Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

Spot on. He must have been gutted seeing McCowan grab the winner as he is clearly a board signing.

Yamada woyld have scored 2-3 this game. * the board but * stuff like this

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Rodgers signed idah, engles and trusty, i assume he identified them, nearly £30 million on those 3, yet he benched both engles and trusty today and idah is clearly not good enough.

Maybe the board are reluctant to sanction another round of big money buys that rodgers is identifying.

 

Board are * but tbh I don't trust him with money. The big 3 he signed last year have been average as *.

 

There’s a long way to go in the market

 

He was asked the question in his Sky interview about incomings and he palmed it off and didn't want to answer. They asked him again and referenced his strong comments from the other day and Brendan basically just said he didn’t want to talk about it and he wanted to focus on the win today but we have plenty time left in the window and we'll see what happens.

He said: (Sky Sports), “I’m only concentrating on the game. There’s a long way to go in the market, but today is about the players and all the staff as well, because we’ve had a really good pre-season.

“It’s always nice that when you get that victory in the first game of the season, it’s a victory for everyone, so I’m really pleased.

“I don’t know… we wait until the end of the month. Like I said, we’ll concentrate on the players that are here and we hope to do some business over the period, but I’m not going to get bogged down in it.

“We know what we need, so we continue to work and to play like we did today.”

 

Post match quotes from Brendan


Brendan, can you talk us through that performance from your team today?

To win in the first game of the season is always good, and it sort of rounds off a lot of the good work that we had over pre-season. I was really pleased with the performance. I think that everyone here who knows St. Mirren and Stephen Robinson's coaching qualities will know they are such a hard team to break down.

You have to be aware of their threat in counterattacks and their physicality in set pieces. We dealt with all of that so well. Their goalkeeper has made some brilliant saves, which have kept the game in the balance.

I thought overall, you know, at times we moved the ball really well. There are other times we could have attacked a wee bit more when we get into certain positions, and we could have been a wee bit more aggressive in the 1 v 1 moments.

Overall, to play against that team, against that system, that's how you've got to work it. Then we have a wee bit of quality at the end to finish.

Was it just a case of if there was some better finishing or some really good goalkeeping, then it could actually it could have been three or four today?

I think it's clear. I think everyone who was at the game would say that, or watched it on TV. So, sometimes you need a wee bit of good fortune as well. We didn't quite have that with some that hit the post and the bar. You have to give credit to their keeper and St. Mirren.

They are a team who are not just going to roll up here. We see a lot of that, where teams are banked up and tight and compact, and so a lot of your connections, you've got to move it side to side to penetrate, to cross, to have half-space crosses, all these things, because there is no space.

It's not a 50-50 game like a Newcastle or a Sporting Lisbon, for example, that you'd see in pre-season, where there's space. It's tight, it's compact, and I thought the players came through it so well.

Kieran Tierney showed why you took him back with a good performance, didn't he?

It's brilliant for him. I am so happy for him, and he got a great reception. You see the qualities he has. So, he had a wee bit of cramp at the end. He hasn't played a lot of football, and that's part of managing him through this period now that he's back. We want to build him and his fitness. So, just his qualities, his crossing ability and his 1 v 1 ability, I am really pleased for him.

You talked about being more comfortable. Does that just underline what you've been saying in recent weeks about the need for a wee bit more quality in the final third?

Listen, we got into a lot of good areas. I think it's the case with any team. You know, we'll always prepare the game, take the game to the final third of the pitch. I thought we created a lot today.

We got into a lot of really good areas and, like I said, you have to give credit to the goalkeeper. He made some great saves. I thought we were creative in the game, dominated the game, and were unfortunate not to have won by more




When Luke McCowan came into the club, you could see the big smile on his face when he was first speaking about it. He's had really high hopes for this before, so for him to come off the bench, score the winning goal on an emotional day, that must have meant a lot to you and the supporters?

It means everything to us all. The victory belongs to everyone, but for Luke to come in, you know what you're getting: you're going to get a goal threat when he plays.

That was the idea. I thought the two eights did well, Reo (Hatate) and Benji (Nygren). It's a period of pre-season where you need to keep the energy in the team when you're not quite at the top of your fitness.

