THE mantra from Brendan Rodgers from the get-go in this season’s Champions League has been one of restrained optimism. European football after Christmas is the aim, in whatever form that may come.
Two defeats from two to kick off their group campaign would suggest that progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League is an altogether more realistic and attainable goal for Celtic - though still hardly a straightforward one - never mind reaching the last 16 of the elite competition.
Callum McGregor took the last-gasp loss to Lazio as hard as anyone connected with the club on Wednesday night, but his fire and ambition for his team at the top level remains undimmed.
As far as he is concerned, nothing has yet been decided, and there has been enough in Celtic’s performances to suggest that aiming for Champions League progression is realistic, not simply a soundbite from a skipper trying to sustain hope amongst players and supporters.
“I think we still have to target getting out of the group,” McGregor said.
“When we see the games, there’s nothing in it in terms of the quality of the teams.
“It’s just the fine margins. We’ve played two games, and I don’t think we have anything to be scared of at this level.
“The next game is massively important. We have to get something from it. The group is still tight enough to get out. If not, then definitely getting third and having European football after Christmas.
“The expectation and drive within the dressing room is to get out of the group.”
There is a sense though that the Celtic fans – while fully cognisant of their club’s disadvantages at Champions League level – are starting to tire of hearing about lessons being learned and fine margins after their team conspire to shoot themselves in the foot.
McGregor realises this, but the reason such lines are being trotted out once more is that there is a truth to them, with the quality Celtic possess – in his view – clear for all to see in the Lazio game.
Will Celtic need to change their approach though if they are to finally get some results to go along with their respectable performances?
“I don’t think so,” he said.
“The way we are playing is a continuation of what we have been doing over the last few years. We are trying to be progressive, trying to have more of the ball. Celtic has always been built on playing fast, attacking football, dominating, and I don’t think that will change too much.
“It’s just trying to bridge that gap in quality and trying to get results at this level. When you play at this level, the teams have the quality to hurt you.
“We spent the last 15 to 20 minutes with the ball but we made one mistake and the boy scores with a brilliant header at the back post. You almost need to be perfect at this level. You almost can’t make mistakes as teams have the quality to hurt you.
“A lot of the stuff was good. We created chances, had control of the game and the more time you have with the ball, the less time they have to hurt you with it.
“It’s maybe that bit of luck. You look at the VAR offside goal, with the slight touch from Daizen (Maeda) that rules Luis (Palma)’s effort offside.
“It’s maybe just not quite falling for us. If you get points on the board or get a win, I think subconsciously the confidence rises, you get the belief and maybe we just need a moment like that to lift the club and start to get the results the team maybe deserves.”
All hope is not lost then, certainly within the Celtic dressing room. And after a slightly stuttering start to the season overall in Brendan Rodgers’ second coming, there are signs that his team are just beginning to click into gear.
A key component that has made the transition from the approaches of Ange Postecoglou to Rodgers easier for the players has been the symbiosis between captain and manager, with their hunger to bring success to the club the cornerstone of their relationship.
“It’s much the same,” McGregor said.
“We had a really good relationship last time and it’s the same again.
“He probably demands even more of me this time being his captain and trying to lead and taking his message onto the pitch. It’s slightly different in that sense, but the relationship is going well.
“He wants to win. He’s a winner. I’ve known that since the first time he was here. That’s just the way he’s programmed. He won’t settle for any less.
“You can see he wants to drive the team. It’s still in the infancy stage with what we are trying to do with a new group.
“We are working relentlessly and it’s about pushing the guys every week. He set the tone for that. He wants to win – like everybody.
“There is more to come. We are only seven games in[to the Premiership season]. We just focus on ourselves.
“We don’t want to drop points. This group is still in the infancy stage when it comes to getting the ideas of how we want to play. There are boys still settling in.
“For sure there is more to come. Hopefully over the next few weeks and months we can show it.”
