Both manager Brendan Rodgers and Callum McGregor have been discussing the tactical switches coming to Celtic for the new season.
The Scottish Premiership champions start their defence of the title on Saturday at home to Ross County. It’s the first real test of Rodgers’ return to the club.
Everyone is intrigued to see what the Bhoys look like in a competitive match, having witnessed steady progress during the pre-season period that resulted in a win over Athletic Club on Tuesday night.
No one is expecting a complete tactical overhaul compared to last season, but changes are in the works and the two principal club figures alluded to tweaks throughout the team and different phases of the 90 minutes.
Club captain McGregor said [Celtic FC]: “The work has been good. In pre-season, we have looked at a couple of different ways of playing. Obviously, I don’t want to say too much. We’ve looked at a few different systems. From the last time he was here, the team was fairly flexible transitioning from one system into another, even within games.
“He’s trying to bring that learning to this group as well. The style will be the same – it’ll be fast, attacking football. Trying to be aggressive, on the front foot defending. Those things won’t change, the principles will be the same. But we want to have that flexibility tactically and understanding the game.”
Asked how different his set-up will be from the previous manager, Rodgers also went into his thoughts on Celtic’s approach over the coming weeks and months.
The manager said [Celtic FC]: “There is no right or wrong way. Throughout my coaching career, I have always had a philosophy in terms of how I want my teams to play. In terms of style and philosophy, that is always the same – imposing yourself on the game and being really aggressive in the pressing, shortening the pitch and creating opportunities.
“That style is always the same but what I have tended to do is move in and out of systems and have that flexibility. I like my players to be able to do that. The team was in a really good place. Ange did a great job over his two seasons here and he will do well in the Premier League.
“For me, it was about coming in, assessing where we were at and in different phases of the game looking to add something new for opponents to think about.”
Be on the lookout then for slight alterations in shape or pressing mechanics. Celtic may well be a little tighter than the outright open and overloading approach of the previous boss, but it’ll be no less thrilling or attacking in nature.
When it comes to Europe, there are loads of other considerations too. Rodgers has amassed lots of experience even since his first spell at the Bhoys. We’re all hoping he puts that to good use and makes this Celtic team even more effective than his last.
In other news, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt and Nawrocki training status confirmed as Celtic post Friday footage.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
