How Brendan Rodgers elevated Celtic as Jim Goodwin insists history beckons in second spell

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