Celtic have secured their third successive Premiership title and are only one win away from doing the double, however what’s subsequent for Brendan Rodgers and the Scottish champions?
Rodgers’ shock return to Celtic final summer time did not go down effectively with some supporters, as a result of approach he left for Leicester Metropolis in 2019. However he stood on the steps outdoors Celtic Park in June final yr and addressed the followers with a easy, but daring, message: “For those who I need to convince, I will see you here in May.”
It’s Could and Rodgers has continued the sample of unprecedented success. Celtic have now received 18 out of 24 titles within the twenty first century – the 54th within the membership’s illustrious historical past. In the identical interval, they’ve additionally received 10 League Cups and 11 Scottish Cups – with a last nonetheless to play in opposition to Rangers.
This Hoops aspect have additionally gone unbeaten in opposition to their Glasgow rivals of their 4 league matches this season – successful three of them.
Domestically, there isn’t any doubt Celtic will probably be aiming to proceed and add to their dominance. However outwith the bread and butter of the Scottish Premiership, what are the membership’s and Rodgers’ priorities for the summer time and subsequent season?
Champions League change
Celtic will enter a revamped Champions League subsequent season
The European panorama is altering this yr. The Champions League as we all know it, is not any extra. Will probably be one huge league of 36 groups, earlier than transferring right into a knockout part – and Celtic will probably be a part of it.
Within the league part they’ll play one-off matches in opposition to eight groups – 4 at house and 4 away, between September and January. The highest eight groups within the league will progress to the final 16. Groups ending between ninth and twenty fourth will enter a play-off spherical of two legs, with the eight winners progressing to the final 16. The underside 12 league groups – and the play-off losers – will exit, with no drop-down to the Europa League.
Celtic see this new Champions League format – and the riches that include it – as an enormous potential for development when it comes to modern-day stature and competitiveness. The prize cash and elevated TV and matchday income might add as much as round £60m only for taking part in within the league part of the competitors.
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UEFA announce modifications to their membership competitions from the 2024/25 season – however what’s going to they appear like?
The Hoops will probably be focusing on the play-offs which might see Celtic have a minimum of 10 video games within the Champions League, up till February. On the very minimal they’ll play eight. The pitch to promote the membership to gamers good points extra weight in the event that they’re capable of say a fifth of their season will probably be Champions League soccer. Plus, they will have more cash obtainable to place in direction of charges, wages and add-ons. That is the place the potential for development lies – it might put Celtic on extra of a stage taking part in area with related ranked golf equipment in Europe.
Nevertheless, Celtic’s report in Europe of late – particularly within the Champions League – has not been nice. This marketing campaign noticed only one win within the group stage, a victory over Feyenoord in a dead-rubber at Celtic Park.
Celtic completed backside of their Champions League group after a win in opposition to Feyenoord and draw in opposition to Atletico Madrid
Home dominance is all effectively and good, however the followers are craving a aggressive Celtic on the European stage. It will be attention-grabbing to see how the brand new format impacts Celtic’s competitiveness within the competitors and it is a problem Rodgers and the followers ought to relish.
Might huge stars depart this summer time?
Celtic’s Reo Hatate (left) and Matt O’Riley might appeal to curiosity this summer time
Rodgers will probably be hoping to maintain maintain of most of his prized belongings. He will not need one other season of shock departures which he confronted this time period with Jota, Carl Starfelt and Liel Abada all transferring on in unexpected circumstances.
Celtic stars Matt O’Riley, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate are all being monitored by quite a lot of golf equipment within the English Premier League and throughout Europe.
The Hoops knocked again a bid value round £20m from Atletico Madrid for O’Riley in January. After a sensational season, it’s wanting extra probably that the Denmark worldwide will depart this summer time, however Celtic will probably be in search of a membership report switch. Girona, Inter Milan and top-six Premier League golf equipment are all among the many events.
O’Riley received Celtic’s Participant of the 12 months, Gamers’ Participant of the 12 months and Younger Participant of the 12 months awards
O’Riley will probably be on present on the Euros for Denmark, who’re in England’s group, which might additionally drive up his worth, if he impresses in Germany – and is not snapped up earlier than. Celtic stay in a robust place to carry out for the proper payment, as O’Riley signed a brand new bumper four-year contract in September final yr.
