Brendan Rodgers Discussion Thread

This was a decent watch.

 

Just watching it the now Mints, that line from MON about when he left...

 

Good watch that. Been feeling for a while he’ll sign on for another couple of years after his 3, few comments he made there make me feel it even more now.

 

Love that. Makes me understand why the board are actually backing him now

 

If we get last 8, getting by Bayern and then altletico then we're winning the fuckint lot

 

Brendan Rodgers insists he's still got the drive and passion to lead Celtic to continued dominance - even as he approaches his sixth campaign in charge.

The serial-winning Hoops boss stunned the green-and-white faithful by returning for a second spell in 2023, four years after abruptly walking out on the club for Leicester City. Rodgers justified his decision by declaring that he felt he had taken the club as far as he could - a claim that Martin O'Neill hilariously called out in an interview with Amazon Prime


But after winning a Double in his first season back, Treble specialist Rodgers is now on the brink of a third clean sweep at Parkhead - and has guided the Glasgow giants into the Champions League knockouts for the first time in more than a decade. That's helped the Irishman win back most of his critics. However, with less than 18 months to run on his three-year contract, it remains to be seen whether Rodgers will commit his future to the club beyond the end of next season


Rodgers has been bankrolled by the Parkhead board, twice smashing the club's transfer record in the summer, as he looks to restore Celtic's pride in Europe. The ex-Liverpool boss was frustrated with the club's business during his first stint in charge but says he now sees eye-to-eye with the hierarchy after being backed to the tune of almost £40m this term


Asked how he's evolved since his first stint, Rodgers said: "I'm a bit more relaxed, I would say, in the best possible way. I think when I came, the ambition to take Celtic probably for me, when I look back, might have been a little bit unrealistic. I think now I understand the process more, I understand where we are financially as a club and then it's the case of really maximising that.

"Coming back this second time has felt great, I drive up here every morning still with an amazing feeling. At the end of my contract here next year, I'll be here nearly six years which is a long time. But I feel fresh and obviously that's the players that you allow you to feel that, and obviously the great staff that we have.


Glasgow's amazing, I've been fortunate to have lived all over the UK. Born in Northern Ireland, brilliant upbringing and then I've been in London, the south of England, the Midlands, the north west, lived in Wales and been up here... we absolutely love life up here from a football perspective but outside as well. So very happy, very content but also very driven to try and keep the club moving forward


While Rodgers' return to the hotseat prompted a mixed reaction from Celtic diehards, supporters will be hoping one of the most successful managers in the club's history can be convinced to extend his stay in Glasgow's east end.


He added: "Overall, coming back has been great. A lot of the same staff here that have been amazing. The support I've had since I've come back has been great in terms of from the board. They've pushed the boat out to help because I wanted to try and make us as competitive in Europe and they've been able to help us do that, and hopefully we can continue to do that.

"I think the natural evolution at a club like Celtic, it's not like, with the greatest respect, that you have a team for four or five years. Players come here, they do well, they get taken and moved on to other clubs. You'll have a core of players, but every two or three years there's always lots of change here


But the idea, of course, is to be better whether you're bringing players in or developing the players here. I genuinely felt that we could do that coming back and the club have been great in supporting that. So yeah, I feel we've been able to move on and make that progress

 

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic will aim to give everything as they attempt to beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League play-off second leg – and he believes “anything is possible” in the Allianz Arena.

The teams meet on Tuesday night in Germany, with Bayern holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Glasgow, and heavy favourites to progress to the last 16.

Michael Olise and Harry Kane had given the visitors a 2-0 lead in Glasgow but Daizen Maeda’s goal and a late spell of pressure and attack showed that Celtic can give their elite opposition real problems.

Rodgers pointed to Maeda’s goal as proof that his side has the capability to hurt the Bundesliga giants and says it put a different complexion on the second half.

“Clearly we won’t be the favourites for the tie, but everything is possible,” the Celtic manager said.

“I think the goal we scored brings a different view of the game. Coming in at 2-1 compared to 2-0 is quite a big difference.

“But we knew that over the two legs, we would have to play really well to come through.”



That goal means a single-goal victory for Celtic in Munich on Tuesday would force extra-time and possibly penalties, and a win by more than one goal would see the Scottish champions progress in the competition on the back of one of Celtic’s greatest victories.

Rodgers knows that’s a tough challenge for his side, but he said the first job had been to keep the tie alive for the second leg, and now they would take it from there.

“That was the key for us in the first leg,” he said. “When you’re playing over two legs, it’s important that you have the opportunity and chance to do that.

“So we had to be smart, and we’ll have to be smart again tomorrow in the game.

“But we have players that can score goals. I think for us we defended well and didn’t give so much away and were disappointed with the goal that we conceded. Just on the timings and especially the second goal.

