Setting aside Brendan Rodgers’ achievements at Celtic, where he won all seven domestic trophies on offer at his time here, his best season in football south of the border was 2020-21, at Leicester City. That season he won the FA Cup, the first time Leicester lifted that trophy, and finished fifth in the league. Dropping five points in their final two games of that season saw them slip from third. A late collapse against Tottenham on the final 14 minutes of the season saw them lose out on a Champions League spot.
As he watched Casper Schmeichel lift the FA Cup a week later, Brendan was at the peak of his powers. Two years after taking control at the midlands club, silverware was back in the trophy room, and they had qualified for the Europa League. Until the closing weeks of the season, only the two Manchester clubs were above them, neither of whom were in contention when Leicester’s miracle league win happened in 2016. Without Claudio Ranieri’s achievement, Brendan’s would have received even greater praise.
There was no shame in the fact that Leicester did not kick on in the following season. They slipped to an eighth place finish that year later, as Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham all moved above them. European competition seemed to tax his side, where they ended third in their Europa group, before a run to the semi-finals of the new Conference League.
The wheels came off spectacularly last season. A home draw against Brentford and win over Nottingham Forest was all they had to show after nine league games, a run which saw Arsenal hit four, Brighton five and Tottenham six against them.
New signings were made last season, the joint-most expensive of whom was the £17m capture of Aberdeen-born Australia international, Harry Souttar (24). Harry was part of the Australia side that won admirers during December’s World Cup. Brendan moved for the player a month later.
Dundee United and Ross County fans pondered what happened to their former player to cause such a dramatic improvement in form, while some of us wondered if Brendan had made a classic tournament-scouting mistake. In other news, Jack Hendry made seven league starts at Brugge last season, he was surely available for a lot less than £17.
Brendan can motivate and man manage with the very best of them. Alongside Chris Davies, who yesterday joined Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham, he was able to coach and organise. For me, his Achilles Heel is player trading. Fix that, and you have a more complete package.
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The angedulation at hampden was palpable – what was it he said ‘Don’t get attached to your heroes’? borrocks to that !
Ange who?…..mon ghuys let it go!
Scotland are playing!
i loved watching Ange teams – but the number of chances we gave opponents in the scottish league was just not right. The balance was risky – thinking Sakala sitters that could have changed the season as one of many examples. Had CCV got injured mid season we probably/possibly would not have won the league. We were all over the place without him.
Regardless of new manager – we need better defensive players – left back is priority, center back with areal threat offensive and defensive a must!
I look forward to watching spurs and expect that team to get punished for exposed defense – will be like Keegan teams 6-5 , 5-4 games.
It disnae look like Scotland are gonnae be way ahead to be able to take aff Our Captain.
These end of Season games, when the Temperatures are rhocketing are Worrying.
The only crumb of comfort, maist players at that level have been playing so many games as well.
Callum Deserves a Rest.
STEBHOY
It’s easy to say if we didn’t have this player or that player we’d be in trouble. You could say that about any team. The point is we did have these players.
If yer aunty had baws etc
I’m starting to think it’s me…
Norwegians are fouling with impunity but our guys are blown up and booked instantly.
Feels like a hun game, a wee bit.
Nowadays if your aunty had baws he’s your aunty
hahahahahahhahahahahaha , brilliant ggh
Feckin’ Haarland dives!!!
Referee really does seem to apply the rules to suit the home team here.
The Norway side getting away with murder. Zero bookings.
Scotland 4 bookings and a very soft pen conceded.
Scotland with a bunch of injuries.
Norwegian arrogance is not likable.
phew
Callum Substituted.
Ref well out of order……..Haarland must get to the finals. Marketing/money rules.
Callum Substituted……thank fek
Rhythm is a Dancer.
FT SFA
But God Bless Scotland.
You couldnae mak it UP.
Great determined goal by Dykes and another!!!!
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL. SCOTLAND!!!!!!!
6 minutes extra time – hope we hold on
MON SCOTLAND!
Superb Scotland.
A great 3 points against a good Norway side.
9 from 9 and looking good – Georgia banana skin next.
We’ll done boys 🏴
WOW WOW WOW 🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
£10 on 2-1 Scotland @ 12/1. 5 minutes to go, didn’t see that coming.
Boom
Well done Tom
https://icdn.thecelticstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/imago0044672853h-764×1024.jpg
Two ex-Celts in a tussle.
Great win for Scotland.
AURORABOREALIS79 on 17TH JUNE 2023 3:57 PM
I agree with you. The players knew. It showed in our performances.
In fact, I suggested that Ange may be for the off on this blog after the Hibs game. No-one responded. It wasn’t on most people’s radar.
Criticism of the performances Ibrox onwards, was met with a wall of ‘THESE GAMES ARE MEANINGLESS’.
Us playing at Ibrox is never meaningless. People were so caught up with the Ange Aura, that they couldn’t see what was in front of them.
So, I think that there is a bit of revisionism happening, with people saying now that they saw it coming.
As I said previously, ‘the Ange Coach of Celtic’ would never have accepted these performances. ‘The Ange about to go and coach elsewhere’ wasn’t bothered.
Time to turn the page and kick on, as they say.
Ronnie
It is Always best to complain when you are Continuously Winning.
Raging that the Berries urnae,that are PrePacked.
The Single Berries, every wan of them, Even the Blueberries are ok, the Blueberries I devour as soon as possible.
Tom McL
I would never have seen that coming. Incredible. Really great bond and spirit in that group.
Good fight back by Australia in the cricket. The game is in the balance. Awesome performance by Khwaja
That result was outrageous lol
test
I’m glad the Steve Clarke rumours were wrong for Celtic but I’ll take him for Scotland!
Right man in the right job.
Great win Scotland, great win TOM MCLAUGHLIN @on 17TH JUNE 2023 7:15 PM
Just watched Haaland ‘winning’ the penalty against Scotland. Total disgrace. Just cheating, plain and simple.
Tom M
Good win , surprised at the odds if bet was last placed in last 5 minutes of the game
Scotland to win 2-1 was 16/1 with bet 365 at start of game.