Celtic have shown genuine progress under the management of Brendan Rodgers this season. Not only did they make it into the knockout phase of the Champions League after more than a decade but they also were able to go toe-to-toe with a European giant like Bayern Munich and were arguably the better team over the two legs, let down by their finishing and some refereeing decisions.
One also has to look at the disappointing winter transfer window. Could Rodgers' side have made it into the next round of the competition if they had brought in a few more players, especially after the likes of Kyogo, Luis Palma, Alex Valle and more left?
We will never know. But let's just hope that the club back Rodgers in the summer transfer window and make the sort of investment that will help them progress further in the Champions League. This campaign should not turn out to be a one-off success in Europe for Celtic.
Also, what does the long-term future hold for Rodgers? As reported by Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson said:
"I thought they were excellent Celtic in the Champions League.
“That’s another tip of the argument where, should Brendan Rodgers have lost the players that he did this window without the investment that they potentially wanted.
“Actually, with those players or with a little bit of investment, could they have got past Bayern Munich?
“They were a minute away from going to extra time, who knows what could have happened then.
“Where they are and where they’ve pushed on to under Brendan Rodgers is excellent.
“The lack of investment, because they did have investment in the window, that’s harsh.
“But the players that they’ve lost, if they were in that side, if they were in that squad, could they have gone to that next level?
“Brendan Rodgers is always going be wanted, he’s always going to be looked at.
“And because of the finances that are involved in the SPL, other clubs will always have the opportunity to take him away."
Brendan Rodgers tipped for Celtic exit after disappointment
There were a number of areas where Celtic needed to strengthen in the winter. But ultimately only a couple of signings were made, one on a permanent basis and a deadline day loan deal.
Jota was brought back from Rennes merely 18 months after leaving the club. On the other hand, Jeffrey Schlupp was brought in on loan from Crystal Palace. While that signing did not particularly impress the supporters, his excellent performance against Bayern Munich while up against the likes of Michael Olise and Leroy Sane might have changed the view of many.
A lot more is needed in the summer though. And Celtic should not wait until qualification to the Champions League is secured before making their moves. They have made that mistake plenty of times in the past and paid for it.