In what seems like a blink of an eye, the new season is directly upon Celtic.

What looked like a quiet summer for the club quickly descended into one filled with changes, the most surprising being Brendan Rodgers' relatively quick return to the club he left four years ago.

Still, time stops for no one, and Celtic need to get back into the swing of this quickly. With that being said, here are my predictions for Celtic's 2023/24 season...

Player of the Season

If he stays at the club, then Reo Hatate will be Celtic's Player of the Season this campaign. At 25 years old, the Japanese midfielder is a magician with the ball at his feet and can single-handedly run games in the midfield with his passing and technical ability. Injury and the winter World Cup in Qatar were the only two factors to stop him last year from winning this accolade, so one would expect Hatate to hit the ground running this season. Enjoy him whilst he's here, as it is likely that this will be his last season in Scotland. He's a joy to watch when in full flow, and there will hopefully be more of the same magic from him this season.

Prediciton: Reo Hatate

Young Player of the Season

With many of Celtic's younger players seemingly nowhere near staking a claim in the first team anytime soon, it could be argued that Odin Thiago Holm will be the young player to flourish most next season. The versatile central midfielder was Rodgers' first signing since returning to the club, arriving from Norway's Valerenga. Not 21 until next January, Holm will be hoping to make the most of his opportunities in the midfield when they become available to him. Quite clearly a talented player judging by his performances in Norway, if Holm can replicate this in Scotland then Celtic will be onto a winner. It is a valid argument that this season will be a big one for the young midfielder.

Prediciton: Odin Thiago Holm

Top goalscorer 

No surprises at who is picked for this category, as it's got to be Kyogo Furuhashi. 54 goals in two seasons at the club prompted the club to give the prolific striker a new four-year deal. Firmly in the prime of his career at the age of 28, Kyogo will be looking to better his goal tally of 34 for last season's efforts, and who would bet against him doing so? The "best since Larsson" will top both Celtic and Scotland's goalscoring charts this season, further cementing his place as the best striker in the country once again.

Prediction: Kyogo Furuhashi

READ MORE: Three potential Celtic Jota replacements that would improve the squad

Most assists 

Many have tipped Matt O'Riley to have a big season under the new manager. Despite a somewhat mixed campaign last time out, the Dane still managed to clock up 14 assists in all competitions, indicating his effectiveness at distributing the ball to his team-mates in better positions than himself. With Rodgers having experience at getting the best out of players operating in similar positions such as Phillippe Coutinho, James Maddison and Tom Rogic, one would expect O'Riley to flourish in this new regime under the returning manager.

Prediction: Matt O'Riley

Who do you think will be signing of the season?

Out of all the players signed so far, I believe that Maik Nawrocki will be the signing of the season for Celtic. At 22 years old, he gives the club another option at the back, and his versatility in defence allows for the side to play different formations, thanks to this. He faces a stern task in displacing one of Cameron Carter-Vickers or Carl Starfelt, but Celtic spending over £4 million for his services perhaps indicates that he won't be looking to sit on the bench all too often. Once he breaks his way into the starting line-up, do not expect him to be leaving it anytime soon.

Prediction: Maik Nawrocki

Most improved player

Liel Abada is already a very good Celtic player, of that, there is little to no doubt. However, his performances in pre-season have indicated that there may be even more to come from him under Rodgers' management next season. One has to remind themselves on occasion that he is still only 21 years old. If he can improve his decision-making and overall game whilst operating out wide, then Celtic may be on to a winner here with the Israeli attacker in terms of the progression of his skills. The rest of Scotland and Europe better watch this space, as a more polished Abada is a frightening prospect for any opposition facing him this year.

Prediction: Liel Abada

How will Celtic do in Europe?

It is really difficult to say at the moment. All eyes will be on the Champions League group stage draw at the end of August to see who Celtic are drawn with. If it is favourable, then one would expect Celtic to be competing for second place in the group. If what feels like the usual happens - and they get drawn into a 'group of death' scenario - then perhaps third would be a more realistic ambition. In truth, third should be the bare minimum in Europe for Celtic, regardless of the opposition. As long as they have European competition after Christmas, then most fans will be happy.

Prediction: Minimum third place

READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers opens up on Celtic's recruitment structure

What still needs to be done in the transfer market?

As a matter of urgency, Celtic need a first-choice goalkeeper between the sticks for this season. With the club continually getting linked with Croatia's Dominik Livakovic, you would hope that this is an area that the club has identified as needing to be strengthened. Furthermore, the sudden departure of Jota means that his goals and assists will need to be replaced too, so a left-winger is a key area with regard to needing reinforcements. A left-back to properly challenge Greg Taylor would be beneficial to Celtic's European aspirations, also.

Prediction: Goalkeeper, left winger and left-back

What will Celtic win?

The Scottish Premiership is Celtic's bread and butter at the end of the day, so one would expect the club to retain the league title at a bare minimum. As much as another treble would be glorious, it could be argued is worth sacrificing one of the cups for an extended run in Europe after Christmas through the knockout stages. The club are perhaps a victim of their own success, as what was previously elusive is now essentially normalised thanks to the last seven years in terms of trebles. Therefore, Celtic will win the Scottish Premiership and the Scottish Cup next season in what would be an extremely solid return for Rodgers.

Prediction: League and Scottish Cup