{"id":259413,"date":"2025-11-12T23:34:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T23:34:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/259413\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T23:34:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T23:34:24","slug":"celtics-2025-decline-needs-to-be-reversed-and-we-all-know-who-is-to-blame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/259413\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtic\u2019s 2025 decline needs to be reversed and we all know who is to blame"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\tLast season we were competing in the Champions League, this year we now hanging on by our finger nails in the Europa League\u2026<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fc-bayern-munchen-v-celtic-fc-uefa-champions-league-2024-25-league-knockout-play-off-second-leg-5.jp.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-159617 has-webp size-full\" alt=\"Nicolas Kuhn scores\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1280\/853;max-width:1280px\"\/>Nicolas Kuhn scores during the UEFA Champions League 2024\/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern M\u00fcnchen and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>That to me is our board\u2019s incompetence laid bare. Heads should be rolling but instead it was the manager, the one who warned us all what was needed, who paid the ultimate price in losing his job. And other than some angry words directed at them at the upcoming AGM that will be as far as it goes for the Celtic Board who can do no wrong. Or so they think anyway.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in standards at Celtic Football club in the past 12 months has been nothing short of remarkable. From competing in the Champions League and going toe to toe with Bayern Munich to blowing a domestic treble, eliminated from this year\u2019s competition by a bang average side, and sitting second in the Scottish Premiership seven points adrift of Hearts, for heaven\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fc-bayern-munchen-v-celtic-fc-uefa-champions-league-2024-25-league-knockout-play-off-second-leg-44.j.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-158783 has-webp size-full\" alt=\"Alphonso Davies scores\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1280\/853;max-width:1280px\"\/>Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team\u2019s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024\/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between FC Bayern M\u00fcnchen and Celtic FC at Allianz Arena on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Matthias Hangst\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s a serious slide in standards, and once again disproves the entire \u2018world class\u2019 rhetoric pitched by the Celtic PLC board. Not that we didn\u2019t know already.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest part of the problem is of course those who run our club. Last year they were roundly lauded for backing Brendan Rodgers to the tune of \u00a327 million as he bolstered our squad with big money signings Arne Engels, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty, and Luke McCowan who was also brought on board.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/celtic-fc-v-heart-of-midlothian-fc-william-hill-premiership-18.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-148783 has-webp size-full\" alt=\"Arne Engels\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1280\/898;max-width:1280px\"\/>Arne Engels. (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>Granted that spree was financed by Matt O\u2019Riley\u2019s move to Brighton, but they reinvested it all the same.<\/p>\n<p>Results and performances on the park reflected our investment as the team went on a terrific run of form, even in the ultra competitive Champions league. However we hit something of a roadblock in January when the sale of Kyogo was sanctioned to the tune of \u00a310 million, the Japanese striker wanted to go but hasn\u2019t found grass greener anywhere else whether that\u2019s in Brittany or indeed Birmingham.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/imago1058713176.jpg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-158028 has-webp size-full\" alt=\"Kyogo\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:6000\/4000;max-width:1536px\"\/>Kyogo Furuhashi of Stade Rennais is pictured on the substituted bench at the Ligue 1l match between AS Saint-Etienne and Stade Rennais FC on February 08, 2025 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. Photo IMAGO<\/p>\n<p>Sure, Jota was brought back for a hefty \u00a38 million, but we failed to replace the bubbly and energetic Kyogo and the goal threat he provided, which would come back to haunt us in more ways than one.<\/p>\n<p>It left Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah as our only recognised strikers, and we received further blows towards the end of the season when Jota suffered a serious ACL injury, whilst Reo Hatate also endured an injury setback. Although not as serious as the Portuguese, but still serious enough to rule him out of the Scottish cup final.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1169\" height=\"961\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-162259\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/dundee-united-fc-v-celtic-fc-william-hill-premiership-24.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-162259 size-full\" alt=\"Arne Engels and Nicolas Kuhn look on as Jota receives treatment\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1169\/961;max-width:1169px\"\/>Arne Engels and Nicolas Kuhn look on as Jota receives treatment. Dundee United 0 Celtic 5 at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>We threw away that final, blowing a great chance of yet another treble, and losing Kyogo, and being denied the services of Jota, and Reo were one of biggest factors as to why. We should have bolstered our ranks better in the winter window that\u2019s for sure.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019d think we would\u2019ve learned our lesson in the summer, but no. Nicolas Kuhn was sold to Como, Adam Idah to Swansea, along with Kyogo and the temporary loss of Jota, that was a severe amount of assists and goals taken out of our side.