Brendan Rodgers sat down to preview the upcoming Scottish Premiership campaign and it all starts with Ross County this afternoon at Celtic Park on Flag Day. The Irishman answered the call to return to Paradise following Ange Postecoglou’s move to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspur back in June.
Now that Rodgers has had several weeks to get to grips with things again and start to assess his squad and also get additions through the door, it all becomes reality tomorrow and he’s looking forward to the challenge once again. Speaking ahead of the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “We’re really looking forward to it. We’ve had a really good pre-season, lots to assess and lots to admire of the players with the work they’ve put in, and by the club and the staff.
“But, of course, you’re preparing for when it matters and that starts on Saturday so we’re looking forward to it. Just driving up to the stadium and seeing all the supporters at the weekend for Flag Day, which is obviously a commemoration of the great work that the players and the staff did last season. And also it’s a symbol of what we’re fighting for to win again, so it gives a great motivation and it’s something for us to look forward to.”
Having had a chance to cast his eye over the players during his trip to Portugal and then Japan, he said of his squad: “I think the standards have been set here over many years. It’s the standard of Celtic, it‘s not just what’s been done over the last five or 10 years. Celtic is a club that has a high expectation and high standards that are always set and any manager that comes in here, that’s what you embrace and it’s also what you look forward to.
“So for me, I understand what those standards are, and that was one of the big reasons for coming back here, to try and continue and develop those, improve those. We have a fantastic group of players that are still very much in the learning phase of development and I’ve really enjoyed working with them so far.”
He added: “I think it was key for me to come in and assess, and give that period of time. I think it’s clear the positions that are priorities for us that we’d like to improve on. But I think the team and the squad was in a really good position, but I am fresh in, so I needed to assess that and see it over a period of time.
“And I think, over time, we’ll look to improve the squad further. It’s the best time to do it, whenever you’ve had success, because success is that moving target. It keeps moving and the challenges this year will be even greater, so we have to ensure that we have a squad that can match those.”
The man who is on his homecoming to Glasgow’s East End has been emphatic in his need for the highest of standards and insists that they will be out to win the title as an aggressor, as opposed to hanging on to defend it. He said: “The mentality is, rather than defend it, we want to win it. I think that’s what’s key.
“We start everything afresh. It was a great achievement last year and in the years leading up to that, but everyone starts with no points at the beginning of the season, so that’s the excitement for me of coming back here. I always felt that I had unfinished business here, but now I’m back and so happy to be here, and really happy to take on that expectation and the pressure that comes with managing Celtic.”
Paul Gillespie
