The more things change the more they stay the same. As we get ready to start a new season things may seem a wee bit different. Ange has gone and Brendan has returned (no one saw that coming).
We still have the same settled squad minus of course, Jota who could in no way knock back the oil money from the Saudis, and Aaron Mooy has sadly had to retire due to an ongoing back problem.
We have added a few signings in Marco Tilio, Thiago Odin Holm, Yang Hyuen- Jun, Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Maik Nawrocki. So all is good in that aspect, plus a few more will descend towards Celtic Park before the end of the transfer window.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 30: Michael Beale, Manager of Rangers, reacts during the Scottish Cup Semi Final match between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 30, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Over at Ibrox and the Rangers have added nearly an entirely new side and ditched serial underachievers Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos. Despite being skint and flirting with FFP regulations, Michael Beale has been allowed to go for it, so a brand new challenge awaits us.
A lot is changing as we approach kick-off, but not on a grand scale as there are still a lot of familiarities. For example, in pre-season we witnessed a barrel load of spot kicks to the Rangers, the majority of them awarded by Scottish refs. It seems the officials are getting in as much practice as the players in preparation for next season.
The last 16 of the Viaplay Cup was also drawn yesterday and the Ibrox club was drawn at home to Championship side Morton while Celtic face a tricky away tie on the plastic against Kilmarnock. Who saw that coming?