Celtic Football Club’s Remarkable 2024 Season
Celtic Football Club experienced a remarkable 2024 season, securing their league title well ahead of the New Year. They also claimed a League Cup and achieved a commendable draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League knockout stages. Additionally, they reached the Scottish Cup final, a performance that would have satisfied most fans had they been offered it at the season’s outset.
Challenges Faced in 2025
However, the narrative for 2025 has been strikingly different. The team’s performance has noticeably declined, with seven losses occurring in just five months. Among these defeats were two against formidable opponents, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich, but losses to domestic rivals Rangers (in two fixtures), Hibernian, and St Johnstone compounded the disappointment, especially as Aberdeen dashed hopes for a potential treble.
Celtic commenced the season on a strong note, but their form faltered toward the end—an alarming trend that could raise questions about the squad’s robustness. Injuries to key players like Reo Hatate and Jota left the team lacking vitality and creativity during critical matches, including the most recent cup final, where they struggled despite fielding a consistent lineup that had previously triumphed.
Future Prospects and Required Reinforcements
With the uncertain status of Jota for the remainder of the season, along with Hatate’s existing limitations, Celtic’s management might consider summer offers for the latter, particularly given the current scarcity of flair in the squad. Fresh signings will be essential moving forward, especially from promising talents like Arne Engels and Paulo Bernardo, as expectations rise for the next season.
In light of Jota’s expected absence, the need for another winger becomes apparent—especially since Nicolas Kuhn, who had a stellar start to the season, has seen his performance decline sharply. Should a lucrative offer arrive, it could prompt the club to reassess Kuhn’s future.
The potential return of Kieran Tierney would provide a significant boost not only in defense but also in attack, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively through his dynamic runs and precise deliveries. With the team achieving an impressive total of 112 goals in the Premiership en route to the title, their offensive capabilities appear solid. However, the lack of a backup for Kyogo Furuhashi—who wasn’t replaced in the January window—was felt towards the season’s end when Daizen Maeda, despite his overall excellence, missed several key opportunities.
It seems that reinforcing the squad with a quick, clinical finisher is a priority on manager Brendan Rodgers’ summer wish list, along with the acquisition of a reliable, speedy center-back known for good distribution. Although Liam Scales performed adequately, Rodgers chose to switch things up with Auston Trusty before reintroducing Scales as Trusty’s performance waned.
Financial Considerations and Future Directions
Celtic’s financial investment in Trusty, Engels, and Adam Idah, reportedly around £26 million, raises questions about how much of that investment can be recuperated if they were to be placed on the market now. The club made significant expenditures in the previous summer, and there’s an urgency for them to invest again soon, especially since they no longer hold a guaranteed spot in European competitions and will have to navigate a playoff.
Waiting to see if they can replicate past successes before committing to major expenditures may not be a feasible strategy for Celtic; instead, it appears that an assertive approach in the transfer market is the wiser path forward, even for a board traditionally inclined toward financial prudence.