“So we know we can defend at this level and it’s just having that courage to go and play our game. That will be key for us tomorrow.”

The manager shrugged off talk that Bayern’s prolific striker Harry Kane may not be fit to play, and didn’t give anything away about his own selection, with a number of in-form forwards to choose from



But Rodgers did say that his side was aiming for a victory and would give it their all with any outcome possible.

“It’s a beautiful pitch and the arena is amazing to come and play in,” he said.

“It’s the second leg, so we want to make sure we leave everything out there on the field.

“Anything is possible in the game, and hopefully, we can produce a performance that gives us the result in the end.”

 

Do you require your best performance of the season to achieve what you need to achieve?

Yeah, obviously we won't be the favourites for the time, but everything is possible. I think the goal that we scored brings a different view of the game totally. Coming in at 2-1, 2-0 is quite a big difference.

But we know that over the two legs, we'd have to play really well to come through.

Is it a full squad to choose from tomorrow?

Yeah, everyone is available.






And just in terms of the way the team are playing, especially going forward, you've got Adam (Idah) scoring goals through the middle, Daizen (Maeda) has played through the middle and scored goals out wide as well. How good is that for you as a manager? Is it one of those good headaches that you've got tomorrow night to decide who starts in the line-up?

Yeah, I think we look at the game and we decide and design the plan for the game. But knowing that whatever team starts the game will need the players coming off the bench to affect the game for us. It's such a demanding level physically, so we're prepared for that.

We've seen it in the first game, we didn't give away so much defensively. The team worked really well, and then obviously in that last 25 minutes, we were able to show all our football. So we'll need all of that in the game




Vincent Kompany spoke earlier today, and they told us that Harry Kane's a doubt, and wouldn't give away whether he was actually going to play or not. Does it change anything for you whether Kane plays or not?

It doesn't change anything in terms of we need to win the game and we want to win the game. If Harry didn't play, then of course it's a big miss for them.

But I'm pretty sure there's another world-class player who can come in and play. But I would expect Harry to play.




Brendan, it would be one of the greatest results in Celtic's European history if you can pull this off? These things have happened down throughout the years. The Miracle on Ice, the Miracle in Modena, you are looking to perform a sporting miracle here? Not many teams come here and win, but you've still got a fighting chance.

Absolutely, and that was the key for us in the first leg. When you play two-legged games, it's important that you commit to your second game. You have the opportunity, and you have the chance to do that.

So we have to be smart, and we'll have to be smart again tomorrow in the game. But we have players who can score goals. I think for us, we defended well, we didn't give so much away.

We were disappointed with the goals we conceded, just on the timings and especially the second goal. So we know we can defend at this level. It's just having that courage and that bravery to go and play our game.

That will be key for us tomorrow. It's a beautiful pitch; the arenas are amazing to come and play in. As I said, it's the second leg, so we want to make sure we leave everything out there on the field.

As I mentioned, anything is possible in the game. Anything can happen and hopefully we can go and produce a performance that gives us the result in the end.




Hi Brendan, in terms of your approach to the game tomorrow night, how much of a balancing act is there between knowing you have to score and making sure that you're not on the end of something that's too bad?

I don't really think of it as too bad. I just think of us and the mentality to get through the tie. I think we learned from the 'too bad.'

The setback was there, and we understood what we had to do better. You can't go, no matter how much emotion there is; you can't go chasing the game. This is a level where it's very difficult to press the game for 90-plus minutes.

So, being in balance, the words you mentioned, are absolutely spot on. You have to defend well. There are going to be spells without the ball.

I think up until the weekend, I've seen something where our game is the lowest possession they had over the course of the season. And for those in xG and everything else, it was the lowest expected goals in the game. So that tells us that if we defend it well, we'll have to defend well again.

And then we'll have spells with the ball, and we know that we have the quality to score. But balance is the right word. We have to be clever and smart to know how we play the game and then make sure that we're in the game.


In terms of broader context, is it tougher than ever to pull off a result against a top, top team in Europe, which obviously Bayern are? Has that challenge been stiffer over the last few years?

I think it's definitely grown. There's no doubt about that. It's just the challenge of this level. But it's something that we want to embrace, that challenge. I think that we've done very, very well to get to this point.

When you get to this point, you want to play top-level teams. This is a team that has world-class players. But for us, our collective, and we've shown already in this tournament, that when we can play at the very top of our game, and if a team has anywhere near enough game, or they're not doing their best, then we're a team that can punish it.



Is this a game where all the pressure is on Bayern Munich? They're at home, there's a big expectation on them. And obviously, the final this year is in Munich as well.

I don't think there's any doubt that everyone will look at this game and us being the underdog in the game.

That's totally understandable. The revenue is everything. So we respect that. But that doesn't change for us. We're still very mindful to be super competitive in the game.

