After another dominant performance over their old rivals Rangers on Sunday, morale at Celtic couldn’t be higher right now. That’s not just because of the semi-final win of course but because no team in Scotland has managed to beat them this season.
With a Scottish League Cup in the bag, a Scottish Premiership title to celebrate and a Scottish Cup Final ahead, the Hoops are on the verge of a supreme domestic treble of trophies.
The last time they did that was back in 2001 and it’s a feat they’ve only managed three times in their history in total.
Stars like Moussa Dembele, Scott Sinclair and Stuart Armstrong have drawn all the plaudits of supporters and pundits this season but we reckoned it was time to pay tribute to the unsung heroes of the Celtic team, the players who have done an excellent job with no fuss.
Here are three Bhoys who have done an excellent job for Brendan Rodgers this season…
Jozo Simunovic
The Croatian centre-back has made quite the journey in a Celtic shirt this season. On the verge of joining Torino after having a medical in Italy, that deal fell through. He then wasn’t heard of as he began rehabilitation from a long-term injury.
Coming into the side mid-September, he’s since played a crucial role at the heart of the Hoops defence and has emerged as Celtic’s first choice and most reliable defender.
With a physical presence that would make most attackers weep and an aggression that is backed by intelligence, he has mopped up almost everything thrown at him in domestic football season.
He’s now well placed to make a splash in Europe after decent performances against Barcelona and Manchester City this season.
With 28 appearances this season he certainly earns his spot in our line-up of unsung heroes at the club, doing his job with little fuss or attention paid.
If Celtic can add real quality to the position to compete with the likes of Dedryck Boyata and Erik Sviatchenko, Brendan Rodgers will have a very fine pairing on his hands.
Callum McGregor
A graduate of Celtic’s youth and development squads, Callum McGregor has had to work hard for a place in Brendan Rodgers’ tried and trusted starting XI. He’s now a vital component and you’d be hard pushed to find reasons enough to consider dropping him.
He finally won over the hearts and minds of the majority of the Celtic support just this Sunday when his passed finished past Wes Foderingham in the Rangers nets put the Hoops on the road to their big semi-final victory.
The truth is it should have come as no surprise to anyone. He’s a fine finisher when given the chance and always has a fearless attitude to the game.
McGregor has made 40 appearances for the Hoops this season, bringing his total beyond the 100 mark, a landmark that most Celtic fans couldn’t believe. He’s the quiet man, the underrated tidy midfield player that keeps teams ticking.
He has technical ability, decent tackling and an anticipation that puts on a level beyond most midfielders in Scotland.
At just 23 years of age he is well placed to push on and become a UEFA Champions League calibre player. Perhaps then he’ll become one of the first names fans reach to when they talk about the team’s big performers.
Mikael Lustig
Part of the furniture at Celtic Park for years, it’s perhaps unfashionable to praise Mikael Lustig to any great extend at the Hoops these days. Nevertheless he’s one of the most important players in the squad.
With 45 starts this season only two players have made more, Scott Brown and goalkeeper Craig Gordon. That’s extraordinary faith from Brendan Rodgers, a man who isn’t shy to change things around from time to time.
That service goes largely with little praise but he’s a solid option on the right flank of the Celtic defence, even filling in superbly in the middle when required, versatile enough to be part of a centre-back duo or part of a back three.
The full-back is no slouch going forward either and it was his pass to Moussa Dembele that unlocked the Rangers defence on Sunday.
He also produced that unbelievable rabona away to St Johnstone that contributed to one of the goals of the season!
