Brendan Rodgers has a reputation as a manager who brings fresh perspectives and innovative tactics to his teams. During his first tenure at Celtic, one such innovation was the winter trip to Dubai, a move designed to galvanise the squad and ensure they remained sharp and focused for the second half of the season.

The results were undeniable: Celtic came back stronger and more unified, maintaining the momentum to drive the team forward to numerous successes.

His successor, Neil Lennon, continued the Dubai trip, which became a signature feature of Rodgers’ management style. However, during the pandemic, the optics of a football team travelling to Dubai during a time of global crisis did not sit well with many. The situation was further exacerbated when Christopher Jullien tested positive for Covid-19, isolating 14 players and staff members. The subsequent fallout was immense, leading to a reprimand from the Scottish government and a strong negative public reaction.

Ange Postecoglou, Lennon’s successor, didn’t reintroduce the Dubai trip, mainly due to pandemic-related disruptions and the Winter World Cup in Qatar. Instead, Postecoglou took the team to Australia for a couple of games during the international break.

Now that Rodgers is back at the helm, will he bring back the Dubai winter trip? There’s a strong possibility that he might. Rodgers is a man of tradition and he has seen first-hand how beneficial such trips can be for team morale and performance. However, it won’t be a straightforward decision given its baggage.

How will the fans react if he decides to reintroduce the Dubai trip? Understandably, supporters may be apprehensive.

The benefit of a united and revitalised squad cannot be overstated, and if managed carefully, a return to Dubai could be the boost the Bhoys need to replicate their past glories.