And as I said, we know that if we can play to our level, then it can make the game really difficult. But there's no doubt, we come in here as the underdogs.

How is it you go about getting the players to rise to the occasion at the Allianz Arena?

I think it's just spelling out that you come to this level, and you have to play without any fear. I think there are worse things in football that can happen than losing and worse things in life than losing a game of football.

So for us, we want to ensure that when we come in after the game, if we don't go through, we've given it absolutely everything. I'm so glad to have this group of players that have a great mentality and an incredible professionalism. If we can go and show that, then we know that we're in with a chance.

And as long as you can take that opportunity to give your very, very best, then you know you can come in and just say, listen, we're beaten by the better team. The regret is always if you don't, then you just turn up too late for the game.

So there's no second chance after tomorrow night. We've got one opportunity. We've got to be clever, we've got to be bright, we've got to be brave in the game.

And if we can do that, we've shown in history, shown in sport, that as I said, anything can happen - so that's what we focus on.



Brendan, across your two spells at Celtic, you've won so many trophies and played so many big games, but here tomorrow night in the Allianz Arena, with a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, is this one of your biggest games?

It is. In the context of our European season this season, it's a huge game. It's also a huge opportunity. I see it as a wonderful opportunity.

I know that when we come out after tomorrow night, and then lose the game, this has been a great adventure for us this season. And we've shown progress at this level. And that's what we wanted to do.

We wanted to bring stability. We wanted to make our supporters proud. We wanted to show that we have that respectability at the level, and that we can compete. And I think we've done all of those.

So tomorrow night is the opportunity to get through into the last 16. It's going to be huge. And it's what I'm so looking forward to, to see us take on the challenge



Hi Brendan, just going back to last week's game in Glasgow. It was obvious for the final 20-25 minutes how much Daizen Maeda was able to impact things for you, when played centrally through the middle. I'm just wondering for tomorrow whether that might influence the way that you look to shape the team up?

It's certainly something that we looked at and talked about as coaches. But whatever we go with, whether it's Adam or Daizen, we still have the ability to fit the game.

So, yeah, it's something that, of course, is the design of the team. And what it is we want to do, it was certainly a consideration.




I just wondered what lessons have you learned from the Dortmund game, for this game here in Munich?

I think you can't become too emotional at this level. And I think that was clearly what happened in the performance in Dortmund.

I think in the Dortmund game, we chased the game. We went behind them. As I said, we had scored early on. And the lessons that we learned from that, of course, no one planned to be stable and steady and compact. We showed that if you're not that, and you go off pace as such, then you can get really, really punished.

I think that's been a big learning for us from that game, that you're not tight and you're not stable and you're not compact and you're not concentrated, and you leave space for world-class players, you'll get punished.

So we were able to learn from that, step back, go away, and it's the mark of the group. We're a humble group. We had to take that on the chin. And we came away and had some really good performances after that.

So yeah, and then we've taken it into our games at Atalanta and other games where we've been calm in our defence. So that's what you need to be at this level. You need to be in balance and have that calmness to your defending, but also then provide that threat with the ball.

So hopefully we can see that tomorrow.




Just want to go on to your team, your line-up. Is Jota fit enough to start the game?

Yeah, yeah. If we decide that's what we need to do, he can start the game.

There's no doubt he's working his way back to his highest level physically in terms of how I want the team to press. But there's no doubt he can look after the ball.

And in arenas like this here, you need players that can take the ball and look after it. So he's a wonderful player. I've seen the talent in close-up.

I've seen him in games. And there's just a bit more when he's back to that highest level. And if I need him to start, he's ready to start.

 

10 would be ideal, at which point he can move upstairs to make way for the returning Calmac

 

So crucial that the board back him at next window, then he will sign extension for sure.
And it does not have to be a massive backing.
With KT returning, it will require adequate back up-Jeff ticks all boxes and would be low dollar.
A striker and a Defensive Midfielder to cover Cal/allow Cal to move further forward, as this would also help prolong Cals career, as I feel he is getting flogged right now.
So likely looking at 25M outlay for all.
We should be able to recoup a round 10M with the sale of the likes of Palma, Larger, Nawrocki, Welsh, Holm, Bain, Kwon, Kenny and Tilio. Also, that would free up around 60 or 70K a week in wages.

 

Even if we do t we will be very rich indeed if that happens


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Well that team tonight that Brendan has put out is first class. If we get scudded fair enough. He's tried fair play to him.

 

Exactly the team many of us would've picked too.

 

Lol Soz!

 

Other than Dortmund blip, excellent European campaign this season. Sickener tonight even though his tactics were spot on but got something there to build on.

 

He got everything spot on. Subs were poor but that's all he's got to put on.

Back him. Whatever he wants.

 

He is leaps ahead of when he was first here, Atalanta away and now tonight, some excellent performances

 

He deserves all the credit in the world