Sport nationBrendan Rodgers Highlights Key Strength of Current Celtic Squad Over Invincibles
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has declared that his current squad possesses a key strength that even his legendary Invincibles side of 2016 lacked: raw speed. As the Hoops prepare for their return to domestic action following the international break, Rodgers has praised his team’s blistering pace while emphasizing the unique qualities of this generation of players.
The reigning Scottish champions will resume their campaign at Tynecastle on Saturday night, facing a resurgent Hearts side under Neil Critchley. With Celtic unbeaten in the league, advancing to the Premier Sports Cup Final against Rangers, and pushing for a spot in the Champions League knockout stages, comparisons to Rodgers’ undefeated domestic Treble-winning team of 2016 have been inevitable.
When asked to weigh his current squad against the celebrated Invincibles, Rodgers acknowledged the difficulty of picking a favorite but confidently highlighted one key advantage of his current team.
“This team will be faster,” Rodgers said. “I would say there’s more speed in this team. The team I had first time around were very good in their possession, very good in terms of scoring goals, and they were a very strong group mentality. This is a different group, a different generation. It’s nearly a decade since 2016, and football changes.”
A Legacy to Build On
Rodgers’ Invincibles made history by going undefeated in domestic competitions throughout the 2016–17 season. That team achieved an extraordinary Treble, winning the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and Scottish League Cup without a single loss in 47 matches.
Reflecting on that side’s achievements, Rodgers paid tribute to their quality and determination:
“That team I had were super successful, and that first season was history-making in terms of what the players did. It’s about this team creating their own history.”
The current Celtic squad faces the challenge of living up to those lofty standards, but Rodgers is optimistic about their potential. He emphasized that while the two teams are different in many ways, his current side has shown significant progress in blending pace, tactical discipline, and a hunger for success.
Progress Under Rodgers’ Return
Rodgers’ second stint at Parkhead has seen steady growth as the team adapts to his methods and expectations. Speaking to Celtic TV, the manager described how his vision for the team has taken shape since his return in the summer of 2023:
“It is much more like what I would expect. I think when I came in last summer, it was probably the first time I’d come into a club where they’d had that success as such. I was coming into a team that had won a Treble, and my idea was to observe that team and see how they worked.”
Rodgers explained that he took a cautious approach at first, choosing to evaluate the squad before implementing his own ideas. By the second half of last season, he felt the team had found its rhythm, and this year’s pre-season provided the foundation to establish the “key principles” that now define the team’s style of play.
“Come the pre-season, it allowed me to establish those key principles and ideas we see in the team now. Along with hard work, it hopefully allows you to get that consistency,” he added.
Tynecastle Test Ahead
The Hoops’ first post-international break challenge comes in the form of Hearts, who have shown signs of improvement under new manager Neil Critchley. Despite their struggles earlier in the season, Hearts are never an easy opponent at Tynecastle, and Rodgers is prepared for a competitive encounter.
“It’s always been a tough game there. I think my last evening game there was actually with Liverpool in the Europa League. Every other game has been an early kick-off,” Rodgers noted. “I look forward to us getting together again. It’s a great game to get started.”
He acknowledged the fragmented nature of preparations following the international break but expressed confidence in his squad’s readiness:
“It’s always a wee bit fragmented over the international period, but thus far, they are all back healthy, and we hope that stays the case. Because we have such a long run from now until March, with no winter break, I gave the players and staff the chance to reset and come out of the intensity of the battle.”
Rodgers believes that squad rotation will be crucial in the weeks ahead, given the packed schedule of domestic and European fixtures:
“We are going to get the chance to see a lot of the players play because we’ll need that to keep the energy and freshness in the team. I’m really comfortable with the squad we have, and that togetherness of mindset that we have cultivated is really strong.”
The Speed Factor
The defining characteristic of Rodgers’ current squad, in his view, is their exceptional pace. Players like Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Luis Palma have provided Celtic with a cutting edge that Rodgers believes could overwhelm even the most well-organized defenses.
“This team will be faster,” Rodgers reiterated. “The speed in this team can hurt opponents in ways that are different from what we’ve seen before.”
Rodgers’ emphasis on speed aligns with modern football’s demands for dynamic, high-intensity play. His team’s ability to combine speed with technical skill has been evident in their performances both domestically and in Europe this season. With key players returning from international duty, Rodgers will be counting on their pace and energy to maintain Celtic’s momentum as they push toward their goals for the season.
The Road Ahead
Celtic’s ambitions for the 2023–24 campaign remain sky-high. Domestically, they are targeting another league title and are just one win away from securing the Premier Sports Cup. In Europe, the Hoops are on the brink of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, a feat that would further cement Rodgers’ legacy at the club.
Rodgers remains cautious but optimistic about the months ahead:
“We reconvene now for an exciting couple of months. It allows me to look forward to this next period of games, starting at Hearts.”
As Celtic gear up for their Tynecastle clash and a relentless schedule through the winter, fans will be eager to see whether this generation of players can live up to the standards set by their illustrious predecessors. For Rodgers, the comparison is less about outdoing the Invincibles and more about carving out a legacy of their own.
Conclusion: A New Era of Brilliance?
Brendan Rodgers has laid the foundation for what could be another historic chapter in Celtic’s story. While comparisons with the Invincibles are inevitable, the manager is keen to focus on the unique qualities of his current squad. With their speed, consistency, and strong team ethos, Celtic look well-equipped to challenge on multiple fronts.
As Rodgers put it:
“This is about this team creating their own history. I’m so pleased with how it’s gone, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
For now, Celtic fans can look forward to a thrilling campaign, starting with a stern test at Tynecastle, as the Hoops continue their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
Sport nation
Sport Nation 2