If age doesn’t always bring wisdom, it certainly offers perspective, especially when it comes to the long-standing rivalry between Celtic and Rangers.
Having followed this intense contest for over 54 years, I can confidently say we are witnessing an unprecedented shift – not necessarily in terms of the football on the pitch, but in the financial and corporate standing of the two clubs.
Celtic, this summer, broke their transfer record to sign Arne Engels from Augsburg, while still managing to turn a profit during the window.
In stark contrast, Rangers’ manager, Philippe Clement, has publicly stated that his side must sell players before they can buy. This statement lays bare the growing chasm between the two clubs.
Celtic’s financial position is nothing short of enviable. Their cash reserves are staggering, and they continue to enjoy the reassuring presence of Dermot Desmond, their principal shareholder and effective owner, in the background.
Desmond’s desire for Celtic to remain ahead of Rangers is a given, and his financial backing ensures that ambition remains feasible.
On the managerial front, Brendan Rodgers returned to Celtic last season amidst some discontent.
There were murmurs of dissent, but he has quickly re-established himself as the iconic figure he was during his first stint at the club when he led Celtic to an Invincible Treble. There’s a growing sense that history might repeat itself this season.
A moment during last Sunday’s Old Firm clash at Celtic Park exemplified this belief. When Callum McGregor scored Celtic’s third goal, Paulo Bernardo – who had been substituted – sprang from the dugout, sprinting along the touchline to embrace his captain in celebration. It was a small but telling gesture, revealing the depth of team spirit within the squad.
This camaraderie will no doubt give Rodgers confidence that, at least domestically, anything is possible. The fact that Bernardo had been replaced by Engels, who is likely to challenge him for a starting spot in the future, speaks volumes.
Yet, there seems to be an understanding within the squad that rotation is not a sign of rejection but rather a reflection of Celtic’s strength in depth.
Conventional wisdom suggests that managing such talent, especially when it comes to keeping egos in check, is one of the biggest challenges for a manager.
However, Rodgers appears to be navigating this with aplomb. His handling of the latter stages of the transfer window and the smooth integration of new signings are further proof of his astute leadership.
If Rodgers can maintain this delicate balance between squad rotation and player satisfaction, while continuing Celtic’s flawless start to the league season, there’s every possibility that his second spell at the club could end with a similar triumph to his first.