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-174756\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/tounekti_3785.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-174756 size-full\" alt=\"Sebastian Tounekti\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1280\/853;max-width:1200px\"\/>Sebastian Tounekti. Celtic v theRangers. Premier Sports Cup, semi final at Hampden. 2 November 2025. Photo AJ (The Celtic Star)<\/p>\n<p>Not one of them was replaced with a similar or better option. Seb Tounekti looks promising and it\u2019s early days in the case of Michel- Ange Balikwisha, whilst Kelchi Iheanacho brings us some experience, but not to replace or upgrade the most vital cog in our side, has severely came back to haunt us.<\/p>\n<p>Second in the league, and fighting for the chance of a Europa league play off spot. Standards have clearly fallen in just 12 months, and heads should undoubtedly roll.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"858\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-163751\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/celtic-fc-v-st-mirren-fc-william-hill-premiership-55.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-163751 size-full\" alt=\"Brendan Rodgers\"  data- style=\"aspect-ratio:1280\/858;max-width:1200px\"\/>Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers beside the trophy after the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Mirren at Celtic Park on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p>But other than Brendan\u2019s, we know they won\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>Just an Ordinary Bhoy<\/p>\n<p>&#13;<\/p>\n<p>\t\tMore Stories \/ Latest News<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecelticstar.com\/martin-oneill-until-the-new-year-is-surely-the-sensible-option\/\" title=\"Martin O\u2019Neill until the New Year is surely the sensible option\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/martin-oneill-returns-to-celtic-as-interim-manager-after-brendan-rodgers-resignation-14.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-174184 lazyload\" alt=\"Shaun Maloney and Martin O'Neill\"  data-\/>\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecelticstar.com\/sky-sports-drop-london-update-on-celtics-manager-hunt\/\" title=\"Sky Sports drop London update on Celtic\u2019s manager hunt\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/imago1056450327.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-154798 lazyload\" alt=\"Celtic Park\"  data-\/>\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecelticstar.com\/wilfried-nancy-itd-be-tough-if-he-left-columbus-crew-star-max-arfsten\/\" title=\"Wilfried Nancy \u2013 \u201cIt\u2019d be tough if he left,\u201d Columbus Crew star Max Arfsten\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">&#13;<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"5443\" height=\"3629\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/fc-cincinnati-v-columbus-crew-2025-mls-cup-playoffs-3.jpg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload wp-image-175444 has-webp lazyload\" alt=\"Max Arfsten of Columbus Crew\"  data-\/>\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t&#13;<br \/>\nCELTIC STAR BOOKS OFFFER \u00a0\u2013 BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!<\/p>\n<p>Order David Potter\u2019s final Celtic book, \u2018Celtic in the Eighties\u2019 and you\u2019ll receive a copy that has been personally signed by legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain. Plus you\u2019ll also receive a complementary copy of Willie Fernie \u2013 Putting on the Style! <a href=\"https:\/\/celticstarbooks.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Order Celtic in the Eighties at Celtic Star Books<\/a> and we\u2019ll do the rest. Please note that postage will only be charged on one book but you\u2019ll receive both!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/celticstarbooks.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload lazyload aligncenter size-full wp-image-175420\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/images.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"219\" height=\"76\"  data-\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Cover_Only_3D_2.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Cover_Only_3D_2.jpg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-168859\"  data-\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tCeltic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed by Danny McGrain <\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WillieFernie3D-2-600x887.jpeg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"887\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WillieFernie3D-2-600x887.jpeg\" class=\"lazyload lazyload attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-130336\"  data-\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\tWillie Fernie \u2013 Putting on the Style by David Potter<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<br style=\"clear: both\"\/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/celticstarbooks.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload lazyload aligncenter size-full wp-image-175420\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/images.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"219\" height=\"76\"  data-\/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last season we were competing in the Champions League, this year we now hanging on by our finger&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":259414,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[218,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-259413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-football","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=259413"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/259413\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/259414"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=259413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=259413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=259413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}