Celtic haven’t had it all their own way this season under Brendan Rodgers, who has had to navigate some difficult challenges at Parkhead.
For one, our bad luck with injuries has been a mitigating factor in our ability to maintain a consistent level of performance.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda, and Maik Nawrocki have all large missed chunks of the campaign; meanwhile, club captain Callum McGregor has only recently returned from his own issues.
Furthermore, Celtic have dropped points on nine occasions this term in a campaign that has been a rollercoaster experience from a fan perspective.
Nevertheless, we still lead the Scottish Premiership table, and signs of positivity are emanating through at Parkhead in the lead-up to our post-split fixtures.
Undoubtedly, Rodgers’ capacity to stay level-headed in the face of challenging periods has played its part alongside the Irishman’s motivational powers ahead of crunch fixtures, which have helped to yield seven points from a possible nine in the three Glasgow Derby matches Celtic have played.
In truth, it is hard to know how the rest of the season will transpire; regardless, Rodgers deserves credit for turning a perilous situation from late January to February around, where we drew unconvincingly against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock alongside limping past Ross County, Hibernian and Motherwell.
Charlie Mulgrew on Celtic dressing room and Brendan Rodgers
Managers never usually take the plaudits for an upturn in performances, leaving it to fans and pundits alike to dish out praise when it is merited.
Speaking ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen this weekend, Charlie Mulgrew, who turned out for both clubs during his career, has credited Rodgers’ ‘great managerial qualities’ and ability to make the doubters eat their words by fuelling his side to collect important results.
The former Scotland international explained [Cited via BBC Sport]: “Rodgers has shown some great management qualities in terms of having the boys up for the Old Firm games. When they’ve been doubted, he seems to have the lads responding
“You can clearly see the lads are onside with him. When the manager or the team are maybe going through a tough spell and people are starting to question them they seem to respond every time.
“Celtic are looking strong at the right time and the credit has to go to the manager in how he gets his players to respond to tough times and when questions are asked.”
Put bluntly, every Celtic clash between now and the end of the season has enormous pressure attached, not least our tie against the Dons this weekend at the national stadium.
Fortunately, Rodgers has never lost in the competition, which can hopefully be a good omen as we approach Saturday’s action.
With a place in the final against Heart of Midlothian or Rangers at stake, let’s pray he can use every ounce of his tactical wisdom to lead the Bhoys to a seismic victory.
