Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

The games keep on coming for Celtic with Dundee making the trip to the East End of Glasgow tomorrow night (Wednesday) to face the champions.

Tony Docherty’s side haven’t had their troubles to seek of late with one win amid a clutch of defeats, but Brendan Rodgers’ approach to the game won’t change, with good reason, and he also referenced Luke McCowan’s move from Dens Park to Celtic Park.

He said of Dundee’s fortunes: “You go through little runs. Obviously the Kilmarnock game will have hurt them before the international break, having been up in the game and then losing that one.

“They got a good win away at Motherwell which is a tough place to go, and then to lose at the weekend.

“So probably the last five or six games have not been ideal in terms of results, but Tony has done a fantastic job there – they lose their best player and lose their captain in the summer.

“So that can always make an impact, but Tony has good experience in the game and how he has managed his club has been fantastic.

“You’ll go through spells in this league where you maybe don’t get the run of games and the run of results, but for us, I always think it’s a dangerous moment for a team.

“Because they are looking for that big performance, and you know that teams will always give that extra bit against the champions.

“So we have to guard against that and make sure that we’re right on our game, and look to win, and obviously win how we want to.”

While the Hoops battle it out with Dundee, second and third face off against each other with Aberdeen hosting Rangers at Pittodrie, but the Hoops manager’s complete focus will be on what’s happening in front of him at Celtic Park.

He said: “Our focus is on our own, you can only look after yourself.

“I’m so pleased with how the team had been playing, how we’ve been functioning, how we’ve been working, and if we look and think of anything else, then that can take away from our performance.

‘So, it’s a big game, but we have a massive game at home to Dundee and that’s our only focus.’

“For us, it’s about us focusing on Celtic getting three points, playing the football, entertaining our supporters, because that’s ultimately what we can control.”

The new faces who joined the club in the summer have slotted in seamlessly to the team when and where needed, and maintained that vital consistency needed to keep control of their destiny.

But the Irishman also pinpointed the methodology of the players settling into the side.

He said: “The consistency and the approach is what’s important.

“You’ve seen at the early part of the season we had one game a week – you don’t have to change so much, you’re playing well, the intensity is there.

“But in order to maintain that over the course of this busy period, then you have to make the changes as it won’t always look how you want it to look in the game.

“You have to do it, for freshness, for injuries, which you can try and prevent as much as you can with all the markers now and all the signs that tell you where someone is at.

“But also it’s about feeling, it’s about experience, and the feeling is that we want to have as much energy as we can in the approach that we have as a team in terms of the structure, that way of working, that’s what’s most important.

“Because then players can come into it and be very clear on their role.

“And that’s what I would hope that supporters and people can see – no matter what changes we make, our most important player is the team.

“And the team is what will make you shine as an individual player.

 

There was, perhaps, just a glint of mischief in Brendan Rodgers’ eyes when it was put to him that the spotlight will be very much elsewhere in the Premiership on Wednesday night.

‘Obviously it’s a big game between second and third place’, said the Celtic manager who is fully aware that resurgent Aberdeen’s clash with a raggedly inconsistent Rangers will unquestionably dominate the narrative of a full midweek fixture list


Regardless of the outcome at Pittodrie, Celtic will remain at the top of the table if they do what is expected of them at home to Dundee.

Whether that continues to be on goal difference from Aberdeen in the event Jimmy Thelin’s men beat Rangers, or another result allows the reigning champions to open up a points gap for the first time this season, is not yet hugely relevant according to Rodgers.

Predictably and understandably, he was quick to insist that Celtic will concentrate solely on their own efforts as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to their latest title defence


While Aberdeen’s credibility as challengers would be further enhanced with a victory, however, the possibility of Rangers falling nine points off the pace in third is one that would certainly be warmly embraced by Celtic supporters

Irrespective (of the result at Pittodrie), it really is too early,’ replied Rodgers when asked what scenario would suit him best.

‘We are only 10 games in. I know the build-up to the title starts from even further out each year now but there are so many challenges to go through in the season.

So the result there can be whatever. For us, it’s about focusing on getting three points against Dundee, playing our football and entertaining our supporters. Because, ultimately, that’s what we can control.

‘You can only look after yourself and I’m so pleased with how our team has been playing, functioning and working. If we look at or think of anything else, then that could take away from our performance


So, yes, I’m sure it will be a really good game at Pittodrie. It always is, Aberdeen-Rangers or Rangers-Aberdeen. But we have a massive game at home to Dundee and that’s our only focus.’

Rodgers is waiting to discover if he will be able to call upon Adam Idah after the striker suffered a painful ankle injury in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.

