Q: With Daizen Maeda also out, as well as Kyogo’s exit and Carter-Vickers out, how confident are you that you have the squad to cope with those absences?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I’m confident. Listen, of course, those, like you say, Daizen and Kyogo have been a big reference to how this team has played, with the speed and the attack that we’ve had and what we’ve demonstrated a lot through the season. So, of course, missing those two, obviously players that make the difference, but we’ve got other players that can come in and it’s an opportunity for them to come in and show that they can perform at this level. And that’s what it’s about as a Celtic player. You want to come and play in these great arenas against fantastic teams and for us, the players will get the opportunity to do that. And between now and the end of the market, we hope that we can reinforce the squad and keep the squad improving.”
Q: Can you confirm the news that Alex Valle will be on his way out?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, Alex won’t play again, sadly. He’s in Barcelona now at the moment and he will probably then move on to another team. So, yes, again, another young player that’s contributed really well for us, played nearly 20 appearances for us, played in some very important games, made his Champions League debut. Especially in Atalanta, he was fantastic, played in really important games. So, we’re disappointed that he’s left, but we have to move on.
Q: Does that potentially speed up the move for Kieran Tierney?
Brendan Rodgers: “Ideally it would, but he’s still, at this moment, still an Arsenal player. I think everyone, I think we’re agreed that that will definitely take place in the summer. If we can do it beforehand, then great.
Q: Youri Tielemans is a player you know well. Are you looking forward to coming up against him again?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, he was absolutely brilliant for me. He was a young player that we spent a lot of money on, bringing him to Leicester. And I’m so pleased to see how he’s done here. I think you have certain players in your squads. He’d be very much like Callum for me, where he was a coach on the pitch for me. His view of the game was absolutely first class. And even as a really, really young player, just a real top player in his mentality, his attitude. And then we were lucky to share a really special moment of winning the FA Cup for Leicester for the first time, when he scored a brilliant goal. So, I’m so pleased to see him here now and seeing his influence, because obviously when he first came in there were other good players, and he’s obviously trying to work his way into a new club. But when I see him now play, he’s very much a leader on the pitch for Aston Villa, just how he plays the game, how he organises the players around him. And, yes, a really, really good guy who’s a top professional.
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