As a past manager from Rangers might say, we’re off and running once more. This weekend sees the start of the Scottish Premiership, which stirs a curious blend of enthusiastic anticipation and indifference.
Despite it being four decades since a team other than Celtic or Rangers clinched the title (a feat last accomplished by Aberdeen, under the leadership of a man named Ferguson), Scotland remains captivated by football. The continual dominance by the two Glasgow teams is a point of weariness for many, and an opportunity for profit for others. Although Celtic have clinched the championship in 12 out of the previous 13 seasons, there is debate about whether the competition can still be deemed a dual affair. Given the apparent turmoil at Rangers before the season’s first kick, it looks likely that Celtic will stretch that record to 13 out of 14.
While joy at their local shoo-in is not to be downplayed — Celtic supporters fret about the prospect of another lacklustre performance on the continent. Should they win, next May, Celtic could tally up to Rangers’ total of 55 Scottish titles — an accomplishment sure to lead to a flurry of merchandise sales and immediate calls for a 56th title. However, Celtic hasn’t tasted victory in a later-stage European knockout game in the past two decades.
The typical pattern of a Celtic season tends to follow initial apprehension, disappointment in Europe, pre-winter woe, followed by national success.
This has kept some fans satisfied, and the club’s finances remain robust. In June, Celtic announced a sell-out of all season tickets for the 2024-25 season. The affection of the Hoops’ followers tends not to fade, whether reciprocated or not.
Nevertheless, the previous season did pose challenges. Although it ended with Celtic winning the Scottish Cup final against Rangers and finishing eight points ahead of them in the league (and a full 25 points beyond third-placed Hearts), it was not all smooth sailing. Celtic experienced a combination of lows and highs, and the frustration of fans was evident due to the club’s seeming stagnation. Controversy arose with the banning of the Green Brigade due to political reasons, a heavy loss to Atletico Madrid, a cup loss against Kilmarnock, and defeats to Hearts. This uneven trajectory left the Celtic supporters feeling dissatisfied and uncertain.
In the heart of the action was Brendan Rodgers, returning for the second spell. His adversary at Ibrox, Philippe Clement, hinted that Rangers’ upswing after Michael Beale’s tenure was due to his players no longer behaving as “islands”. There were moments, however, when Rodgers seemed to stand alone, potentially feeling isolated amidst the constant chatter around Celtic.
The passage of time is an abstract idea in football, making complex characters like Jimmy Johnstone seem straightforward. Reflecting on events that took place in June last year, only 14 months previously, Ange Postecoglou had been at the helm, leading Celtic to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. Of course, Celtic emerged victorious and this win marked the conclusion of a treble guided by Postecoglou.
In just two seasons, Postecoglou had secured five trophies. But his influence was far more significant than just these wins. His attitude and his stylistic approach to coaching were noted as a much-needed breath of fresh air in Scottish football. Less than a week later, Postecoglou left Celtic to join Tottenham in the Premier League, over in England.
Barely two weeks later, Brendan Rodgers made his return. Rodgers had been without a managerial post since April after a mutual agreement ended his stint at Leicester City. His successes with Leicester, which included an FA Cup victory and a run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals, contrasted with a slump in form. Rodgers’ comeback to Celtic in 2023 was met with mixed reactions from the fans, a sharp contrast to his initial arrival in 2016. Back then, Rodgers was hailed as the Irish-born saviour; his return, however, was greeted with the reappearance of the Green Brigade’s banner which read “Never a Celt. Always a fraud.”
Certainly, not even the most hardened individuals can ignore such hostility.
Both the fans’ reactions and the circumstances had evolved since 2016: Rodgers was stepping into the shoes of Ronny Deila at his first arrival, after a season where Celtic had topped the Premiership in the absence of Rangers. Celtic had been eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by Malmo and then finished last in their Europa League group. Furthermore, a painful defeat to Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-final came from a penalty shootout.
Hence, it wasn’t the legendary Jock Stein that Rodgers was succeeding all those eight years before.
Whilst it feels like a distant memory now, Rodgers succeeded in becoming an irreplaceable figure in the field last June. It was blatantly apparent, even to a Scottish official, just how significant Postecoglou’s influence had been. Rodgers’ abrupt departure to Leicester, England in 2019 for the Premier League fostered a feeling of distrust amongst those who speculated he was ‘never a true Celt.’ As a result, he asserted that his three-year contract will be wholly honoured, a statement he believed necessary to deliver.
Nonetheless, could Rodgers possibly outdo his own treble? The only avenue would be by progressing in Europe. But his efforts were unsuccessful with justifiable reasons. The cutting down of Celtic to 10 players in Madrid within a span of 23 minutes and a tied match with Atletico at Parkhead followed by a victory over Feyenoord. Despite these efforts, there was a consecutive fourth place group finish and another pre-Christmas elimination from Europe.
Football commentator, Chris Sutton, said that Rodgers and his team had become complacent which was poignant criticism coming from a former Celtic striker. Further, Rodgers’ controversial “good girl” remark to a TV reporter after a game in February triggered uproar. However, there was a turnaround when Celtic only lost one match out of fifteen, ending the season on a high note.
Rodgers’ grounded nature can be discerned from the pre-season triumphs in the United States against Manchester City and Chelsea. Kasper Schmeichel, Rodgers’ Leicester goalkeeper, has replaced Joe Hart. Also, Paulo Bernardo’s move from Benfica has transitioned from a loan to a permanent one. Idah’s potential move isn’t yet defined, but it could potentially turn into a permanent deal mirroring Bernardo’s.
This should be more than enough to keep Celtic at a comfortable distance from Rangers, an economically unstable team set to play home games at Hampden Park until September at their earliest due to delayed construction at Ibrox. With a record of victory against Rangers in 14 out of 18 matches, Rodgers need not worry about a resurgence from the blues.
Will Europe see a resurgence of Celtic? The team’s confirmed position in the expanded Champions League promises more earnings, publicity and more opportunities for victory. It’s all very appealing.
Rodgers acknowledges the necessity for superior and additional players to transform his vision into reality. Securing these players could potentially allow Rodgers and the club to envisage a new direction for Celtic. If the objective is not met, there remains the chance to aim for the domestic Treble, commencing with a game against Kilmarnock at home on Sunday. The fluctuating emotions of thrill and boredom are part of it all. They’re prepared to go another round.