Unstoppable Celtic: Will Brendan Rodgers Maintain their Total Supremacy against Rangers?

Brendan Rodgers' return to Parkhead has left former Celtic striker Chris Sutton excited for an intriguing first season. With a point to prove, Rodgers takes charge once again after Ange Postecoglou departed for Tottenham Hotspur following a successful campaign 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 has officially acquired Hyeokkyu Kwon, Maik Nawrocki, and Hyunjun Yang. Like many others, I have researched and watched videos of them on YouTube. However, it is important to note that YouTube highlights can sometimes be misleading, as they often showcase the positive aspects of a player's performance.

Hyun-Jun Yang being named Young Player of the Year in the Korean league is undoubtedly a positive sign. Based on my observations, Maik Nawrocki appears to possess great ball skills, and it seems that reinforcing the defense was a necessary move for Celtic.

There is a clear rationale behind Celtic's recruitment of these players. They will bring along their well-established reputations, and Brendan is known for his commitment to nurturing talent.

Will Jota be missed? Definitely, as he had a distinctive playing style. Can Celtic find a direct replacement? No, but there is always a chance for someone to step in and showcase their talents.

Liel Abada didn't reach his full potential last season, but his statistics were still impressive. Being young, he will likely have a strong motivation to prove himself.

With other players gaining another year of experience and development, Celtic finds themselves in a favorable position. However, continuously seeking to add new players might become problematic as the season draws nearer. The lack of time for new signings to integrate with the team becomes a challenge. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain high performance levels and ensure a smooth transition. This task is not always simple.

Summer recruitment

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

Based on what we observed in the pre-season, Brendan's approach to inverted full-backs varies from Ange Postecoglou's style.

Much has been discussed about these alterations as fans were captivated by Ange's team, with their swift and dynamic football. However, it shouldn't be overlooked that Brendan's team also garnered much admiration during their initial stint, particularly throughout the undefeated season.

In regard to Celtic's expectations, they have consistently maintained a similar approach. Celtic is anticipated to adopt an offensive strategy, assert dominance over the opposition, and strive to launch attacks. It is unlikely that Brendan's mindset will deviate from this established pattern at all.

Rodgers' style vs Postecoglou

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Ange Postecoglou achieved a treble with Celtic in the previous season. As each new season approaches, the uncertainty of what to anticipate grows. Numerous factors play a crucial role, with recruitment being a significant aspect. Both managers will undoubtedly aspire to have mastered this essential element.

Celtic achieved it under Postecoglou, and the magnitude of its consequences on his team was remarkable.

When he assumed control, the team was deteriorating rapidly, and their unity was crumbling. I recall observing a pre-season match where they suffered a 6-2 defeat, and he was discussing his intention to implement a distinct style of football. I couldn't help but ponder how he could accomplish this in such a limited timeframe. However, he managed to achieve it through astute recruitment and exceptional coaching. Watching them play was truly delightful.

Brendan is facing a different situation this time as he takes over a team that has won the treble.

No one would question Brendan's suitability for the role, but they might dispute his decision to leave previously, which I personally felt was a mistake.

I do, however, appreciate the fact that he has returned with a determination to prove himself.

Is Brendan a competent coach? Without a doubt. Is he inheriting a strong team? Certainly, although they are currently short of one player and Postecoglou set incredibly 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 garnered valuable lessons from the previous season, as his initial confidence seemed to waver towards the end. The defeats in both the League Cup final and Scottish Cup final against Celtic, coupled with his remarks about Ange's fortunate success, surely provided him with a significant source of reflection.

Rangers boast a formidable lineup of players, and Celtic also possesses talented individuals, making this season's contest poised to be a close one.

The crucial factor lies in Celtic's strong start, unencumbered by the burden of Champions League qualifiers that Rangers bear.

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.

If Celtic were to acquire Pep Guardiola and he were to suffer four consecutive losses, critics would quickly label him as a failure. Unfortunately, that's the reality.

Considering the manner in which Brendan Rodgers departed and the anger emanating from the fans, I personally did not anticipate his return. However, I find it truly admirable that he chose to look past those issues.

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

The best course of action for the entire Celtic fan base is to support the team wholeheartedly. It would be detrimental for the first game of the season against Ross County, live on We, if there are members of the support who display negative banners or sing songs against the appointment.

How does that benefit the team on the field? Winning is the ultimate goal that everyone desires.

Dermot Desmond's decision to hire Brendan is commendable, and there seems to be no doubt about his managerial skills.

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 sentiment, which can be quite challenging. Surprisingly, I found myself enjoying certain elements of the previous season's Champions League campaign, despite Celtic's inability to secure a victory in any group match.

During his initial tenure at Celtic, Brendan went through some trying nights. However, he has discussed how he learned from his time in the Premier League. In the game against Manchester City, Leicester City emerged victorious with a 5-2 score, and Brendan emphasized the importance of adapting their strategy to become more focused on counter-attacking.

He is likely to arrange things in a slightly different manner and exercise more caution.

I believe that the performance at home needs to get better. I'm tired of going to Celtic Park and enthusiastically claiming it's amazing on a Champions League night, only to be disappointed by their lack of performance.

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

Making an impact in Europe

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