I’m sure there are Celtic supporters of a nervous disposition who dare not say out loud what their secret fear is concerning Brendan Rodgers’ team in the Champions League.
The nagging suspicion in their deepest subconscious that one night somebody, somewhere is going to stick double figures past Celtic in a mortifying moment that will live on in infamy. It could have happened against Borussia Dortmund in Germany, which was seven going on the unthinkable. Now it is last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta on Wednesday night. And the onus is on Rodgers to devise a style of play that precludes the possibility of a battering in Bergamo.
The kind of plan that Steve Clarke came up with to salvage a draw from the wreckage of a going over at the hands of Portugal in the Nations League tie last Tuesday at Hampden. Prior to that game, Scotland hadn’t been pulling up any trees in the competition. It was more the case they were pushing up the daisies. A dead loss.
Clarke had been slaughtered for an inclination towards ensuring his team didn’t lose matches rather than endeavouring to win them. The capitulation against Hungary in Scotland’s last match of Euro 24 in Germany was the final straw for Clarke’s detractors.
Ironically, being ultra defensive and getting a single point on the Nations League board by stonewalling the opposition has now won the manager a temporary reprieve. Facts and figures are football’s bread and butter.
They separate the league title winner from the runner-up. The cup winner from the losing finalist. The survivor from the demoted in a relegation dog-fight.
The enjoyment of Celtic’s 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava was heightened by the number of goals scored. The embarrassment created by the loss to Dortmund was increased by the number of goals conceded. Facts and figures.
No-one in their right mind thinks Celtic will go to Italy in midweek and win. It is what they do to protect their reputation that’s vital in the eyes of the fans. Away from home in the Champions League over Rodgers’ two spells in charge have shown Celtic are just not suspect at the back.
They have been tried, found guilty and convicted by a unanimous verdict. The team’s vulnerability at the highest level is an open and shut case.
Scotland haven’t won a competitive match for over a calendar year but the result against Portugal put a veneer of respectability on the Nations League campaign. For some, if not for all.
It was a live to fight another day moment for Clarke and his players – and that’s what Celtic should be looking to do against Atalanta. Qualification for the latter stages of the Champions League will be determined by what Rodgers’ side do at home.
Foreign travel, on this occasion, should not be about broadening the mind. It should be about narrowing the margin of defeat. Rodgers’ response to the criticism after the loss of seven goals in a single game for the third time in Europe as Celtic manager was succinct.
The manager pointed out he has been in control of clubs at the highest level in England and Scotland and knew what he was doing, thanks very much. Brendan, like Clarke, isn’t interested in having his work judged by non-professionals.
“I’m not a stats man,” Steve had said before being glad of the entry into the record books that prevented Scotland from losing five competitive games on the bounce for the first time. Rodgers’ tactical approach to Atalanta will see him come under severe scrutiny.
A difference in levels is required to be met with a difference in playing style, otherwise the past will be repeated in the present. Fans may be non-professionals, but they can count.