Celtic could’ve got David Moyes. They could’ve got Paul Lambert or Neil Lennon. They could’ve got Roy Keane or Martin O’Neill if they’d waited a little bit longer.
They went with Brendan Rodgers, a manager that’s polarizing to say the least.
Ask any Liverpool or Swansea fan and he’s manager who can do well with any kind of squad and adapt to any problem. Ask a Watford or Reading fan and they’ll give you a stern look.
Was it the lure of a deep fried Mars bar? The idea of walking out to a packed Celtic Park? Or maybe he just really likes You’ll Never Walk Alone.
But with the return of Rangers to the top tier it looks like Celtic will have some competition for the first time in years so what did Rodgers’ appointment to do their odds for silverware next season?
The Scottish Premiership
Celtic were always going to be favourites for the Premiership because they’ve won it for the last five years. And they are again at odds of, which interestingly were shorter prior to the appointment of Rodgers. Their nearest challengers are of course the team that finished second last season Aberdeen at . No wait, it’s Rangers at. Which kind of sums up the Scottish football system. A team that were in tier two last season are the closest to the five in a row champions. Can Rodgers make it six? Probably.
The Scottish Cup
This one is a little more interesting because since the demise of the blue half of Glasgow, Celtic have only managed to win the cup once. This season they went out to Rangers which effectively cost Ronny Delia his job and exited in the past to Aberdeen, Hearts and SuperCally Thistle. If anyone beats Celtic in Scotland it’s considering a giant-killing but more so now because of their dominance. Rodgers hasn’t won a major trophy as a manager before – but neither had Neil Lennon.
But enough about silverware, what have you cheeky rascals at Paddy Power got for us to get our teeth into, we hear none of you ask.
Well we’ve brought up some Celtic specials:
To beat Rangers four times in the league –
To go unbeaten in the league –
To do the treble (league, cup and league cup) –
To qualify for the Champions League group stages –
It’s that last one where the character of Rodgers and his team will truly be tested. Celtic have had some great nights in Europe over the years but since beating Barcelona have gone backwards faster than you after walking in on your mum and dad.
The reaction of the man himself will surely fill you with hope though.
Celtic have a very exciting team.
I saw many of Leigh Griffiths goals last season he's world class.
My very own Scottish Suarez.
— Deluded Brendan (@DeludedBrendan) May 20, 2016