Brendan Rodgers – Reasons for Kyogo leaving and sensational Jota return

Brendan Rodgers broke his silence around Kyogo’s departure and Jota’s sensational return in his media conference ahead of yesterday’s scheduled match against Dundee at Celtic Park. The media conference was held on Zoom rather than in person due to the adverse weather conditions…

Q: A quick update on the Kyogo situation, how close is he to moving to France?

Brendan Rodgers: “He’s obviously travelled for a medical and whatnot, so that will probably be confirmed in the next 24 hours.”

Q: How did that deal come about Brendan, was it a case of the player wanting to go or does Celtic see this as the right time in terms of value in his age?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s nothing to do with the club, naturally as the manager, I work on myself. At this point, he is one of our top players and someone who fits perfectly into how we play and how we work. Kyogo has expressed an interest to leave a number of months back and obviously, that expression becomes stronger, and it gets to the stage where he clearly really wants to leave. Sadly, we have to do a deal then and look to finalise that for him. He’s been an incredible player for the club for the three and a half years he’s been here. Like I said, he’s not someone we wanted to lose, but we have to accept where he’s at. After the work he’s done to give to Celtic and his age, we have to respect that.”

Q: How awkward is the timing in this window, especially given that Celtic have now qualified through to the Champions League?

Brendan Rodgers: “There can be issues around the timing, but we have been aware, so it’s not something that’s just been sprung on us. We understand that we were going to lose him, and we understand that we have to replace that quality to keep the team moving forward. That’s something that has been ongoing for a little while, and hopefully by the end of the window we come out of the window with a stronger squad.”

Q: Where are you on the Jota situation in terms of bringing him back to Celtic?

Brendan Rodgers: “Likewise, it’s not finalised yet but a player who clearly would be an incredible addition to our squad given what he’s done here before. Hopefully, we can confirm that in the next 24 hours.”

Q: In terms of recruitment, If the figures being quoted are correct in terms of outlay and intake, does that further highlight the sound business model that Celtic has?

Brendan Rodgers: “No, I have to say that this was nothing that was driven by the club in terms of having to sell, or any pressure on me to want to sell because of Kyogo’s age but it’s nothing to do with that at all. I think that that only comes into it once the player wants to leave, and clearly then at that point, once we can’t convince him to stay, then clearly the club has to go out and do the best they possibly can. What the figures are that are quoted but what I know is that the club are able to get the best deals they possibly can.”

Q: How confident are you that you’ll get someone in quick enough in terms of a new recruit in that position for Kyogo?

Brendan Rodgers: “As I said, it’s been in the making for a while. So there’s been a lot of work going on behind the scenes and hopefully, we can get someone to add that strength to our squad.”

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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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Q: Was there a reason, Brendan? You said that he expressed he wanted to leave a while ago. Was there a specific reason? Just a new challenge? What did Kyogo say to you or to the club?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think it’s a great place to be. But their careers are short. He’s 30 years of age now. And they want these new challenges. He’s achieved so much here at Celtic. But that opportunity at this time in his career to go into what would be one of the top five leagues was something that was maybe too good for him to turn down. But I think it was more just something new for him. A new challenge. He’s obviously loved the club. He’s loved everything about being here. But players’ careers are short. As much as we want to convince them to stay and be here, the minute they want to move and the representatives say they want to move, then we have to do the best for the club.”

Q: Brendan, was it just one of those things? I think Kyogo was really disappointed to miss out on international squads at times. I think that was one of the things mentioned from the Japan camp, that the Scottish league wasn’t challenging enough. Is that just one of the things that’s out of control of Celtic and maybe other clubs in Scotland as well?

Brendan Rodgers: “Listen, you can achieve many things here at Celtic. It might not be one of the top five leagues in the world, but this is a league where you can really develop and show your talent at the very highest level. When I arrived here, Kyogo hadn’t scored a goal in the Champions League. And if he leaves, he’s then shown that he can play at that level. But when he first came in, he was adapting to the game and did exceptionally well for Ange (Postecoglou). And then he continued with that work and now leaves as a player who has shown he can play at the very highest level. Now, the Japanese squad has obviously many really good players in them. But I think that you can show that by being here and winning and playing the type of football that we play and playing at the highest level, you can still achieve everything that you would like to. But obviously, naturally, there’s a feeling that when you’ve been somewhere, you may want to move on. It might be the weather. Maybe the weather just wasn’t quite what you wanted! But either way, he’s been a brilliant servant for us.”

