PHASE II of Brendan’s quiet revolution

There was a strong hint towards the not so distant future in the Celtic side that beat Hearts in midweek.

After four transfer windows Brendan Rodgers has slowly turned over much of the squad with his own men likely to emerge more prominently over the remainder of this year.

Fitness and technique and key along-with youth.

For a lot of last season Rodgers was working with the squad that he inherited from Ronny Deila with the addition of Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele.

In terms of personnel the Rodgers Revolution has been a slow burner but against Hearts there was certainly a new look about the side and even a switch from the favoured 4-2-3-1 formation.

The Celtic boss is sensitive about formations and rails against lazy assumptions that he sticks to one set up. Within that framework there are many options, the more flexible that the players are the greater variation there can be on the park.

After the horrors of Rugby Park there won’t be many more plastic pitches in the remainder of the season, hopefully the injury list will start to clear allowing the team to evolve and develop.

Whether it will be good enough to see off Zenit St Petersburg is up for debate but by the time the European qualifiers come around Phase II will be well underway with the team built all around players who are pacey, flexible and adaptable.

DORUS DE VRIES

At the moment the Dutchman is the first pick with Rodgers a firm believer in the sweeper/keeper.

After 16 months without first team football the former Forest keeper is still rusty but by the time February is over we’ll know much more about the Dutchman.

Against Hearts he looked very comfortable with the ball at his feet, with a new central defensive partnership some of the scares that dogged the first half of the season can hopefully be avoided.

KRIS AJER

Is showing all the versatility that Rodgers requires, looking comfortable at right-back, centre half or anywhere across a back three. Not bad for a converted midfielder.

Since the defeat away to Hearts Ajer has been given his chance and often been the best defender on the park.

Hopefully his ankle injury is a short term issue allowing him to pick up on the sparkling form that has made him a first pick.

DEDRYCK BOYATA

Seemed distraught at Kilmarnock with his injury but early fears that it could be a serious knee problem have been allayed with news that it is a groin injury.

Rodgers has complete faith in the Belgian who enjoyed a great return to favour during 2017.

With his contract running until June 2019 the coming months will be interesting, if there is no contract agreement he’s unlikely to be involved in next season’s qualifiers.

MARVIN COMPPER

So much is expected of the German, hopefully we’ll soon be able to make some judgements on the former RB Leipzig man.

He commented about how impressed he was by Rodgers’ in-depth knowledge of his game.

The Celtic boss got tired of having to chop and change his defence earlier this season, Compper is expected to be the glue that brings together all the different elements of the defence.

KIERAN TIERNEY

For manager and player Rodgers and Tierney are the perfect match.

Over the 20 months together the two men have developed a great understanding and respect with the kid from the Academy the most significant part of the team after Scott Brown.

KT can operate comfortably in central defence or left midfield but has most scope when he is in his preferred position of left-back.

EBOUE KOUASSI

If it hadn’t been for injuries elsewhere he would have gone out on loan during January but has used the misfortune of others to his benefit.

There are plenty of rough edges to work on but at the age of 19 there is a very powerful and intelligent player to develop.

Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham look hard to displace but with a talent like Kouassi available Rodgers is ready to adapt his midfield.

SCOTT BROWN

The man for all season with the emphasis on all. No one plays more games, covers more ground or is more influential.

Now at the age of 32 there are absolutely no signs of his slowing up or taking it easier.

There has been an incredible turnover of players since he moved to Celtic from Hibs but it’s doubtful if he has ever been more important than he is at present both in terms of playing and leading.

OLIVIER NTCHAM

There will still be the odd off game but month by month it is becoming clearer why Celtic paid over £4m for the midfielder.

He has all the power that his manager requires but also a keen awareness of the game and an eye for goal.

His settling in period is over, the remainder of the year should see significant development as he presses on becoming more and more pivotal.

CHARLY MUSONDA

After all the excitement of his signing it’s time to knuckle down and build on the hype.

Partick Thistle on Saturday should be the perfect platform for the young Belgian to make his mark before the standard is lifted with the visit of Zenit St Petersburg.

He has all the skill to play in any attacking role, like Patrick Roberts the task will be deciding which position he’ll be most effective in.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

Is becoming something of an enigma but needs to rediscover top gear soon if he is to achieve his career goals.

His performance at Kilmarnock was a big disappointment but it was this time last season that he really caught fire in front of goal starting with a hat-trick at St Johnstone.

In some ways he has to regain the backing of the fans, his displays will earn that with the supporters desperate to see a return to last season’s displays.

SCOTT SINCLAIR

It is very difficult to make judgement on Scotty this season, he is getting more ‘treatment’ from defenders and also appears short of 100% fitness.

With the introduction of Musonda hopefully Sinclair will find a bit more space and another team-mate on his wavelength.

He remains an essential and devastating part of the side, an essential element that can be a match-winner on the biggest occasions.