Can rejuvenated Rodgers guide Celtic to a record-breaking season success?
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Celtic continuing domestic dominance
Following a stuttering spell with Liverpool, Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers has revived his career with a strong start to life in Glasgow with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
The Hoops boss has oversaw a supreme first-half of the season at Parkhead, with the reigning top-flight champions having opened a massive 19-point lead over second-placed Old Firm rivals Rangers after matchweek 20.
Rodgers’ side are therefore on course for what is looking increasingly likely of being the club’s sixth successive league crown, as their closest challengers continue to rebuild from their previous liquidation nightmare.
With such a dominant lead at the summit and their impressive form looking unstoppable of late, Celtic are a promising 2/1 with Coral to go the remainder of the domestic season unbeaten in the top tier.
Hoops history on the horizon
As is the one-sided nature of the current campaign, talk has already begun about Celtic going on to not only clinch their sixth consecutive title, but eventually overtaking Rangers’ long-standing record of nine-in-a-row.
Although, Rodgers will be keen for his squad to focus solely on the tasks in hand this season, after a sublime opening six months in which they secured no less than three Old Firm derby wins and remained undefeated domestically.
The former Anfield tactician has rejuvenated his own career on the green half of Glasgow and revived his reputation, having broken several records during his stint so far. Though the 43-year-old is determined that there will be no let up in the second part of the term.
“It’s been a really special six months being manager at Celtic, but now I’m really looking to the coming months of 2017 and focusing on improving the overall team again — and the club,” he stated.
“It’s just about being the best we can be. That means every day, taking the opportunity every day to be better than before, to learn to develop and to keep pushing and working hard.
“It’s just about being the best we can be…”
“We have already begun our journey together but there is lots for us to do and to achieve and you only do that by working so, while it’s nice that the team is getting credit at the moment, it can very quickly change and you have to be wary of that.
“The minute you stop working, it all changes so it’s important we continue with that and I have no doubt it will and we will look forward to, hopefully, a healthy and successful 2017.”
With a cup victory also gained during his first six months in charge, Rodgers has plenty of momentum and confidence for 2017, as the likes of Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair, Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown continue to play pivotal roles in such success.
Rodgers’ newly gained Parkhead power has been benefiting the club immensely and is clear to see, with the Northern Irishman having earlier refused a winter break friendly that would’ve netted Celtic a seven-figure sum.
He has also managed to persuade star man Dembele to resist a mooted £20m move elsewhere in Europe after his superb performances so far, while shelling out £2.5m for Ivory Coast kid Kouassi Eboue is another signal of intent and stature.
With nine or 10-in-a-row Scottish league titles being tipped already after such domestic dominance this term, Rodgers will have to keep his team focused on the present, but his Hoops future looks extremely promising based on current credentials.
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