Q: Obviously, we saw Adam [Idah], and how lifted he was by his role on the goal the other night as well. Do you think maybe having this extra responsibility for the next while will bring him on as well and help him?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think with Adam, like it is with every other player, we have to offer the time, the patience, the support. And we know the talents there. He’s already shown that in his time here. But yeah, you get through a run of games, and you don’t quite score. But I think his impact and run – that’s why I think we look for more than one quality striker. You need to be able to change up the game in the modern game now isn’t about the starting 11 and then playing the whole 90 minutes – Especially with the number of games that we play. I thought the first half of the other night, we were very, very good in the game, then we probably tired a little bit in the second half. Naturally, with so many games that we’re playing, plus the likes of Young Boys who had three, or four weeks off. So, they come into it a little bit in the second half. But that possibility to change the squad and have quality players on the side, to bring them in – that gives us the opportunity to get that winning goal. Strikers will always want to score goals. But for me, it’s always about the collective. Obviously, if Kyogo ends up finishing his deal, we’ll have to look to bring in another quality player in that position.”

Q: If Kyogo does leave and Jota comes in, is it in your mind perhaps to maybe play Daizen through the middle? It’s obviously a role that he knows very well from the national team.

Brendan Rodgers: “He can do that, but I would still want to bring in another striker. I think he can play there. If you look at Daizen’s numbers, I’m not sure exactly what they are. But when he arrived here, he came in here with something like 23 goals in 30-odd games. So, he’s a different profile of striker. But in the two games I’ve played him in as a striker, he’s scored five goals as a striker. At Yokohama, he scored a hat-trick, and then earlier in the season against Hibs when Kyogo didn’t play, he scored two goals and was a threat. So, he will get goals. What’s been really nice is to see the numbers that he’s able to get off the side. But I still think that we would need another striker. Definitely, we would want to bring in someone else.”

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Q: I can also just ask you about your captain the other night, Brendan. Callum, I don’t know if you’d be aware of this, but there were one or two murmurings that perhaps he’d come off the boil a little bit of late. What did you make of his performance the other night? Did that show that that absolutely is not the case?

Brendan Rodgers: “I thought he was absolutely brilliant in the game. He’s an outstanding player. He’s been here for such a long time. How he leads this team with his commitment and his example is absolutely second to none. I’ve managed him in so many games over both my spells. The consistency and the level that he produces are absolutely incredible. Now, from time to time, he might not be 9/10. Or maybe even 7/10 sometimes. But that’s just the level he’s set. How he drives this team. I’ve said before the game; that he’s the real heartbeat of this team. The level of his game that he’s shown the other night against RB Leipzig. Away in Atalanta, he’s still a player for the very highest level. You’ll always have your critics. Manager, player, it doesn’t matter. It’ll come to you, whether it’s deserved or not. What I know is that the example he sets, both on and off the pitch here, I’m very, very lucky to have him as my captain.”

Q: I was just going to say, there’s obviously disappointment amongst the Celtic supporters with Kyogo going, given the impact he had. From your point of view, how important is it to come out of the window stronger? If you think you’re want to bring in another striker, Jota could be returning, obviously Kieran Tierney as well. You’re in a good position to end the window in a stronger position, surely?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, absolutely. We’re in a fantastic position. It’s just the nature of life here. Players do really well. They will move on. The thing always for supporters is if they feel that certain connection to an individual, and obviously with Kyogo and his time here, his connection with the supporters and our young supporters, that was there for all to see. You can see his happiness at being here. But players will move on, and people will move on. We just have to thank him, if the deal goes through, for everything that he’s done here for Celtic and his time and the contribution that he’s made. Like I said, there’s still a while to go in the window. You can see things will happen in this last week or so. That’s always the aim. We certainly didn’t plan to sell Kyogo, and then be any weaker. Our idea is to be stronger coming out of January.”

Q: On Jota, he’s been a hero at Celtic before. How confident are you that he can have the same impact?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, I’m very confident. I think that there’s a possibility of him being able to come. He was one player that when I was coming back the first time, I was really, really looking forward to working with. I’d seen him play for Celtic, of course, and seen the impact that he made in terms of creating goals, scoring goals and that connection with the supporters. So, I was really, really looking forward to him and working with him. Then, virtually before I’d arrived, it was really agreed that he was gone. So, yeah, that was disappointing.

