When Brendan Rodgers arrived at Celtic Park in the summer of 2016, the manager immediately set about making history. His team became the first in the British game to capture all three major domestic honours while remaining undefeated throughout the entire campaign.
Indeed, that sequence extended to 69 matches against Caledonian opposition and lasted until December of the following year.
The current incumbent, Ange Postecoglou, isn’t doing too badly either. Celtic face St Mirren in Paisley on the first anniversary of their last Premiership reverse, a 1-0 defeat at Livingston. Since then they have completed 38 fixtures without loss.
Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Anthony Ralston are the only survivors from that Rodgers era who may be involved at the SMiSA Stadium but Saints manager Stephen Robinson believes that the present team is every bit as accomplished as that of Kieran Tierney, Scott Brown, Moussa Dembele and Scott Sinclair.
“When I was at Motherwell I managed against Brendan’s Invincibles – we lost two cup finals against them so I’m unlikely to forget that – but, while there are similarities to the current team, there’s also a different approach and a different tempo,” he said.
“Brendan’s team controlled the play for longer and had a really patient build-up whereas Ange’s team has a lot of energy and pace and they can hurt you by getting behind you. I wouldn’t say one’s better than the other, though: they’re equally as good but give you different problems.
“I think they’ve been superb – they’re just non-stop and I have to say that their energy levels are incredible. They also probably deserve better results in Europe from the performances they put in, to be honest. They’re a really good side and this is a tough test for us but that’s what you’re in football for.
“Our boys have been magnificent ever since I came in and they’ll all be up for this one. I don’t think there’s any advantage to us in having a free week while they were playing Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland.
“You just need to look at their bench and see David Turnbull, a £3m player, sitting there – and that goes right through Ange’s squad. You never know what their front three is going to be.
“Whatever team he puts out, there’s unlikely to be an advantage for us in that selection. Do they pose problems other teams don’t? In terms of their quality, they do: there isn’t a weak link in their squad, never mind their team.
“They caused Real Madrid problems for 45 minutes so they’ll pose problems for whoever they play. You just have to weather that storm, be disciplined and organised and then take your chances.”
