Celtic did it again. A domestic double protected; Champions for the fourth year in a row; Their 13th title in the past 14 years – and a potential record ninth Treble is being treated. But what is the next step for Brendan Rodgers and these hoops?
The Celtic boss said that this was his most satisfying campaign responsible for the club, even better than the invincible Treble-winning season of 2016-17.
That is a daring explanation, but when you evaluate it in more detail, you might understand why.
De Hoops Blitzed The Scottish Premiership, with 92 points and 112 goals. They also dramatically won the League Cup with a penalty shootout victory in Rangers just before Christmas.
But one of the most important differences this season was the competitiveness and progress of Celtic in the Champions League. This was what Rodgers came for – the new format of Europe's most important competition. He – and the club – saw it as a real chance to grow and move forward on and next to the field. And they certainly did that by qualifying for the play-off phase and Bayern Munich completely in the Allianz Arena.
So what will Celtic be looking for next season?
Dominance
It is clear that more of the same is required. Winning the Scottish premiership will always be the number one priority of Celtic, but it was interesting to hear that Captain Callum McGregor reveals that he believes that winning two trophies is nowadays the minimum expectation of the club.
Moreover, it can be said that Celtic wants to reclaim their Derby Day -Dominance over Rangers. This season, the Hoops Rangers only defeated more than 90 minutes. They recovered the League Cup final, but lost twice in the competition and attracted the last meeting of the season at Ibrox.
Although it didn't matter much in terms from where the trophies went, Rodgers hopes to have a few scalp over their fierce rivals next season.
Euro status quo
Next season, Celtic will have to navigate a qualifying play-off to get to the Champions League. If they lose that, they enter the competition phase of the Europa League. Rodgers will be looking for another crack at the top tournament, after he has made so much progress last season.
The Bhoys had a number of impressive results and displays, especially in their convincing victories over RB Leipzig and Slovan Bratislava and their draws to Atalanta and Bayern Munich.
The Celtic hierarchy also hopes for the £ 70 million that the ventures in the Champions League have been received.
If they get through the qualification, the hoops will do more the same -end between the ninth and 24th to earn a knock -out play -off.
If Celtic would fall to the Europa League, the prize money and the TV income would be a lot lower, but the fans will expect the club to go deep in the tournament.
Celtic has still not won a knock -out in Europe since he defeated Barcelona in the UEFA Cup in 2004. Although it is much more difficult to do in the Champions League, they may have more success in the Europa League.
Tierney Return
One thing that Celtic fans know that they can become enthusiastic is the return of Kieran Tierney. The left back of Arsenal takes part in the summer after he agreed a pre-contract in January.
If he can stay fit and relatively injury-free Celtic knows that in his first years they get a left-backed back of world class-a level of player that they probably couldn't get if he was not a Celtic supporter. This is a player who played this season in the semi -final of the Champions League.
The signing of Tierney can also be used as a great sales argument for the club about their desire to strengthen their ambitions for the coming season, especially in Europe.
Arrivals, departure and new deals
Celtic's priority that starts the summer is to sign a striker and backup left back, with another winger also on the desired list.
In terms of a striker, the hoops are expected to go back for Brondby's Mathias Kvistgaarden – who has been a long -term objective. The club came closest to a breakthrough in negotiations in January, where the Swedish club was holding on their price tag of £ 10 million Plus.
The left hunt will depend on the futures of Greg Taylor and Jeffrey Schlupp, which will be decided this weekend after the Cup final. It is understood that Hoops Taylor offered a new deal and left it to the player.
The club has spoken with Schlupp about the possibility to expand his stay in Glasgow. His loan proceeds in the summer – and his contract with Crystal Palace too. If neither remains, Celtic will go on the market for a different left back.
The hoops have many wing players in their books – Jota, Daizzen Maeda, Hyun Yang, James Forrest, Nicolas Kuhn, Luis Palma and Marco Tilio. But with Jota injured in the long term, Palma will probably leave, Forrest will get older and a lot of interest in Maeda and Kuhn, Rodgers would like to bring in another winger to add in -depth strength.
Sky Sports News revealed that Celtic had rejected bids for Sarpsborg -wing player Sondre Orjasaeter, but he is a player that they still have a close eye on and could go back for him this summer. Another long-term goal that they could take a step for is Royal Antwerp Winger Michel-Aange Balikwisha, which is strongly recommended by Club Scouts.
In terms of expenditure, it is clear that the club will be open to offers for Luis Palma, Gustaf Lagerbiielke, Stephen Welsh, Hyeok-Kyu Kwon and Marco Tilio. Odin Thiago Holm will continue his loan in Lafc until the end of the MLS season in December.
Celtic is also expected to open new contract discussions with Maeda and Kuhn this summer to offer them improved conditions in the hope that they will stay. Midfielder Reo Hatate attracts a lot of interest from clubs in Italy, France and Germany that can test Celtic's determination this summer.
Rodgers' contract has risen at the end of next season and it will be interesting to see if he is expanding his deal.
Celtic wants to keep the Irishman and a new contract will also provide some protection against their valued assets if another club arrived for him.
Rodgers has made it clear that he will stay until the end of his current deal, at least. He can wait to see how well he is supported this summer in the transfer market before he makes decisions about expanding them.
Sky Sports to show 215 Live PL games next season
From next season, the Premier League coverage of Sky Sports will increase from 128 games to at least 215 games that are exclusively live.
And 80 percent of all Premier League matches broadcast on television will be on Sky Sports next season.