During his recent unveiling, Brendan Rodgers was asked how the current squad compared to that which he inherited in 2016.

In his answer, Rodgers alluded to adding "some more power in the team" and that the squad was "technically very good, tactically play the game to a really good level and add that flexibility tactically to the team as well".

Those comments made this analyst very happy as it echoed precisely some of the observations made on the Huddle Breakdown over the last couple of years when assessing Ange Postecoglou’s side.

The Australian was very much an idealist. His philosophy of signing the man not the player made great copy and no doubt a great dressing room, but not all effective footballers are easy people to get along with. And doesn’t every competitive environment need some creative edge and energy that is different from the norm?

Celtic rarely deviated from a 4-3-3 basic shape with attacking midfielders and inverted full-backs. There were tweaks along the way but in principle, Postecoglou’s side were going to play the same way in the Bernabeu as at Broadwood.

What Rodgers promises is greater tactical flexibility, as he showed at Leicester City. Although the default is a 4-2-3-1 variant, he sometimes used inverted full-backs and sometimes did not. He would switch to a back five or three in response to the strengths of the squad and injury. Against better quality sides, a counter-attacking plan would be implemented.

It could be argued this will help Celtic in Europe especially, but also in the trickier domestic away games, to have that ability to switch up in-game and be comfortable in different shapes, different starting positions in terms of depth and different philosophies (e.g. counter-attack versus all-out attack).

Let’s consider the most common starting XI and identify the players who show the levels of flexibility to adapt to differing tactical demands and their power level.

Defence

Starting at the back, Alistair Johnston has played in a back three as a right-sided centre-back. For Celtic, although he does not invert as aggressively as Greg Taylor, he does play the rampaging full-back role well while posting defensive stats akin to Mikael Lustig.  He also has the power Rodgers alludes to, packing a considerable punch from his five-foot 11-inch wiry frame.

As for Taylor himself, he lacks speed and power but his tactical intelligence and fantastic attitude, as illustrated by his successful conversion to an inverted full-back, means he has a chance. Ideally, the inverted full-back needs to be two-footed as they are playing a 360-degree game as opposed to being tight against the touchline. If Rodgers is looking for a more traditional overlapping attacking full-back, Taylor may struggle.

READ MORE: Who in the Celtic squad is primed for Rodgers' pressing?

Cameron Carter-Vickers has always played in a two on the right. However, what sticks out is his ability to perform to the same high level no matter who he is playing alongside. His personal performance levels rarely waver no matter the disruption around him. Clearly a very powerful player, he will be a Rodgers favourite for sure.

Carl Starfelt is a very aggressive and proactive defender, and he has played on the left and right of the centre-back pairing. He does not seem to be a player who alters his style and at 28 is unlikely to change much now. There have been concerns about his defending style and propensity to be dominated by aerially strong forwards. But he is quick and defends the box well and was improving under Postecoglou, so let’s see.

Midfield

In midfield, the captain Callum McGregor will be mission critical. Capable of playing a variety of midfield roles, McGregor is a highly intelligent player that will undoubtedly play a leading role going forward. He is relatively slight and therefore with the skipper being the first name on the teamsheet emphasizes the need for more power around him.

Matt O’Riley stood in for the captain for 12 matches last season with some distinction. Another player noted for his intelligence, he performed as the deeper tempo setter in three Champions League ties. He is equally comfortable as an eight or a 10 and is behind only Daizen Maeda in pressing effectiveness. At over six feet tall, he is a reasonably powerful figure, albeit lacking top-end pace. But he will surely be a player Rodgers is relishing working with.

Reo Hatate is a firm fans favourite and provider of many magical moments. He is quite a generalist midfielder and one of his greatest strengths is finding pockets of space in the midfield maelstrom. Possessing good balance and improving strength, his turns out of trouble and carrying of the ball are probably his best feature. Whether he possesses the box-to-box pace and muscularity Rodgers often goes for in midfielders, especially as McGregor will play, will be the question.

Forwards

As discussed in a previous article, Daizen Maeda is likely elite level in his pressing and counter-pressing skills. Allied to a blistering pace, he is likely to be a player Rodgers will look to further develop.

Last season, Postecoglou tried to repurpose a player most used as a central striker into a wide forward. The results were mixed as his xA of 0.21 was only the 10th highest in the squad, and with 1.09 chances created per 90m he ranked only 14th by that measure. And his goalscoring threat suffered. His xG of 0.34 was fifth, therefore lowest of the regular front players. How will Rodgers ally his pressing skills to getting more goal threat out of him?

Jota was once again an all-round threat and can comfortably play as a winger on either flank or likely do a decent job as a number 10. Another who probably lacks the power Rodgers seeks, and his pace is slightly off top end. Nevertheless, Jota provides great flexibility in terms of where he can operate along the front line.

Rodgers is surely going to love Kyogo Furuhashi. He is a mix of clinical goal threat and pressing intensity. It was fascinating to hear how Rodgers adapted Jamie Vardy’s game to restrict him from an all-over pressing machine into a striker who does not stray beyond the width of the posts nor get involved in build-up. This is precisely how Postecoglou deployed Kyogo. Another slight player, he is nevertheless quick and has all the other trademarks of a Rodgers striker. That being said, Rodgers may look to bring in more physical presence into the front-line options.

Summary

Here is a scorecard on the degree to which the starters conform to Rodgers’ power and flexibility requirements.

Outside of Johnston and Carter-Vickers, there is a power deficit in Celtic’s first eleven. This is something Rodgers will look to supplement, especially in central midfield. 

READ MORE: What day 1 of Brendan Rodgers' Celtic regime will look like

As regards tactical flexibility, despite being bought to fit into Postecoglou’s thrilling attacking straitjacket, most of the first team have shown an ability to be able to adapt to different roles. 

Therefore, tweaks and refinements should be expected as opposed to wholesale change.