BRENDAN RODGERS has seen Celtic sizzle their way through the first four league fixtures of the new season to maintain pole position in the Premiership.
The champions have got off to an electrifying start with successive victories, scoring 12 goals without conceding.
The Hoops will also face Championship side Falkirk in the Premier Sport League Cup quarter-final at Parkhead a fortnight tomorrow after dismissing Hibs 3-1, still the only occasion Kasper Schmeichel has been invited to fish the ball out of his net.
Rodgers may have seen Matt O’Riley leave from Brighton for a near £30million fee, but the manager has also seen the club break their own all-time high transfer outlay TWICE in just over a fortnight with the £9.5million arrival of striker Adam Idah followed by the £11million deadline-day purchase of midfielder Arne Engels.
WELCOME BACK…Brendan Rodgers acknowledges £9.5million recruit Adam Idah as he comes off after an hour in Celtic’s 3-0 league win over St Mirren in Paisley last month.
As well as Danish goalkeeping legend Schmeichel joining the Hoops on a free after leaving Anderlecht, £6million was spent on central defender Auston Trusty, £3.5million on Paulo Bernardo and £1million each on netminder Vilijama Sinisalo and midfielder Luke McCowan.
On top of that, the champions also welcomed Barcelona left-back Alex Valle on a season-long loan.
Everything looks to be clicking into place as the team clicks through the gears, but Rodgers has revealed he is still NOT satisfied.
The Irishman has admitted he wants his players to be more RUTHLESS as the campaign unfolds.
Rodgers said: “From an attacking perspective, we’re playing now how I’d want us to be.
“When I first came in I said to the players that this team identity over the course of three years will develop into a team with power, speed, creativity and unpredictability. And that’s what I am starting to see now.
GREEN VISION…£11million Arne Engels is smiles better after hhis deadline-day arrival.
“That vision was here from the first day I walked in. However, players need to get accustomed to how you work, feel comfortable and have clarity with the messages.
“You then have to have talented players available to execute it.
“But I think over the course of the second part of last season, through pre-season until now, we are seeing a real clarity in how we work, a real unified team and squad of players and the end result in your performance level on the pitch.
“But, of course, my job is to drive for even more and that’s what we’ll continue to do, but it’s also what this group is like.
“There are still players with a lot to learn and develop and each day they are showing they can do that.
“And there are still elements we can be better in. I’d still like us to be more ruthless, if I’m honest.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “I think having had that period of time now working with the team in just over a year, there is probably a greater trust between both, really.
HOW’S THAT FOR STARTERS…Brendan Rodgers with £1million new Bhoy Luke McCowan after the midfielder’s debut in the 3-0 derby triumph at Parkhead on Sunday.
“Just in relation to we have formed those relationships and we understand where we are all at.
“The guys understand how I manage and coach and how I develop. They have a comfort with that, but also know the demands and expectations that we put on players and those of the club.
“So, it’s night and day in terms of where we’re at from a feeling perspective.”
The Parkhead gaffer added: “There’s always been a great joy working with this group. I’ve loved coming in and seeing their attitude, the mentality and spirit that they have.
“But I think over the course of the last year, we have been able to cultivate that even more and rehearse more situations, which puts us in a really, really good place.
“Now we have to integrate the new players into that and allow them to build these relationships, also.”
Celtic’s next challenge is against winless Hearts at Parkhead a week today and the Champions League kicks off with the visit of Slovan Bratislava four nights later.
