Brendan Rodgers made his highly anticipated return to Celtic this summer, marking his second stint with the club after a successful spell at Leicester City. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t his first rodeo with the Scottish side. From 2016 to 2019, Rodgers made a significant impact during his initial tenure, hoisting numerous trophies and leaving a lasting legacy.
Now, as he embarks on his second journey with Celtic, the team hopes to replicate the success they experienced under his leadership. But, as with any endeavor, there are many factors that need to align perfectly for history to repeat itself. Strong recruitment, for instance, will be crucial, just like it was during Rodgers’ first reign as manager. Therefore, it’s worth exploring what happened to the first 10 players he brought to the club back then.
First on the list is Kristoffer Ajer, who technically agreed to terms with Celtic before Rodgers arrived. Nevertheless, the defender officially signed with the club in the summer, making him an important part of the team during Rodgers’ time. Ajer’s contributions to the defense were invaluable, and he quickly established himself as a formidable force. After five years with Celtic, he made the leap to the Premier League, joining Brentford where he continues to excel.
Moussa Dembele was another significant signing by Rodgers, having emerged as a promising talent at Fulham. His arrival at Celtic was met with great excitement, and Dembele lived up to the hype, scoring an impressive 51 goals in just two years. However, his days in Scotland were numbered, and he eventually departed for Olympique Lyonnais. His time in France had its ups and downs, but recently, he made a move to the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Ettifaq. Overall, a shrewd piece of business by Rodgers.
Reuniting with an old ally from his Liverpool days, Rodgers turned to Kolo Toure to bolster Celtic’s defense. Although Toure had enjoyed a remarkable career in the Premier League, his impact at Celtic fell short of expectations. He made limited appearances before retiring just a year after joining. However, Toure went on to become part of Rodgers’ coaching staff before following him to Leicester City in 2019. Unfortunately, his stint as the manager of Wigan Athletic was short-lived and ended in disappointment.
Scott Sinclair’s career seemed to hit a dead end after his move to Manchester City, but Rodgers saw potential in him. Having worked together previously at Swansea City, the manager understood how to maximize Sinclair’s abilities. The move to Celtic revitalized Sinclair’s career, and he enjoyed three successful seasons with the club, scoring 62 goals in 167 appearances. Currently, Sinclair represents Bristol Rovers, the same club that gave him his professional debut at just 15 years old.
Dorus de Vries was another player Rodgers had previously worked with at Swansea. Bringing him in as goalkeeper cover for Craig Gordon, De Vries served as a reliable backup but never truly challenged for the number-one spot. With just 15 appearances over three years, De Vries retired after the 2018-19 season, ending his playing career.
Cristian Gamboa, who had struggled to secure a first-team role at West Bromwich Albion, joined Celtic as Rodgers’ sixth signing. Initially, Gamboa found success, playing as many matches in his first season with Celtic as he did in two years in England. However, his fortunes quickly changed as he fell out of favor and made only 10 appearances in his final two years with the club. After leaving Celtic, Gamboa joined VfL Bochum in Germany but soon retired after a brief stint in the 2. Bundesliga.
Finally, there was Eboue Kouassi, a promising talent who unfortunately faced challenges during his time at Celtic. This move didn’t quite work out as expected, highlighting the unpredictability of transfers and the difficulties players can face adjusting to new environments. Despite the setback, Kouassi’s journey is a reminder that not every signing can meet expectations.
In conclusion, Brendan Rodgers’ first ten signings during his initial reign at Celtic brought a mix of success, disappointment, and unexpected turns. As he begins his second chapter with the Scottish club, there’s hope that history can repeat itself, but only time will tell if it’s possible to replicate the triumphs of the past.
