Brendan Rodgers – Reasons for Kyogo leaving and sensational Jota return

Q: In terms of the result and the win and the qualification the other night, Brendan, I’m sure when you came back, you said one of the aims and the reasons why you have come back is to see progress in Europe. Now that you’ve achieved that by going through to the playoffs, does it reaffirm your decision to come back?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think that it’s been such a long period of time, over a decade or so, that the club have been involved in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The dust has settled, we can look back on a fantastic campaign over the seven games. I think if I look at some of the football that we’ve played over that period in the highest level of games, it was really exciting. But also, I think the passion and commitment that you need, especially when you haven’t got the ball playing against some of these top teams, the players have showed that. So, at this stage, three wins and three draws and one loss, which we learned from, then, of course, it’s put us in a really good place.

“We’re really pleased for the players personally with all the work and showing that composure and maturity that you need at this level. That has been evident as we’ve grown over the last 18 months. And then obviously for the supporters because they’ve given us so much support. I know over the last decade or so there’s probably been moments where it has been a challenge for them and tough for them. But I thought even the other night in the game they showed great patience with the team when we really needed it. They’ve given us that great push and support and that really helped us get over the line. So, it’s been a really good campaign, and we want to finish as strong as we possibly can in these eight games.”

Q: Hi Brendan, just after the high of Wednesday night, you say the squad are in a really good place. Have the boys in the changing room taken the news of Kyogo’s exit? Did it come as a shock to them, or you said it’s been almost in the works for a while that the players have been wanting to leave? Is it something they expected? How did they react?

Brendan Rodgers: “I’m not in the changing room. You would need to ask the players. Listen, football is football. This football club has seen many, many, many talented footballers arrive here and leave. And it’s a part of the great success of this club that we teach the players, we develop them. They then have the choice to stay or move on. When they move on, then it provides the opening opportunity for another player. So that has been the culture here at Celtic. And like we say, Kyogo has been an absolutely brilliant player for this club for three and a half years. From the minute he walked in, he’s had so many fantastic moments. Connected with his supporters off the pitch. And like I say, you look back and have a great memory of his time here at Celtic. As will the supporters. It’s always sad and it’s always difficult when a player moves on. But it always provides the opportunity for the next player. So, he does end up moving on. He’s been absolutely brilliant for the club. And he’s created so many wonderful memories here.”

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