The end of the line for Celtic in this year’s Champions League felt peculiar in that it wasn’t as emotionally bruising as every other exit the club have endured down the years.
While Brendan Rodgers’ players were naturally upset at being denied the chance of extra-time by Alphonso Davies’ scrappy late goal in Munich, a quite stunning display on the road was worthy of all the acclaim which came from near and far.
Across 10 matches, the team have matured and evolved to the point where the six-times European champions were taken right to the wire.
The glass ceiling of winning a European knock-out tie in the New Year hasn’t been shattered, but Celtic gave it one almighty thud. There was no little optimism amid the anguish.
After too many years of mediocrity at this level, a new standard has been set. Even before the dust had settled on a dramatic night in the Allianz Arena, the talk was of ongoing improvement and regularly troubling behemoths like Bayern on this stage, perhaps even beating them.
For once, this didn’t sound like empty platitudes. The progress witnessed in the four months separating a capitulation in Dortmund and a supreme display in Munich is startling. Rodgers’ players are entitled to eye next year’s tournament with a renewed sense of self-worth and belief.
Rodgers consoles Hatate in Munich but the Japanese midfielder could be one who moves on
Kuhn’s goal and Celtic’s performance proved that the club is heading in the right direction
Rodgers was proud of his team’s efforts but now must attempt to maintain that level
Of course, the first thing they must do if they are to make further inroads is get there.
Next season, Scotland’s champions lose their right to direct entry to the 36-team mono-group.
Assuming Celtic see out the Premiership title, they will have to negotiate a play-off tie, most likely against a winner from a third-round qualifier. They will be seeded in the draw and will therefore be at home in the second leg.
With the champions of nations like Greece, Denmark, Cyprus and Hungary potentially lying in wait, the scale of the task could differ considerably.
The comfort will be in the scheduling. The first leg won’t take place until the third week in August, after the start of the domestic season — meaning ring-rust shouldn’t be an issue.
Clearing that hurdle would itself create a little piece of history. Celtic have never managed four group-stage campaigns on the bounce, the current run of three matching that of Gordon Strachan’s side between 2006-07 and 2008-09. Such continuity helps.
The fact that Rodgers is committed to at least another season with the club second time around offers necessary stability.
The return of Kieran Tierney will bolster the defence and offer an upgrade at left-back
The manager will know he can depend on the core of this season’s team still being there. It’s the task of his paymasters to ensure any departures are then upgraded.
Kasper Schmeichel’s displays in his first season in Glasgow have been as good as any keeper at Parkhead has produced in recent times. The Dane turned 38 last November yet looks every bit as agile as he was when he won the English title with Leicester nine years ago.
In Alistair Johnston, Rodgers has a right-back who is aggressive, enterprising and ever-improving.
The partnership of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty now looks to be the real deal. The respective strengths of the American internationals are proving to be the perfect combination.
While both Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp will have key roles to play in the remainder of this campaign, the return of Kieran Tierney this summer will see a changing of the guard at left-back.
It’s no slight on either player to state that Tierney — provided he’s untroubled by injury — will represent an upgrade in that position.
Celtic can brace themselves for bids for winger Kuhn on the back of Tuesday’s performance
Callum McGregor, again outstanding on Tuesday, will remain the linchpin of Rodgers’ midfield.
After a period of uncertainty, Arne Engels now looks every inch a Champions League player.
Rodgers trusts both Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo. Neither will be short on minutes as the manager rotates his midfield three.
A question mark must be placed against Reo Hatate’s name. The midfielder has now been at Celtic for three years and has previously been the subject of interest from Brighton.
At 27, there may be agreement between the player and the club that this summer is the right time for a parting of the ways.
Celtic would be less willing to countenance the departure of Nicolas Kuhn. His scintillating form had already piqued the interest of Newcastle before he netted his 18th goal of the season in Munich.
Jota has much to offer Celtic and will play a major role in what the club does going forward
It’s inconceivable that Celtic won’t now receive bids for the German. Given their solid financial grounding and the fact Kuhn is under contract until 2029, they are under no pressure to sell.
With Jota, Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun and the returning James Forrest also at his disposal, Rodgers is well served in the wide areas.
The acquisition of a striker to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi is now the overwhelming priority.
The timing of his departure to Rennes remains the main regret from this campaign. Had he been on the field in Munich, Celtic’s adventure might well have gone on.
While Adam Idah has acquitted himself well since Furuhashi’s departure, and Maeda has been superb when played through the middle, Celtic need to sign a Champions League-ready forward if they are to improve on their showing next season.
‘Every other team is going to go and buy and every other team is going to get stronger, so Celtic are going to have to go up another level,’ warned former Parkhead midfielder Paul Lambert.
‘They’re going to have to go and invest in really top, top players.
Daizen Maeda has led the line with distinction but Celtic still need to identify a new front man
‘What this season has done for them is shown everybody they can definitely compete. Especially at home, their record has been really good. It’s just getting that little bit of consistency. The club is geared for Champions League football with the size of it.’
For long enough, Celtic’s claim to be a Champions League club hasn’t been backed up.
This campaign was markedly different. They now have an elite manager who has learned and thrived in the environment and a team who have grown to the point where they are comfortable at this level.
Celtic, crucially, have the financial wherewithal to make the necessary upgrades that might do more than just worry the likes of Bayern Munich next season. The ball is in their court.
