DESPITE OFF-FIELD ISSUES, A SUPER SEASON FOR CELTIC LIES AHEAD
- BY LIAM CARRIGAN
- Aug 2
- 4 min read
Ok, it’s time for the dreaded “fearless predictions” blog as we sit just 24 hours away from Celtic’s first game of the season.
So, how will we do? Which players (of those signed so far) will be the standouts? And what other whacky shenanigans does Scottish football have in store for us this season.
Celtic will Retain the Title, But We Won’t Do the Treble
Yes, the first prediction, is the easiest to make, and also the least bold. Celtic will retain the title. I expect it will be a closer contest this season, and not just from Rangers. Hearts, Hibs, Aberdeen are all well positioned to do some damage this season.
I predict we will win the league by between 5 and 10 points. But I think we will lose at least 4 games in the process. However, the clubs mentioned above will, I think, all take points off each other as well. So, Celtic will still come out on top, but it’ll be an up and down campaign.
Who Will be the Surprise Package of the Season?
It’s maybe not much of a surprise at this point, because anyone who has been following Scottish football for a while will see the rationale behind what I’m about to say.
St. Mirren will surprise us by finishing in the top 6. They may not have the money, or the squad depth, but as last season’s final game showed, they have character, resolve and, when the need arises, can actually play a bit of football too. I expect another strong showing from them this season.
Who will be the First Managerial Casualty?
Assuming Brendan Rodgers doesn’t walk out in the next week or two, after offering Micheal Nicholson a square go, I think this is also quite an easy call.
It gives me no pleasure to say this, as by all accounts he seems like a good guy, and he always gave his all when he played for Celtic, but Steven Pressley at Dundee seems like a shoe-in for this particular bet.
I don’t think I’ve seen someone look as out of sorts and unsure of themselves so early into their managerial posting as Steven Pressley has this summer. He’ll already be under immense pressure trying to fill the shoes of a man the fans never wanted replaced to begin with. Early results haven’t inspired confidence and I expect Dundee to struggle this season.
He’ll be gone by November, and Dundee will struggle to stay up this season.
Who will be Relegated?
I really liked the attacking spirit and “have a go” attitude of Falkirk when we played them in the League Cup last season. Many are tipping them to go straight back down, but I believe they have the character and the togetherness within their squad to beat the drop. Livingston on the other hand, are a club with few fans, little money, and a pitch that most other teams wish wasn’t in the top flight.
I think they’ll get their wish and Livi will be playing Championship football again in a year’s time.
How will Celtic Do in Europe?
I think ultimately Celtic should have enough to get into the Champions League group stages, and if we do, I expect a similar showing to last season. We’ll finish somewhere in the top 24, and probably go out at the play-off stage unless we get a very favorable draw.
I’m basing that on the players we have now though. Who knows which players will come and go in the next month or so?
We will get a tougher draw than we did last season, but I still we’ll win a few of the home games and maybe snatch a point here and there away from home. Ultimately, we’ll do enough to get through.
Are The Rangers Coming?
No. They’re not. They’ll be better than last season, and I think they may win a cup, hence why I’m not predicting a Celtic treble. However, ultimately, we’re shopping in a different market to them when it comes to recruitment. Even with our skinflint board, I still think we’ll get enough quality in before the transfer window closes to retain the Championship.
Who will Be Celtic’s top Goalscorer?
Again, this largely depends on whether or not Celtic do eventually bring in a specified first choice striker. Daizen Maeda is the obvious call, but until Jota is back, I see him spending a lot more time playing out wide.
He’ll still be good for 15 to 20 goals, but I’m going for our other Japanese Bhoy, Shin Yamada, to surprise us all, and enjoy a breakout season similar to that of Kyogo back in 2021/22. Adam Idah may well start tomorrow, but I think ultimately, Yamada will rise above him in the manager’s order of preference.
Who will be Our Player of the Year?
I like what I’ve seen of Benjamin Nygren so far, and I think we will fit in very well with what will hopefully be a more dynamic and forward-thinking Celtic midfield this season. I predict we’ll also hit double figures in the goal charts, and will be our player of the year.
Will Brendan Rodgers Stay Beyond the End of the Season?
Sadly no, I don’t think he will. I think the board will act on his clear annoyance at the current situation, and get some signings over the line, but it’ll be the equivalent of putting s sticking plaster over a gunshot wound.
For Rodgers to stay would require a fundamental change in Celtic’s boardroom culture, one that is far too conservative, both fiscally and, at times, politically.
That won’t happen and I think he’s off at the end of his three years. However, I would be absolutely delighted to be proven wrong.
So, that’s how I think the season will play out. So, what say you? Do you agree?
