Why I shouldn't have doubted Celtic under Brendan Rodgers

A controversial appointment in the eyes of some of the support when he made his way back to Celtic after four years away, the Northern Irishman was the best candidate for the job, on a shortlist that included the likes of Chelsea-bound Enzo Maresca, Bodo/Glimt stalwart Kjetil Knutsen and even the high-flying Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town (for now). A track record of Celtic success made him the perfect fit for the club to succeed the departed Ange Postecoglou, even though there were lingering doubts in my own head concerning a second spell, in truth.

As the season commenced, we were all waiting for the Rodgers return era to kick into gear, following a financially successful trip to Japan and Ireland for pre-season friendlies. Two wins in the league against Ross County and Aberdeen were comfortable – at least, in the scoreline – though that spark hadn’t quite arrived that was present for the majority of the previous season. Matt O’Riley was shining, but the team were not firing on all cylinders, not helped by defensive injuries that upset the back-line’s solidity.

READ MORE: Carter-Vickers' 'hope' for squad strengthening ahead of the Champions League

Then, the first snag in the road was experienced just a week later. At a ground that Michael Beale’s Rangers faced defeat just two weeks prior, Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock pulled off a shock win at Rugby Park to inflict Rodgers with his first-ever domestic cup defeat. His side were dismal for the duration, with many having their doubts about the incumbent’s hunger and desire for a second spell, especially given how they surrendered their League Cup crown. A stalemate versus the struggling bottom-side St Johnstone did little to quell these murmurings, with the prospect of Ibrox a week later being the source of dread for many.

As we all know by now, Rodgers’ side succeeded in defeating Rangers in their own backyard, though only by a solitary goal – not for the last time this season. Celtic’s form stabilised, which coincided with Beale’s sacking on the other side of the city. A late win at Fir Park was bettered by a dominating 4-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, as Celtic raced to a commanding lead at the top of the table. Philippe Clement was entrusted as the new Rangers manager, inheriting a gap between the two sides following his arrival in October.

For whatever reason, this appointment seemed to perfectly coincide with Celtic’s sketchy Premiership form, in which they drew with Hibs at Easter Road before another draw would come the following month versus Motherwell at home. Although Rangers drew with Aberdeen the following afternoon, the warning signs were there that things could get worse.

They did. Two defeats in a row in the league to Kilmarnock and Hearts saw a tint of toxicity beginning to unravel amongst the spectators, who were starting to seriously question Celtic’s ability to keep a hold of their dominating position at the summit of Scottish football. Rangers had stabilised all of a sudden, whilst their rivals were faltering.

Aptly named a “rollercoaster season” by many – including myself – Celtic would fight back and win the second Glasgow Derby, capping off some fine form in the festive period by going eight points clear with a 3-0 away win at St Mirren. The doubts still remained for the long-term – they never really went away – but Celtic were in the driving seat.

READ MORE: 'We want our other trophy back!' - McGregor's bullish League Cup admission

Harking back to the “rollercoaster” element of the campaign, two draws in three games opened the door to Rangers once again, whilst their defeat to Motherwell was not capitalised on thanks to the VAR-fuelled afternoon at Tynecastle, where Rodgers’ side were beaten 2-0 by Hearts. Ironically enough, however, this 10-man defeat would be the catalyst for the rest of Celtic’s season, although we didn’t know it at the time. Rodgers had called out the “competency” of the officiating team that day, though the consequences of his actions would turn out to be a galvaniser that would reconnect the support to the manager and the players, and vice versa.

From the Hearts defeat to Celtic’s victory over Rangers last Saturday in the Scottish Cup final, Rodgers’ side only dropped two points in the league, against Rangers at Ibrox. A Rabbi Matondo ‘worldie’ – Rodgers’ words, not mine – was the difference between a clean sweep against Clement and Rangers over the course of the season, as Celtic were all-conquering in the league, with their rivals stumbling in both of their remaining games in hand.

In truth, THIS was when my self-doubt started to rapidly evaporate concerning Rodgers’ management of Celtic Football Club. Every press conference was suddenly unmissable, as the former Liverpool and Leicester City manager portrayed a figure of unshakable confidence, with that confidence starting to present itself on the pitch, too. Despite being defeated twice by Hearts earlier in the season, Celtic brushed Steven Naismith’s side away with ease by three goals, before effectively inflicting the knockout blow the week after with a home Glasgow Derby victory, aptly sealing the title in style four days later at Rugby Park.

Throughout this spell, Celtic displayed a style of play that was distinguishable and fresh, unlike the showings that had taken place for the majority of the campaign. They were playing at a speed that was much more akin to what we’ve been used to under the previous manager, whilst last season’s stars like Kyogo Furuhashi, Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers were beginning to shine, the latter pair having shaken off their respective injury woes for the run-in.

Saturday was the icing on the cake, as a last-gasp Adam Idah strike secured a memorable double for Rodgers in his first season back at the club. Missing was that style and flair that many had almost become accustomed to throughout the month of May, but the winning mentality and the – dare I say – “we never stop” mantra was present for all to see at the national stadium. It seems that Postecoglou’s lasting influence has not worn off just yet.

READ MORE: Taylor makes Cantwell trash-talking admission as he savours sweet Celtic win

Make of this what you will, an open letter to the incumbent, a retraction, or even a full-blown apology to ever doubting his credentials as a successful Celtic manager. What is clear for all to see is that he is undoubtedly the right man to usher the team into the reformed Champions League, as well as continue the domestic dominance of the club on home soil.

Maybe I should never have doubted the manager, but I know that I wasn’t the only one who was. However, no one is second-guessing his credentials now. In a weird way, perhaps the trials and tribulations of this past season were necessary to get where we are now as onlookers to more success at Celtic.

No doubt about it now, the future for Celtic under Rodgers looks extremely bright from the outside looking in. Here’s hoping that positivity remains in place in the months and years to come, as ‘Box Office Brendan’ runs Scottish football for the foreseeable future.