In a commanding 6-0 victory over St Johnstone, Celtic demonstrated their impressive squad depth. Substitutions like Adam Idah, Reo Hatate, and James Forrest maintained the high energy pace. Auston Trusty stepped in from the start for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, while Alex Valle took over for Greg Taylor at halftime. Despite the changes, Celtic’s standards remained impeccable.
A Strengthened Summer Recruitment Sets Celtic Up for European Success
The contrast is striking. Just months after Ange Postecoglou left for Spurs following a brilliant treble-winning season, Celtic brought in nine new players while Jota, Aaron Mooy, and Carl Starfelt departed. Finding positives wasn’t easy.
Paulo Bernardo’s performances were strong enough to earn a permanent deal, with the Portuguese talent reaching new heights this season. Luis Palma showed goal-scoring promise early on but faded significantly and is now out of contention at Parkhead. Meanwhile, Yang and Odin Thiago Holm had some promising moments, though both remain on the sidelines with limited chances for game time.
Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio, and Hyeok-kyu Kwon struggled to make an impact, while Nat Phillips’ loan is considered one of the worst deals in Scottish football history.
The approach of recruiting in large numbers was a misstep. Buying in bulk might work for groceries, but not on the football field.
Since last January, the emphasis has shifted to quality rather than quantity.
Nicolas Kuhn, Kasper Schmeichel, Bernardo, and Idah have been resounding successes, while Arne Engels has seamlessly adapted to the Matt O’Riley role. Valle, Trusty, and Luke McCowan have also contributed valuable depth to the squad.
Matt O’Riley’s Departure Hasn’t Weakened Celtic
When O’Riley left for approximately £30 million, many fans were concerned. The Dane was Celtic’s Player of the Season last year and sometimes seemed irreplaceable. Removing such a key playmaker from the midfield trio naturally caused apprehension among the Celtic supporters.
However, credit where it’s due: the champions have made wise decisions. They reinvested that money, and the team appears just as strong. It’s too early to assess Engels fully, but one thing is clear: the Hoops remain a strong team with him on board.
Bernardo has elevated his performance, becoming a regular goal-scorer and an excellent teammate.
The Intensity Level
Intensity has been Brendan Rodgers‘s key theme this season. The game’s pace has significantly improved, partly attributed to a more structured pre-season and enhanced recruitment.
The Northern Irishman can adjust from all angles to keep the players fresh, and the quality remains consistent across every position on the field.
In defense, Trusty performed brilliantly against St Johnstone instead of Carter-Vickers, while Valle elegantly assisted Idah for his fourth goal in three matches.
Callum McGregor will consistently play as the deepest of the three in midfield. Still, numerous options are available ahead of him. Engels and Bernardo are in excellent form, Reo Hatate is a standout performer, and McCowan has also made a positive impression.
In the forward line, Kuhn, Kyogo, and Daizen Maeda form one of the most formidable front threes that Celtic fans can recall. The renowned Abada-Kyogo-Jota trio from Ange Postecoglou’s era has found its equal; some might even say it’s been surpassed. Idah, Forrest, and Palma pose goal-scoring threats from the bench, each bringing unique skills to the team.
How Far Can Celtic Go?
Domestically, it’s difficult to envision any other team winning the league by the season’s end. This Celtic squad is far superior to their current rivals, Aberdeen and third-placed Rangers.
The European stage is where they aim to advance. With a recent 5-1 victory under their belt, confidence will be at an all-time high. Challenging matches lie ahead, including away games at Dortmund and Atalanta and a home fixture against Leipzig. However, following those, they have three highly winnable matches against Brugge and Young Boys at home, plus a trip to a Dinamo Zagreb team that conceded nine goals to Bayern Munich.
Rodgers will emphasize taking “one game at a time,” and that’s wise. Football can shift instantly, often bringing the complacent back down to earth.
Still, he must be excited about the chance to have a strong run with this Celtic team, as the outlook has never seemed brighter. In the meantime, they will take on Borussia Dortmund this Tuesday night. Last year’s Champions League runners-up are coming off a 4-2 win over Bochum.
The Hoops will enter as underdogs, but it would surely be now if there were ever a chance for an upset.
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