Post by Taxigirl on Apr 19, 2004 10:47:42 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/3631887.stm
By Paul Armstrong
Celtic's domestic dominance was rewarded with the Scottish Premier League crown on Sunday after a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
It was the same venue that Celtic saw their league hopes fizzle out last season, when Old Firm rivals Rangers took the title on goal difference.
But this term the Bhoys have made no mistake and left nothing to chance, this latest win stretching their unbeaten league run to 32 games en route to a third championship in four years under manager Martin O'Neill.
In Europe, O'Neill has taken the champions to last season's Uefa Cup final and the quarter-finals this time around.
But what now for Celtic, and will Sunday prove a watershed for the club, its manager, the board and supporters?
O'Neill enjoys the kind of reverence among the club's huge support not seen since the halcyon days of Jock Stein.
The astute Northern Irishman has shifted the balance of power in Scottish football to the east-end of Glasgow and done much to repair the club's tarnished reputation in Europe.
Unfortunately for the club's army of supporters, this success has meant that O'Neill is constantly linked with a return to the English Premiership.
O'Neill is undeniably central to Celtic's ambitions.
The club recognise this and believe continued participation in the Champions League will keep the manager in Glasgow.
However, the notoriously cautious Parkhead board have so far preached financial prudence during difficult times in Scottish football, while O'Neill insists the club must now invest in new players to take the next step.
A failure to support their manager in the transfer market could be fatal.
To their credit, the club have managed to retain several key members of their squad, including Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson.
But the imminent departure of the talismanic Henrik Larsson emphasises the need for new faces.
It is significant that the club's three remaining recognised strikers - Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Shaun Maloney - are all injured.
The recent defeat in the Uefa Cup at the hands of Villarreal also highlighted the paucity of Celtic's playing pool.
The defence looks solid in league games, but is shown to be creaky when put to the test in European competition.
Bobo Balde is the cornerstone of O'Neill's backline, but has seen his towering presence diminish in recent times, particularly since he returned from the African Nations Cup.
Stanislav Varga, not deemed good enough by Sunderland, has looked a reasonable signing, while Joos Valgaeren was clearly past his best at the El Madrigal.
In midfield, Stilian Petrov has enjoyed another excellent season, as has Neil Lennon. But Lennon, like Alan Thompson, is the wrong side of 30.
Celtic have a core of exciting young players, including David Marshall, Stephen Pearson and the injured John Kennedy, although Liam Miller's departure to Manchester United will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of most Celtic supporters.
But they undoubtedly need to strengthen this summer - to retain their dominance in the SPL and especially to prove themselves in the Champions League instead of the lesser Uefa Cup.
If that happens, perhaps O'Neill will be tempted by another season in front of his adoring public.
But O'Neill can only buy the players made affordable by the money men.
The question is: What next for Celtic? The answer could be: Ask Celtic's accountants.
By Paul Armstrong
Celtic's domestic dominance was rewarded with the Scottish Premier League crown on Sunday after a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
It was the same venue that Celtic saw their league hopes fizzle out last season, when Old Firm rivals Rangers took the title on goal difference.
But this term the Bhoys have made no mistake and left nothing to chance, this latest win stretching their unbeaten league run to 32 games en route to a third championship in four years under manager Martin O'Neill.
In Europe, O'Neill has taken the champions to last season's Uefa Cup final and the quarter-finals this time around.
But what now for Celtic, and will Sunday prove a watershed for the club, its manager, the board and supporters?
O'Neill enjoys the kind of reverence among the club's huge support not seen since the halcyon days of Jock Stein.
The astute Northern Irishman has shifted the balance of power in Scottish football to the east-end of Glasgow and done much to repair the club's tarnished reputation in Europe.
Unfortunately for the club's army of supporters, this success has meant that O'Neill is constantly linked with a return to the English Premiership.
O'Neill is undeniably central to Celtic's ambitions.
The club recognise this and believe continued participation in the Champions League will keep the manager in Glasgow.
However, the notoriously cautious Parkhead board have so far preached financial prudence during difficult times in Scottish football, while O'Neill insists the club must now invest in new players to take the next step.
A failure to support their manager in the transfer market could be fatal.
To their credit, the club have managed to retain several key members of their squad, including Chris Sutton and Alan Thompson.
But the imminent departure of the talismanic Henrik Larsson emphasises the need for new faces.
It is significant that the club's three remaining recognised strikers - Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Shaun Maloney - are all injured.
The recent defeat in the Uefa Cup at the hands of Villarreal also highlighted the paucity of Celtic's playing pool.
The defence looks solid in league games, but is shown to be creaky when put to the test in European competition.
Bobo Balde is the cornerstone of O'Neill's backline, but has seen his towering presence diminish in recent times, particularly since he returned from the African Nations Cup.
Stanislav Varga, not deemed good enough by Sunderland, has looked a reasonable signing, while Joos Valgaeren was clearly past his best at the El Madrigal.
In midfield, Stilian Petrov has enjoyed another excellent season, as has Neil Lennon. But Lennon, like Alan Thompson, is the wrong side of 30.
Celtic have a core of exciting young players, including David Marshall, Stephen Pearson and the injured John Kennedy, although Liam Miller's departure to Manchester United will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of most Celtic supporters.
But they undoubtedly need to strengthen this summer - to retain their dominance in the SPL and especially to prove themselves in the Champions League instead of the lesser Uefa Cup.
If that happens, perhaps O'Neill will be tempted by another season in front of his adoring public.
But O'Neill can only buy the players made affordable by the money men.
The question is: What next for Celtic? The answer could be: Ask Celtic's accountants.