It was a blow, but we’re over it, Celtic’s focus is on winning trophies

It was a blow, but we’re over it, Celtic’s focus is on winning trophies

It was a blow, but we’re over it. Celtic just continue to concentrate on what we do best, and that’s winning trophies…

There seems to be a belief amongst theRangers supporters that failure to clinch 10 titles in a row back in 2021 is something of a demon that Celtic supporters can’t shake off.

According to some it has ‘ruined’ us, and we will never ever get over it. That it somehow occupies our everyday thoughts. It’s them that goes on about title 55 when they never once talked about 54, or 53, or 52 etc

Failure to do 10IAR was a big disappointment at the time, yes, it would have been great to yet again make some history by beating one of our very own illustrious records, but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. Like Rangers we equalled the record first set by Jock Stein’s side in the mid 1970s.

We just weren’t good enough that particular season, while theRangers clicked and produced some good form, aided by the absence of their supporters and fully deserved their first ever title win.

Celtic couldn’t have any complaints, and as disappointing as it was to blow the chance of making history, we put it firmly behind us, dusted ourselves down and went from strength to strength, winning the next three titles.  Their title win gave us Ange Postecoglou and led onto Brendan Rodgers coming back. We’ve won two Scottish Cups, two League Cups and three league titles since so no-one at Celtic even bothers about what happened in the Covid season.

It’s a simple as this,  we have won seven out of the nine available trophies as we added to our ever growing honours list to further establish ourselves as the best side in the country.

Was failing to do ten in a row disappointing? Yes, but does it eat away at us?  No it doesn’t, we just get on with doing what we do best, and that’s winning honours. We leave the what ifs and regrets to the sides who aren’t as successful as Celtic.

Celtic star Reo Hatate admits he needs to raise his game for national team

Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate did not feature in Japan’s 7-0 mullering of China in their first match of the international break and has been brutally honest in his assessment of where he stands.

The 28-year-old did not even make the bench for the game, and even though he could play against Bahrain, Hatate knows he has to raise his levels when he steps on the pitch.

Hatate said (via Daily Record): “It can’t be helped that it’s over, but I think my being left off is due to my lack of ability.

“If I had the ability, I would have been able to participate in the games and be a member of the team, so I think my lack of ability is the reason for this result.

“I think this result is due to my lack of ability. I want to do well for myself. I think I can improve even more. I want to keep that in mind as I work on my game.”

The nine-cap international will be keen on showing what he can do when they travel to Bahrain tomorrow.

Despite failing to earn the trust of his national team manager, Hatate has been a pivotal player for the Hoops as they look to retain their Scottish Premiership crown.

The former Kawasaki Frontale star has recorded two goals and four big chances created in four league games this term. He will look to carry that form to the national team as they bid to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.

The Hoops have made the perfect start to the season, downing Kilmarnock, Hibernian, and St. Mirren before closing for the international break with a resounding 3-0 victory away to arch-rivals Rangers. Celtic have scored 12 without reply.

In the League Cup, they began their quest to wrestle the title back from Rangers with a comfortable 3-1 win over Hibs.

Former Celtic kid who made dream transfer to Bayern Munich left without club after contract ‘terminated’

Barry Hepburn during a Scotland under 19 training session at Mar Hall, | SNS Group / SFA

The Scotland youth international was part of Celtic’s youth academy before moving to the Bundesliga giants in 2020

Former Celtic youth product Barry Hepburn is a free agent following his release from European powerhouses Bayern Munich.

The 20-year-old attacker, who completed a dream transfer to the Bundesliga giants at the age of 16, was unable to make a first-team breakthrough at the Allianz Arena after struggling to dislodge the likes of Jamal Musiala, Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman from the starting XI in recent years.

Hepburn returned to his native Scotland on loan last season, joining Championship side Queen’s Park. His temporary spell with the Spiders was cut short last January after falling down the pecking order. Fast forward 12 months and the wide man has gained more competitive action with Bayern’s B-team before he was shown the door by the German club.

Now on the lookout for his next move, the Scotland youth international previously detailed how he was thrown in at the deep end, both on and off the pitch in Germany. Hepburn suffered a broken ankle within months of signing for Bayern before the Covid lockdown came into force.

Speaking to the BBC at the time, he said: “I was out for four months. I couldn’t train or go home to see my family. When I eventually got back, they cancelled the season.”

Hepburn would eventually get minutes under his belt with the youth squads but once he outgrew the under-19 set-up and entered Bayern’s second string he was allowed to leave on loan in order to gain more senior experience. He only completed 90 minutes on four occasions in the space of six months and moved to Austrian second division side DSV Leoben. He trained with the first-team group earlier this summer under the watchful eye of head coach Vincent Kompany before his departure was arranged. He stated: “Make sure the move benefits you and it’s not going to take you back two steps. If it makes you a better player, go for it. You might not make it, but you have a chance. As long as you have a chance, that’s all it takes.”

Bayern’s Campus social media account confirmed the move earlier this week, writing “The #FCBayern has terminated the contracts with Leon #Fust and Barry #Hepburn by mutual agreement. All the best for your future endeavors, guys! #MiaSanMia“

Meanwhile Hepburn’s former Celtic and Munich team mate Liam Morrison has played two games for QPR in the EFL Cup.