THE bookies are offering tempting odds on Brendan Rodgers’ new-look side outscoring the Lisbon Lions on the 50th anniversary of their success.
The Hoops hinted strongly there could be goals aplenty this season when blowing away Motherwell 5-0 in the League Cup in midweek.
New £4.5 million signing Scott Sinclair grabbed a single and fellow summer arrival Moussa Dembele a double, in what threatened to be a rout.
And with last season’s top scorer Leigh Griffiths plus danger man Patrick Roberts still to come back in, supporters are starting to believe the class of 2016 could prove themselves even more goal hungry than the Lions.
The bookies believe that too, with odds as short as 5/1 being offered to Hoops fans who fancy history being created.
Jock Stein’s legendary side smashed 111 goals in 1966-67, the season they became the first British team to win the European Cup.
The huge total helped them claim the title and has remained the benchmark for all Celtic sides who have followed.
Martin O’Neill’s team hit 105 in 2003-04 and a decade later Neil Lennon’s charges netted 102.
“Even with the new strikers in place we think it will be quite an ask for Celtic to get past 111 league goals so we are offering odds of 5/1 against them pulling it off,” said Paul Petrie, of leading Scottish bookmakers McBookie.com.
“There has been a lot of interest from supporters wanting to back Celtic in all competitions.
“The expectancy seems to be that they are going to be very successful under Brendan Rodgers with early signs all positive.
“Lisbon is a massive part of their history so it will be interesting to see if they can honour Billy McNeill and co by matching or
bettering their goal tally.”
Celtic, meanwhile, last night announced the signing of goalkeeper Dorus De Vries from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.
The 35-year-old Dutchman, who previously played under Rodgers at Swansea City, put pen to paper after completing a medical in Glasgow.
He has been brought in as cover for regular Craig Gordon following an injury to regular back up Logan Bailly, who has broken his ankle.
Dunfermline fans will remember De Vries from his season at East End Park in 2006-07.
He is Rodgers’ fourth signing, following on from Dembele, Sinclair and Kolo Toure.
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