The Republic of Ireland international underwent a scan today to determine the extent of the damage from a foul by Liam Gordon which saw the Motherwell defender sent off after a VAR intervention

The decision was questioned by Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell but Rodgers believes his counterpart may have altered his opinion after viewing footage of the incident.

It’s a poor challenge,’ said Rodgers. ‘It was a nasty knock Adam took. I can’t worry about how long he might be out until we get the scan results back.

‘Thankfully, the ground was a bit wet and his foot was able to move. If it was a dry pitch and his foot stuck, then it could have been a really, really bad one.

‘I said at the time I didn’t think the Motherwell player intended to harm Adam. I still feel that but it was a poor challenge. He was on the stretch, off the floor and it’s a bad challenge.

‘I respect Stuart has to defend his player. It’s sometimes difficult for managers immediately after a game when doing your press duties.


Watching it again, I think anyone would say it was a red card. I think when Stuart sees it again, he will see that as well.’

Captain Callum McGregor may miss out again with the abductor issue which forced him to miss the win at Motherwell but Rodgers expects him to be available for Saturday’s League Cup semi-final against Aberdeen at Hampden.

 

I'm happy with the rotations tonight. We needed to rest a few players and to give game time to squad players we will need to call on during winter fixture congestion. It's never without risk; but if you can't rotate at home to Dundee, when can you?

 

Good subs tonight!

 

You think? AJ absolutely. Thought Maeda, Forrest and Hatate were worse than the players they replaced.

 

It was more the timing of them. I thought Rodgers was gonna persevere for another 10 minutes. AJ definitely an improvement and game changer, Maeda I thought while not good, I preferred him to Palma. Hatate didn't do much wrong, but didn't influence the game either.

 

A traffic cone is an improvement on Palma

 

He wasn't perfect but he was better than Daizen today. If Palma played like Daizen did, it'd be knives out.

 

What did you make of that game?


I was pleased. Obviously, we made changes in the game. It's one of those ones where you can be more comfortable in the game if you get those early goals with two massive chances in that first period of the game. And of course, if you can get those against a team that's going to be resolute and defend, then that can open up the game for you. So we didn't quite take them, a really good chance. We had other big chances in the game, but I have to be pleased. I think guys getting minutes that are important players and play different roles for us in the squad. The likes of Tony Ralston and Cameron Carter-Vickers getting his minutes under his belt because we're not training a great deal, but he gets the chance to get good minutes in his legs. Greg Taylor coming back is so important for us. And then the two wingers coming in, haven't had a lot of game time, in all fairness, but they come in and work hard. And it's never easy to find that rhythm when you come in and haven't played a great deal. But it was job done. We controlled the game, created chances, should have had more goals and didn't concede. So, we have to be happy.

Did you have an eye on the weekend with squad selection tonight?

It's the reason for making the changes, to keep the energy and the freshness. And then, obviously, the guys can come in and affect the game. I think the supporters see the team now in a different place. Maybe a year ago there had been a bit of edginess and whatnot. But the team's in a really good place. We created chances, we should be in front at half-time. We weren't. So, just stay calm, and keep the ball moving quickly. And then when the opportunities come, then hopefully you can take them.

Are you happy with the players getting the result despite that big game on the horizon?

It's always a challenge because you can look ahead very easily and have some exciting games. But it's Celtic, it's all about the performance in the next game. And the players deserve a big credit because they focused very much on the performance, getting the result, which is key. And amidst a busy period, players getting game time. So their focus and concentration was very good.


How are Kuhn, Idah and McGregor after missing out today?

All three will be fine. Nicolas Kuhn had a sore hip after the game at the weekend. But he trained today, so that was good. Callum as well, and Adam also. We'll see their reaction. Hopefully, it will be all right. So, yes, I think he's got away with one there, Adam. He's still a bit sore, a bit swollen, but the medical team tell me he's done a bit of work today. So, hopefully, no reaction to it. It was a poor challenge. I think everyone could see that. But, yes, we've had, and he's had, more importantly, that little bit of luck because he's a very, very important player for us in our squad.

A word on Kyogo's showing tonight?

He had a couple of chances, especially the second one. But he was alive the whole night. He obviously gets taken down for the penalty and makes great runs. But he's a very important player for us.

What did you make of Alistair Johnston's performance?

Fantastic. Being on the move, he brings an energy. He's played a lot and I thought it was important just to give him that breather, especially with the big games that are coming up. And Tony's a very capable player to come in and support. But he gives us great energy, Alistair, in the game. It's a great finish because he's on the move, in the box, like he was at the weekend. And he's starting to enjoy scoring now, so hopefully that will continue.

