Brendan Fraudgers!

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will avoid making too many changes to the Parkhead squad as they prepare for a gruelling run of games between now and the New Year.

Rodgers takes his side to Hamilton this afternoon for a lunchtime meeting against Hamilton Accies before then preparing for Thursday evening’s Europa league game against Rosenborg – followed by the Betfred League Cup final just three days later.

And it will be the same spine that will run through the team for the intense period that looms.

We have a busy period,” said Rodgers. “We have 11 games between now and the end of December but it’s what the players want. They’re all full of confidence and they’ve been playing really well over this last seven-week block and we’ll look to continue that this weekend.

“I’ll have to bring players in and out but obviously without making too many changes. We’ve seen that when we make too many chances, it disrupts the flow of the team. That’s where our two defeats came earlier in the season, making too many changes to try and compensate for big games.

“The players are now up to speed with the rhythm. We’ll have to look at subtle changes but there won’t be too many. What’s important is, collectively, it’s been an incredible performance from these players over the last two-and-a-half years. They know collectively that they all have to be ready.”

Celtic have not fared well so far this term on plastic; they lost to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in September and then drew with Livingston in the game that came immediately before the international break.

Aside from the surface, though, Rodgers, believes that Hamilton will be stuff opponents for the Parkhead side to overcome.

always tough game against Hamilton,” he said. “Martin and his players will have been disappointed with the last three results so I’m sure the break will have come at a nice time for them.

It’s always a tough game against Hamilton,” he said. “Martin and his players will have been disappointed with the last three results so I’m sure the break will have come at a nice time for them.

“They’ve always been a team that we have to work very hard to overcome. They have very committed players and an excellent younger manager in Martin who has done an incredible job with them over the last few years. We’ll expect a tough game off the back of the international break,

The plastic pitch always comes into my thinking with some players, and the risk of injury that you can’t play. We need to look at the availability.”

Olivier Ntcham could be back in contention for a start after returning to full fitness. The midfielder had returned to the French national football centre, Clairfontaine, in order to receive treatment on a muscle injury that presented itself during the League Cup semi-final win over Hearts last month.

Fresh on the back of signing a new deal with the club Ntcham could play a part against Accies, although the game is expected to come too soon for captain Scott Brown and Nir Bitton.

The latter has resumed training after a lengthy lay-off but his imminent return to action has excited Rodgers.

“It’s brilliant news for us in Nir Bitton,” said Rodgers. “He’s been out for a long time but has come back into training this week and it’s like a new player in having him back.

"We have Jozo, and young Mikey Johnston still on the outside and Olivier Ntcham is back training and will be available for the squad at the weekend.”

 

BR: It was a good win, off the back of the international break you want to come back and get the points on the board as quickly as you can.”

BR: "We had to generate the rhythm and intensity in our own game. I thought we did that really well, the passing was really crisp, and I thought we could’ve been up by about three at half-time.”

BR: “I think we’ve got our rhythm back that’s for sure over this last period, which has been good to see. The confidence players have gained from that – playing well, being creative, scoring goals – that performance today looked like the first year I was here

BR: "The players came in, they really controlled the game, they had that personality in the team to be aggressive. Guys like Ryan came into the team too, and they have been outstanding. They bring another intensity to it as well, that hunger and freshness.”

BR: "“It was also good to have the guys back. Leigh scored, which is important and, yeah, helps us get a bit of depth to the squad as well.”

BR: “It’s taken a load off some of the players. Jamesy has played a lot, so we’re trying to give them a little rest, a little ten minutes here and there."

BR: "Kieran has come off today. The players are really high in confidence, and we’ll maybe have another one or two available on Thursday. We’ll relish that and prepare well.”

 

BRENDAN RODGERS says Celtic players are not to blame for the actions of Rangers fans.

Police earlier said there is a ‘clear link’ between the Hoops‘ lap of honour at the end of Old Firm matches and the reaction of the Gers support.

But the Hoops boss has refuted those claims and insists his players cannot be held accountable for any crowd trouble.

He said: “It’s not so much a lap of honour in that last game.

“I think it’s unfair to put the responsibility of away supporters onto Celtic players.

“We show our appreciation and respect for the incredible support we get, our aim is never to provoke or antagonise any support.

“Especially the Rangers game, I as much as anyone understand the delicate nature of that.”

Police want to put an end to the Celts’ post-match ritual but Rodgers says the proposed crackdown would be unfair on the Hoops faithful.

He added: “I think it’s a little unfair on the Celtic support.

“When I first came in to Celtic, I said to the players that what was going to be absolutely critical for us is the connection between the players and the supporters.

“That synergy is vital if we’re going to succeed.

“I made sure after each game – whether we win, lose or draw – we always acknowledge the supporters.

“They travel from far and wide, up and down Scotland, across from Ireland and from all over the world.

“It’s something we have always done, is recognise that.

“Whether we have won, lost or drawn, whether it’s against Rangers or Ross County away or Livingston or Hamilton, we always do it.”

 

BR: “We’ve always been received well here and they’ve always been good games. We look forward to a good game tomorrow evening.

BR: "It's just the next big game for us. If we can get the victory tomorrow it gives us a good chance to qualify.

BR: “Whatever team I put out will be a strong team and one I feel can win the game.”

BR on
@ScottBrown8
and
@Tom_Rogic
: "It's important both are available and fit to play if required."


BR: “What you want as a Manager is options. We have a really clear purpose.”

BR: “All we can do is look to win our two games. It’s a tough group but we’re excited by what we can do in the next 2 games.”

BR on how important Leipzig result was: "It was a big result for us. How the team responded after conceding; I was very proud of the players

BR: “There are no easy games, but the players know they can do it.”

 

Has got us back into contention in a difficult group, would be a good achievement to see off quality German opposition.

Can’t wait for Sun, you just know he will have us well prepared.

 

I get terrified when we try shore up, to see a game out. Naturally such an attacking team under Brendan and it makes me nervous seeing us defend like that.
Intellegent game management tonight.

 

He had some massive calls to make tonight and they were all spot on.

 

* love the man really do, he's top drawer in every way whether it's tactics, man management or the way he represents the club in the media he's really raised to expectations for the following manager.

 

BR: It was an outstanding performance in terms of our football. There was pressure on us to win."


BR: "We had some really good chances but we just couldn't quite finish them. It was a great finish from
@Scotty_Sinclair
with his head so it was a very nice goal."

BR: "we were pretty calm right the way through the game and that spell at the end. We had to make a couple of changes but we kept our concentration."

BR: "Everything is in our hands now and it's up to finish the job in the final game".

BR: "The players will recover in the morning, travel back in the afternoon then finish off our preparation [for #BetfredCup Final] on Saturday.

 

To get through without modifying our own style, playing our own game would be very satisfying. Tough test tho...

On Sunday, I love how he relishes the prospect of Hampden and how it suits our game, his handling of big games there has been a psychological masterpiece thus far..

 

Anyone still want him sacked?

 

I want to suck his sack.

 

This is TalkCeltic, mate. Wait 5 minutes.