Given all that’s gone on since Brendan Rodgers agreed to return as Celtic manager in June, this season has felt like several campaigns wrapped into one.
His re-appointment wasn’t the first choice for a notable section of the fanbase and it’s fair to say his first season back in Scottish football has been an eventful one.
Before the first kick of a ball he would lose Aaron Mooy to retirement, Jota to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad and Carl Starfelt to Celta Vigo as his plans immediately started on the back foot.
Seven permanent signing were recruited during the summer window, but none of them made Rodgers’ starting XI in our most recent game against Hearts.
Add in early season squabbles between the club and the Green Brigade, the highly publicised exit of Israeli international Liel Abada and injuries to key players Callum McGregor, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate and you can see the difficulties that the manager has faced.
However, the noise and debate that surrounded his re-appointment and the challenges of his first season back in the hot-seat will all now come down to the game against Rangers this weekend.
Kyogo Is Back In Top Form And Grabbed A Double Against Hearts Last WeekendRodgers has declared that he will have the “best version of the team” available to him for the very first time this season as Daizen Maeda and others return to full fitness.
Indeed there’s no better time to peak than in the final games of a long campaign, which is exactly what Celtic appear to be doing.
On his re-introduction to the fans in summer Brendan Rodgers declared: “I’ll see you in May,” as he stood in front of the Jock Stein statue at Celtic Park.
It was a defiant message to the doubters as he signalled his intention to once again lift the Scottish Premiership title.
Well, it’s May now, and in the next few days we should find out just how accurate the manager’s prophecy was.
Tune in now to our Glasgow Derby Special as we preview the big game on The Celtic Exchange Podcast
Available wherever you get your podcasts or via the player below.
2 thoughts on “Celtic Going All Out To Fulfil Manager’s Pre Season Prophecy”
The biggest frustration for myself anyway this season, and we are split for choice?
Is why has it taken Rodgers so long, to be getting our established players back playing to there capabilities?
Finally at long last we are starting to see it being produced, and could make the claim that’s its at the right time of the season to do so?
Not so sure myself, as still believe this title should have been wrapped up already imo?
Regardless, I still believe our bhoys will not only want to win on Saturday, but would also like to make it a statement victory with the Scottish cup final looming?
Us supporters will take any form of victory against the scum?
Our inconsistencies within performance levels have been our biggest challenger this season, and done that within way to many games with completely different standards set in halves of matches?
Wouldn’t like to think that will be the case over the next 4 games, yet still don’t understand why it has been on show on so many occasions already this season?
The focus and mentality of the player’s was spot on last weekend, and seen just how much by the player’s not celebrating as such despite the tremendous result and performance delivered?
Hope the player’s and supporters can celebrate together at full time on Saturday, with a deserved statement victory, especially as moral victories in draws aren’t our thing whatsoever, we will let the gormless Huns have the likes?
Brendan seems to be in control now and it has been hard to watch a lot of the time but I think most fans have seen things just click in to place in recent weeks . Hatate has the potential to be at the very highest level , as does Matt Oriley , add cal to the midfield and we look very strong , Bernardo and Iwata are excellent options from the bench . Kyogo is on form , Daizen is back . Forrest on fire , Idah Palma and Kuhn give us even more quality if we need ! What’s not to like ?
Saturday is as massive a game as we have had in a long time and I am f*****g buzzing I will be there to see it … just landed from Tenerife and feeling very confident ! The Scottish cup would be a cherry on top of the cake but the league is the absolute priority !!!!!