The Return of Brendan Rodgers to the Celtic Park Dugout

As the curtain came down on last season. Celtic were planning a pre-season Asian tour of Japan and South Korea and Ange Postecoglou was set to lead Celtic for a homecoming of sorts for him after his successful spell in Japan.

Maybe the plan was then to move on to South Korea and announce the signings of Kwon and Yang and try to capitalise on the commercial benefits for the Celtic brand.

It was Ange who told us not to get too attached to players and I guess that went for him as well. But attached we did get and when he left we were disappointed to lose him to Spurs.

It was clear to see how gutted Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawell were to lose him after the cup final when TV pictures circulated of them in Hampden Park looking not too excited about another treble getting wrapped up.

Ange followed in the footsteps Stein, O’Neill, Rodgers and Lennon before quickly making his way to London.

The rumours started before the cup final that Ange was going to Spurs was a done deal. That is how it turned out with the second coming of Brendan Rodgers as his replacement.

I don’t think too many of us thought we would be seeing Rodgers returning to Celtic Park to watch a game never mind sit in the dugout.

Desmond and Nicholson acted swiftly and it was soon announced that he was to return. I was in Vegas at the Celtic Supporters Convention when the news was breaking of who might replace Ange and there was plenty of support for the return of Rodgers.

Celtic are in a positive financial situation and if Rodgers can add some more quality to the squad before the transfer window closes, we can go into the new season with plenty of confidence

There was plenty of boasting by the rangers fans after they beat Celtic at Ibrox in the last game of the season between both of us. The result gave their manager breathing space after failing to record a victory over Ange Postecoglou and his team when it counted for silverware or to close the gap in the league.

It is always disappointing to lose to our Glasgow rivals. But if anything came out of the game it is that the squad is light in certain areas. Rodgers will know we need strengthening to compete in the Champions League and to continue to dominate domestically.

The Jota money and the revenue from the Champions League. Should see the Celtic board continue to back Rodgers until he is happy.

Throughout the club there seems to be positive vibes. With the B-Team, Youth Team and Woman’s Team getting great backing from the fanbase last season.

Not many in our fanbase expects us to win the Champions League or even get close. But we still all dream and progress would be European football after the group stages. Be that in the CL or the Europa League the prize on offer for a third place finish.

European Nights under the lights at Celtic Park are special. We have three away trips across the continent to also look forward. And the return of Brendan Rodgers to the Celtic Park Dugout.

Andrew Milne is Editor of More than 90 Minutes & Host of the Celtic Soul Podcast