Let’s talk about Celtic, five quick chats

1. BRENDAN RODGERS ON RETURNING SCOTLAND MANAGER ALEX McLEISH

On Celtic players going on THAT end of season tour to South America…

“We had a brief chat about it, in terms of the individual players, but I’ll speak to Alex more about that over the course of the next week or so.

“It’s fair say there has been a huge burden on our players this season, mentally and physically. It was a really short turnaround for the majority of them after last season.

“There are going to be some who need the recovery and rest. We will speak on that and see what’s going to be best.

“My priority is Celtic and I need to have as many players available as possible,” Brendan said.

Some of the non-Scots like Mikael Lustig and Tom Rogic will have international commitments this summer in Russia.

“It’s going to be great for the guys going to the World Cup, but for now, until the middle of May, it is full steam ahead for our players,” the gaffer stated.

2. CHRIS DAVIES ON SCOTT BROWN

“I can only judge him in the period I have worked with him and he has been first class since the day we got here.

“He is a great leader. But, firstly, he is a very good player in his own right. As a central midfielder with the ball, he is good in possession and he has good defensive qualities, as well.

“The bigger picture is what he does for the team and he is a Celtic legend. I think that is fair to say, even before he has finished playing.

“It is a memorable season for him. The club is about winning trophies, that is what Celtic is about and that is what Scott Brown’s career has been about – being at the top of the Scottish game and winning trophies.

“He’ll be focused now on the next couple of trophies that we are all fighting for. It will be a positive for Celtic that he is playing fewer games over the season.

“He is very patriotic and he will not have made the decision to retire lightly but for us it is good that he’ll maybe be that little bit fresher.”

Chris was talking about the skipper to Celtic TV.

3. DORUS DE VRIES ON KRISTOFFER AJER

“Kristoffer is a really great player. He can go on and have a big future in the game.

“He is strong in the tackle, he throws himself at everything, but he is also very assured with the ball at his feet.

“Obviously, he still has a lot to learn at this level, but he is one of a few very exciting players at the club.”

Ajer, 19, was almost knocked cold after a collision of heads with team-mate Jozo Simunovic in the Hoops’ 2-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie at the weekend.

It took fully three minutes before he got back to his feet and De Vries said: “I think he was a little bit afraid that his good looks would be ruined!

“He has a big bruise and a black eye, but, hopefully, he will be okay.

“You get those knocks when you are going in to battle.”

4. DORUS ON KT

“I laughed when people spoke of Kieran still having the energy to run back to celebrate his goal.

“If you know KT, then you would know that he could keep going like that for another three hours!

“He is fit, he is fast and he is strong and there is such a good nucleus of young players at the club. I think it is exciting to have that because you are building a team for a long time then.

5. DORUS ON MOUSSA DEMBELE

“Moussa Dembele also did so well for his part in the build-up to the goal. It is great for us that we have those big players in the squad.

“They relish the big games and there will be a few of them on the horizon now.

“Lots of people forget Moussa is still very young, too, at 21. There is so much more to come not only from him, but from us as a team.”

THE CELTIC STAR PODCAST – FEATURING DAVID LOW

THE CELTIC STAR PODCAST EXTRA – FEATURING CELTIC BY NUMBERS

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

Comments are closed.