Celtic have secured their third successive Premier League title and are one win away from the double, however what lies forward for Brendan Rodgers and the Scottish champions?
Rodgers’ shock return to Celtic final summer season didn’t go down nicely with some followers as a result of method he left for Leicester Metropolis in 2019. However final June he stood on the steps exterior Celtic Park and addressed the followers with a easy however daring message: “For these I have to persuade, I am going to see you right here in Might.”
Might got here, and Rogers continued his unprecedented success. Celtic have now gained 18 of 24 titles within the twenty first century – the 54th within the membership’s illustrious historical past. In the identical interval they’ve additionally gained 10 League Cups and 11 Scottish Cups – with the ultimate but to be performed in opposition to Rangers.
This Hoops aspect are additionally unbeaten in opposition to their Glasgow rivals in 4 league matches this season – successful three of them.
Domestically, there isn’t a doubt that Celtic will look to proceed and enhance their dominance. However past the bread and butter of the Scottish Premiership, what are the membership’s and Rodgers’ priorities for the summer season and subsequent season?
Champions League change
This 12 months, the European panorama is altering. The Champions League as we all know it’s no extra. It will likely be one large league of 36 groups earlier than going into the knockout part – and Celtic shall be a part of it.
Within the league stage, they are going to play particular person matches in opposition to eight groups – 4 at residence and 4 away, between September and January. The highest eight groups within the league will advance to the final 16. The groups ranked between ninth and twenty fourth will advance to a two-legged play-off spherical, with the eight winners advancing to the final 16. The underside 12 groups of the league – and the play-off losers – will qualify with out relegation to the Europa League.
Celtic see this new Champions League format – and the riches that include it – as enormous potential for progress by way of present standing and competitiveness. Prize cash and elevated TV and match day income may add as much as round £60m only for the league competitors.
The Hoops shall be aiming for the play-offs, which may see Celtic play at the least 10 Champions League video games earlier than February. At the least eight of them will play. The thought of promoting the membership takes on extra weight for the gamers if they will say {that a} fifth of their season shall be spent within the Champions League. Plus, they’re going to have more cash to place towards charges, wages, and perks. That is the place the potential for progress lies – it may put Celtic on a extra stage enjoying subject with equally ranked golf equipment in Europe.
Nonetheless, Celtic’s report in Europe lately – particularly within the Champions League – has not been nice. Just one group stage win was recorded in that marketing campaign, a win over Feyenoord at Celtic Park.
Home dominance is nice, however followers need a aggressive Celtic on the European stage. It will likely be fascinating to see how the brand new format impacts Celtic’s competitiveness within the competitors and Rodgers and the followers ought to relish the problem.
May the massive stars depart this summer season?
Rodgers will hope to retain most of his prized belongings. He will not need one other season of the surprising departures he is confronted this time period, with Giotto, Karl Starfelt and Liel Abada persevering with their contingencies.
Celtic stars Matt O’Reilly, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Rhea Hatate are being monitored by plenty of golf equipment within the English Premier League and throughout Europe.
A bid of round £20million from Atletico Madrid for O’Reilly was rejected by the Hoops in January. After a sensational season, the Denmark worldwide seems extra prone to depart this summer season, however Celtic shall be in search of a club-record switch. events embody Girona, Inter Milan and the highest six Premier League golf equipment.
O’Reilly will characteristic on the European Championships for England’s group Denmark, which may additionally increase his worth if he impresses in Germany – and hasn’t been snapped up earlier than. Celtic stay in a powerful place to push for a payment as O’Reilly signed a brand new four-year contract final September.
Carter-Vickers had one other good season regardless of a few accidents. Curiosity from West Ham United and different golf equipment in Europe has been reported, however no concrete bids have been made. The USA worldwide is known to be completely happy on the membership, having simply signed a brand new contract earlier this 12 months till the summer season of 2029.
