Jim Goodwin believes Brendan Rodgers has already assured his place as one of Celtic’s greatest-ever managers.
The Hoops boss made it 10 Parkhead trophies as his side saw off Rangers to win last weekend’s Premier Sports Cup final. Goodwin is full of admiration for the Northern Irishman but still hopes there will be a Hampden hangover when Dundee United face the champions at Tannadice today. United will then make a quickfire return to Celtic Park at the start of January.
Goodwin said: “I think the job Brendan has done is incredible. He doesn’t need me to tell him that. That’s 10 trophies now, with the win last Sunday, over both his spells at the club – an incredible return for any manager. He’ll certainly go down in the history books as one of Celtic’s most successful managers. We all know the affinity that he has with the club. Certainly it looks as if he’s enjoying himself being back in Glasgow.”
Rodgers has built on the foundations laid by Ange Postecoglou and looks to be taking the club to a new level, with the upturn in their fortunes in the Champions League and continued domestic dominance. “His recruitment has been top drawer,” the Dundee United boss said.
“They’ve added pace to a team that was already quick under Ange with Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda. You also got Nicolas Kuhn coming in and they’ve just got so many players of real quality all over the park. Your concentration levels need to be through the roof when you play against them.”
Celtic have yet to lose a game domestically and so far have only dropped two points [at home to rivals Aberdeen]. Goodwin knows they have real strength in depth that allows them to fight on all fronts and admits it is difficult to see where Celtic might slip up.
Rodgers already has one invincible season under his belt at Celtic and will be hoping for another. However, Goodwin’s own top-six chasing side will be doing all they can to make sure the points remain on Tayside.
United can also go in with confidence knowing they ran Rangers close at home and took a point from them on their last visit to Ibrox. Goodwin added: “It’s hard to see where Celtic are going to slip up. They’ve been really good in Europe as well.
“The fact that they’ve been able to manage the squad as well as they have done in every competition and remain competitive is so impressive. There haven’t been many European hangovers.
“That’s down to the quality that they’ve got where they can make five or six changes, like they have done, and it never weakens the team. I think that’s the luxury Brendan has that, unfortunately, the rest of us don’t.
“That’s what you get when you’re the big club. He’s done brilliantly.
“He’s a great guy and, in the dealings I’ve had with him, I’ve found him a really good bloke and obviously a top coach. He’s getting all the rewards right now and justifiably so.”
United sit fifth on their return to the Premiership. They have taken massive strides and shown they belong at the top level.
A result against Celtic would further bolster that belief. The Tannadice chief admitted: “It’s trying to get the balance right when you’re playing against such a good opponent.
“You can’t leave yourself wide open or you’ll get punished. But you’ve also got to try and impose yourself on the opposition as well. That’s the task that lies ahead.
“Every team has tried it so far and nobody’s been successful but we have to believe we’re capable of doing this.”
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.