You know, by bringing someone especially like Luke into the game, he's got that ability to score a goal because he wants to score. I am so pleased for him on this opening game that he's he's got the winner.

Have you had a chance to look back at the disallowed goal?

Yeah, it was probably a disallowed goal. I think it's unfortunate. It obviously comes down, but I think the nature of where it hits Cal (McGrgeor) on the elbow and then it sets him up to shoot, then it clearly has an impact on the goal. So, we have to accept that.

How are you feeling heading into the Champions League draw tomorrow?

I'm feeling really good. Feeling good. We've had a great, really, really good pre-season. The players are shaping up very well, working very hard. There's real spirit and solidarity here in the team. So, we will look forward to that. We know whoever we get, it's going to be tough, but it will also be tough for them. We will accept whatever challenge comes.

You mentioned at the beginning of the last campaign the readiness that you felt in the squad going into the Champions League. To this point now, how ready do you feel the squad is for the Champions League?

We'll be ready for the games. You know, whenever they come, we'll be ready. The players are working very hard, and yeah, as I said, they are always tense games, but we're in a good place, and we'll we'll take that game on when it comes.

Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was in the stands. What can you tell us about that?

Yeah, I think we're still waiting for clearance on that one, but he's up here, and I think obviously once it is definite, then it will be announced. He's up here ready for the move.

Is that one part of your team you're comfortable with? Obviously, you've got options there.

You certainly need to be strong at Celtic. You know, sometimes you're not doing a great deal and you are standing on the halfway line, or you're attacking a lot of the time, but you also need to be able to defend space.

The idea of taking both Kieran and Ali off was because they've only been back for a few weeks. We knew Kieran was going to have to come out at some point, but we had Auston Trusty on the bench, and we could move Liam Scales to left back, who I thought was fantastic in the game, dominant, won headers against two big strikers. Then that keeps the height in your team when you're playing against a team that is direct and physical.

So, that area of the team is always so important. Against any team, your centre halves need to be dominant, and we've got really good options there now.

In terms of what you want to do in the window, is a striker the priority? I know you're looking at wingers also, but a genuine number nine centre forward, is that still your number one target?

No, no, it's just improving. There are areas that we want to improve in the forward line. That's something we hope we can do over these remaining weeks.

 

Brendan Rodgers admitted he’s fed up talking about transfers.


Against St Mirren he let his squad do the talking for him.



And it was screaming loud and clear that there’s still plenty of work needing done to get this Celtic group up to speed.


Sunday’s win against Saints went about as well as it could have done for Rodgers.


The Irishman is an expert in 4D chess and it was like his plan came together at Parkhead.

Celtic got the win the wanted and the three points on the board to get off to a flier


But there was also plenty of evidence that this current side is nowhere near where it should be with a Champions League qualifier coming hurtling over the horizon.

The need to start Yang on the wing, Adam Idah’s continuing struggles in front of goal, finishing the clash with Johnny Kenny up top and Liam Scales as a stand-in left back.

Rodgers didn’t need to repeat his explosive pre-match ultimatum/cry for help.




It’s bleedingly obvious Celtic are short. They bossed Saints for 90 minutes but lacked a cutting edge.

Who would have thought losing match winners such as Kyogo, Nicolas Kuhn and Jota and not having suitable replacements in the building would have an impact in the final third?

Rodgers is having to make do for now and having said what needed to be said, there’s no need to keep banging the drum.



He said: “We will wait until the end of the month, we concentrated on the players that are here and hope to do some business over the period. I am not going to get bogged down on it, we know what we need. We will continue to work to play like we did today.

“I am fed up talking about transfers. We have got to the end of the window, we concentrate on what is here. A lot of work going on behind the scenes to improve the squad.

“There is a long to go in the market. Today is about the players. Throughout preseason, all the staff as well, it’s been a good preseason. It’s always nice when you get that victory in the first game of the season, it’s a victory for everyone. Really pleased.”


After badass Brendan on Friday, this time he was going to play nice. A bit like his team at times.

Celtic produced some decent stuff but having failed to find an opener, they fell a little flat.




And the trouble for the manager was there was very little in terms of options to change things.

