Read everything Brendan Rodgers has had to say in his exclusive interview on Celtic TV today as the Celtic manager issues a rallying cry to players and supporters….
Celtic TV: Brendan, domestic football returns this weekend. How has the group been working particularly those that are having to work while the core group is away on international duty?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think it’s always a good opportunity over the course of the international break. We’ve had some of our younger players have some minutes in some games. Others have been able to develop their football fitness. But it’s also important to have that period of rest when you have just come of the back of a hectic schedule and you are preparing for another one. Not everyone is back yet but the players will start to re-introduce themselves over the next few days.”
Celtic TV: You say there’s a real blend of what goes on: rest, sharpness. But what is it about this period that gives you the chance to rest but also to sharpen up some bits?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well I think that the ability to re-set is what’s most important, obviously coming off the back of a really good win, it allows you to reflect on that. But obviously the games prior then reset the focus and the expectations going forward because we’ve got a really busy schedule coming up over the next month or so before the next international break. It allows you to re-focus on the ideas and re-enforce the importance of hard work over the coming period.”
Celtic TV: Would rather be able to play right through to the March break or would you still welcome that November break. I know there’s been some talk recently that they’re going to blend the international break going forward. What are your thoughts on that?
Brendan Rodgers: “My thoughts are that if you had a break in January then that would be ideal. But listen, the seasons are what they are. You need to deal with it, we have the international breaks. We know the next one is just around the corner as well. But we have a chunk of games which are very important games for us. And then you know that from that November break, once you are back that’s you through until March when you’ve got a really busy period.”
Celtic TV: In terms of lads who are coming back how are they looking fitness-wise and are there still quite a few to come back?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, still a number to come back and some will still have games and with travel and everything else so come Friday most of the guys will be back.”
Celtic TV: We caught up with Alistair Johnston last week and we’ve seen him back to full training. How pleasing is it to have him closing in on a return and is his return something that you’ll manage carefully?
Brendan Rodgers:” Yes well it’s obviously a big blow having someone of that quality out. But what we’ve been able to do is, we’ve got Colby Donovan, who’s come in and done very, very well. Tony Ralston is always a very capable player for the club, and an international player. So it gives those guys the chance to get games.
“But there’s no doubt that Ali’s been a real pivotal part of the team for a number of years now. His power and the balance he gives both offensively and defensively is very important for the team. So it’s great to have him back on the pitch and seeing that strength and power back in training.”
Celtic TV: You mentioned that good win last time out against Motherwell. Dramatic late winner through Daizen Maeda – after the game you did mention that the team are nowhere near the level you would expect. What’s the focus going to be to get the team up to the standard you would expect?
Brendan Rodgers: “I just think it’s going to be time. But once you’re waiting for that, then you have to win games. I think that we’ve shown glimpses through the games, but not consistent enough. But the team’s still winning domestically, and that’s very, very important. I think that really typified the mentality, because that’s also something that you can’t underestimate as well.
“We’ve played a number of games so far this season already, and we’ve had late winners in those games. So that tells you that the spirit is very strong in the team. The push that we get from the supporters is really galvanising the team. And it is a team that will go to the very end. So these are all really positive things for us.
“Of course, we want to get the performance level to a higher level of course in a more consistent way. But whilst we’re searching for that, searching for the guys coming to the team, settling in and coping with the demands and expectations of Celtic, then it’s our duty to win. And that’s something that really pleased me with the last performance. We kept going, weren’t behind in the game, but continued to show the fight. Players coming into the game, making a great contribution, and obviously then we get that winning goal.”
Celtic TV: You did there’s a big run of games up to the November break. That starts on Sunday, we’ve got European nights, a semi-final against (the)Rangers , a trip to Tynecastle before it finishes off against Kilmarnock. I might have missed one tor two out there, so apologies to the opposition – what’s your message to the players and the fans as we move into this really crucial part of the season?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, let’s embrace all the challenges that come our way, both domestically and in Europe. It’s a really exciting period, it’s what Celtic is all about, playing in these games and playing in the big games. And for us, as I said, that collective being together is always the attitude that we want to show. We’re excited by these games that are coming up, and we want to go in and embrace the challenges, like I say, and everyone together fighting for the same cause, as what Celtic is about.”
Celtic TV: And just finally, I’ve got to ask. Your former captain Scott Brown. He saw red in a legends game in Rotterdam over the weekend. Some say the old habits die hard, what did you make of that one?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I’ve only seen a headline about it, I haven’t seen the why but I can only imagine. He’s still super competitive. He’s been finished playing no for a few years but he’ll never lose that competitive edge and maybe going onto foreign soils maybe it wasn’t quite the attitude that they expect over there. But a great guy, an amazing servant for Celtic and I’m glad to see that he’s still got those competitive juices running through him.”
Here’s a preview of the exclusive Celtic TV interview with Brendan Rodgers with the full video being available now on Celtic TV to subscribers. Everything that the manager has said is shown above…
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter, signed copies by Danny McGrain still available!
Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain Danny McGrain PLUS you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, and you’ll only be charged for postage on one book. Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.
Football is a results business, and in that regards, it’s about time we start seeing and achieving far better imo.
We still have plenty of established players within our squad, which the majority aren’t preforming anywhere near there capabilities, for way too long also. Places even more pressure upon incoming players to deliver, which shouldn’t be the case, but it is for ourselves at present.
Wouldn’t even class our season as actually started yet, especially with the performance levels declining so badly.
6 extra points gained within the SPFL, with having to play 3 get out of jail cards already, with very late goals changing the outcome of matches.
3 out of 4 European performances absolutely woeful.
Made worse, by unable to win a meaningful match this calendar year to date.
This can’t continue, and certainly won’t be acceptable over our next 7 matches, especially with the amount of must win games involved.
Personally believe that the next 7 games will go a long way to determine whether Rodgers is going to be in a position until the end of this season imo?
Don’t even think talk of a new contract is even on the agenda, and nothing to suggest that a new one should even be considered at present imo.