Brendan Rodgers warns Daniel Cummings about agents with a different agenda

“2-0 down in a real cauldron of atmosphere of a team that really, really wanted to win playing at home. But we just stayed calm with it and our only disappointment was coming out of the game. We just didn’t quite have our squad there to really affect the second half of the game because the players are giving so much and at that level, you want to be able to change it and make those changes that bring that energy to the game. Over the course of the eight games, we’ve shown clear progression, both in our football and our mentality and our attitude because being successful at that level is not just about ability. It’s about attitude and mentality and the players have shown that and now we’ll need to show that again getting to this next level.”

Q: On any potential deal to bring Kieran Tierney in this month? Is that looking unlikely now? Has there been a change in circumstance there?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, and I won’t speak anymore on it because Kieran, I said the other night, by the summer, will be a Celtic player and that’s it. If he’s here later in the month, you’ll know.”

Q: In terms of potential incomings, if that situation has changed, is that an area you’d need to look at and are you still hopeful of bringing in a striking option before the deadline?

Brendan Rodgers:  “We’re hopeful of improving the squad. I think that is key for us. Players have gone out. We want to keep the strength in the squad. We’ve brought in a few. We have Jota, who we’re really happy with. He’s had a great period here and now he’s got a chance to build on that legacy. He’s a little bit behind in terms of his football fitness, I would say. But he’s a fantastic addition for us so hopefully we can add a few more.”

Q: Could he feature on Sunday?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes. He’ll be in the squad. We need to work him back up, both in the training, pitching and in the game and then we’ll just build him up over these coming months.”

Q: Luis Palma, is he one that could go out?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes. Yes, there’s a possibility for Luis to be leaving and I would expect that to go through.”

Q: A loan deal with an option?

Brendan Rodgers: “A loan with an option, yes.”

Q: As regards Sunday, Callum McGregor 500th game, what does that say about him as a Celtic captain?

Brendan Rodgers: “It says so many things, not just as a player but he clearly had the talent as a young player to be at Celtic but it tells you absolutely everything about his professionalism, his commitment, his quality and his example that he sets every single day of his life. Seeing him now to when I first came and just seeing that growth, it’s a remarkable achievement in the position he plays with the possibility of so many good players to be in here to play that number of games. I’m so proud of seeing how his career’s moved from when he first broke into the team in 2016 when I came in just seeing how it was back then to how he leads the team. We are so, so lucky to have him as a captain here and he’s still got numbers of years left.”

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