We are all set to welcome the New Year in a few days’ time. Celtic had an exceptionally good year in 2016 to remember for a very long time! They went on to win the Premiership title in the 2015-16 season with a comfortable 15-point cushion over nearest challengers Aberdeen. However, they failed to triumph in either of the Cup competitions losing both semi-finals. The new season has managed to broaden the smiles on the fans’ faces and the reason behind that is Brendan Rodgers.
Let us make a brief review of the year Celtic have had so far.
Deila does his job but not enough
Ronny Deila ended his two-year stay at Celtic in the summer of 2016 despite winning the Premiership title in both seasons. Aberdeen finished closest to the Hoops but never really challenged for the title. With the quality, Celtic have, just winning the domestic title is not a huge achievement at all. Is it?
At least the Celtic hierarchy did not think so which is why they hired former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as the new boss in the summer. The appointment has worked wonders for Celtic and Deila certainly has become a forgotten man at Parkhead.
Rodgers takes Scotland by a storm
Rodgers had a lot to prove when he took the Celtic job in the summer. He was axed by Liverpool during the previous season for a disappointing start to the 2014-15 season and Celtic still gave him a chance to show his managerial credentials and he has done his job brilliantly so far.
We are almost approaching the halfway mark in the season and Rodgers’ Celtic have not lost a single domestic game. In fact, they have won all their domestic games so far bar one which ended in a stalemate.
Celtic always were dominant in Scottish football even before Rodgers but that dominance took a whole new level under Rodgers. On top of that, they have already clinched their first silverware this season beating Aberdeen in the League Cup final.
Still not European quality
Celtic failed to make it to the Champions League group stage in both their seasons under Ronny Deila. Under Rodgers, they did win their playoff but crashed out of the competition from there. Well, they were not that bad considering that the group consisted of teams like Barcelona, Manchester City and Borussia Monchengladbach but it was clearly visible that they were not European quality.
Rodgers still has a big task on his hands to restore Celtic’s pride lost in Europe but he looks capable enough to do it.
Best XI
Craig Gordon will start under the bar. The back four will be Lustig, Sviatchenko, Simunovic and Tierney. The midfield duo will Scott Brown and Nir Bitton.
Tom Rogic will play the number ten role. The two wingers will be Patrick Roberts and Scott Sinclair. We have to select Leigh Griffiths ahead of Moussa Dembele up front for his 40-goal last season and a good run of form this season too.
Player
Scott Brown has to be the player of the year. You expect a skipper to lead by example and the Scot certainly does that. He has stamped his control in the middle of the park week in week out and his good form is one of the biggest reasons behind the Hoops doing so well.
Manager
It is an undisputable fact that Rodgers has proven the fact that he is a much better manager than what Celtic had in Ronny Deila.
The Northern Irishman attracted big players like Sinclair, Dembele, Toure in the summer which was unthinkable during Deila’s tenure. Rodgers will get a 10 out of 10 rating for the amazing job he is doing at Parkhead.
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Moment
Celtic’s best moment in the year of 2016 was the moment when they tied up a contract with Brendan Rodgers. In just six months time, Rodgers has become a cult hero of the Hoops and future seems much brighter for them.
Game
Many doubted that Celtic monopoly in Scottish football will come to an end with the comeback of Rangers to the top tier but on September 10th, the Hoops showed that how wrong the assumptions could be. Celtic absolutely thrashed their local rivals Rangers and showed that why they still remain the best side in Scotland by some distance.
Disappointment
A place in the final of the FA Cup was on the line when Celtic locked horns with rivals Rangers back in April. Despite being a much stronger side on paper, they went on to lose the game on penalties after a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes of open play. It was a heartbreaking moment for the fans.
Hero
Moussa Dembele’s hat-trick against Rangers in the aforementioned 5-1 win made him a hero at Parkhead overnight. The young Frenchman had to fill in Leigh Griffiths’ boots in the game but did not let the opportunity slip.
Villain
Well, Celtic have been that good domestically that one or two rare mistakes from players rarely gave them troubles. There has been no villain as such for Celtic this season.
