Comment