The concept of complacency at Celtic has been an uncomfortable talking point this summer, despite the celebrations of double success last season.
The Bhoys’ form in the second half of the 2023/24 campaign was impressive, especially when key players started to return from injury, but there was an acknowledgement from everyone that the squad needed to be further strengthened.
Celtic are the best team in Scotland and will likely prove that again by the end of 2024/25, but Brendan Rodgers is casting his eye out beyond these shores to what’s possible in Europe.
Yet, the transfer activity has been frustratingly slow and there are now only a few weeks to recruit in defence, midfield and attack – all areas of the team that could do with new signings.
Complacency was put to Rodgers in his pre-Kilmarnock media conference this week and the manager is adamant that there’s absolutely none of that at Celtic, within the group he controls at least.
Rodgers says Celtic have ‘burning ambition’
The manager said [Celtic TV]: “It’s not within our psyche. Certainly not within a manager’s psyche and a player’s psyche. I think it’s natural that others can think that you can just win, but absolutely no chance.
“We’re measured on our own standard. Our own standards are domestically being really strong. That’s the bread and butter, so you have to continue with that. You can’t think that it won’t change.
“We saw that a few years ago. Rangers actually won the league, with Celtic maybe not in the best position. People may have thought that Rangers would have moved away and that was them because they had won the league. Then it quickly changed again.
“I’m always mindful of the fact. Complacency doesn’t ever enter my mind because we didn’t win all of our trophies last year. We won two and lost out on one. Domestically, we have got to make up for that.
“We have to be in Europe, it’s as simple as that, you can’t beat about the bush. You look at where we’re at, we have to be better. In order to be better you need quality. If you’re going to improve on that then we need to find that. It’s as simple as that. That’s our drive and motivation. The ambition is absolutely burning for us to be the best we can be.”
Celtic will always have something to prove
Fans always want the club to be the best version of itself. Even through multiple trophy wins and dominating Rangers, there’s always more to strive for.
Nobody should be happy with a status quo, as much as it provides joyful moments. Competitive football at big clubs like Celtic is about progression and setting a new bar.
Thankfully we have a manager who understands that perfectly. He isn’t at Celtic to go through the motions despite the accusations of some last season. He’s here to take the club to new heights and he should be fully backed on that journey.
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