The Celtic Star
·14 de janeiro de 2025
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·14 de janeiro de 2025
Brendan Rodgers arrives in Dingwall. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Despite being 15 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership and with the Premier Sports League Cup already won in dramatic fashion against theRangers just before Christmas, there’s plenty more that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers wants to achieve during his second spell at Celtic Park.
Domestically Celtic are well on course to retain the title for a fourth consecutive season, that will make it 13 title wins in 14 seasons for the Hoops. The only failed campaign was during the COVID season when crucially no supporters were allowed to attend matches and Celtic suffered badly as a result.
Celtic’s 2024 trophy haul. Photo Celtic FC
The Scottish Cup already sits in the trophy cabinet in the Boardroom at Celtic Park and Brendan Rodgers will be determined to retain that and complete yet another treble for the club. AskGamblers certainly reckon that the Irishman is a near-on certainly to retain the title and a strong favourite to make it a treble by winning the Scottish Cup yet again. If you head over there you can actually place your Celtic predictions using some of their recommended free bet offers, allowing you to bet risk-free.
The defence of the famous old trophy starts this weekend against Derek McInnes’ Kilmarnock side at Celtic Park.
But most importantly for the former Liverpool and Leicester City manager is to achieve a degree of success in European football. At the start of the season Rodgers was open in revealing that for him that meant getting through the new-style group stage of the Champions League and that can be achieved a week on Wednesday when Young Boys are the visitors to the East End of Glasgow.
Joel Monteiro of BSC Young Boys reacts after Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between at Stadion Wankdorf on November 26, 2024 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
The Swiss Champions have endured a torrid time in the competition so far with six straight defeats and they have nothing but pride to play for. Celtic know that a win guarantees a place in the play-off round and with a glamorous tie that Celtic will approach with confidence and swagger.
Even if Celtic slip up against Young Boys there’s a safety net of trip to Birmingham to take on Aston Villa a week later as the group stages reaches its conclusion for both sides. Neither will want to need anything in that match which should prove to be an entertaining Battle of Britain.
Celtic has two matches ahead of playing Young Boys in the Champions League on Wednesday 22 January. Rodgers takes his side to Dens Park on tonight (14 January) in the Scottish Premiership, then it’s Kilmarnock in the cup early evening on Saturday 18 January. For both these matches Rodgers will be mindful of having his strongest side available and as fresh as possible for this crucial Champions League match.
On Saturday at Dingwall both Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda, Celtic two most potent weapons this season, were absent through knocks and while nothing serious with Brendan Rodgers initially saying both should be ready for the trip to Dundee, then yesterday revealing that Kuhn is available but Daizen is still missing. However neither should be risked, either against Dundee or Kilmarnock.
In midfield Brendan Rodgers is rotating three from five so the two who will be on the bench against Young Boys should start both the next two matches, those two are likely Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo.
Jonhny Kenny. Ross County v Celtic in Dingwall. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
In defence Anthony Ralston and Alex Valle (who also started in Dingwall) should be played ahead of he Champions League match and young Johnny Kenny, who impressed making his Celtic debut at Dingwall on Saturday, should be given plenty of minutes against Dundee and Kilmarnock.
All that is not without risks but the rested players will be on the bench if the situation arises that they are needed. This plan will allow Brendan to have his best available side on the pitch agains Young Boys and with as many as possible being well rested in what is an incredibly busy month for Celtic.
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