Celtic are one of the most successful and most supported clubs not only in Scotland but in the world. The Bhoys have won 118 major trophies throughout their storied history, annually competing at the top of the league. Celtic will be looking to add another title in the 2024/25 campaign in order to match their city rivals.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are among the favourites to finish first in the Scottish Premiership this season and will also be competing in Europe. This article will explore the strengths of the squad, the games Celtic will have to play and the Hoops chances of success come May.
Transfer Business
Celtic have bolstered their ranks this summer with a number of imperative deals which helps the club take a step forward. Many football followers backing the Bhoys to compete for the title will place a wager during the season to add an extra thrill to matches. Those who enjoy gaming, from knowing where to find slots online, how to play poker and how to make sports bets, will be assessing Celtic’s summer transfers to properly assess how the side is likely to perform.
While supporters also love to see new faces at the football club as it boosts hope and optimism ahead of the new season, some of the Hoops’ main business has been to bring back two familiar faces. Adam Idah and Paulo Bernardo were both on loan at Celtic Park last time around but have now rejoined on permanent deals.
Idah made a temporary switch from Norwich and scored nine goals in 15 games for Celtic on the way to winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup. The Republic of Ireland international has now signed a five-year deal with the club. Bernardo, meanwhile, played 33 times in all competitions in 2023/24 and scored four goals. Joining from Portuguese giants Benfica, the 22-year-old also put pen to paper on a contract running until 2029.
Elsewhere, manager Rodgers has been swift in strengthening his goalkeeper options following the retirement of former England number one Joe Hart. Premier League title-winning stopper Kasper Schmeichel, who the manager worked with at Leicester, joined on a free transfer following spells with Nice and Anderlecht. The Bhoys also moved to land young Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo from Aston Villa.
In terms of outgoings, Hyeon-gyu OH left for Genk and his South Korean compatriot Hyeok-kyu Kwon has joined Scottish side Hibernian on loan. Sweden-born winger Sead Haksabanovic returned to his homeland with Malmo.
Squad Strength
Celtic’s squad was capable of winning the double last season and this campaign’s challenge is to maintain the quality and ensure they again get the better of Glasgow rivals Rangers.
In goal, Schmeichel will be able to continue the consistency and stability offered by Hart while at full-back Canada international and Greg Taylor offer plenty of energy going forward and defensively. At the heart of the defence Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales have formed a strong partnership and where part of a backline that conceded just 30 times in 38 league matches last season.
Looking at midfield. Midfielder Matt O’Riley has impressed since joining from MK Dons in 2022, acting as a talismanic figure in the middle of the park. However, at the time of writing, he has been linked with a Premier League move and any departure would be a blow to what Celtic are continuing to build.
Callum McGregor is likely to pass 500 Celtic appearances this campaign should he remain injury free and adds control, guile and skill to the middle of the park. Out wide, one-club man James Forrest will also hit halfway to a thousand matches while Nicolas Kuhn who joined the Hoops at the start of the calendar year makes things happen with his technical excellence and a sweet left foot. Japan international Daizen Maeda has also proved a key player during his two-and-a-half years in Scotland.
Upfront, Kyogo Furuhashi scored 19 goals in 50 matches last season to take his tally 73 strikes in 135 fixtures, which is more than one goal per game. He too though, like O’Riley, has admirers south of the border and would be a major loss. Idah, who has been handed the number nine shirt, is expected to lead the Bhoys line for seasons to come.
Fixture Run-in
Celtic kicked off the campaign with two wins and two clean sheets, netting a combined six goals against Kilmarnock and Hibernian and have two home games against rivals Rangers and Hearts after the trip to St Mirren. During the festive period Celtic will head to Dundee United before hosting Motherwell on Boxing Day and St Johnstone 72 hours later.
Getting points on the board early doors will stand the side in good stead later on in the campaign. Celtic will face the other eleven top-flight sides three times, twice at home and once away or vice versa before the league then splits after 33 matches. The top six will face each other once while the bottom half will also face each other once to complete the 38-game campaign.
European Competition
Celtic will compete in the Champions League this season after winning the title in Scotland though there will be a new format this time around. The classic group stage has been replaced with a league table and so instead of 32 teams split into eight groups of four, 36 clubs will compete, taking on eight different sides with four home and games and four away games. The top eight sides will qualify for the last 16 while teams in ninth through to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout play-off to join them.
In previous campaigns during the modern era, the teams who finished third in the old group stage dropped down to the Europa League. However, this time, which is something Celtic will note, there will be no such process and so if you finish between 25th and 36th in the league standings you are out and the European adventure is over immediately.
Summing Up
Celtic will be determined to enjoy another season full of success to add yet another chapter to the Scottish football record books. The Hoops have secured some key permanent signings and will be confident they can compete both at home and abroad.
