Brendan Rodgers takes Celtic to Germany tomorrow with the comfort of a nine point domestic lead- with a game in hand over the floundering pack.
Hopes aren’t high for the match in Monchengladbach but compared to the mood around the club 12 months ago as they prepared to welcome Molde things could hardly be brighter.
On the pitch the team is flying, off it the fans have bought into the new manager in a way not seen since Martin O’Neill was warning anyone that would listen that Rangers (IL) were the benchmark.
After the soulless regime of Ronny Deila the Celtic support wanted a manager that they could identify with- in Rodgers they got a manager that knows exactly how to communicate with the fans.
There has barely been a moment of hesitation since he was introduced to 15,000 fans on a sunny Monday afternoon- instantly the support had someone in charge of their club that understood it’s unique identity.
Since then the goals, performances and words have flowed easily with the club recovering most of the ground lost over the last decade with attendance figures beginning with a 5 once again.
CLICK HERE to relive some of Brendan’s most memorable quotes.
The announcement
On the day that his appointment was announced Rodgers said: “The Club has been in magnificent shape in recent years and has collected silverware regularly during this time.
“My objective now, of course, is to continue this work, to keep us at the top and again make our mark in Europe.
“I know what a magnificent support Celtic enjoys and I can promise our fans one thing – that I will be doing everything I can to give you a team that you can be proud of and a team that delivers.
“I can’t wait to be in Paradise with our team and our fans as we all get to work.”
The welcome committee
After being welcomed by 15,000 fans inside Celtic Park he said: “”For a team I have supported all my life, to be sat here as manager is a very humbling experience and I’m very privileged to be here.
“I’ve been brought up with Celtic all my life. My uncles, cousins and brother are big supporters and still come to the games.
“I’m fairly stepped in Celtic tradition and proud to be named as manager.
“It has been very emotional. I had brothers and uncles crying, as for them was something they hoped they could see.”
Hearts 1- 2 Celtic
After winning at Tynecastle on the opening day of the season, despite an honest mistake he said: “It was a dubious penalty, that was clear. In fairness to the referee, he said he made a mistake. At least he was big enough to admit that.
“We had to show mentality and character in the second half. We were super offensive in the last 20 minutes and eventually got the breakthrough.
On new signing Scott Sinclair he said: “He showed typical hunger and desire to score the goal, with the speed he has shown to get into the box.
“It was wonderful play from Leigh Griffiths and Scott showed a great touch and composure to score.
Derby delights
After a 5-1 hammering of Sevco that delighted the home support Rodgers knew the tone to take, a mix of delight but also an attempt to keep feet on the ground.
“It was everything I expected and more,” he said. “It was a beautiful day and the supporters were incredible and they lifted the team.
“When I came in here early, I said they have to understand the model in terms of how we want to work and play, and you can see them starting to get a feel for what we are doing.
“Every supporter loves a team that works tirelessly and hard and that’s what this team did, and they got their rewards as they have quality. It was a really special occasion and it’s always nice when you are on the winning side.”
The thriller
A 7-0 defeat in Barcelona brought everyone back to earth before an incredible 3-3 draw at home to Manchester City restored the appetite for big European nights.
After that match Rodgers said: ““It was an incredible advert for Glasgow Celtic. That was a Glasgow Celtic night – a team playing aggressive, attacking football and a noise in the stadium that was remarkable.
“The number of messages afterwards I got from people at the game and watching it on TV. It’s the whole stadium in tune with the team. The team create that. People will go into work full of pride in seeing that.
“Other teams know Celtic Park on a Champions League night is a special place to be and we saw it on Wednesday night.”
Hampden hoodoo bursters
After a domineering but narrow 1-0 win over Sevco in the Betfred Cup semi-final Rodgers said: “’Was there a bit of relief when the goal went in? Yeah because I thought we were very dominant in terms of chances, the power and strength in our performance and the quality of our game.
“Sometimes you never know if the chances don’t go in and you don’t get that bit of luck which is deserving of it, you are open to a counter-attack but I thought how we went about the game, defensively and tactically first and foremost, the players were brilliant.”