Return to Aberdeen

Celtic are back on the road and so are we. Our travel during pre-season took us to Cork and Faro. Two very enjoyable away trips but there was nothing at stake only the players fitness. Aberdeen is our destination this weekend and it’s the real deal with 3 points up for grabs.

Oasis mania has also hit Scotland this weekend and demand for tickets is almost as great as for Aberdeen v Celtic. Thankfully I secured one on Saturday morning and started the journey from Drogheda a few hours later.

The talk all week within the Celtic support is the lack of quality signings ahead of the Champions League qualifier. Which is a concern and Brendan Rodgers highlighted in last weeks press conference. Fans have become very critical of the boards policy on recruitment but I think it is only one problem.

Questions also need to be asked about why are we not producing any talent from the youth system ready to step up to the first team. Is there a long-term plan to increase capacity at Celtic Park? Season tickets are sold out and you can not put your name down anymore on a reserve list. Corporate hospitality is again sold out for the season and again you can’t put your on a reserve list?

Pic: Faro Away v Sporting 

Have the board a long term plan? If so it would be nice to hear it. If Brendan Rodgers moves at the end of the season is there a replacement plan in place? Why has Kyogo not been replaced? So many questions but few answers and no communication from the Celtic board.

Celtic Fans inbox’s are bombarded with new kits and merchandise offers almost on a daily basis. The latest being the Celtic Adidas Golf Wear range.

There is still time for business to be done in the transfer market but for now it looks like the board have fell asleep at the wheel once again from being in a position of strength. The Celtic cash reserves dwarfs anything in Scotland and maybe that is where the current boards ambition lies while Brendan Rodgers and the Celtic supports ambition is to continue to progress in Europe and dominate in Scotland.

Last weekend we left it late to see off St. Mirren but now all our thoughts are on Pittodrie and a revenge mission. Aberdeen fans got brought down to earth last week at Tynecastle going down 2-0 to Hearts. The Dons fans have been on cloud 9 since beating Celtic at Hampden on penalties in the Scottish Cup Final. Its time to burst their bubble.

Our last visit to Aberdeen was happy one when a second string Celtic team pumped them 5-1 on a lovely sunny evening up North. We will be looking for more of the same today as we go on a revenge mission.

Kick off time is 12:30pm and the game is live on Sky Sports from 11:30am. Celtic TV will also be showing the game for subscribers outside Ireland and the UK.