Brendan Rodgers: Celts back on it for trip north | OneFootball

For the players and backroom staff, the grieving process after Tuesday’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Induna Park is over and they aim to crack on in their so far tried and trusted unbeatable SPFL style in the visit to Ross County this Sunday.

The midweek setback was the Hoops’ first defeat of the season in 10 games so far, and Brendan Rodgers and his team have analysed the game and have now parked the emotion to concentrate on what lies ahead on Sunday.

The Irishman, who picked up the Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month award ahead of training, said: “Clearly there was obviously disappointment in the aftermath of it. And it’s always emotionally challenging and difficult.

“You can’t dwell on it. Obviously you’ve got to look at it, and analyse it, but very quickly you have to move on and that’s the nature of professional sports.

“So you have that day to grieve, which is never nice, but I always think that setbacks like that are always a great opportunity to grow and bounce back even to a higher level than what you were when you started the game

“So, we’re back on it, working well today and getting ready for the game at the weekend.”

Injury troubles for the game are, in the whole, defensive, with Cameron Carter-Vickers missing the trip to Germany, and both Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston departing the action early.

The manager said:  “Cam’s still not available and Greg Taylor will miss the game, he felt a slight problem in his calf, so he’ll miss out.

“Cam’s working, he’s putting his weight on his toe and it’s easing off, it’s just time with him really, but we’ve given him that time and we think he hopefully may be there after the international break

“So we’re hoping that Cam will be back for after the international break, and Greg probably won’t be too far after that.

“Ali’s fine, he came off with a stiff back, but he trained this morning so he’s okay.”

The Celts go into the game in sterling domestic form with six wins from six games, and 20 goals scored with none conceded.

They face Don Cowie’s side who sit seventh in the table but with two draws and a win from their past three games while netting six goals.

Brendan Rodgers said: “I’ve seen them play obviously in the sort of 3-5-2 structure, from the build-up it will go direct up to the strikers.

“Young Ronan Hale has done really well, coming in from Cliftonville, he’s scored three goals in seven games, and he’ll have an enthusiasm to play against Celtic, I’m sure.

“They are always tough games, it’s a tight pitch but we’ll have a great support there and we aim to get back on track with a high performance level of what we’ve shown, and look to bounce back with a good victory. But we know up there is always tough.”

More on the game

Fixtures

Ross County Vs. Celtic - Sun, Oct 6th 2024, 12:00