Carter-Vickers has had one other strong season, regardless of a few accidents. There was reported curiosity from West Ham United and different golf equipment in Europe, however there have been no concrete bids. It is understood the USA worldwide is completely satisfied on the membership, having simply signed a brand new contract till the summer time of 2029 earlier this yr.
Celtic’s Cameron Carter-Vickers has had harm points this season
A lot of Hatate’s season has been hampered by harm, however there isn’t any doubt Celtic are a greater and extra artistic aspect with him within the group. He additionally signed a brand new contract, so the champions are in a robust place to maintain maintain of him, or to carry out for a good determine ought to golf equipment come calling. His exclusion from Japan’s Asian Cup squad was a blow and his want to get again into the fold might dictate how he sees his personal future.
Different outgoings will probably be vital to trim the squad. The likes of James McCarthy, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Sead Haksabanovic, Mikey Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi will probably be allowed to maneuver on if golf equipment are available for them. A choice may also be made on Stephen Welsh, who has attracted lots of curiosity from Italy, France and Germany through the years, however Celtic have saved him as back-up after he signed a brand new contract till the summer time of 2027.
The place ought to Celtic strengthen?
Who will exchange Joe Hart at Celtic after his resolution to retire?
By way of incomings, it could really feel like a little bit of deja vu for Celtic followers because the membership heads into its third switch window seeking to strengthen in three precedence areas – goalkeeper, left-back and striker.
Joe Hart will retire in the summertime on the age of 37. He is been a great servant to the membership and a preferred determine among the many Hoops devoted. Nevertheless, even when he wasn’t retiring, the necessity to improve would’ve been required. Celtic had beforehand been wanting available in the market of back-ups from the elite and it could be one thing they discover once more.
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Rodgers says Celtic might must signal multiple goalkeeper this summer time after Hart’s retirement
A brand new shortlist for goalkeepers will probably be drawn up forward of the summer time switch window because the Hoops will look to determine targets early on. Throughout this season, there’s been reported curiosity in Caoimhin Kelleher at Liverpool and Actual Madrid’s Andriy Lunin whereas the membership have additionally been monitoring the likes of Aston Villa keeper Viljami Sinisalo and Motherwell’s Liam Kelly. Within the case of Kelleher, he might have effectively performed himself right into a first-choice position at one other Premier League membership. Due to this fact, his price ticket could have elevated and could also be out of Celtic’s vary now.
The necessity for a left-back is obvious with Greg Taylor now having no competitors for his place within the beginning line-up. Alexandro Bernabei is on mortgage at Brazilian membership Internacional till the tip of December, so this will probably be a key place to fill.
Will there be competitors for Celtic defender Greg Taylor subsequent season?
Adam Idah’s mortgage from Norwich Metropolis seems to have been successful, however Celtic haven’t any option-to-buy clause within the deal. Different golf equipment within the English Championship and Serie A are additionally eager on the participant, which might additionally drive up his worth. But when it is not Idah, Celtic will probably be looking out for a striker to offer critical competitors – and provide one thing totally different – to Kyogo.
If O’Riley leaves, the membership might want to decide about getting into the marketplace for a central midfielder too. They’ve an option-to-buy within the area of £6m within the mortgage cope with Benfica for Paulo Bernardo. A choice on whether or not to set off that will probably be made in June.
A method of play
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Rodgers discusses why he held an off-record assembly to spotlight claims Celtic’s fashion and techniques have modified beneath him following Ange Postecoglou’s exit
Underneath Ange Postecoglou, Celtic had a transparent id and elegance of play. It was a relentless wave after wave of assault. They blew groups away – typically within the first half. It was essentially the most pleasant soccer that any Celtic fan had witnessed within the trendy period. So, it was all the time going to be troublesome for whoever adopted that.
Rodgers has returned the group to the extra affected person, possession-based fashion however some argue the squad lacks a transparent id of how they play – and have very often relied on particular person brilliance and moments to win video games.
Whereas some groups have at occasions managed to stifle and frustrate Celtic – it needs to be famous that Rodgers has needed to cope with lots of accidents all through the season and he is needed to rejig and shuffle the squad much more than he may need appreciated.
With the likes of Hatate, Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor and co all again match – it’s no coincidence Celtic’s kind has been relentless since April when Rodgers has had his first XI to choose from.
Going ahead, a excessive precedence for the Northern Irishman will probably be to construct a squad with a transparent id that may constantly play to the extent required for successful in Scotland and competing in Europe. Whereas he does desire possession soccer, he will probably be wanting a extra attacking and ruthless fashion of it.
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