Brendan Rodgers’ second Celtic spell probably hasn’t followed the sequence many would’ve imagined since he returned to Parkhead last summer.
In a chaotic campaign with twists and turns, Celtic have led the Scottish Premiership table by eight points, fell five points behind a matter of months later, and pulled it back full circle to hold an advantage heading into the post-split fixtures.
Nevertheless, Rodgers never lost faith in this term’s murkier moments, even when our quest for silverware looked like clattering into several roadblocks. Remember February 25th? Maybe you don’t, but that day could prove crucial once we look back on this season’s tale.
Celtic found themselves 1-0 down to Motherwell at Fir Park after an uninspiring first half performance, before Adam Idah came off the bench to score a double, including a last-minute winner topped off by a Luis Palma strike to clinch a victory to cut Rangers’ gap at the top from five points to two.
Post-match, the Irishman’s comments will resonate among supporters. Despite potentially being four points behind if we drew in Lanarkshire, he stated: “Four points isn’t a lot in my experience. Four points would have been nothing.”
Later, he coined the now-famous phrase: “There is a story being written about this club, but we will write our own story.”
At the time, it felt as if Rodgers was trying to create a siege mentality of sorts, to ensure his players, himself and the supporters remained united in the face of a difficult period between January and late February.
Nothing is won from a Celtic perspective; there is still a long way to go, but a noticeable togetherness in the stands and on the pitch now exists as we charge towards the run-in, which hasn’t always been pertinent in 2023/24.
Brendan Rodgers and his ability to galvanise Celtic
If we’re being honest, at one point earlier in 2024, it felt like Celtic were on the brink of implosion following a string of poor performances that included a nervy 1-0 victory over Ross County, draws against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, and a get-out-of-jail win away to Hibernian courtesy of two Idah penalties.
Now, the Bhoys have registered 26 goals in their last eight matches across all competitions. Granted, there are some tough tests to come post-split; however, we are in a far better place to take on this challenge than we were a few months ago.
Former Hoops striker Andy Walker has credited Rodgers for his old side’s mini-revival on the Go Radio Football Show, citing his experience and elite-level management as an explanation for our upturn in fortunes.
He stated: “You knew what you were buying into when Brendan Rodgers came back, he’s an elite manager, he’s been over the course before.
“I’ve got to say, I was a bit surprised that he came back to Scotland, but Celtic went out and got him. I know that he divides opinion with some Celtic fans; they don’t like the way he left last time around.
“They’re not having him this time round, but I think if he wins this title, you’ll still get one or two who have a few murmurs, I’m sure, but I think he has shown the experience, the leadership required to get through a vital stage of the season.”
Brendan Rodgers can build a fresh legacy at Celtic
The first time around, Rodgers was all-conquering, leading Celtic to seven trophies before departing for Leicester City in 2019, evoking ire from supporters.
His return last summer was an unforeseen development; nevertheless, he has taken on the challenge, showing persistence in tough times to turn a precarious situation around amid mounting pressure on his side to perform.
Can we finish the first chapter of writing our own story? It is too soon to say, but we have a fighting chance.
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