Ladies and gentlemen, it's matchday!

The champions unfurl the league flag versus Kilmarnock at Celtic Park, and the excitement levels at the prospect of the 2024/25 season are now firmly in overdrive, despite the lack of many incomings this summer by way of transfers.

Last season, Celtic suffered an early League Cup exit at the hands of tomorrow’s opponents at Rugby Park, though they managed to win the two remaining domestic trophies on offer in the shape of the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup respectively. In Europe, the club competed in the Champions League for the second consecutive year, finishing bottom of their group that contained Atletico Madrid, Lazio and Feyenoord with four points, winning their only game against the latter side.

With that being said, it is time for Tony Haggerty and Ryan McGinlayat TCW to put their collective heads on the line, as they predict how the season will go for Brendan Rodgers, his players and the club as a whole…

Player of the Season

Tony - Kasper Schmeichel

He's won the English Premiership, FA Cup and Charity Shield with Manchester City but he won't experience anything like the celebrations he will enjoy if he proves to be successful and wins silverware with Celtic. Rodgers will be privately targeting all three domestic trophies. Schmeichel will too. He will be a key component of a treble-chasing Celtic. If he wants to know what it feels like, just ask Joe Hart. Kasper Schmeichel will have an Indian Summer, and he will prove to be a vital cog in the green and white machine this season.

Ryan – Alistair Johnston

What a year it has been for the Canada international, who played a huge role in the double last season, as well as international successes with Canada in the Copa America. I cannot see the right-back stopping there, however, as I believe that he will kick on even more this campaign. He knows what the manager is looking for and has acclimatised fully as one of the senior members of the Celtic squad now. A threat on both ends of the park, Johnston is in line for a true breakout season if he stays fit. Not a fashionable choice, but one that could very well transpire if he hits the ground running. On current form, you would not put it past the defender. 

Young Player of the Season

Tony - Paulo Bernardo

The Portuguese midfielder contributed some big moments for Celtic last season. His first goal at Dens Park against Dundee in a 3-0 win, a goal in a 2-1 Glasgow derby victory, a sumptuous pass for Adam Idah at Ibrox in the 3-3 draw and his assist for the Republic of Ireland international in the Scottish Cup final. There is the nub of a quality footballer lurking within Bernardo as well as a skilled technician. This is why Rodgers opted to bring him back to Celtic. Bernardo has shown he can be trusted and after a settling-in season, the Benfica academy graduate could be ready to hit the ground running in Glasgow's east end. The 22-year-old should be looking to push on and cement a place in Rodgers's starting XI. A consistent run of games could work wonders for his confidence levels, and he will contribute many more moments this season. Bernardo has finally quit 'The Eagles'. It's time for him to fly high in Glasgow with Celtic.

Ryan – Paulo Bernardo

Does 22 count as a young player? If so, then I reckon that this is an easy choice. Celtic’s first outfield signing this summer, the Benfica academy graduate now has added pressure on his shoulders due to being a permanent signing, but I believe he can rise to this challenge. Three big moments to his name against Rangers in the Glasgow Derby show that, as well as stellar performances off the ball in the Champions League last campaign. It is clear that the manager and his teammates wanted him back at the club, which bodes well for his reintegration back into the first-team following a summer away. If the midfielder adds more goals to his game then Celtic have won a watch here, especially at £3.5 million. We know he has it in him, so let’s see it more consistently. The “Power and the Glory” to bring just that next season for Celtic.

Top Goalscorer 

Tony - Kyogo Furuhashi

Hell hath no fury like a striker scorned. Kyogo's 19 goals last season was still a respectable tally, but the Japanese attacker would have been disappointed with that return mainly because he has set such a high bar in the Scottish Premiership since his arrival. Despite a supposed 'dip' in form he still bagged the winner in two Glasgow derbies. The return of Adam Idah from Norwich City could also spur the 29-year-old to greater heights. There are always pretenders to the throne, but Kyogo remains a player for the big occasion. He is still a goalscorer extraordinaire. He is still the one to dislodge from the Celtic No.9 position. Good luck anybody that fancies trying that. Kyogo is still a talisman for the men in green and white. He is still the one to watch and he will be the one to catch... again!

