OPINION
For any club to develop and grow – or keep the success rolling on – they either need to keep a hold of their top talents or replace them when they go, which is why Celtic director Peter Lawwell ought to be worried about the future of his club.
Yes, the Hoops have been utterly dominant over the rest of Scottish football in recent years, with seven league titles in a row and two successive treble winning campaigns, and many would argue that the progress has been shown by their impressive trophy haul.
However, the club’s exit from the Champions League qualifiers this season – dropping the Bhoys into the Europa League – will have gone down as a big disappointment and may in turn have led to the exit of Moussa Dembele to Lyon, a big loss for manager Brendan Rodgers.
It is clear that Celtic cannot keep hold of their top talents without the draw of top European competition and having failed to properly replace those who departed this summer, the argument is there that the Hoops have regressed – a serious worry for Lawwell and the rest of the top brass at Parkhead.
The bold statement from another summer sale, Southampton winger Stuart Armstrong, over his departure will only compound the fear that Celtic will drop down not only on the European stage but domestically too.
The Saints man told the BBC: “I wouldn’t say I miss Scottish football. I’m not the most patient. I need to learn to adapt. I’m in a different league – I spent eight years in the Scottish League.
“As an individual I wanted something new, a new challenge, and if I hadn’t taken that opportunity I would have regretted it. I grew up watching a lot of Premier League – it’s something I dreamed about as a young player. That was my own interest and something I’m very happy to be experiencing right now.”
Do you think many future stars sit around and watch the Scottish Premiership on a weekly basis? The answer will be a resounding no.
Players are always going to be seeking out new challenges and the Scottish top flight simply has nothing to offer those of a high quality – and without elite European encounters, why would they make the move to Parkhead?
Rangers have Steven Gerrard as a major draw, his fame and links with Liverpool sealing some impressive signings, but Celtic simply do not have anything which sets them apart.
The Hoops are going backwards, and Armstrong’s comments will only further worry Lawwll moving forward.