Brendan Rodgers: Celtic's Homecoming Reunion and the Quest for Unprecedented Success

They say you should never go back to an ex – but Brendan Rodgers returns to Celtic with some points to prove.

The first one is to the fans: and whether the Northern Irishman is indeed one of them.

Three and a half years have elapsed since Rodgers abruptly departed Celtic in the midst of the season to assume control at Leicester. Following his departure, the Celtic supporters unveiled a banner explicitly addressing the lifelong Bhoys fan: "You sacrificed eternal glory for mediocrity. Never truly a Celt. Forever a fraud."

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Celtic fans were furious at Rodgers' departure in early 2019

The Celtic fans were filled with anger and disappointment. Despite achieving the "double treble" in his first two seasons at Parkhead, something that hadn't been accomplished in the 16 years prior to his arrival, their frustration grew even more when he departed after winning the League Cup trophy. His decision to leave, despite calling it a dream come true, felt like a betrayal to the loyal Celtic fans. Although Neil Lennon returned and managed to secure two more consecutive trebles, their hopes of winning 10 league titles in a row were dashed. Now, Rodgers has returned to Parkhead with the intention of proving to the Celtic fans that the traditional methods are the most effective.

The domestic challenge

Currently, Celtic finds themselves in a situation reminiscent of the one that led to Rodgers' departure in February 2019. Ange Postecoglou, a beloved manager who achieved a treble victory, has chosen to leave behind the Scottish dominance and the opportunity to compete in the Champions League for a Premier League team that won't even be participating in European competitions next season.

Upon his return to Glasgow, Rodgers will undoubtedly face a more formidable challenge on the domestic front. His appointment can be justified by his previous experience and accomplishments. In the season when Rangers made their comeback to the top flight, Rodgers arrived and Celtic managed to eliminate them from both cup competitions. Additionally, they won three matches against Rangers and secured a draw in their other league encounter.

They went on to achieve victory in all five encounters during the subsequent season, managing to score a remarkable total of 14 goals and only allowing their opponents to find the back of the net twice. Remarkably, during Rodgers' initial tenure at Parkhead, he experienced defeat in just one out of his 13 matches against their arch-rivals.

Under Postecoglou's leadership, Celtic enjoyed dominance in domestic competitions, but their arch-rivals Rangers managed to defeat them en route to Scottish Cup triumph in 2022, during Giovanni van Bronckhorst's tenure.

Rodgers is set to encounter a significantly enhanced Rangers team as he strives to continue his success in 2019, with Michael Beale, who has remained undefeated at home and secured a 3-0 victory over Celtic in their previous encounter, leading their Old Firm rivals since December.

Style of play

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Rodgers' style of play came under question, particularly during his final 18 months

Postecoglou elevated the impressive football played under Rodgers to an even higher level. While Rodgers emphasized attacking play, he occasionally adopted a more patient and possession-based approach when facing opponents who focused solely on defending.

In his remarkable debut season at Parkhead, Postecoglou led Celtic to a staggering 106 points, earning the title of 'Invincibles.' However, the following season saw a more modest performance, with Celtic clinching the title by a mere nine points. Throughout the 11 games leading up to securing the title, there were four goalless draws and two defeats, but Celtic ended the season on a high note, delivering a resounding 5-0 victory over Rangers.

Under Postecoglou, the focus was on an aggressive and unyielding style of attacking football, encapsulated by his mantra of 'we never stop'. He preferred a 4-3-3 formation and employed inverted full-backs who would drift inside and contribute to the midfield when the team was in possession.

Postecoglou's approach had the Celtic fans on the edge of their seats, as it was both exhilarating and captivating to witness. The players dedicated themselves to honing this style, and it remains to be seen whether Rodgers will retain any elements of his predecessor's tactics when the new season commences in August.

Champions League

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Success in Europe will be critical for Rodgers

Under Postecoglou's leadership, Celtic struggled to make an impact in European competitions. Despite being dominant in the Scottish league, the team consistently failed to make a significant impact on the European stage. This trend continued even under Rodgers' tenure, as Celtic finished at the bottom of their Champions League group in his first season. They then dropped down to the Europa League but were eliminated early on. In the following season, they faced another setback, failing to progress beyond the third qualifying round.

Next season, achieving success in Europe is a top priority for Celtic, as they aim to compete in the Champions League. There are discussions of providing significant financial backing to Rodgers to strengthen the team, as Celtic gains automatic entry into the group stage.

Recruitment

While there were successful signings such as Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard, and Olivier Ntcham, there were also instances where significant sums were spent on players like Marvin Compper, Vakoun Bayo, Jack Hendry, Eboue Kouassi, and Jonny Hayes. Unfortunately, these players either struggled with inconsistency or failed to make a significant impact from the start.

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Rodgers' transfer triumphs extended from signings like Kouassi Eboue on the left to Moussa Dembele. Presently, he assumes control over a Celtic team that, while not dependent on, had undeniably been shaped by Postecoglou's understanding and affiliations in the Japanese leagues. This Celtic side may have once belonged to Rodgers, but now it will feel entirely unfamiliar to him.

How quickly he moves the team on from Postecoglou's days, and how quickly the fans move on from Rodgers' initial betrayal will be key factors in how successful next season is for the club.