Every captivating story has its various twists and turns that keep the reader and/or watcher captivated throughout the duration of its telling. What is also true is that every good tale comes full circle at the end, with all loose ends tied up for a conclusion that leaves everyone happy or at least satisfied and fulfilled with the end result.

What has this got to do with Celtic and their situation, you may ask yourself? Cast your mind back to August 20, 2023, when Brendan Rodgers’ side travelled to Rugby Park to face tomorrow’s opponents in the League Cup. It was at this ground that the returning manager would have his first domestic cup defeat inflicted on him, ending an invincible streak that took place from 2016-2019 during his first run as Celtic’s head coach.

Indeed, Marley Watkins’ goal in the 59th minute was the only goal of the afternoon, as Celtic relinquished their League Cup crown at the very first hurdle, on what was a miserable day for the champions in Ayrshire. Nearly nine months on, however, and a lot has changed – thankfully for the better – in the case of Celtic. Of course, Saturday’s Glasgow Derby victory is still on the minds of many, with the club’s 2-1 defeat of Rangers at home still very much a topic of discussion amongst those of a green and white persuasion.

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However, some of the focus has shifted to Celtic’s return to Rugby Park, a place they have been defeated at twice during this rollercoaster campaign. In four meetings thus far this season, Derek McInnes’ Europe-bound team have been tricky opponents for Rodgers, who has previous with the Kilmarnock incumbent thanks to his days managing Aberdeen back in the Celtic boss’ first spell at the club. The visitors to Ayrshire have defeated the home side only once this season - a 3-1 victory in Glasgow back in October - with the same exact fixture ending in a 1-1 draw most recently in February thanks to a late David Watson equaliser.

Back to the original point of coming full circle, and what better way and place for Rodgers to secure the league title than at the ground that caused the first bit of bother this season. Harking back to that time, the return of Rodgers to the Celtic hot seat had not sunk in with all of the support, with many questioning both his style of play and overall hunger for the job early on in the season. After a dismal showing on the plastic turf of Rugby Park, this did little to quell any discontent that was beginning to form, especially online on social media.

As is to be expected in this so-called rollercoaster season, the court of public opinion has been swaying in its verdict of Rodgers and his methods for virtually the entirety of this campaign, in all competitions. It wasn’t helped when the side lost again at the same ground in December, as Celtic squandered a lead to lose 2-1 at the hands of McInnes’ high-flying side. The hypothetical court has swung, however, with that aforementioned verdict now almost unanimously in praise of the manager at the helm.

Important wins against your biggest rivals will impact matters positively, as Rodgers will know from his first spell as Celtic manager. Three wins out of four in the league this season has galvanised the manager’s relationship with both Celtic’s home and travelling support, as a united front has been forged in pursuit of a Premiership and Scottish Cup double from those spectators to the management team. You get the feeling that everyone can see the light at the end of the tunnel, which can be achieved as early as Tuesday night before Celtic even kick a ball thanks to an upcoming match on Glasgow’s south side.

Regardless of what the score ends up being at Ibrox – with Rangers needing a win against Dundee to keep any faint hope of a title dream alive – Rodgers and his squad of players have a job to do on Wednesday night. After putting things right with Hearts over a week ago by means of a 3-0 home victory, Celtic have the chance to right quite a few wrongs that have taken place versus Wednesday’s hosts. Losing once can happen – that’s football - but failing to win three times in a single season against a side is unheard of for a club of Celtic’s stature. The fact it could extend to four matches this campaign is unthinkable, though not exactly outwith the realms of possibility, given how this season has transpired thus far!

Thankfully, Celtic’s form as of late has been imperious, with the only blot on Rodgers’ copybook being that 3-3 draw versus Rangers last month, a game his side took the lead in twice on the day. “This is when Celtic come alive” was the rallying cry from the manager after his side’s 3-0 win over St Mirren, and he was spot-on. With a clean bill of health in the squad and experienced players like Matt O’Riley, Callum McGregor and James Forrest all stepping up to the plate when required - to name but a few – Celtic look in good shape to finish the job off of Wednesday night.

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Though a draw would suffice, you would imagine the would-be champions will want to seal this title in style, and do it on their own accord, too. Not to say that the club will be supporting Rangers – far from it – but you get the vibe and feeling that Rodgers and his team will want to draw the line underneath this title race themselves, rather than seal it through their rivals slipping up.

With the story of the 2023/24 league season reaching its natural conclusion, it seems certain that Rodgers’ ending to this campaign will both be one of the happy and fulfilling variety. Let us hope that he can come full circle, and right the final surviving wrong of his first year back – that of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. If he can do that, then he could up what could be an exciting epilogue at Hampden, with the prospect of more success in the Scottish Cup for the Northern Irishman.

At this late stage, you would be foolish to write him off achieving both.