Three Celtic players that need a strong start to the season or risk falling out of favour entirely

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It’s almost time to begin another season of football.

Celtic completed a domestic double and put on their best showing in Europe for the best part of a decade, but Brendan Rodgers will be hungry for more.

Seven new players have joined Celtic, with Rodgers promising that more transfers will come.

Competition for places is healthy, but there are some players who face a bigger fight than others to secure their future.

• READ MORE: Celtic transfer news latest on Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Jakob Breum and more

Liam Scales

It goes without saying but this is a huge season for Liam Scales.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey will join Celtic on loan this summer and the pre-season form of Auston Trusty has excited supporters.

Dane Murray and even Hayato Inamura look like capable options meaning that the Ireland international feels miles away from being first choice.

Rodgers has always been a fan of the defender though and he will be given a chance, but it does feel like last-chance saloon.

Paulo Bernardo

Another position that is filled to the brim with talent is the central midfield position.

Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate and Arne Engels held down the starting positions last season but then there is also Luke McCowan, who impressed for his boyhood club in his first year at Parkhead.

Summer signing Benjamin Nygren has been a revelation and appears to be the preferred starter this year too.

Paulo Bernardo has had extra time away due to his European U21 Championships campaign with Portugal but that could work to his disadvantage as he takes longer to get up to speed.

Bernardo is a talented player and his technical ability isn’t an issue but if those who have a head start on him hit form early doors, he may find it difficult to muscle his way back in.

Adam Idah

As a £9m striker you’d expect Adam Idah’s name to be the first on the team sheet.

Idah scored 20 goals for the Bhoys last year, but there was still an element of frustration about the way he played at times.

Johnny Kenny has looked good in pre-season and Shin Yamada impressed fans on his debut while youngster Callum Osmand is also waiting in the wings.

A striker could still be on the club’s list and Idah knows that if he’s not all guns blazing straightaway, patience will wear thin.