Aiden McGeady argues that Celtic is grappling with the after-effects of Ange Postecoglou’s departure, and some fans were itching for the team to slip up.

Observing the second coming of the Brendan Rodgers era at Parkhead, McGeady notes that a 1-0 triumph over Rangers has eased some of the concerns that arose after a 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup and a 0-0 draw against a floundering St Johnstone.

The current Ayr United player and technical manager points out that some fans were on standby to criticise Rodgers for any initial setbacks. “It’s been a bit of a difficult start, hasn’t it? Difficult start for the manager,” McGeady told Open Goal.

The former Celtic winger feels that this quick-to-judge attitude stems from fans who are still adjusting to a new playing style and those who haven’t forgiven Rodgers for his 2019 exit to Leicester. “I think you’ve got the hangover effect of a lot of fans from last season used to a different way of playing and then you have a lot of fans who were just waiting for that Kilmarnock defeat or a bad result to jump on the bandwagon of disliking him for leaving the first time. But look, the Rangers game last week, Celtic were by far the better team.”

Ange was a massive fan favourite and it took many by surprise when he left the club after landing the treble. Rodgers has come back to shape the team into his own image.

Celtic are set to face Dundee this Saturday, followed by gearing up for their first Champions League match of the season against Feyenoord.

Brendan Rodgers will be keen to turn heads and silence the skeptics. With these upcoming matches, it’s a prime opportunity for the Irishman and the team to demonstrate that they’re on the right track and that the early season jitters are well and truly behind them.