Ryan – Kyogo Furuhashi

I was tempted to place Luis Palma here, but I think he will rotate with Daizen Maeda and potentially a new left-winger, so I’ll go with the easy choice. Yes, the striker ‘only’ scored 19 goals last season, but his new manager was asking him to do things differently when leading the line. If you have watched him in pre-season at all, you will see that he looks like a player reborn, especially off the ball when out of possession. Do not be surprised if we see Kyogo doubling his total from last campaign, as it seems that the two parties have worked each other out concerning the player and manager. Expect big things – both domestically and in Europe – for Celtic’s talismanic figure from Japan. He is going to shut a lot of the doubters up this season.

Signing of the Season:

Tony - Kasper Schmeichel

The Danish international No.1 is going to take Scottish football by storm. This was a solid piece of transfer business by Rodgers in the summer. It has all the hallmarks of a Hart vibe. Schmeichel absolutely detests conceding goals as was evident on the USA tour when Manchester City scored. The 37-year-old is going to be a revelation just like Hart was in between the sticks and as Alistair Johnston said he will prove people wrong and then some. Rodgers wanted Schmeichel to get the full Celtic experience. He may have played for some big clubs in his career but he ain't seen anything yet.

Ryan – To be confirmed?

A bit of a curveball here, as I firmly believe that Celtic’s best signing this summer is yet to come. Will it be Adam Idah? Potentially! I maintain hope that this August will be a busy month concerning ins and outs at the club, so watch this space. Back Rodgers, and he will deliver the goods, in all facets of the club.

Hot Take of the Season

Tony - Nicolas Kuhn, Odin Thiago Holm and Paulo Bernardo will all have their breakout season for Celtic. This is the hottest of hot takes, but I fully expect all three to produce some stellar moments of quality for their team this season. This is when they trio have to come of age. They know what the club is about, they know what the culture is all about, they know what the manager and players are all about. They know that everything is driven by the demands for success. All three have what it takes to make their future bright in Celtic colours.

Ryan – Luis Palma will be one of Celtic’s best performers this season. A hot take, yes, but the talent is there from the Honduran. Indeed 20 goals and assists combined in all competitions last campaign is a decent return, but the performances were hit-and-miss by the left-winger. Some factors can be attributed to this, such as arriving late in the window and having no pre-season, but better will be required if Palma is to make it at the club. I believe he will – and then some.

Outstanding Transfer Business?

Tony - At the time of writing Celtic still desperately needs a left-back, a left-sided centre-back, a physical powerhouse in midfield, a new striker and a left winger. They have to resist the sale of both Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatate for another season, if possible. The club could show how ambitious they truly are by keeping the band together for one more season...at least.

Ryan – I would hope that the bulk of the transfer business is still to be completed, as there are positions that desperately need to be addressed. Left-back and centre-back are the two key areas that need to be strengthened ahead of Europe, whilst a left-winger and striker also have to be identified and signed. With one recognised striker heading into this weekend’s game, Celtic need to get a move on concerning strengthening their frontline. Time is of the essence here. I expect another four or five signings this month, though what I want and what we’ll get could very well be two different things…

European Aspirations


Tony - Celtic will qualify for the knockout phase and secure another two matches thus taking their total of games in the Champions League from a guaranteed eight to ten. To have any chance of reaching the knockout phase Celtic have to start winning their home matches. Last season they let both Atletico Madrid and Lazio off the hook and in truth they weren't a million miles away from winning all three outings at Celtic Park in the Champions League. Rodgers is well aware of this, and it is his vaulting ambition to make Celtic a European 'force' again. New Champions League. New mindset. New Celtic. Back Rodgers's team to turn the eight games into 10. The Glasgow encounters are going to be pivotal.

Ryan – I believe that Celtic will bloody the nose of a few big hitters this autumn/winter in the Champions League, based on their performances against Manchester City and Chelsea in the USA a few weeks ago. The club’s biggest asset is their manager, ad Rodgers will be hoping to mastermind his way to claiming a couple of scalps at least in the new Swiss Model format of Europe’s premier club competition. They showed last season that results are possible, especially at home. Let’s hope that these performances can accurately translate into points when the final whistle blows during their European escapades…

Final Predictions:

Tony Haggerty:

Scottish Premiership: Winners
Scottish Cup: Winners
Scottish League Cup: Winners
Champions League: Play-offs

Ryan McGinlay:

Scottish Premiership: Winners
Scottish Cup: Winners
Scottish League Cup: Winners
Champions League: Play-offs