Brendan Rodgers’ first SPFL fixture since he returned to Celtic was one that was highly anticipated for two reasons.
The first is that the fans would get to witness the team in the flesh for the first time since the manager returned and how the style of football would change.
And two, many were looking to see what the reaction of the fans would be as he walked out onto the pitch under a packed Celtic Park
The Celtic support gave Rodgers a rapturous reception but there will, obviously, be some who still need convinced. Martin O’Neill believes that Rodgers will know that there is still work to be done and has offered him a simple piece of advice to win over any doubters that remain.
O’Neill said [Talksport], “It was the circumstances in which Brendan left I think was the point of contention. And I think that has to be taken into consideration. And Brendan is aware of that. You’re not going to win everybody over just because you’ve won the opening game.
“Matches for Brendan that’ll be very, very important of course is to take it on because Postecoglou has done a fantastic job in the last couple of seasons there.
“He left them with the good side and Brendan just has to you know to pick up the cudgels now and get on with it.
“But as I said before, if you win matches the fans start to forget and that’s the most important thing. So from Brendan’s viewpoint, just keep winning.
“European matches will be interesting. The Champions League draw coming up at the end of the month and that’s something where I think that Celtic will want to do better than they have done in recent times.”
The tide of feeling towards Rodgers does seem to have turned in his favour since he was first appointed. The amount of doubters does seem to have dissipated over the last six weeks or so.
I think now that all talk of Rodgers needing to win over the fans and the doubters must now be put to one side. There are more pressing matters that should concern the support at this moment in time.
Transfer business needs done. The Champions League draw is nearing as is the first Glasgow Derby of the season. This season is going to be massive but one thing you can be sure of is that the Celtic fans will be there to back the team. As they always do.
In other news, Chris Sutton praises ‘brave’ Brendan Rodgers for Celtic return; addresses weekend fan reception
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