The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Invincibles urged to start again
Hoops must start new season with fresh objectives insists Parkhead No 1
Craig Gordon reckons Celtic need to forget about last season’s ‘Invincibles’ campaign and focus on creating history all over again.
The Hoops racked up an incredible 47-game unbeaten run against Scottish opposition as they completed the domestic treble.
And the big question facing Brendan Rodgers’ side as they prepare for the new term boils down to whether they can repeat that astonishing feat.
Gordon, though, reckons his side need to start this season with a fresh set of objectives as they chase a seventh straight Scottish league crown and a place in the Champions League.
Asked if his side could go another campaign without loss, the goalkeeper told CelticTV: “That’s in the history books now, we’ve achieved that. Now we’ve got to have the mindset of starting again. This is a new season.
“Everyone will always remember what we did last season, but it’s up to us to go out and put a marker down for this season.
“We’ll start off by doing that in the pre-season games then go and try to qualify for the Champions League.”
Rodgers’ men will kick-off their quest for the group stages early next month, with Northern Irish champions Linfield or San Marino minnows La Fiorita providing the first qualifying hurdle to be cleared.
Celtic have already confirmed they will not take any fans with them to Belfast should Linfield progress to set up a powder-keg clash.
But Gordon insists, no matter who his team face, they will be leaving nothing to chance.
“I’m sure it will be a difficult game – they all are at this stage trying to qualify for the Champions League,” he said.
“Whoever we get it’s going to be a tricky tie and we need to make sure our preparations are right to ensure we’re ready for it.”
The Hoops have added just one new recruit to last season’s all-conquering squad after signing Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen.