Celtic will have to pick themselves up, fans, players and staff alike after what turned out to be a totally inept defensive performance against Cluj. Not being able to see the game out, after twice going in front, was criminal as was the decision by manager Neil Lennon to play Calum McGregor at left back.
We now have to console ourselves with the Europa League with Celtic taking on AIK Stockholm in the Europa League play off next Thursday.
Although Celtic should have too much for Dunfermilne a defeat would be unthinkable and catastrophic after the European defeat and would lead to serious questions being asked of Neil Lennon.
The Pars finished top of their league cup section after recording a 3-2 away win to St Mirren, a 6-0 thumping at East End Park over Albion Rovers and a 4-0 home win against Lowland League outfit East Kilbride, sandwiched in between was a loss away to Edinburgh City.
In the Championship they have drawn both their games so far, 2-2 against Dundee and 1-1 against Queen of the South in Dumfries.
Nothing that should worry Celtic too much.
Craig Gordon would have been likely to start the League Cup games this season, that decision has now been made after Scott Bain suffered an injured hand.
With Bain out for two months, will Celtic move to bring in a goalkeeper? Hopefully. Former keeper Fraser Forster has fallen out of favour at Southampton and a return to Glasgow could be welcomed by him.
We may see captain Scott Brown sit this one out too, he had possibly his worst game for many a year on Tuesday night and has come in for a lot of online heat regarding his performance.
I still believe Brown can be a big influence on the team, although at his age he should have been used more sparingly and a long term replacement should have been sought out and in the squad by now.
It’s like dejavu being a Celtic fan when the Champions League qualifiers roll round every year. Celtic know how tough it will be but never seem to plan ahead and recruit properly before hand.
Our defence has been decimated since last season and we have been left in a worse position despite three players signing.
Enough of my Champions League rant for now.
Celtic should be too strong for Dunfermline and win comfortably.
Prediction: Celtic 3-0 Dunfermline
Mick Kane hails from Glasgow. He has been hooked on Celtic since he went to his first game when he was 7. Celtic beat Hamilton 8-3 at Celtic Park on the 3rd of January 1987. His favourite player at the time, Brian McClair scored four goals.
He started going regular as a 16 year old when Celtic played at Hampden for the season, being a Southsider it meant a short train journey to get to Hampden. From then he has had a season ticket travelled around Europe for games as Celtic became the dominant force in Scottish football again. A nice change from growing up during Rangers run to 9 in a row.
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