The sentiment surrounding Celtic’s current season under Brendan Rodgers, in comparison to the previous exhilarating tenure of Ange Postecoglou, is palpable among the Celtic fans.
Postecoglou’s era was marked by a high-octane, attacking style of play that led the Bhoys to a treble, creating an atmosphere of excitement and unpredictability at Celtic Park. In contrast, Rodgers’ return has been described as a clinical appointment, bringing a different approach that has struggled to ignite the same level of enthusiasm among supporters.
This season, Celtic has shown moments of brilliance, notably with two significant derby wins against Rangers, bringing moments of ecstasy to the supporters. However, these highlights contrast with several matches that have failed to captivate, described by fans as dull and at times, a chore to watch, even.
Despite leading the league and having moments of dominance, including a resounding 6-0 victory over Aberdeen, the overall sentiment suggests a yearning for the passion and vibrancy that characterised Postecoglou’s tenure.
This precarious position at the league’s summit, contrasted with the earlier dominance, paints a picture of a Celtic team that has encountered challenges in maintaining its early-season form. The slim margin at the top illustrates not only the competitive nature of the league but also highlights the critical points dropped by Celtic in matches where they were expected to excel. The scenario of potentially losing the top spot before their next game adds pressure on Celtic and underscores the importance of every match in a tightly contested race.
Rodgers’ strategic approach, focused more on control and efficiency, has indeed secured results. However, it’s the manner of these performances that has left some supporters longing for more and seeing the writing on the wall. The team has experienced too many games where the excitement and attacking flair were less evident, such as a goalless draw against St. Johnstone and a surprising loss to Kilmarnock, highlighting inconsistencies in delivering performances and results.
The emotional connection between Celtic fans and the style of play under Postecoglou was significant, rooted in a shared identity of bold, adventurous football. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if Rodgers can adapt and inject more of this spirit into the team’s play, balancing his strategic approach with the passionate, high-energy football that the Celtic Park faithful have come to love and expect.
While Rodgers’ Celtic has shown efficiency and moments of quality, the adjustment from Postecoglou’s exhilarating tenure to a more measured approach has been a challenging transition for fans and the players. The hope among the Celtic Park support will be for the team to blend Rodgers’ tactical acumen with the flair and intensity that has defined some of the club’s most cherished periods.
This season is in jeopardy of going off the rails, but it also can be salvaged.
