Celtic have won 12 of the last 13 Scottish Premiership titles. Brendan Rodgers has won three of those titles, after his most recent success in 2024 following his triumphs in 2017 and 2018.
Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou each won two titles apiece between Rodgers’ first and current stints as Celtic manager. This is a club accustomed to domestic success, but Rodgers’ achievements are still up there with Celtic’s greatest ever managers. Jock Stein and Willie Maley are the only managers with more league titles than Rodgers.
Celtic Odds-On for Another Title
Rodgers is currently tied with Martin O’Neill, Billy McNeil, and Gordon Strachan on three league titles. Celtic are pinned as heavy favourites to win a fourth title under Rodgers in 2024-25. The latest football odds have Celtic at 4/9 to lift the trophy, with Rangers priced at 6/4.
Brendan Rodgers spoke on signings before the tour in USA 🇺🇸
“I mentioned before about getting at least a couple in before we go to America. That’s still the idea”.
“We all know we lost three players and they were very important players for us. That alone demonstrates we need to… pic.twitter.com/F6ybABL7ig
— Celtic Chronicles (@CelticChronic18) July 12, 2024
Spending a few seasons as Leicester City manager between his spells in Parkhead, Rodgers had an up-and-down time. He challenged for the top four repeatedly, despite Premier League betting never making Leicester anything more than a long shot for Champions League qualification. His time south of the border ended with relegation, though, and he returned to Celtic Park to succeed Ange Postecoglou, who had been hired by Tottenham.
Rodgers committed to staying for the entirety of his contract and spoke of ‘real happiness’ about returning to Celtic. He duly delivered a third league title in 2023-24, finishing eight points clear of Rangers, and winning a third Scottish Cup.
Rodgers’ European Woes
Unfortunately, Celtic were again unable to make an impact on the continental stage. They claimed a single point from their first five group-stage matches in the Champions League, meaning a matchday six win over Feyenoord was nothing more than a consolation.
Great Dane 🇩🇰@mattoriley8 with a decisive goal in the title race #cinchPrem | @CelticFC pic.twitter.com/GKExP3zoDd
— SPFL (@spfl) May 13, 2024
Under Rodgers, Celtic were winless in the 2016-17 Champions League group stage, too. Their three points the following season were all taken from a win over Anderlecht. They lost at home to the Belgian side, meaning they sneaked into the Europa League on goal difference. A 3-0 defeat to Zenit St Petersburg meant their Europa League jaunt was short-lived.
It’s clear Rodgers has conquered domestic football in Scotland. Celtic deserve to be heavily favoured for another title, but progress in Europe is paramount for Rodgers to really stake a claim as the best Celtic manager outside Maley and Stein. Strachan and O’Neill, along with three league titles apiece, made more of an impact in continental competition.
O’Neill was a UEFA Cup runner-up in 2003 and reached the quarter-finals of the same competition a year later. Strachan had consecutive appearances in the Champions League knockout rounds.
Rodgers’ Verdict
If Rodgers wins two more Scottish Premierships before his contract expires, does that elevate him above O’Neill and Strachan? Where does he land in the pantheon of Celtic’s greatest managers?
Without any success stories in Europe, it’s hard to jump Rodgers above the 21st century duo, let alone other contenders who had greater challenges in previous eras.
Statistically, 2024-25 is a significant year for Rodgers. He can become just the third Celtic manager to win four league titles. His winning percentage could feasibly climb past Stein, Lennon, and Postecoglou.
More importantly, it is another opportunity to give the Celtic Park faithful something to cheer about in continental competition. That will be what really defines his legacy.
