As we get set to raise the curtain on another cinch Premiership campaign against Ross County tomorrow afternoon at Paradise, we have seen the departure of our former manager, Ange Postecoglou and the flamboyant winger Jota.
Top-class coach, Brendan Rodgers has been drafted back into the role that the Greek-Aussie vacated in June and will look to secure another title and perhaps Treble this year.
The loss of Jota is a big blow but the Hoops have added astutely in the transfer market so far, with another few weeks to go yet. Rodgers has admitted himself he is still assessing each individual thoroughly as the season starts for real in the coming days and weeks ahead. With UEFA Champions League group stages back at Celtic Park too this season, the Irishman will want to be ready for the rigours of fighting on all four fronts.
Some of the new signings have looked good so far in pre-season, but we will undoubtedly get a better gauge of where they all stand the more competitive football is played in the weeks ahead for sure. The loss of Aaron Mooy to the midfield was a tough one too, and with the addition of Odin Thiago Holm and Kwon Hyeok-kyu – as well as a resurgent David Turnbull – Rodgers will hope he isn’t missed too much.
The defence has been reinforced through the capture of highly-rated Polish centre-back, Maik Nawrocki, who will be looking to dislodge the Swedish international Carl Starfelt as Cameron Carter-Vickers’ full-time defensive partner. By all accounts, the former Legia Warsaw man looked steady against Athletic Club from Bilbao the other evening and could be in contention for tomorrow afternoon at Parkhead against the Staggies.
Up top, all three of our strikers’ have looked good in pre-season, with top goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi looking to pick up where he left off last season. The switch Brendan Rodgers made playing Daizen Maeda through the centre looked inspired when he played back home in Japan against Yokohama F. Marinos and he might utilise the pacey attacker there more frequently this season.
Meanwhile, Korean Yang Hyun-jun has looked impressive in his brief flashes, as has his countryman Oh Hyeon-gyu during James Forrest’s Testimonial on Tuesday night.
This season promises to be very interesting and it will be intriguing to see how Brendan Rodgers sets up his team most of the time and which personnel he will include in that formation. With plenty of options to pick from, he’s somewhat spoiled for choice, with more set to come through the door. Our main rivals for the title have had a rebuild of their own and it remains to be seen how well their new additions will settle to life in Scottish football. It’s set to be another cracking season of football!
Here are my predictions for the forthcoming season:
Player of the Year: Liel Abada
Liel Abada has looked impressive in pre-season and with him committed to staying and working under Rodgers, it’s ominous for the rest of our competitors in the Scottish Premiership and beyond. The little Israeli winger’s stats are incredible for one so young and he manages to convert many chances as well as providing assists for his teammates – even when only introduced as a substitute.
This could be the year he really propels himself into the global footballing hemisphere if he carries his domestic form into European football and the Champions League. With opportunities rife to cause damage to theRangers too, his stock could rise immeasurably this coming campaign and bag a major move next summer transfer window.
Young Player of the Year: Yang Hyun-jun
South Korean import Yang Hyun-jun looks to be a real find to me. In only a few brief spells in a Celtic jersey the youngster has looked very nippy and direct, but with the added bonus of physicality and strength on the ball too. With Jota missing now, we will need others to step up in his absence and Yang certainly ticks a lot of the boxes as being just that man.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Yang hit double figures in goals and assists this season and also was a tremendous impact-player from the bench in important games. He strikes me as a player that could really make the difference at crucial points in games and fundamentally, the outcome of the Scottish Premiership. One to watch for sure.
Top Goalscorer: Kyogo Furuhashi
For me, I have to go with our superstar at the head of our attack; Kyogo Furuhashi. The wee man has been on fire since he arrived at Celtic Park in the summer transfer window of 2021 under Ange Postecoglou, and his exploits have blown away defences both at home and abroad. His particular penchant for breaking the hearts of the newest Ibrox club is truly a joy to behold, and I can’t see that letting up anytime soon. 35-plus this year for Kyogo.
Surprise Package: Daizen Maeda
For this year’s surprise package, I’ll have to go for Kyogo’s tireless comrade, Daizen Maeda. There’s a reason Maeda keeps being picked for Japan at international level and it speaks volumes as to his professionalism that he’s happy to play wide-left at Celtic for so long. His best position I would have to agree with Rodgers is centrally – but unfortunately he has Kyogo to contend with in that respect.
However, that’s not to say he can’t score his fair share and contribute to the team during a long and arduous campaign of football. If he is played more centrally this year, you will notice a man more confident in himself and one that may take more than a few folk by surprise come 25 May 2024 (Scottish Cup Final day). One to watch this season for sure.
Paul Gillespie