The Celtic Bhoys
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5 Moments that Defined Celtic FC in 2016

By Andrew Coppens

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 29: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers looks on during a training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on December 29, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 29: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers looks on during a training session at Lennoxtown Training Centre on December 29, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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GLASGOW , SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Moussa Dembele of Celtic celebrates his 2nd goal with Scott Sinclair during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on September 10, 2016 in Glasgow. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
GLASGOW , SCOTLAND – SEPTEMBER 10: Moussa Dembele of Celtic celebrates his 2nd goal with Scott Sinclair during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on September 10, 2016 in Glasgow. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images) /

2. Offseason Moves Made by Brendan Rodgers

How a club responds to adversity is often the most defining moments of eras. With Scottish football arguably at or near the bottom of its competitive level over the last few years and Celtic playing to the mean, a switch at manager happened (more on that in a bit).

Celtic’s boardroom decided penny-pinching in the hopes of taking in Champions League money to help the club’s bottom line wasn’t a good idea. So, they opened the purse strings a bit in the offseason and allowed Rodgers to re-make this club in the image he had in mind.

Rodgers’ first few moves were very clear statements about what he believed was wrong with the Bhoys. He immediately reached south of the border in to England and plucked Scott Sinclair from Aston Villa and defender Kolo Toure on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Those are players whom most casual supporters would even know, and a far cry from spending £1 million on some player from Scandinavia no one has ever heard of. Celtic spent some £4.1 million on Sinclair alone.

However, Rodgers also was prudent in getting the massively talented youngster Moussa Dembele to join as an out-of-contract player from Fulham. Literally getting him for nothing but the buy-on fee for the French youth international was a stroke of genius. If it flopped, so what, you weren’t out any real money.

Instead, it has worked brilliantly. Dembele has put up 18 goals in all competitions, including five in the Scottish League Cup and three in Champions League play alone. It has led some to believe the Bhoys already need to cash in on his metoric rise this season.

In fact, most of Rodgers’ offseason moves have been a master stroke. Dorus de Vries was brought in as competition to a complacent Craig Gordon and after a few weeks on the pine, Gordon snapped back in to form. Meanwhile there are at least two capable goalkeepers in the side, unlike last season.

Sure, Toure has proven that age has likely caught up with him, but he is a consummate professional. With a young side overall, his leadership and example off the pitch has been just as valuable as anything he has or hasn’t added on the pitch.

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