All of the positivity that was there surrounding Brendan Rodgers’ return to Celtic has evaporated completely just three weeks into the season. After being knocked out of the Scottish League Cup in the second round at the hands of Kilmarnock, fans would have been expecting a statement performance from the Hoops. Instead, they got a goalless draw at Parkhead against a St Johnstone side that has not won a game in this campaign till now.
It was a disappointing performance from Celtic, to say the least. And now, it looks like we are entering a make-or-break week for the 2023/24 campaign for the club even though we are still in August.
Over the next week, Celtic are expected to make multiple additions to the squad. They have to make sure that they bring in the right players though.
It is not shoring up the numbers in the squad. Those who arrive must be difference-makers. Because the Hoops seem to be lacking that at the moment. They seem to be completely out of ideas and lethargic. These are performances you expect to see in the third quarter of the season, not the opening weeks.
This week will make or break Celtic’s 23/24 season
Celtic are believed to be closing in on the signing of Luis Palma. Just he won’t be enough though. A lot more is needed to turn things around at Parkhead.
It is hard to imagine that this side is coming off of a treble-winning campaign. Most fans must be getting flashbacks of the 2020/21 season. And that is a time nobody would want to be reminded of.
Once the transfer window slams shut, Celtic will make the trip to Ibrox to take on the Rangers in the first Glasgow Derby of the season. And that is a game that they must not lose.
All of the positivity around Rodgers’ reappointment was based on the idea that the club would continue to be successful under his management. If they continue to draw or lose games, it won’t be long before the topic of his Parkhead exit the first time around starts to be heavily discussed once again.