Celtic struggled at times last season. The sparkle that came with Brendan Rodgers’ first season at the club disappeared over time, illustrated by the way the Hoops lost their 69-game unbeaten record with a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Hearts, and yet they still managed to clinch a second successive Treble, finishing nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The goalposts have been shifted at the top of the Scottish game, with Rodgers taking Celtic to a completely new level. However, the dynasty the Northern Irishman has built over the past two years is starting to crumble. This summer has been a difficult one for the Hoops, accentuated by the resurgence being enjoyed by Rangers under new manager Steven Gerrard.
That’s why this weekend’s Old Firm derby, the first of the season, is such a compelling proposition. Celtic have regressed over the summer, but to what extent? Rangers have undoubtedly improved, but how close has that improvement taken them to their great rivals? A lot will become clearer after Sunday’s clash at Celtic Park.
But before that there’s the close of the transfer window in Scotland, with both Celtic and Rangers looking to make additions. Celtic’s desire for a new centre back has been well-documented. They have made at least one bid for Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna, while Dedryck Boyata’s future is still to be sorted out. Rangers also want to bring in an attacking midfielder, a winger and a centre back.
Whether or not the two teams succeed in securing their targets could decide a lot at the top of this season’s Scottish Premiership. Then there’s the Europa League qualifiers to take into account too. Celtic and Rangers are in a good position to make the group stage of the competition, but still have some work to do if they are to make if official.
Europa League qualification for both sides would see two Scottish clubs in the group stages of continental competition for the first time since 2010/11 and after Celtic’s Champions League elimination, this would put Rangers on an equal footing with the Hoops. That would be extremely significant.
The Old Firm derby usually dominates the agenda of any given week in Scottish football, but this week will be slightly different. Sunday’s match will still provide the starkest illustration of where Celtic and Rangers are early on this season, but there are other storylines to keep an eye on before we get there. Whatever happens, this week will tell us a lot about how this season in Scotland will play out.
