Celtic start the new premier league campaign against Heart on the weekend of the new season in the quest to retain their Scottish premier league. Brendan Rodgers men were in imperious form as they won the league last season and they will be hoping to reciprocate that this new season. First up is Hearts.
The hurdle this season is to retain their league title and also maintain their unbeaten run which made them go the whole season without losing a game. After just dropping only eight points all through last season, they won the league with a record 106 points.
Going into this season, the bookies are backing them to retain their title. The opening match against Hearts will be at Celtic Park and it’s almost a certainty they will pick maximum points.
The first derby against arch rivals, Rangers will see Celtic travel to Ibrox on September 23 while the return leg will be on 30th December with a third fixture slated for 10th March 2018.
The first challenge of the season for Brendan Rodgers and his boys will come in the Champions league play off as the hope to make it to the group stage. They will play either Linfield or SP La Fiorita in the second round of the play offs with the matches expected to be played on 12/13th July and 19/20th July for both of legs.
With Brendan Rodgers proving doubters wrong after his disappointing period at Liverpool, his first season in Scotland had been a great success and he hope to improve on that by qualifying Celtic for the Champions league and possibly qualify them for the round of 16.
That will be a great achievement of for him and for Celtic as a whole. It will be a great opportunity to showcase himself to Europe and maybe try to get a top job in top European clubs.