Hatate has been hampered by accidents for a lot of the season, however Celtic are undoubtedly higher and extra artistic with him within the workforce. He has additionally signed a brand new contract, so the champions are in a powerful place to maintain him or anticipate an honest determine if golf equipment come calling. His exclusion from Japan’s Asian Cup squad was a significant blow, and his want to return to the squad may outline how he sees his future.
Different exits shall be vital to trim the lineup. The likes of James McCarthy, Gustav Lagerbilke, Sead Haksabanovic, Mikey Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi may transfer on if golf equipment take them up. A choice can even be made on Stephen Welsh, who has attracted robust curiosity from Italy, France and Germany through the years, however was retained by Celtic as back-up after he signed a brand new contract till the summer season of 2027.
The place ought to “Celtic” strengthen?
When it comes to signings, it might really feel like déjà vu for Celtic followers because the membership method the third switch window trying to strengthen in three precedence areas – goalkeeper, left-back and striker.
Joe Hart will retire this summer season on the age of 37. He was an excellent servant of the membership and a preferred determine among the many Hoops trustworthy. Nonetheless, even when he didn’t retire, the necessity for an replace can be obligatory. Celtic have been out there for elite back-ups earlier than, and it is doable they’re going to be exploring it once more.
A brand new goalkeeper shortlist shall be drawn up forward of the summer season switch window because the Hoops search for early targets. There was reported curiosity in Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher and Actual Madrid’s Andrei Lunin this season, whereas the membership have additionally been monitoring the likes of Aston Villa goalkeeper William Sinisala and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly. In Kelleher’s case, he might have accomplished nicely in a first-choice position at one other Premier League membership. As such, his price ticket has risen and could also be out of Celtic’s vary.
The necessity at left-back is clear, as Greg Taylor has no competitors for a spot within the beginning line-up proper now. Alexander Bernabeu is on mortgage at Brazilian membership Internacional till the top of December, so this shall be a key place to fill.
Adam Ayde’s mortgage transfer from Norwich Metropolis seems to have been a hit, however Celtic shouldn’t have a buyout clause within the deal. Different golf equipment within the English Championship and Serie A are additionally within the participant, which may additionally enhance his worth. But when it isn’t Ida, Celtic shall be in search of a striker to supply severe competitors – and supply one thing completely different – to Kyoga.
If O’Reilly leaves, the membership can even need to decide about getting into the marketplace for a central midfielder. They’ve a buy-out choice within the area of £6m of their mortgage cope with Benfica for Paulo Bernardo. A choice on whether or not to launch this shall be made in June.
Recreation fashion
Beneath Anze Postecoglou, Celtic had a transparent id and magnificence of play. It was relentless assault after wave. They have been tearing groups aside – usually within the first half. It was essentially the most pleasurable soccer a Celtic fan has witnessed within the trendy period. So it was all the time troublesome for somebody who adopted it.
Rodgers has returned the workforce to a extra affected person, possession-based fashion, however some argue that the workforce lacks a transparent id in how they play – and has too usually relied on particular person brilliance and moments to win video games.
Whereas some groups have managed to stifle and frustrate Celtic at instances, it is price noting that Rodgers has needed to cope with a number of accidents all through the season and has needed to reshuffle and reshuffle his squad excess of he would have favored.
With the likes of Hatate, Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor and others all slot in – it is no coincidence Celtic’s kind has been relentless since April when Rodgers had his first workforce XI.
Going ahead, the Northern Irishman’s prime precedence shall be constructing a workforce with a transparent id that may persistently play on the stage required to win in Scotland and compete in Europe. Though he prefers possession soccer, he’ll need a extra attacking and ruthless fashion.
Promoting content material | Stream Sky Sports activities NOW
Stream Sky Sports activities reside NOW with no month-to-month or every day membership contract. Immediate entry to reside motion from the Scottish Premier League, Premier League, EFL, F1 and extra.
Be taught extra right here…