Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

Brendan Rodgers painted a wry smile across his face as the Celtic boss hinted the club were close to finalising some transfer business, writes Michael Gannon from Kazakhstan.

It's believed Michel-Ange Balikwisha is due to arrive in Glasgow this week to rubber-stamp a £4.5million switch from Royal Antwerp.

The Belgian winger, 24, bid farewell to fans after Sunday's 2-1 win over Mechelen and has agreed personal terms with the Hoops.

Celts are also locked in talks with Boca Juniors over a loan deal for left-back Marcelo Saracchi - with negotiations ongoing over a future fee.

Asked by Record Sport for a transfer update, Rodgers smirked as he said: "There might be. I think by the time we get back, hopefully we'll be close to one or two things, yeah."

The Parkhead boss also revealed that Adam Idah is winning his fitness battle to face Kairat Almaty.

Irish striker Idah, 24, missed the weekend's 3-0 win over Livingston after picking up a knee knock in training.

But the £9m forward - who has yet to get off the mark this season - travelled with the squad to Kazakhstan.

And Rodgers hinted Idah could be involved either from the start or from the bench in Tuesday's must-win showdown.

He said: "We're pretty much the same as the weekend. Adam has travelled, he wasn't available at the weekend.

"But other than that, pretty much the same. Auston [Trusty] obviously hasn't made it but in the main, the same squad as the weekend."

Japan cap Shin Yamada was given the nod up front against Livi, while sub Johnny Kenny netted late on to seal the three points.

Asked if he has a decision to make over Idah, he said: "Yeah, I think one, just making sure fitness-wise that he's okay.

"But I think availability is what you want as a coach and a manager and that gives you options within the game whether it's to start or change from within."

Rodgers shuffled the pack by making eight changes against Livi - resting big hitters like Kieran Tierney, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate.

And the Hoops boss admitted some top performers have given him something to think about ahead of Tuesday's £40million Champions League showdown.

He said: "I was really pleased with the guys at the weekend who had come in and played. Some of them hadn't played for a little while. I think some of the connections weren't quite there but that's natural.

"We had players coming in for their first game and were new to the system. But in the main, I thought the level of performance was good. I spoke to David after the game and he was actually surprised how good we were considering all the changes. It gives us great options going into the game tomorrow night."

Speaking ahead of the second leg, Kairat boss Rafael Urazbakhtin accused Celtic of underestimating the Kazakh champions after last week's goalless draw at Parkhead.

That's not something Rodgers accepts as he hit back: "No, we always respect every opponent. We know they're going to be a good side and hard to beat. We didn't quite play to our level, especially in the first-half.

"But I think the advantage of two legs is that you get the chance to play against the opponent.

"We know they are really hard to beat, hard to break down and it's really up to us to impose our game and I think having the first leg really helps us because we know the players we're up against and we look forward to that challenge.

"But certainly no, we never disrespect or underestimate any team."

 

Brendan Rodgers will refuse to accept any excuses from his Celtic squad in their Champions League showdown in Almaty, writes Michael Gannon from Kazakhstan.

The Hoops’ hopes have been left in the balance after last week’s goalless first leg draw in Glasgow – and no Scottish side has ever won in Kazakhstan.

Rodgers’s men made the 3,500 long haul trek on Sunday and will kick off in boiling conditions at altitude.

But the manager insisted he’s not going to accept any bleating about the journey or the conditions and his players do not need any reminding of what is at stake.

Rodgers said: “No, I don't need to explain it. Every player, every coach, manager wants to look at the highest level of club football.

“For us, that is the Champions League. I think for me, it's more based around, don't worry about failing, worry about performance.

“Because if you think so much of the consequences, then it can paralyse you. That's not something we want to do. We have to play our game, play the football we've played in a lot of the league games this year.

“If we can take that into the game, then we've got a fantastic chance of qualification. There's no excuse for us. Especially when you see how well Kairat worked last week.

“So they had the same journey going the other way. So that won't be an excuse for us. We all feel great, we’re staying in our own time zone.

