Celtic vs Rangers: Unveiling Brendan Rodgers' Unstoppable Dominance

Chris Sutton, a former Celtic striker, is excited about his first season with We' as Brendan Rodgers returns to Parkhead with a determination to prove himself. The Northern Irishman has taken charge again after Ange Postecoglou's move to Tottenham Hotspur following a successful season with a treble win.

He has made five new signings so far, while influential winger Jota has left the Scottish Champions for the Saudi Pro League.

Celtic

Ross County

Saturday 5th August 11:30am

Kick off 12:30pm

Rodgers enjoyed a perfect domestic record during his first spell as Celtic manager, winning two Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cups.

Ahead of their season opener against Ross County, live on We, we asked Chris Sutton to assess what the fans can expect...

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Celtic have recently acquired Hyeokkyu Kwon, Maik Nawrocki, and Hyunjun Yang. Like many others, I have taken the time to research and watch their performances on YouTube. However, it is important to note that judging solely based on YouTube videos can be deceiving as they often highlight only the positive aspects.

Hyun-Jun Yang being named Young Player of the Year in the Korean league is a promising sign. Based on my observations, Maik Nawrocki appears to possess good skills on the ball and I believe that Celtic needed reinforcement in their defense. The signings of these players by Celtic are not without reason; they bring with them their well-established reputations, and Brendan has a penchant for nurturing and improving players.

Will Jota be missed? Absolutely, as he brought a distinctive style to the game. Can Celtic find a direct substitute? No, but there's always potential for someone to step up and showcase their strengths.

Liel Abada's performance last season didn't reach its peak. However, his statistics remained promising, considering his age, and he'll likely be driven to prove himself.

Celtic is in a favorable position since other players have gained another year of experience and development.

As the start of the season approaches, the challenge lies in adding new players without giving them enough time to adapt. Hence, it is crucial to maintain high performance levels and ensure a smooth transition. This task can be challenging and not always straightforward.

Summer recruitment

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Brendan Rodgers returned to the Celtic Park touchline on Tuesday night.

Based on the observations from the pre-season, it is evident that Brendan adopts a distinct style compared to Ange Postecoglou, specifically regarding the use of inverted full-backs.

Considerable attention has been given to these alterations since individuals thoroughly relished the exhilarating play of Ange's team. However, it is essential to remember that Brendan's team also provided immense joy during their initial stint, particularly throughout the remarkable unbeaten season.

In terms of Celtic's demands and playing style, they have consistently maintained a similar approach. Celtic is anticipated to proactively seize the initiative during matches, launching aggressive attacks against their opponents. It is highly unlikely that this mindset will undergo any significant alterations under the leadership of Brendan.

Rodgers' style vs Postecoglou

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Ange Postecoglou triumphed with Celtic, clinching a treble last season. Every new season holds a veil of uncertainty, as numerous factors come into play. The crucial element of recruitment plays a vital role, with both managers striving to excel in this area.

Celtic accomplished this feat under Postecoglou, and the impact it had on his team was remarkable.

He assumed control of a team that was in decline, facing internal disintegration. I recall watching a pre-season match in which they suffered a 6-2 defeat, yet he was adamant about implementing a distinctive style of football. I couldn't help but wonder how he would manage to achieve this in such a limited timeframe. However, through astute recruitment and outstanding coaching, he successfully transformed the team. They became a delight to behold.

Brendan finds himself in a unique situation this time as he takes charge of a team that has achieved a treble victory. There is no doubt that Brendan is a commendable choice, but some may question his decision to leave previously, believing it was a mistake.

I do, however, admire his determination to make a strong comeback.

Is Brendan an excellent coach? Absolutely. Is he inheriting a talented team? Yes, despite being a player short and facing the challenge of living up to Postecoglou's high standards.

We know Glasgow is unforgiving and there can only be one winner so it's going to be a really interesting season.

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Celtic have won the Scottish League Cup seven times in the last nine seasons

Michael Beale undoubtedly gained valuable lessons from his experiences last season. Despite his initial confidence, he ultimately had to face the harsh reality of defeat in the League Cup final and Scottish Cup final against Celtic. Additionally, his comments regarding Ange's luck seem to have been ill-advised.

Both Rangers and Celtic possess exceptional players, making this season's competition a tight one.

Celtic's advantage lies in their strong start, unencumbered by the Champions League qualifiers unlike Rangers.

Will Celtic continue their dominance?

There will always be an element of the support who won't be happy with an appointment, no matter who it is.

Pep Guardiola could be brought to Celtic, but if he loses his initial four games, people will quickly label him as a failure. This is simply the reality.

Considering the circumstances of his departure and the disappointment expressed by fans, I didn't anticipate Brendan's return. However, I find it truly commendable that he was able to see past all of that.

He's come back and will have a big point to prove and I think it makes it absolutely fascinating.

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Brendan Rodgers won back-to-back domestic trebles at Celtic

It is imperative for the Celtic fan base to unite and support the team. Negativity, such as displaying critical banners or singing derogatory songs, during the first game of the season against Ross County live on We, would not be beneficial.

How does that benefit the team on the field? The main priority for everyone is for the team to win.

Dermot Desmond made a bold choice, and there is no doubt about Brendan's skills as a manager.

Will Brendan Rodgers win over his doubters?

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Celtic failed to take their chances in the Champions League last season

Every year, we find ourselves repeating the same thing and it proves to be quite challenging. Even though Celtic couldn't secure a victory in any group match, there were certain aspects of last season's Champions League campaign that I genuinely appreciated.

Brendan endured some traumatizing nights during his initial tenure with Celtic; however, he has expressed his determination to learn from his past experiences in the Premier League. In a notable game where Leicester City triumphed over Manchester City with a remarkable score of 5-2, Brendan discussed the team's ability to adapt, transforming into a more counter-attacking force.

He is likely to arrange things in a slightly different manner and be slightly more careful.

I believe that the team's performance at home needs to enhance. I grow weary of attending Celtic Park and proclaiming how fantastic it is on a Champions League night, only to be disappointed by their lackluster performance.

It's really important to get that fear factor back as I'm fed up just going there for the music!

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