“I’ve spoken to him at length. The challenge always is, and I know through first-hand experience, is that when you’ve created a legacy, lots of people will tell you to come back and maybe that legacy can be dented. But my feelings to him and advice to him was, to come back and grow that legacy to be even greater. If you’re not happy in your work where you are or how it’s going for you, you know that this is a place where you will improve, you will develop. And he’s at a different moment in his life now as well, even though he’s been away only a few years. So, yeah, I think that he’ll come back with a real motivation. He’s got quality, but still got things he can improve, to develop. But he’s still young and if the deal comes through. Then, I’ll be really excited to work with him.”

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Q: I just wondered where Celtic are on the journey you hope to take them on when you came back here. What do you think’s developed in your time? And where are the next steps? I know you’re not someone who likes to sit still, so where do you want to go from here?

Brendan Rodgers: “When I came back, that was one of the agreements and discussion points with the hierarchy, the club and Dermot Desmond in particular, because it was based on how we can improve as a club. So, domestically, the club have had great success over a period of time. And the one glaring thing from my first time here was to do better in Europe. But for that, you need to have a level of player and equality that allows you to be competitive at that level. So, that was something we spoke about. And that’s something that we’ve looked into over the period I’ve been here.

“It’s not just about getting in players, and players you can sell on and make money for, but players that can improve you for now as well. And then that journey started in the last season with the team. I thought we had some really good performances. I didn’t quite get the results and the points to show for that, but we started to play with authority and maturity, even last season.

“And I’ve seen all of that. We’ve improved the squad; players have become better naturally in our development. So, that put us into the Champions League. We’ve added to the squad, and then we’ve seen that level. But what was also important then for this group was how they recovered from a setback, because Dortmund was a challenging night for us. But you see that from that moment, we’ve only conceded three goals. And that’s been a way to even a club like Atalanta, who are so good going forward. So, in that period from then until now, they showed that response and it’s been very, very pleasing.”

“So, where do we want to go from here? Well, our next game, we want to go, okay, we’ll have players missing at Aston Villa, but we want to go and finish off this group stage in the best possible way we can. And then for our future, it’s just to keep growing and sustain it at this level. It’s about growing and developing. And that is then about improving the players that you have and then bringing in a higher-quality player.”

Q: I know it’s your birthday on Sunday, isn’t it? Maturity has been a theme of the week. You know, the team maturing, the crowd maturing and all that sort of stuff. So, I wonder what the ageing process, what experience changes as a manager in terms of how you work, maybe your enjoyment of work, how it adds to the qualities you already had?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, it’s interesting. I had a couple of good friends up from Chelsea that I worked with 20-odd years ago. They were up for a few days, and they were asking similar sort of questions, you know, from when I was there coaching with them at Chelsea to virtually 20 years on. What does it look like? I think experience clearly helps massively in terms of dealing with problems. I think when I was a young coach and I’m trying to create this philosophy and this model for myself because I wasn’t a big player. I didn’t have that sort of protection behind me as such that people understood what I was.

“So, I was new to it all and had to earn my respect as such over that period. But I think then once you have that sort of greater longevity and you experience more, you just understand more, you understand about yourself more, and you regulate the pressure more. I think that’s the big thing. You know, I was 39, for example, when I went to Liverpool. First-team manager experience, but I had many coaching years. When I look now, I’m 52 on Sunday. I still feel young as a manager despite starting early, but I still always have that curiosity to want to learn.

“But I feel now that I really understand what is really, really important in terms of the game. Back then, 20 years ago, I was maybe the idealist and the purity of football. But you understand and you grow with that and understand what it really takes to develop when in teams and when in mentality and a winning culture. The journey has been amazing.”

Q: You just look like you’re enjoying it more than ever. You enjoyed that moment where Kasper made the save in the final minute and your picture just smiling at yourself on the touchline. Would it be fair to say that’s the case as well? Has your appreciation and enjoyment increased as well?

Brendan Rodgers: “To be in management, you need to have a real commitment and a real passion for the job. But for that, you have to enjoy it. I’ve been very, very lucky in my life to work with brilliant players but more importantly, brilliant people. I’m here in a club that’s really authentic. People that work hard and they give you absolutely everything.” I came back here with a point to prove, and I had to shake off some things that, for some people, I will never be able to shake off. The most important thing for me is Celtic and giving them the best that I possibly could.”

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