The new “Invincibles”. It didn’t take long for the media to fawn over the possibility that the great pretenders from Govan could finish off the league season without losing a single league match. Now, I’m not saying that if they did manage to pull it off it wouldn’t be a great achievement, of course it would, but to compare them to Rodgers’ Invincibles is cringeworthy at least, and stupid at best.
I’m only going to state the obvious, because I feel this point is lost on many. They, quite simply, are not in the same league as Rodgers’ team. The minute they got eliminated from League Cup was the exact moment comparisons should have stopped. There. That is it. Argument over. But to show just how monumental what Rodgers achieved compared to Gerrard, let me lay out the time line.
Rodgers signed for Celtic in May 2016 after the much maligned departure of then coach, Ronny Deila. Rodgers had roughly 12 weeks to assemble and prepare a side for the beginning of one of the most famous seasons in the clubs history. Rodgers spent just under £10m to strengthen the side with Scott Sinclair, Moussa Dembelé, Kolo Toure, Cristian Gamboa, Dorus Devries and Eboue Kouassi. Six players in total.
Should Roberto Martinez replace Neil Lennon?
YES
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Looking at that list of players, only two of those signings made a significant impact on the Celtic side, Dembelé and Sinclair but added to a squad that had the likes of Brown, Armstrong, Boyata, Rogic and Griffiths, Rodgers rejuvenated an ailing side that had been written off by the media after the Scottish Cup semi final exit to our Glasgow rivals, especially the Captain, and the fact that Rodgers managed to achieve what he did with so little time to prepare is remarkable.
Fast forward four seasons and onto Gerrard’s team. Well I say team, but after almost three years in charge Gerrard has spent over £31m (source transfermarkt), in fact, in his first season, Gerard signed in excess of 15 players and spent over £10m. Trophy less, the only aspect of his first that saved his job was his European run.
2019/20 season comes along and after another £10m spent and another 13 in comings, Gerrard was again left empty handed with many of the hordes from Govan calling for his head until the season was called early. Many would argue that COVID saved Gerrard from the sack as he finished yet another season trophy less as all domestic silverware found their way into the Parkhead board room.
2020/21 appeared and Gerrard coughed up another £10m and brought in another eight players and now his team started to take shape and coupled with Celtic’s total capitulation, they have walked away with the league.
Over £30m and 36 players in three seasons compared to Rodgers £10m and 6. But of course we are also conveniently forgetting that Gerrard’s “revolution” was funded by soft loans as the club made losses of £11.3m in his first season in charge, £15.9m in his second and they also need to find £14.4m to plug a financial hole to see them through until the end of this season.
So please, just stop with the comparisons. It is wrong, it is completely unjustified and as they have clearly been spending more than they earn, it is immoral.
Think you know your history and Celtic away strips? Take the quiz and see if you can guess the season these strips were worn. Invite friends and family to come and beat your score!