Brendan Rodgers has long been praised for his ability to develop players, but crucial to that process is a proper pre-season.

With several of last summer’s arrivals joining the club after pre-season had already began, it’s no surprise that many struggled to make an immediate impact.

Paulo Bernardo, Adam Idah, Auston Trusty, and Arne Engels all arrived later and, at different stages, found themselves under the microscope for inconsistent performances.

Luke McCowan, who also signed last summer, is the exception, having joined last summer, and avoiding the kind of criticism levelled at others.

This summer will be different. All five players will get a full pre-season under Rodgers, giving them the chance to properly settle into his style and instructions. Based on how Rodgers has worked with players in the past, fans should expect to see a more confident and consistent version of each of them going into the new season.

Bernardo will join up with the squad slightly later, having represented Portugal at the Under-21 European Championship. But unlike previous summers, there’s no uncertainty hanging over his future.

After initially joining on loan in September 2023 and not sealing a permanent move until August 2024, he now returns with confidence and a settled role within the squad.

Nicolas Kühn is perhaps the clearest example of what a full pre-season can do for a player under Rodgers. After being involved last summer, the German winger hit the ground running.

His electric start to the season saw him become arguably Celtic’s standout performer until January, a testament to the importance of early preparation.

With a full pre-season behind them, players like Engels, Idah, and Trusty will have a real chance to show what they can do. There’ll be no excuses this time, it’s now up to them to prove themselves under Rodgers.