Enough of all that pre-season hype, we’re just days away from the start of the Scottish Premiership and Celtic are hot favourites to make it four in a row.
Brendan Rodgers’ reigning champions face Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Sunday for a special Flag Day, aiming to pick up their first three points of the season.
It’s been a strong summer for the Bhoys on the pitch and a rather lacklustre one off of it. The USA tour was a big success with three victories from three, but the club have yet to make an outfield signing.
Transfer work is ongoing behind the scenes but supporters are keen to see the club confirm some moves to strengthen Rodgers’ squad, rather than just talking about it.
Nonetheless, Celtic are in good shape for domestic challenges and many will be tipping them to lift the league title again next May.
Kenny Dalglish on Celtic’s title ambition
One of those is Celtic and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish, who can’t see past the Bhoys when it comes to proving themselves as the best team in the country.
He wrote in his newspaper column earlier this week, doubting Rangers’ chances of mounting a successful bid for the crown.
Dalglish said [Sunday Post]: “There is plenty of focus on Ibrox – much of it negative. There is still a lack of clarity and a timeline for the renovation works inside the stadium and when they will be back to play their games there.
“On the park, they need to strengthen the squad. Right now, it doesn’t look like Philippe Clement has enough quality and experience to beat Celtic over 38 games.
“They face a strong Celtic side and we would all expect the Parkhead squad to be even more powerful by the time the transfer window shuts next month. Brendan Rodgers will have a clear picture of who he wants to bring in and who he wants to move on.
“Celtic will take some stopping and I see no reason why they will not make it four titles on the trot. Sure, they had one or two wobbles last season but they won when it mattered and took care of Rangers at the appropriate times. That’s the sign of champions.”
Celtic can’t become complacent but the favourites tag is earned
Everyone at Celtic knows that you don’t win trophies on paper. It requires sacrifice, hard work, team spirit and real quality on both sides of the ball.
As mentioned, the transfer work has been frustratingly slow and a strong month is required from the recruitment and negotiation staff to best prepare Rodgers’ squad for an assault on four competitions.
Right now, there are deficiencies and a lack of depth. While that remains the case nobody can crow too much about Celtic’s readiness to win the league again.
The favourites tag is justified, of course, but it’s up to the club to prove they are the best around all over again, in every department.
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