Aberdeen beating Rangers at Pittodrie - are you surprised?

Listen, Aberdeen have had a fantastic start. That's a really good result for them. But as I'm sure you can respect, my focus is very much on Celtic. Our guys have made a brilliant start also, in terms of how they've been playing, the goals they've been scoring, secure defensively in the main and in a really good position in the Champions League. But it's still so early. My first marker is after 10 games. And if I look at it after 10 games, then we've made a really good start. Aberdeen are there as well, but there's still such a long way to go.

Are you looking forward to the League Cup semi-final this weekend?

Always great occasions. I love going to Hampden and we're in a really good place arriving into there. We've got players coming back and hopefully, it'll be a really exciting game

 

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Aberdeen’s resurgence is good for the Scottish game as he prepares to take on Jimmy Thelin’s unbeaten side at Hampden.

The Hoops are neck and neck with the Pittodrie side at the top of the Scottish Premiership after the first ten games of the season.

Both are undefeated domestically this season, but something will have to give at the national stadium on Saturday with a place in the League Cup final on the line.

The Dons’ early form has heartened Rodgers, and he insists it is healthy for the game to have another challenger.

But he also says his side is hungry to make the final after missing out on the trophy last year.

Speaking to the media on Friday: “Aberdeen are a really good side, and have done so well this season. It’s a semi-final, and we want to get into the final, so we are looking forward to it.

“We know we will have to play really well to reach the final



Their form so far has been a great credit to them, in the first ten league games they have played with that consistency and done really well, they have really good players and Jimmy has come in and clearly done a fantastic job.

“I always expect Aberdeen to be up there challenging, so to see them there is no great surprise.

“We will have to be really concentrated and committed in our defending, when we press the game well we will create opportunities and we can dominate the ball.

“When we look back at Aberdeen’s first goal against us, our game wasn’t to the standard that we expect or would want and when you do that against a good team they can hurt you and that gave them momentum for the next 15 minutes or so.”

Celtic have won seven out of the last ten League Cups, including three times under Rodgers during his first spell, but missed out last season after being knocked out by Kilmarnock early in the campaign.

Rodgers and his side were stung by their failure to win the trophy last season, the only piece of silverware he hasn’t won during both his spells in Glasgow, and he says that only adds to their hunger to get over the line again this time around.

The former Leicester, Liverpool and Swansea City manager has a 100% winning record at Hampden and is hoping to keep up that record on Saturday.

He said: “It certainly gives us hunger, as we missed out on that one last season, but a year down the line we are in a far different place to last year.

“Our hunger is there to reach the first final, we were really disappointed last year when we weren’t there to challenge for the trophy, but we now have a great opportunity to get there this season.



It’s always been a great joy to go to Hampden, for me I have always treated it like it is my first time and that is my mindset.

“I am really excited about going there and seeing half the stadium full of Celtic supporters and with the opportunity to get to a final.

“The League Cup was the one that eluded us last season and that didn’t sit comfortably with us.”

Aberdeen have won nine of their ten Premiership games, with a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park the only game he hasn’t won since Thelin took over.

And Rodgers says that is good to see and can only help the league as a whole and help his side kick on.

He said: “I think it’s brilliant (to have serious competition from Aberdeen) it’s great. Whether it’s football, or business, any competition is healthy and it’s what makes you better.

“You will always drive your own standards, but competition is really healthy and helps to keep you moving forward.

“Aberdeen are up there fighting, and everyone would expect Rangers to be up there at some point, and the big clubs from Edinburgh will feel like they want to be challenging as well.

“I think the more competitive the league is then that can improve you.”

Captain Callum McGregor is fit and available again after missing the last two games and is set to return to the squad along with the likes of Nicolas Kuhn


Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor are also in contention after returning to first-team action in the 2-0 win over Dundee on Wednesday.

Rodgers will now have big decisions to make on his starting lineup with the likes of Auston Trusty and Luke McCowan impressing in recent games.

He said: “We are in a really good place, everyone is fit and healthy, other than Odim Holm who has been out for a little while with his calf.

“Other than that I am really happy we have managed to get through to this period now in a really healthy way.”

 

The gaffer never lost it

 

Slippy B

 

That tickled me from Brendan I can't lie, class

What a * move from the ref to book him for that though, was a great slide tackle, clearly won the ball

 

I love how he comes alive in these big occasions.

 

Got everything spot on tonight. Took Thelin to school...

Needs to work on his passing though!

 

Needs to get a grip... I'll get my coat

 

His Tom Ford shoes