Sub Luke McCowan did add a spark – and grab the winner – to put an entirely different slant on the entire afternoon.

If points had been spilled? The reaction would have been wild.


Instead, it turned into a pleasant afternoon for Celts.

One that started with legend Paul McStay unfurling the flag, saw heroes John Clark and John Fallon given fitting tributes and then a late goal to get up and running with a win.

Saints made it brutally tough – as they usually do – and Rodgers was determined to put a positive slant on proceedings.



He said: “To win in the first game of the season is always good and it rounds off a lot of the good work that we’ve done over pre-season. I'm absolutely pleased with the performance.

“Everyone knows St Mirren and Stephen Robinson’s coaching qualities, they’re such a hard team to break down. You have to be aware of the threat on the counter-attack, the physicality at set-pieces.

“At times we moved the ball really well. At other times we could have attacked a wee bit more when we got into certain positions and been a bit more aggressive.


But overall, to play against that team, against that system, that's how you've got to work it and then you need better quality to finish it.”

Rodgers insisted Celtic would have been out of sight if not for Saints keeper Shamal George.

He said: “I think it's clear. I think everyone who was at the game or watched it on TV would say that. Sometimes you need a wee bit of good fortune as well.



We didn't quite have that, but some of them hit the post and the bar. You have to give credit to their keeper and to St Mirren as a whole.

“Teams aren't just going to roll up here. There's no space, it's tight, it's compact and I thought the players came through so well.”

 

I think he’s a good manager but I really don’t get Yamada or Inamura not featuring. Reeks of his ego being bruised.

 

I think he’s here out the rain, just biding his time.

Not good for Celtic either way.

 

Worryingly similar type of performance to those which we saw over the latter part of last season. Characterised by wastefulness, poor finishing and lack of quality around the box.

 

Said it a few times, Inamura not being in the squad made sense. Scales was always going to go to LB and KT to get 60mins.

St. Mirren big, physical and direct at times, made sense CCV, Trusty and Scales were on the park.. not a game for Inamura imo..

Shin, more if a puzzle unless he picked up a wee knock or something or BR didn't want him to shine in case the board told him to do one after he banged in a couple

 

Same issues as end of last season

Teams have sussed him out.

You play 5 at the back against us and his slow, boring, side to side passing will struggle to break it down.

Could be a long season

 

The thing is, BR has never been particularly good in the transfer market. And I am not just referring to either of his time in charge at Celtic, but over his entire career and irrespective of budget. He likes to spend, of this there is no doubt, but there always is the question of who it is being spent on.

The thing is, after the acrimonious nature of his departure in 2019, there is no way that he would have returned without having been given assurances regarding transfers and budget etc. And not simply some vague promises, but something in writing, set in stone so to speak. The Board backed him substantually last summer, breaking the club record transfer fee a number of times in doing so. Yes, there was assurance of CL money as well as the O'Riley money, but even still there was significant outlay.

There are plenty of questions to be answered, not just about transfers, but BR is playing a bit of a dangerous game here as well. He is contracted for this one more year and beyond that we don't know. He will say its because he wants to see the club commit to progress but at the same time trying to recruit players for multiple years and uncertain of if the manager is going to be around in a year's time could potentially give some pause to consider. So he has accountability on various levels as well.

 

And Rodgers is refusing to sign a contract until they do sing a big money target it’s a catch 22 and the fans are stuck in the middle of it all


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I dont really know how much Idah, Engels and Trusty were pushed by Rodgers. His treatment of them is strange for guys that hes supposed to have pushed heavily for.

Hes never at any stage trusted Idah to be 1st choice when hes had a full team available. He even moved Maeda into the striker role when Kyogo left.

He was reasonably quick to drop Trusty for a Scales and it seems like he still views Scales as ahead of Trusty based on the game today.

And Engles has also now seemingly been dropped as a 1st team starter for Nygren who has only just arrived this Summer and is getting up to speed.

Its a strange way to treat signings that you would have lobbied hard for to spend big on. Maybe he did, but if so he hasnt helped his case for further high spending with his selection. Or maybe these were just what he thought were the best of a limited selection of players he had available to choose from under time constraints to get deal done late in the window.