'Work hard and smart, see where it takes us,' Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers took his turn to speak to the media today ahead of his team’s Champions League clash with Feyenoord in Rotterdam tomorrow night. The manager insisted that no matter who Celtic face at this level, it will be a tough affair and that we need our team spirit to help get us through tough away venues like the De Kuip.

IMAGO / ANP ROTTERDAM – Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers and Joe Hart look at a photo of Wim Jansen. Jansen has also been Celtic’s coach. During a press conference in De Kuip, Scottish Celtic FC looks ahead to the first match in the group stage of the Champions League against Feyenoord. ANP OLAF KRAAK

The Irishman was steadfast in his assertion that his current side aren’t where he wants them to be. However, he acknowledged that this can take time and that he’s not worried at all at the minute about the direction the team is going under his tutelage. He admitted the tweaks that he has made since replacing Ange Postecoglou will have an adjustment period a wee but longer than in his first spell as boss and that eventually we will see the old Celtic.

Likewise, the glamour of European competition and the top club competition, the UEFA Champions League, is where he or any ambitious coach wants to be and he’s really looking forward to it and the various tests each fixture will bring for both him and his aspiring squad.

ROTTERDAM – Brendan Rodgers and Joe Hart of the Scottish Celtic FC looks ahead to the first match in the group stage of the Champions League against Feyenoord during a press conference in De Kuip. ANP OLAF KRAAK

Those aspirations when defined as success to the former Leicester City boss would be in the knockout rounds beyond Christmas time with the Hoops. It’s something that is seen as crucial to the fanbase and Rodgers has moved to make clear that that’s what the aim will be this time out, after many questioning what success would look like to him and the club.

When asked if the approach would change in Europe in terms of selection, shape and tactics etc, he insisted that the team will try and maintain the DNA of Celtic Football Club always no matter who they face. Attacking with intent and desire, but at the same time, making sure we defend aggressively and support one another in closing down the spaces so that team cannot play between the lines and hurt us so easily.

Celtic’s Irish head coach Brendan Rodgers speaks during a press conference of the first UEFA Champions League group E football match against Feyenoord at De Kuip, in Rotterdam, on September 18, 2023. (Photo by OLAF KRAAK/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

Have a listen to the boss talk ahead of tomorrow’s fixture below…

▫️ ‘Very confident’ of competing in #UCL
▫️ ‘Spirit of team will never be broken’
▫️ Success is being in Europe after Xmas
▫️ ‘Long way to go’ to reach ‘peak Celtic’
▫️ Will the approach change in Europe?

Brendan Rodgers ahead of Celtic’s match at Feyenoord tomorrow ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xgIFdcXTnW

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 18, 2023

Paul Gillespie