TalkCeltic - The Ultimate Celtic FC Forum

The route to Europe​

Celtic face first competitive match of the sesason in Gibraltar​

Two wins, two draws in Brendan Rodgers' first two friendly matches in charge of Celtic. The tour in Slovenia has been a worthwhile exercise, facing teams such as Maribor, who the Hoops know too well from Ronny Deila's first season in charge.

The 4 matches played so far has allowed the new manager to gauge his squad, give players game time and experiment with ideas and tactics. Erik Sviatchenko has stated that Rodgers' provided each player with a handbook, full of simple notes on how he wants his players to perform.

This attention to detail and creative thinking is refreshingly exciting. Rodgers' previous jobs and reputation saw an excellent reaction amongst the players and fans of Scotland's most successful living club. Without playing a...

Maribor vs Celtic match preview

VS

Saturday 9th July 2016
Ljudski vrt Stadium
Maribor, Slovenia
Pre-Season Friendly
K.O. 18:00


It is approaching two years now since Celtic last faced Maribor in that fateful Champions League qualifier at Parkhead. After a positive 1-1 draw away in Slovenia in the first leg, it seemed as though the Hoops were all set up to finish the job back in Glasgow and return to the Champions league proper for the third year running. As we all know however, it wasn't to be and former manager Ronny Deila was forced to face the humiliation of exiting the qualifiers for the second time in what was only a matter of weeks.

Due to the recent history between the two sides, this friendly will perhaps carry an extra weight of importance for some members of the Celtic...

Rodgers' revolution begins

2 vs 2

NK Celje vs Celtic
Arena Petrol, Slovenia
Pre-Season Friendly
30th June 2016

Well, after weeks of anticipation, the Brendan Rodgers era at Celtic has finally begun. As we so often hear, pre-season friendlies are all about fitness and the players getting their shooting boots back on and Brendan will perhaps be satisfied with what he saw, particularly in the 2nd half against Celje. The game saw two entirely different Celtic sides take to the field in each half, with younger players such as Eoghain O'Connell, Liam Henderson, Anthony Ralston and Jamie McCart all making positive impacts in the second 45.

The starting team, Rodgers' first as Celtic manager, was set up in a 4-3-3 formation as many had been suggesting prior to the match:

Gordon; Fisher,...

The waiting is over, and after 45 days without them, Celtic finally return to action this Thursday evening against NK Celje of Slovenia. Our last meeting with Slovenian opposition is one most would rather forget, but with the positivity surrounding the club at the moment, Celtic fans will be expecting a better result this time around.



Celtic

Thursday's game not only signals the end of our close season, but also the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Celtic's history as Brendan Rodgers takes his place in the dugout for the first time as manager of the Hoops.

While history has taught us not to place too much importance on pre-season performances, with the Champions League Qualifiers fast...

Brendan Rodgers has his first signing as Celtic manager, 19 year old Moussa Dembele. Signing from London club Fulham, the fans will be eagerly anticipating seeing the new man in action.

With Colin Kazim-Richards, Anthony Stokes, Carlton Cole and Stefan Scepovic leaving the club this summer, a striker was required.

Last season saw Fulham finishing 20th in the English Championship in 2015-16, Dembele will surely be relishing the prospect of Champions League football and a title challenge.

Notching up 43 appearances, the season just finished was the campaign that Dembele established himself as a first team player at Fulham. 17 goals in 46 appearances in the Championship at a team finishing 20th is a respectable record. The Celtic support are eagerly waiting to see what goal tally he can amass under Rodgers.

He...