Brendan Rodgers has made it clear that Celtic will require summer reinforcements to reignite the squad’s hunger and as the cycle continues players are also likely to leave…
Growing complacency
The Celtic manager criticised his players for growing complacent in recent weeks, following a run of three losses in their last six Premiership fixtures as the title race nears its conclusion. The Hoops have the chance to secure the title this weekend, provided they beat Kilmarnock and theRangers lose against Aberdeen.
However, Rodgers maintained that significant transfer business remains necessary, regardless of whether Celtic go on to complete another Treble. The Irishman acknowledged that the squad may require an overhaul – though he ruled himself out of any changes in the dugout.
Rodgers said: “It’s all about improvement. I think naturally what you have at our club is a natural slide of players that move out and come in every three or four years. It’s the nature of our model here, but it’s also the nature of players being here and maybe either looking to move on or want to come away from the pressure that’s here, because three or four years of it, it’s a lot of pressure.”
“We always have to be ready to replace any players that go”
“But we always have to be ready to replace any players that go. But obviously important for us is improvement. We always want to improve the team, improve the hunger in the team. That’s always key. You need the freshness.”
“It’s either that or the manager goes. It’s simple, there’s no rocket science in it. You cannot be at a club for a long period of time with the same group of players. And likewise, the same group of players need a different voice. But at this moment, it’ll be about improving the squad.”
“I think change is needed”
Rodgers added: “I think change is needed. I think that’s that freshness, that new energy coming into your squad that alleviates any of that sort of complacency. So, we will bring players in to challenge the squad and the team for the summer.”
“That’s natural at any team. However, this team does at the end of the season, come the end, we want to improve it. Because, like I said, if you just sit on that, then the team needs the competition. So, either way, we will look to improve the squad.”
Yang’s arm in a sling
The 52 year-old confirmed that winger Yang will be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks due to an elbow injury, as he calls for a reaction from his team following his outburst after the defeat to St Johnstone.
“If we’re going to be champions, then we want to show why we’re a champion.”
He said: “If we’re going to be champions, then we want to show why we’re a champion. We want to have that mentality, strong performances. I spoke before about sprinting over the line. And for us, as we’re getting over the line, everyone is anticipating that it will be done. But it’s not done until you actually get the points.”
“And I think part of my frustration also last week was the opportunity to win that at home. I think the last time we were able to do that, I was lucky enough my first time here, it was 2018. We have supporters travelling all the way around the world, following us up and down the country, everywhere. And it doesn’t happen often.”
“So, the opportunity to be able to come into tomorrow’s game to win the title would have been a great tonic for the supporters. However, it wasn’t to be. So it’s now about preparing now for the game tomorrow, putting in a strong performance, which we will need. And then we keep collecting the points until we are a champion.”
Here’s Brendan’s media conference from earlier today…
Conor Spence
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