The accepted wisdom for many of season 2016/17 is that Brendan Rodgers did what was expected when he won the Treble. It was no big deal, deserving of no fan-fare or special recognition.
Rodgers took over a well managed squad on the back of winning five successive titles, kept things going and delivered in line with expectations.
That view is contrary to the pre-season predictions of three reporters at The Sun who were far from alone. On Radio Clyde Hugh Keevins and Derek Johnstone led the cheerleading as they tipped Mark Warburton to follow up losing the Scottish Cup Final to Hibs by lifting the SPFL title.
Not only would Warbo win the title but he’d complete the Treble with star signing Joey Barton picking up on the Player of the Year awards.
Wrt Brendan Rodgers first season, Celtic were NOT clear favourites, and here’s evidence that some notable media men backed Sevco for the title.
I admit I think Sevco are stronger now than then. But idea that Rodgers had it easy is nonsense, he did exceptional job. pic.twitter.com/cELXYD5mAW
— JoeBloggsCity (@joebloggscity) June 24, 2023
Celtic went on to win the Treble but Warburton was emptied in February with Barton packing up his coffee machine and heading to Burnley on the back of a humiliating 5-1 defeat in the September Glasgow derby.
As well as Barton, Warburton strengthened his squad with Nico Kranjcar, Filip Senderos, Jordan Rossiter, Clint Hill, Matt Crooks, Josh Windass and Joey Garner.
The following summer Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Jack, Bruno Alves, Eduardo Herrera, Carlos Pena and Graham Dorrans joined the club.
Steven Gerrard was able to bring in Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent and Kyle Lafferty but was unable to put a dent in Celtic’s domination. Since Rodgers took charge of Celtic in 2016 the club has won 17 of the 21 domestic trophies in offer.
Rodgers saw off sustained spending from Ibrox to deliver seven trophies out of seven, it is unlikely that he will be having sleepless nights about the threat from Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland and Sam Lammers.
I cursed Brendan when he left but I am happy he is back. Top class manager who will carry on dominating newco
Oh dear the klan are going TONTO on FF about the BBC being told to BOLT by Celtic.
They don’t understand why this and are desperate to find out the reason for it,one of their loonie fans posted that it’s because the BBC are going to expose child abuse facts at the club,they ARSEHOLES need locked up.
And definitely not playing with a full or a sandwich short of a picnic.
The most over hyped man in scottish football history the future england manager we were told. Scotlands sevco media shame.
This revisionism is hilarious. Various Sevco sympathisers were telling me in the summer of 2016 that Brendan had been a failure at Liverpool, a flash in the pan at Swansea and the “more experienced” Warburton was going to steamroller us with his brilliant signings including the long-forgotten Joe Dodoo…. I think I enjoyed 2016/17 like few others. Only 2000/01 and 87/88 could really touch it, and it was for similar reasons – because we had totally dominated the ugly mob when all the hacks had been incessantly bigging them up as the new giants of european football on the cusp of a golden age. I can already predict how 23/24 will go, and it won’t make for pleasant viewing on planet hun.
Well, as we all know from experience over the years,
that the SMSM is exteremely good at one thing:
revisionism.
The only problem for them is that anyone can Google what they actually wrote
at the time.
Keevins, Jackson, Spiers, etc. won’t be missed.
Personally, I have found a couple of decent online sites – like VideoCelts – and a couple
of YouTube channels to get all my CFC information.
I only check the SMSM for a laugh, and the Comments. 🙂
Well, as we all know from experience over the years,
the SMSM is exteremely good at one thing:
revisionism.
The only problem for them is that anyone can Google what they actually wrote
at the time.
Keevins, Jackson, Spiers, etc. won’t be missed.
Personally, I have found a couple of decent online sites – like VideoCelts – and a couple
of YouTube channels to get all my CFC information.
I only check the SMSM for a laugh, and the Comments. 🙂