Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock
Q: It was a very intimidating venue, strong atmosphere and the players have dealt with it pretty well. Does that give you a kind of reassurance as well for other venues that are coming up, and just the general pressure of Europe?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think the pressure in general of playing for Celtic is always there, and that’s something that’s inherent. It’s something that surprises lots of players when they come to here. There are players who, from the outsid,e will look in and go, I want to be a part of that big club, it’s great. It wins trophies, it plays in Europe, so I want to be there. Then, when they arrive, they feel, wow, there’s a cost to all that. You have to perform and there’s pressure. I think as a player, as a manager here, you know there’s always that pressure. Playing in the stadiums is all a part of that.”
Q: Just on that, you’ve seen teams come in here in Europe and perhaps been a bit spooked at first by the atmosphere. Does the fact that it might be quieter at the start than usual, does that change your approach to the game at all?
Brendan Rodgers: “It won’t change our approach. Our approach is the same; it’s to start fast, get on the front foot and really impose our style in the game straight away. Always, whatever the reaction is to that, we have to control on the pitch, really, what it is we have to do.”
Q: Speaking to a few of the fans, they don’t seem that fussed about the Europa League, maybe because it’s not the Champions League, some are not buying tickets, but for you, how important is Europa League this season?
Brendan Rodgers: “It’s very important. We didn’t earn the right as a club to be in the Champions League. We wanted to be there, but we weren’t. We’re now in a prestigious competition. For us as a team and coaches, and players, we really look forward to this challenge. We’ll come up against some really, really good teams. For us, it’s still a great tournament to be involved in.”
Reo Hatate of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock
Q: Will it be nights like this against Braga, away from the domestic scene, where you feel maybe the players will get back to the levels that you want? Do you think it can be some kind of an inspiration?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I just think it’s time. I think we refer back a lot to the opening of last season and where the team is at. In the main, that team was fluid and prepared. A lot of the players played the system, understood the intensity with which we worked, and how we break teams down. Obviously, we had goal scorers. Now, it’s a change in terms of personnel to the new dimensions, the new connections that you bring in. You always hope that they can arrive straight away, but if not, it takes time.
“What I do know is that you have to win. Whatever settling-in period there is or isn’t, whether you’re managing a big club like Celtic or a club in a lower league, when you go out onto the field, you’re out to win. That’s full stop. That’s what we want to do. For us, we want to play well. That’s very important. For us, like I said, guys understanding the connections, understanding the pressures of playing for Celtic. Hopefully, I believe, through the season, we’ll improve and get better. Whether it’s domestic or Europe, our focus is on performing and winning.”
Daizen Maeda – Crvena zvezda vs Celtic Glasgow UEFA Europa league match at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 24.09.2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia. Photo: VM/MN Press
Q: How do you get them better? You alluded to it a year ago that there are guys at the moment whose levels have dipped since then. How do you get that back? Never mind recruitment and that, but the guys that were actually here.
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, listen, I say levels have dipped. Of course, we’re not scoring as many goals as normal. But the team are still showing a real resilient side. We haven’t lost this season. Defensively, we’re very strong. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand where and why we haven’t got the goals. A manager can always transform a team, but the trajectory of a team will always come down to the level of players that you have. That’s not changed. Football is not rocket science. It’s the same way back in years as to what it is now. The players ultimately will transform the trajectory of your football. So for us, we’ve brought some new players in. We give them time to settle in. But whilst we’re doing that, we support them and the players that are here. We continue to work with them and look to push the levels as we go through the season.”
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