It’s fair to say many Celtic fans have still not quite forgiven Brendan Rodgers for packing up and leaving Glasgow a few years ago for the East Midlands, but he’s back, and there’s every chance he’ll bring success once again, following a treble under Ange last season.
While the Northern Irishman can’t pick up where he left off with another treble, defeat to Kilmarnock has prevented that, there are still a number of options when it comes to silverware.
They’re the team to beat in Scotland, and have a strong squad, but what are the bookies saying for Celtic now we’re well into the season?
The Scottish Premiership
Celtic are already carrying the strongest hand in the Scottish top flight, sitting seven points clear after just eight games. It’s more of a case of when Celtic will win the title rather than if. They’re holding all the cards, and if you were playing a poker or blackjack game on the likes of casino777.nl, the casino would already be paying out.
Naturally, the bookies have stacked the odds favourably in Celtic’s direction. They’re 2/9 already with most bookies, while Rangers, who sit in second, are priced at 11/4.
Of course, there’s a long way to go but continue that sort of form, Rodgers’ men will continue to pull away from the pack and have it all wrapped up pretty quickly.
The Scottish FA Cup
Where it gets a little more interesting is in the cup competitions. Of course, Celtic are favourites for the FA Cup at 7/4, anything can happen in such trophies, as Kilmarnock showed earlier this season.
Rangers are priced at 5/2, with Hearts (12/1) and Aberdeen (14/1) the biggest contenders, but it’ll all depend on that draw when it comes to the Fourth Round stage.
The Celts are the most successful team in the competition’s history, but have lifted it just once in the last three years. Brendan Rodgers will want to get a stranglehold on it once again.
European Competition
There is of course little pressure in European competition, certainly not when it comes to the Champions League. It’s not been a great start for the side in it, losing their opening two against Feyenoord and Lazio.
It’s a difficult group and former player Scott McDonald has even said the Hoops don’t have that 12th man anymore as belief that they could succeed in Europe wanes. That said, if they can pick up results against Feyenoord at home and secure a point or two elsewhere, third place is a possibility and a move into the Europa League.
Again, while Celtic would well and truly be underdogs, there’s always a shock or two in the competition and it could reignite European nights at Celtic Park.
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