Brendan Rodgers: Callum sets the perfect example at this club | OneFootball

Celtic return to domestic action this weekend when they take on Motherwell at Fir Park, and the Hoops are targeting another three important Premiership points.

It’s the third meeting between the sides this season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side having won the two previous encounter – a 3-0 win at Fir Park at the end of October followed by a 4-0 home win on Boxing Day.

The Hoops are currently 10 points clear at the top of the table and with a game in hand over their nearest rivals, and the Celtic manager is looking for his side to maintain that strong position.

And should Callum McGregor, as expected, lead out the team at Fir Park this Sunday, it will represent the Celtic captain’s 500th appearance for the club, a remarkable achievement that drew praise from his manager.

“He clearly had the talent as a young player to be at Celtic,” Brendan Rodgers said.

“Seeing him now, to when I first came, and just seeing that growth, it’s a remarkable achievement in the position he plays, with possibility of so many good players to be in here – to play that number of games.

“I’m so proud of seeing how his career’s moved from when he first broke into the team, and from 2016 when I came in, just seeing how he was back then, to how he leads the team.

"So I’m so lucky to have him as a captain here and he’s still got a number of years left.”

Motherwell go into Sunday's game with Stevie Frail taking charge of the team following Stuart Kettlewell’s recent departure from the club.

Kettlewell cited the abuse from fans directed at him and his family as the primary reason for quitting Fir Park, and Brendan Rodgers expressed his sympathy for the former Motherwell boss.

“I’m clearly disappointed for Stuart,” he said. “When I saw the news – for a manager to do that, it really shows the depths of feelings that he had, and he’s absolutely right if it’s affecting his family, because I always say family and football, and it is in that order.

“We all take a bit of stick as managers, and we accept that as a part of it, but when you buy a ticket for the game it doesn’t give you the right to say whatever you want to say.

“And if that goes beyond that, where Stuart and his family are affected – and what people don’t understand is that your kids are having to go to school and they get the torment at school, or out in public, and if the job brings that to them and it makes them insecure over a period of time, then it’s not worth it.

“I’m sad that it got to the point for Stuart that he felt that, and especially at a club like Motherwell. As a club, in my time up here, it looks like a really good club, great people there, they’re a community club.

“So he must have felt really strongly about it to leave which I’m disappointed for him as a young manager that’s gone in and done well. They’re sitting fifth in the league, always competitive, and they got to a national semi-final of a cup competition, progressing them well, making them competitive.

“And I know, when I’ve spoken to him after games or I‘ve spoken to him on the phone, he’s always a very curious guy who wants the best for his club and for his team, so to lose someone like that is disappointing.”

Brendan Rodgers also confirmed that Cameron Carter-Vickers has returned to the squad after missing the midweek Champions League clash with Aston Villa, while Portuguese winger, Jota, will be included in the matchday squad.

Watch the manager’s full press conference

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Motherwell Vs. Celtic - Sun, Feb 2nd 2025, 15:00 Match Information | Buy Tickets