After speaking to Viaplay, Celtic TV and the BBC, Brendan Rodgers attended the post match media conference at Rugby Park to discuss the 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock in the League Cup, which of course ends Celtic’s treble chances in August. Here’s what the Celtic manager had to say after a truly awful performance this afternoon…
20th August 2023; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Callum McGregor of Celtic is yellow carded by referee Alan Muir
Q: What were your thoughts on the game?
Brendan Rodgers: “I’m disappointed to go out of the cup Kilmarnock showed their resilience and took their chance when it came. We are very disappointed and it was certainly nowhere near the level that we need to be at to win the game. We were a bit more progressive when Kilmarnock got the goal and we started to be a threat. I thought Yang coming into the game looked very well and he gave us that ability to take people on in a one versus one but other than that we lacked quality in the game and it was just so disappointing.”
20th August 2023; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Will Dennis of Kilmarnock raises a fist to the Kilmarnock fans in celebration
Q: You say you weren’t near your level can you put your finger on why?
Brendan Rodgers: “We were just not at the level yet in terms of performance. It is a tough place to come, of course, but we need to show more and we need to have a greater physicality in the game and then when you have won that battle you need to play with more quality and we didn’t play with that.”
Q: The first time around you weren’t used to these defeats and how do you put this into context? Is this a setback for you in the bigger picture of things?
KILMARNOCK, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 20: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is seen during the Viaplay Cup match between Kilmarnock FC and Celtic FC at BBSP Stadium on August 20, 2023 in Kilmarnock, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Brendan Rodgers: “I think when I came in here before and won trebles people think that’s just what you come in and do. It is a very difficult thing to do and you see this defeat that magnifies the achievement from before. It is a new cycle and I want to win every game as the Celtic manager and this is bitterly disappointing. Of course, it is always a setback when you go out of a cup competition but we have 24 hours to get over it and there is a long season ahead and many things to play for so that is what we will work on.”
Q: Is this the point when you can use it to reinforce the message to the new arrivals who are not long in the door about the level that is expected at the football club? Can you use this as a catalyst for the rest of the campaign?
Kilmarnock v Celtic – Brendan Rodgers in the Viaplay Cup second round match at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park, Sunday August 20, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh
Brendan Rodgers: “I said at the beginning when I came in here that this was not a continuation. Good teams aren’t born. There are new players in, players have left. So we have to work very hard and if we think that it is just going to happen then that will not be the case at Celtic. You have to settle in very quickly. The new players will have seen that, the young players coming into the club with a huge expectation but they will get better and improve. On days like today even though it is a sore one you have got to take your medicine and stay together and move on to the next game.”
20th August 2023; Rugby Park, : Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Liam Scales (who should have played) Gustaf Lagerbielke and Maik Nawrocki.
Q: What did you think of the two centre-halves?
Brendan Rodgers: “It’s an important area of the team. They had never played together before. That’s something that’s been really steady here for a couple of seasons. Gustaf did well, he is strong and aggressive for a young player. He wants to defend forward. He will get better and, as I say, the more the players can play together the more relationships they will build and the better they will be for it. I thought Yang was excellent when he came into the game. When I look at the team it’s that match-winning ability that we maybe need to have more of within the squad. I thought Odin showed flashes and really good moments but he is 20 years of age and he is going to get better and days like today will help him do that.”
20th August 2023; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock, Scotland: Scottish Viaplay Cup Football, Kilmarnock versus Celtic; Lewis Mayo of Kilmarnock tackles Sead Haksabanovic of Celtic in the box
Q: Do you need to get more experienced players in before the window closes?
Brendan Rodgers: “We want good players, whatever age they are. We need quality, that’s for sure. Hopefully, between now and the end of the window we can improve the squad. Clearly, the model of the club is to bring the players in at a younger age and develop them and improve them but we are not against bringing in someone at 26 or 27 if they can improve the squad.”
Q: Was Yang close to starting today?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, he has been settling in really well. I thought he was excellent when he came on against Aberdeen. Today I thought he was really creative when he came into the game. He brought brightness to us in that attacking third. When there are no midweek games, most of the team that won last week deserved to play. Obviously, we had a few injuries but he certainly came into the game and showed up very well.
Q: What was your take on Sead Hakšabanović’s penalty shout? Did you get a good view of it?
Brendan Rodgers: “No. I haven’t seen it so I have no idea if it was close or not.”
