It’s over four years since Brendan Rodgers left Celtic but the Northern Irishman is on the verge of a sensational return.
A week is a long time in football, never mind four years and there have been plenty of changes at the club since Rodgers left for Leicester City in 2019. At least on the pitch. Peter Lawwell retired then came back again, Michael Nicholson is CEO although has long been on the Parkhead club’s board. The Hops are back in the group stages of the Champions League and have fresh treble tucked away in the cabinet.
But on the pitch, they are almost unrecognisable. Ange Postecoglou signed 29 different players during his two years in the hot seat. The vast majority were ready made for the first team and his success rate was high. By comparison, Neil Lennon signed 20 in the two years he was in charge between Rodgers leaving and Ange arriving. Of those, only four are still at the club and Vasilis Barkas will be gone soon enough.
But the difference is stark when you see the final team Rodgers picked as Celtic manager and what is available to him now. Record Sport takes a look at the team that beat Motherwell 4-1 at home back in February 2019 and how it compares to the current crop.
Scott Bain
The keeper recently signed a new deal but is very much the third choice behind Joe Hart and Benjamin Siegrist. Being familiar to Rodgers could possibly see him bumped up to second if the new boss doesn’t fancy Siegrist as much, but he’ll not be replacing Hart any time soon.
Jeremy Toljan
Non-Celtic fans, and even some of the Hoops faithful could be forgiven for asking who? Played 14 games in a six month loan spell that Rodgers was only in charge for a few weeks of. Safe to say that Canadian international Alistair Johnston is an upgrade.
Dedryck Boyata
The Belgian actually enjoyed a lengthy stay at Parkhead, playing for four years between 2015 and 2019, making nearly 100 appearances. Had actually lost his place before Rodgers came in and got him playing to an impressive level.
Better than Carl Starfelt? Hard to say. Both had their clumsy moments but on the whole, were and are solid performers.
Kris Ajer
One of the mainstays of Rodgers’ all-conquering side. The big defender eventually left for Brentford in a £15million move. However, he spent more games than not on the bench last season in London.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is one of the top centre backs in the Premiership. Ajer’s ceiling was and arguably is still higher though, but the American has proved to be an excellent replacement
Kieran Tierney
As good as Greg Taylor is, he’s no KT. The left back was Celtic’s most sellable asset under Rodgers and a potent attacking weapon on the left-hand side of defence. Has grown to become one of his country’s most important players as well and while he may be out of the picture at Arsenal, will have no shortage of Premier League takers this summer, with Newcastle at the front of the queue.
Nir Bitton
A stalwart of Rodgers’ and Lennons’ Treble years, the Israeli was a key member of the squad. But a very different player to Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Aaron Mooy.
Ewan Henderson
The youngster threatened to, but never quite made the breakthrough at Celtic. Was rated by Rodgers, but wouldn’t get near Ange’s midfield and is now a squad player at Hibs.
Played a deep midfield role against the Steelmen that day. There’s no comparison to McGregor, however.
James Forrest
Still at Celtic and their third most decorated player ever. But at 31, isn’t the same as he was. Normally one of the first names on the team sheet under Rodgers, he’s now seeing his starts a lot more limited, but is unlikely to be moved on due to his standing within the dressing room.
Ryan Christie
A big attacking player under Rodgers, he didn't hang about for Angeball. No doubt had the ability to play in the Aussie’s team and would offer something a bit different to their current options, although wouldn't necessarily be an automatic pick.
Scott Sinclair
Had a key habit of scoring important goals and was no doubt a successful Rodgers signing. However, the energy of Maeda and ability of Jota make the current Celtic front three a far more formidable prospect than the one Sinclair was part of.
Odsonne Edouard
Ask at the time whether the Frenchman would be a big miss, most fans would probably have said definitely. But the impact of Kyogo is hard to overstate on the Champions. Although he stepped up a level, Edouard has largely flopped at Crystal Palace and yo';d be hard pushed to find a fan who'd take him back at the expense of the Japanese now.
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