Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media today ahead of the Scottish Premiership match at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon…
The Celtic manager previewed that game, giving a positive injury update of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor, defended Arne Engels and praised his central defensive partnership of Auston Trusty and Liam Scales for their outstanding performances in Bergamo against Atalanta in the Champions League. The Celtic manager also paid his respects to Celtic legend Tommy Callaghan who sadly passed away earlier today…
Q: Brendan, how’s the squad looking heading into Sunday?
Brendan Rodgers: “We’ve got Cam (Carter-Vickers) back training with the squad, which is good news. Greg Taylor as well. So we’ve got one more day to go and then we’ll see how they are, but they hopefully will be involved in the game.”
Q: The fact that you’ve got the options there, the defence showing what they can do on Wednesday, is that quite good, knowing that you’re not in a rush to get players back onto the pitch?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, well, we like them to be available. I think that’s what’s important. So it gives us options, which is what you want as a coach. But yes, I think obviously the team defensively was outstanding the other night, but to have those two guys back, who are very important players for us, will be good.”
Q: What kind of challenge are you expecting from Motherwell? Because they made it tough for you last season. I think it was one draw and then the two wins that were injury-time goals for yourselves.
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think it’s always been a tough place to go. I always really enjoy going there. It’s always a really good atmosphere. We bring a great support behind the goals. So, yes, they’re always tough games. Stuart (Kettlewell) has his team set up well. They go between, obviously a back five and then whether they play two strikers up front and three midfield or a sort of 3-4-3 structure. It can just depend. The last few weeks, it’s been more 5-3-2.
Brendan Rodgers: “So, we’ll expect a team that will be well organised. Stuart organises his teams very, very well, very organised, very committed. They’ll be disappointed with the last result. So, they want to bounce back from that. And for us, we know what we need after a Champions League game. It’s a big energy, a big attitude and continue with a great start to the season for us.”
Q: You obviously had those two games last season, where you had last-minute goals to get you the wins. I think your first spell as well, you had to go the distance a couple of times. As much as those are thrilling, enjoyable moments when they happen, I suppose going there on Sunday, perhaps a less stress-free game over there?
Brendan Rodgers: “If you can only predict and forecast, it would be great. Everyone would love to be comfortable in the game, but sometimes it’s not like that. So, teams will give everything to get the result. But what hopefully that tells you is, that this is a team with perseverance and persistence and can keep going. So, ultimately, you have to do what it takes to get the result. And we always have that mentality that we can.”
Q: Are they some of the more satisfying occasions? Because it does show that the set-up you’ve got, the players stick to it and they go right to the final whistle to get it.
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, especially some of those games last season. I think in some of the games when we were searching for that late win, I think Matt scored a great goal at the back post. The ball could have been easily just pumped forward and into the mix, but we kept that calmness and then made a great cross in the half-space ago we got the winner. And it was everything that we would want. So, yes, scoring a late win away from home is always really nice and it’s great for the supporters. But, of course, whichever way it comes, you just want to win.”
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