Brendan Rodgers spoke to The Celtic Star and other media outlets at this afternoon’s media conference at Lennoxtown as the Hoops prepare to face Hibs at Celtic Park this weekend…
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic Glasgow press conference ahead UEFA Europa league match against Crvena zvezda at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 23.09.2025 Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia Photo VM/MN Press
Q: It’s back to league business after the games in other competitions. What’s the overriding feeling ahead of this weekend?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, it’s on to the next game. I think, as I said, we take a point and some positives in the performance (against Red Star Belgrade) and show good spirit, resilience and now we’re back playing again.
So, yeah, the team’s in good spirits.”
Q: Obviously, the end of the window was a bit hectic and maybe trying to get players up to speed and so on. Can you see that progression?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, I think now and going through, you start to find the rhythm and, of course, there’s another international break soon. I think now you start to play games, and you start to use the squad more and everything else. I think we showed great spirit the other night. It’s not an easy place to go, and plenty of people will tell you that, but we went and found a way to get a result and make the first steps in the competition and now players are starting to find their levels.”
Q: How are you finding the balance of your attack at the moment? I’m thinking of a few different guys, maybe at different levels of form and in different situations at the club. How satisfied or otherwise are you with the balance you’ve got in your front three?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think that is a consequence of where we were, obviously from the summer, so we have to look to find it. It’s not as natural maybe as where it was last year in some ways, but I think we can see opportunities there for the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho coming into the team and I know he’s a natural striker and he can do really good things for us. That’s part of the challenge, of course, is filling the gaps, maybe, where we have some.”
Daizen Maeda – Crvena zvezda vs Celtic Glasgow UEFA Europa league match at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 24.09.2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia. Photo: VM/MN Press
Q: Part of that puzzle, I suppose, would be Daizen, who had a brilliant season last season. You mentioned other nights, maybe not at his best. With all the talk about him at the end of the window, where is his head at? Are you trying to fit him into the team at the moment?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think that is part of the management process because you can’t underestimate how difficult it’s been for him. This is a guy who’s given absolutely everything for this football club and even sometimes when you want to give your best, there’s a subconscious thing that can obviously hold you back a little bit. What’s important is, like I say to any player in this situation, it’s so important that you don’t get caught up in this sort of mentality of ‘it’s not fair’ because when you get caught in that, it’s a very dangerous territory and it’s hard to move on from.
