After a promising pre-season campaign that saw them lose only one game, Celtic will begin their Premiership title defence this weekend against Ross County. Brendan Rodgers has a point to prove as well, as he is back in the Parkhead hot seat for a second stint, having been shown the exit door by Leicester City last season.
Last time around, Rodgers won all seven domestic trophies that his side competed for. Can he repeat those heroics this time around?
Of course, there are always some doubts when a manager comes in. The fact that any significant additions have not been made this summer yet has only added to the question marks.
Will Rodgers’ methods prove as successful this time around? After all, he is coming off of a season in which his side were ultimately relegated from the Premier League.
Celtic fans must be delighted with journalist’s Rodgers claim
As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Michael Gannon was sent to Japan recently to cover the pre-season and he said on the Record Celtic Podcast:
"“He just looked so comfortable and in control. A real aura about him with the players.“He’s very encouraging, very positive with the players. You could see them reacting to it. Some of the younger players were really puffing their chest out a bit.“It was intriguing because some of the patterns of play we saw them working on [in training] we’d then see coming to fruition the next night during games.“When you see Rodgers at it on the training ground he’s just got the feeling of a master at work.”"
Rodgers is certainly someone who has experience at the very top level. Other than his successes at Celtic, he also almost guided Liverpool to the Premier League title during his time at Anfield.
Leicester City might have gotten relegated last season but Rodgers’ four-year stint at the club cannot be considered a failure by any stretch of the imagination. He won the FA Cup and the Community Shield with the Foxes and guided them into Europe on numerous occasions as well. If anything, he over-delivered during his time at the King Power Stadium.
Thus, there is no reason to doubt the quality that Rodgers brings to the table. Celtic went out and got the best replacement available for Ange Postecoglou. Now, let’s hope that it pays off on the pitch.