"We can give lots of excuses. The heat, of course, it will obviously be warm at kick-off. But it won't really wash.

"We have to perform and that's all we're focused on. And as I said earlier, whether it's the sun or the pitch, we have no excuses. We're here to qualify.”

Celtic failed to land attacking targets before the tie but the Michel-Ange Balikwisha transfer saga will be over when the forward completes his £5m deal later this week and Rodgers is hoping to have at least one more new face on board before the Rangers game on Sunday.

He said: “There might be. I think by the time we get back, hopefully we'll be close to them.”

Rodgers insisted the Old Firm showdown is well and truly on the back burner though.

When asked if it was on his mind, he said: “No, none whatsoever. Like the weekend, we were really focused on getting the team out that was ready and prepared and come through that.

“Our focus is very much on here. We all know what's at stake but we all know we have to play well and perform and that's the focus.

“Whatever happens in the game, we then get by it and we know the magnitude of that game. There's no loss of focus.”

Kairat boss Rafael Urazbakhtin accused the Hoops of underestimating his side in Glasgow. But Rodgers said: “No, we always respect every opponent. We know they're going to be a good side and hard to beat.

“We didn't quite play to their level, especially in the first half. But I think the advantage of two legs is that you get a chance to play against the opponent.

"We know they are really hard to beat, hard to break down. It's really up to us to impose our game. Having the first leg now really helps us because we know the players we're up against.

“We look forward to that challenge. But certainly we never disrespect or underestimate any team. If you overthink it – and I felt we probably did that a little bit in the first half last week – then you don't play with freedom.

“You have to go into these games, we know what's at stake, it's very clear. The only way you get to where you want to get to is by playing how you want to.”

Hitman Adam Idah is back in the frame after missing the weekend win against Livingston there’s no guarantee the frontman will walk back into the side.

Rodgers said: “I think one, just making sure fitness-wise he's okay. But I think availability is what you want as a coach and a manager and that gives you options within the game, whether it's to start or change the game from within.

“We're all very relaxed but focused. The preparation has gone really well.”

 

Loved the smile on Brendan’s face when he said there might be one or two signings by the time he gats back. Looked genuinely pleased.

 

He seemed more jovial today..... I'm hoping that means hes happy with what is coming

 

Honestly believe he will see his final season out. I reckon when we get past Christmas and have a more then healthy lead in the league, he will let it be known it's his last season.

Hopefully he wraps up the treble, leaves a decent account of us in Europe and leaves with a fond goodbye.

What I really hopes happens is after a few weeks or months after his departure is he spills the beans on what is broken in our transfer system. Like details on where he believes it falls down and who is ultimately responsible

 

The board will 100% offer a new deal to him, as long as he does the business on the pitch they’ll want to keep him.

I think 3 years is a good amount though, my obvious worry is we don’t plan ahead thinking he’ll sign a new deal and we’re scrambling for a new manager next July.

 

and here was me thinking he had been to visit Klopp's dentist!

 

If as seems sadly more then likely he leaves it will be because of this boards refusal to have a plan to take us forward on the pitch which IMHO is a massive strategic error. Brendan Rodgers is an elite level manager and I get the impression if we actually had real plans both on and off the pitch that actually had a vision for improving and taking Celtic forward from where we are then Rodgers would stay.

 

Funny old game we could go through tomorrow beat rangers and few players in and it will feel like we have woke up from a nightmare

If we do beat both teams Monday night will be sat watching deadline day till mid night as I do every year waiting to see what’s happening


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It's possible we do. Just should change none of the anger.

 

Good thing is deadline day is 7pm this year so none of this midnight pish

 

He’s definitely leaning in to the David Brent suggestions.

The analogy with the size 5 football and the travel around the world enriching you and the air connotations is an all timer

 

Didn’t know thanks for the reminder


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Be disappointed when you’re sat watching it at 12 and no one’s talking outside parkhead mate

 

And what would we then do with all his club ties?