Johan Mjällby, the former Celtic stalwart, is confident that Brendan Rodgers has constructed a squad capable of not only dominating the domestic league but also making a serious mark in the Champions League.
The Swede, who has been closely monitoring his old club, has been thoroughly impressed by Celtic’s scintillating start to the season and their resounding victory in the recent Old Firm derby.
Mjällby has also noted the astute business done in the transfer window, even if some deals were left until the final hours. The late departure of Matt O’Riley, in a transfer worth up to £30 million, could have posed a significant challenge for the Hoops.
However, Rodgers swiftly moved to secure the services of £11 million Belgian international Arne Engels, along with new recruits Austin Trusty, Alex Valle, and Luke McCowan.
Mjällby believes these signings have provided Rodgers with a squad equipped to stroll to the Scottish Premiership title and potentially make an impact on the European stage.
Celtic have been handed a challenging but exciting set of fixtures in the Champions League, with home ties against Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, and Young Boys, along with away trips to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Aston Villa, and Dinamo Zagreb. Mjällby is optimistic about the team’s prospects in these fixtures.
Speaking on the Premier Sport Social Club, the big Swede said, “Celtic will go from strength to strength. Last season we could fault them a wee bit, as they were not playing the best football until the last two or three months of the season. But from day one in pre-season, they have been absolutely brilliant.
“It was a big loss losing Matt O’Riley, but they made £26m and have signed some really good players that can do well domestically and in the Champions League. They have a good chance in the four home games. It’s a very settled squad now. I was impressed with the work they did in the window.
“It’s always hard. People want them to splash the O’Riley cash, but it’s not that easy, as that is the £10m bracket, where there’s no guarantee they are going to be a hit. I do think Arne Engels is going to be a success and it’s a bonus because it brings a lot of competition for places with Bernardo.
“He had one of his best games for Celtic on Sunday. There is also competition in defence as well as attack, there are so many options for Rodgers. He will be quite relaxed right now. He has a team that’s brimming with confidence and will have a good chance to do well in Europe as well.”
Mjällby is particularly interested in seeing how Rodgers configures his backline in Europe, with USA international Austin Trusty arriving at a time when Liam Scales is hitting top form.
“Cameron Carter-Vickers is a stalwart and a leader. He was superb on Sunday, albeit he wasn’t given much trouble,” Mjällby noted.
“Liam Scales can be in and out sometimes, and I’m not always sure about him at the highest level, like the Champions League. He was very good on Sunday, though, and he feels he needs to play well with Trusty coming in. Even if Trusty is not the most known name, he played 34 Premier League games last season, so he can’t be a bad player.”
As Celtic assert their dominance in Scotland, Mjällby is setting his sights on Europe, convinced that the champions are too strong for the domestic competition.
The recent Old Firm victory left Rangers reeling, and Mjällby believes the gap between the Glasgow rivals is now a chasm. He even suggests that Rangers might need to watch out for a resurgent Aberdeen.
“There was nothing that rattled Celtic (on Sunday). They were stronger, fitter, sharper in all departments (shot to Graeme Souness who claims Celtic weren’t too impressive). We all know that goals always change games, and by getting the first goal, it was all over for me.
“The way they attacked was brilliant. They were great goals and they just looked so sharp going forward. I loved the way it wasn’t all about possession. The first thought in the players’ heads is trying to look forward.
“They played in behind the Rangers team, had the trademark third man running and played in the channels – it worked a treat. They were so superior on the day.
“Why are Rangers focused on Celtic? They are so far ahead. Rangers need to focus on getting a balanced team because they have other teams breathing down their necks.”