Kasper Schmeichel’s much-discussed absence from Celtic for the remainder of this season brings into focus one of the many concerning issues I believe the debacle of Wilfried Nancy’s tenure and sacking highlighted.
Alan and I have been very critical of how Celtic have managed injury risks in recent years, while noting the positive outlier during the 2024-2025 campaign, when players seemed to be rotated in what appeared to be a relatively coherent fashion.
Stephen McGowan’s January 9th column published in the Herald provided a plethora of related reporting as to the extent to which the legacy culture manifested. It is a piece of reporting I am likely to return to as the autopsy of the current season is done once over.
Accustomed to elite coaching standards under Brendan Rodgers, then Martin O’Neill, first impressions were underwhelming. Rumours of players and backroom staff being unimpressed with the new manager surfaced in no time at all.
The description of Martin O’Neill as offering “elite coaching standards” was notable early in the piece. John Kennedy had departed along with Brendan Rodgers, and none of the people remaining at the club or brought in as interim coaches had CV’s which suggested “elite coaching standards.”
Despite 18 years as Celtic’s goalkeeping coach, Stevie Woods was challenged to prove himself all over again to the new regime. Rumours of a departure became a weekly soap opera with more twists and turns than River City.
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