Celtic making big-money signings and taking apart a hapless Rangers has brought great joy to their supporters. In a strange way, it has also heaped the pressure onto Brendan Rodgers and his team for the Champions League.
I’ve said all along that Europe is going to be a big barometer this season. And events both on-and-off the park over the past week have only strengthened my gut feeling.
Rodgers didn’t have the right set-up for the group stages last year. He didn’t have enough quality depth at his disposal and injuries hampered him.
But, although Matt O’Riley has gone, it is clear he’s far happier with the unit now going into this term’s assault. The Champions League was, of course, meaningful last term, but winning the title through a tricky first campaign back in the hotseat was the major task for Rodgers.