CBS Sports pundit launches scathing Celtic boardroom attack despite European victory
CBS Sports pundit Ian Paul Joy believes several Celtic players are now fighting for their futures at the club despite Thursday night’s impressive 3-2 Europa League victory over Besiktas.
The former defender has been an outspoken critic of Celtic’s European performances this season, repeatedly questioning the club’s ambition, recruitment strategy and lack of investment.
Martin O’Neill’s side secured their first Europa League victory of the campaign with a dramatic comeback against the Turkish outfit, but Joy insists the result does little to address the wider concerns surrounding the club’s direction.
Speaking on CBS Sports Golazo, Joy placed much of the responsibility on Celtic’s hierarchy, arguing that greater investment is required if the Scottish champions are to become genuinely competitive in Europe.
He said: “I think it’s more on the board. It’s more on the leadership of Glasgow Celtic and the way the club is run. They want to see proper investment so Celtic can compete in this competition.
“You imagine European nights at Celtic Park. Poppy, you’ve experienced it with Forest, right? They’ve had tremendous success, but it’s the supporters who push you, sometimes, to success. Celtic fans want a team that’s competitive, not only domestically. Tonight, they can be proud.
“They’ve tried bringing in Wilfried Nancy, they’ve gotten Martin O’Neill, someone that’s familiar that they can trust to try and get results and get performances. To get a reaction from the group. Remember, Rangers are getting stronger as well. They’re under 49s ownership, so they’ve got money to spend and they’re being competitive.
“I think the biggest problem for Celtic is that they’re sitting on cash in the bank, and every single season getting knocked out of the Champions League, over the last two seasons, by minimal opposition. That’s unacceptable. Scottish football will be punished because of that.
“So I do think that there needs to be an owner, ownership or leadership group that has the balls to be able to just go for it. Spend a bit of money and just go and make it happen. Make this team competitive in European football. Can you imagine if they win a European trophy? You go down as a legend.
“The players are actually playing for their futures at that football club, because the scouting has not brought in enough talent. They’ve not spent enough money, clearly, to be competitive in the Champions League.
“They can be a problem in this competition, but they probably won’t win it. The substitute impact there tells me that there’s a battle for places in Celtic, and right now, players are playing for their futures rather than just playing for a paycheck.”
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