An absolutely delighted Celtic manager spoke to Celtic TV after yesterday’s 4-1 win over Chelsea, the second English Premier League side beaten by Celtic during the club’s three match USA Tour…
‘Are you Rangers in Disguise,’ the Celtic support asks Chelsea!
Delighted? “Absolutely, I think it’s a great way to finish off the tour. I just said to the players afterwards, that all the work that they have done, how they have represented the club in their time here has been really brilliant, so I take great pride in that. But also on the pitch, how we’re played. How we’ve really devoted the mindset in the work, the intensity of the games and I also know that big teams, they don’t want to lose games, pre-season or not.
“So in the performance we had what you would want from a top team – structure, you’ve got talent in the team and then you’ve got work. That mentality to work and run with talent and a structure gives you a great chance.
“I look at Kyogo’s goal, we made about 23 or 24 passes in that, so having that confidence and personality to wait for the moment. Across the board, I’m really happy with the performance and with the younger guys coming into the game, there was no difference. They pressed the game, they harassed the opponent then should the quality when they had the ball.”
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On the Celtic support being so passionate and so excited that Celtic have been playing – and winning – in the States this summer, Brendan Rodgers was as you would expect, hugely complimentary about the backing the team has received in all three matches from the Stateside Celtic support.
“It’s so nice, especially in such a historical venue as well. I think that where we’ve been, Washington, Chapel Hill and here, I think our supporters have been absolutely magnificent. They are the difference. But it’s also why we come to America. These are guys that have to get up early in the morning to watch our games back home. So to be able to take the team here, they can fell the short close by and they can watch the team live, yeah, I think that they have enjoyed the three games.”
Obviously these games are all about preparing for Flag Day, the game against Kilmarnock a week today. Asked whether the team is now in the place he wants them to be Brendan Rodgers had this to say.
“I think so. We still have another week’s work before we arrive into there but I think that this preparation phase, with this last 12 days has gone as well as what it possibly could have done. Players looking sharp and fit, looking intense and obviously the quality of the football to score the goals.
“Twelve goals in three games, and two of those against really high level opponents so yes, we are in a really good place, so now get back safely everyone and prepare for Flag Day.”
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Here are the highlights from Chelsea TV…ENJOY!
Last word from the Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca…
Now the successful pre season period is finished, and for the first time in a very long time, the pre season cup was actually won by ourselves?
Plenty for Rodgers to ponder upon at present, regarding the decision making process he now faces?
Would say Rodgers has already got a provisional 25man squad in place at present?
That will obviously change over the next few weeks, with new additions to strengthen the provisional squad currently in place?
Yet some interesting questions still remain?
Have we actually got our 8 homegrown quota players required in place, within Rodgers provisional squad or do we need to buy more Scottish players for Rodgers finalised 25man squad?
What should be done regarding Anderson now, especially with the Taylor contract situation as it currently stands?
If Anderson is regarded as good enough for one of our homegrown players, does that mean our LB position is sorted out, if Taylor signs a new contract?
Likewise has Mikey Johnston done enough to keep hold of his place as a homegrown player and as a potential 3rd striker?
How will our outgoing loan system be used this window, as moreso for development purposes ahead of putting players in the shop window, for being moved on?
Has Holm showed enough to be considered as a backup to Hatate in his position?
Who will be our final 5CB options, with currently 7 in our squad at present, and possibly only 3 could be considered as definite for the 25man squad at present imo?
Obviously Rodgers will be looking for better than we already have in place, but will also have to be in positions that keep the structure of the squad intact also, and can fit into our playing style far easier, now it’s been formed to a very high level imo?
Never thought that we really looked like a decent CL team in the making for large chunks of last season imo?
That’s certainly changed now, and even without ourselves having a finalised squad in place for them challenges ahead?
Still believe that we will have our strongest ever overall squad in place by the time the CL campaign starts imo?
Beforehand, there is work for a few still to be done, in order for themselves to get into contention for a place in our 20man SPFL match day squad for flag day?