Communication Masterclass from Brendan Rodgers – Reaction and Everything Said

Q: The timing of it doesn’t help?

Brendan Rodgers: “Like I said, it’s not what you want to wake up on a Saturday and be shown that. And I think that people who know me know my affinity for here. They also know I don’t sit comfortably. And if someone were to sit comfortably and be happy with what they’ve got, then I’m the wrong manager to facilitate that, because I’ll always demand improvement and want continual improvement. My best interest is for Celtic. So I want this club to succeed. And for that, if I’m sitting comfortably, then it’s not going to work. So I have to get uncomfortable, and then that means I have to ask questions that maybe people don’t like. That’s my job.”

Q: Daizen Maeda said he was close to leaving. Clarity on that?

Brendan Rodgers: “I wasn’t surprised by that because I’ve known since the end of February where Daizen was at. We spoke a lot. He continued to give everything in his game and his training. Yeah, he had a few options to go, which would’ve been great for him and his family. It didn’t materialise. So it’s my job here to convince him to go again. I’ve done that with other players before, like with Luis Suarez. But I think everyone sees the integrity with which he works, how he plays. I believe we can connect all of that. I’m pretty sure he’ll give his all while he’s playing.”

Q: You’ve said before that if a player feels like they want to leave, they’re better off away?

Brendan Rodgers: “I still feel that. I still feel that if a player does want to move on, then we have to be prepared for that. And in this window, we clearly weren’t prepared for that. And yeah, it just couldn’t happen, but my feelings are still the same, especially if you got a player who’s been here for years, given his all. And he wanted to have another challenge before he went back to Japan, then that was maybe the right thing for him. But certainly, the position we were in, and being so late. We couldn’t make that happen for him, sadly.”

Q: With him next summer going into the last year of his contract, will January be when you have to cash in?

Brendan Rodgers: “I’ve just got out of this transfer window, I’m not talking about January! I haven’t even thought about it.”

Q: Kieran Tierney and Anthony Ralston, how are they?

Brendan Rodgers: “Kieran’s just got back in training. So that’s good. He knows he has to step up his work, but he’s obviously been out for eight or nine days. Tony, he’s unavailable and will be in a boot for a little bit longer.”

Q: Will Kelechi Iheanacho be available?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, he’ll be available. He’s a player who trained every day, and he’s always available. He has some real special moments in games. I expect him here with the day-to-day work, and with the supporters, he can be a really exciting talent for us. I hope he is because he’s got big qualities and he’s a good guy.”

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