Brendan Rodgers previews Sunday’s Premier Sports League Cup Final against theRangers in an interview on Celtic TV…
The full interview is available only to subscribers at the moment, although the club usually released these exclusive interviews via the club’s You Tube channel so perhaps later today or tomorrow for that. There’s a taster video below from Brendan’s interview and we’ve listened to it and transcribed the text for you below so you can read everything that’s being said…
Celtic TV: Brendan, you’ve got the players back from Zagreb, got them out on the training pitch, how are they looking?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, all good. Obviously, I gave them a first day of recovery yesterday and today we got some good work into everyone. So, yes, we’re getting prepared now for the weekend.”
Celtic TV: How much are you looking forward to another Hampden final?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, very much. We obviously didn’t make the League Cup final last year, so it was one of our big ambitions this season. So, get to the final and Celtic vs (the)Rangers final is always one to look forward to.”
Celtic TV: Hampden’s been a good ground for you as a manager. It must feel like a second home, the number of games you’ve won there, not to mention the silverware. Are there any games there that stand out as extra special for you when you look back?
Brendan Rodgers: “I think every one is special for different reasons. Obviously, my first-ever trophy, it was a League Cup final win, so that meant everything. Obviously the Scottish Cup to win the treble at the end of that season was an iconic game and the history that surrounded that. So, that always means everything. But I have to say, because I could go through them all, we beat (the)Rangers in the semi-final there, which we played ever so well and it was really good, Motherwell to win the double treble. So, there were a lot of games there, but I just really look forward to every single time we play there, whether it’s the semi-final or final, and look to play our game.”
Celtic TV: (the)Rangers, by their own standards, haven’t had the best start to the season domestically – but having said that, their form has been good in the last few games. We’re speaking ahead of them playing Tottenham, does any of that in terms of form matter when it comes to a derby final?
Brendan Rodgers: “I don’t think so, no. I think however you arrive into it, it’s a one-off game to play. But of course, I’m really pleased with the rhythm and form that we have. We’ve been playing a lot of games and we’re in a busy, busy period but we’re in a really good place having played ever so well over the course of the season. At times we’ve had to show different ways to win but in the main, our identity has been clear and we look to go into this and to play well and to win.”
Celtic TV: You’ve played (the)Rangers already this season and won – what kind of test do you think they will pose on Sunday?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well listen, they’ve got some very good individual players,, players that can score goals and create goals. I just think the nature of it, a Celtic vs (the)Rangers game, and it being a final, it always leads to it to maybe being a tense game. For us, it’s about being able to bring our ideas and our identity and implement that in the game. I always feel playing with a calmness in the finals is really important. There’s been a lot of build-up around it, it’ll be a great occasion. Just play our football, stick to our processes and how we work and hopefully that can lead us to our first trophy.
Celtic TV: I’ve alluded to the success you’ve had at Hampden the silverware that you’ve won, does that show you have the players for the big occasion who can play the game like any other when the atmosphere is heightened?
Brendan Rodgers: “I go back to the Scottish Cup Final at the end of last season. We didn’t play well in the game I didn’t feel. I didn’t think it was a great game, however, it was at the end of a really long season so that is understandable. But what is important in finals is you do what you can to win. If you’re not quite at your fluent best you have a resilience and a mindset to win. These players have shown that mentality already this season. We’ve played some brilliant football, some really attacking football. But there have been other games where we’ve had to dig in and find a way to win. So that’s the nature of this game. We’ll prepare to play how we want to and respect the qualities of (the)Rangers.
Celtic TV: What about the supporters? You know you’ll have them, it’s a cup final so it’s 50/50 which is unusual these days in a Glasgow Derby. How much are you looking forward to having that backing?
Brendan Rodgers: “It’s really special – the connection between the team and supporters. The supporters will arrive there and want to see the team win and pick up the trophy. They give us incredible support. I go back to the Aberdeen semi-final – they were really behind the team and with the team. It’s so important that even when you’re winning you don’t take anything for granted, you don’t expect, it’s so important always to push the team and give the backing and give the support. When our support does that it’s a great, great feeling for the players and it gives them that extra push on the field.”
Celtic in the Thirties – Have you ordered your copies yet?
By popular demand, both volumes of Celtic in the Thirties are now available on Amazon Kindle, with the links to order below. Signed copies of both volumes are available on hardback from Celtic Star Books and if you would like author Matt Corr to add a special Christmas dedication to your copies please let us know. Postage deadline for Christmas is next Wednesday. Order hardback copies HERE or for Amazon Kindle click on the links below…
If ref has a quite game we will win but if he is the man papers are talking about after game i fear for Celtic having 11 men on the pitch for 90 minutes this ref has booked McGregor in every game he referees man has no professional pride his oath to a secret cult overrides all Alan muir is his brother in crime I’ll be surprised if Celtic get one 50 50 call