Brendan Rodgers: Celts aiming to be winners v Saints

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Celtic F.C.

·27 settembre 2024

Brendan Rodgers: Celts aiming to be winners v Saints

Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers takes his team to Perth on Saturday to take on St Johnstone as the SPFL returns to the menu after wins in the UEFA Champions League and the League Cup since the 2-0 league victory over Hearts a fortnight ago.

Since that game with the Tynecastle side, they have parted company with manager, Steven Naismith, and that came closely on the heels of tomorrow’s opposition also disposing of the services of Craig Levein in the hot seat.

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At McDiarmid Park tomorrow, St Johnstone coach, Andy Kirk will be in charge of team matters for the Perth side, but the Celtic boss isn’t expecting an easy game against the Saints.

He said: “I think professional players look to do the very best, clearly it’s a shame that Craig’s now left there as he’s a very experienced manager.

“Andy and the guys that are there now are obviously holding fort and they’ll have the team prepared, and ready for the game.

“Clearly, if there’s a manager in place then you know the philosophy, their football ideas and, of course, that allows you to understand it better.

“I still think, looking at how they play, and how they’ve been, we’ve got an idea how they’ll work.

“But, for us, it’s really about ourselves and bringing our rhythm to the game, and making it really, really difficult for St Johnstone.”

With a trip to Germany to take on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, the manager was asked about his team selection for Perth with the German giants on the immediate horizon.

The Irishman said: “It’s a game of perspective and for me, my look on it is that we need to win the game.

“So we’ll put the very best team that we possibly can to win the game. But, in the best possible way, it is a team and I see all the players as my team.’

“We will pick a starting XI to go into the game, it certainly won’t be the eleven that will finish it.

‘But it’s important for us to win the game, win it well, and win it in the way that we want to.’

“And then we can get ready, recover and get ready for Tuesday.”

The late kick-off time of 5.45 on Saturday, followed by the UEFA Champions League trip immediately afterwards, presents another problem with the rapid turnaround.

The manager said: “I think for all British teams it is a frustration. Borussia Dortmund will play tonight, so they’ll play Bochum on a Friday as they were able to move the game that day earlier, so it gives them three full days to prepare for the game.

“And we’ll probably not be home until after midnight from the game tomorrow, and then it’s a very, very quick turnaround with travel, and then you’re out playing the game.

“But I think that’s for most British teams, with TV slots and everything, it just seems to take priority over the game and preparation, but we’re not the only team that’s happened to, I’ve seen it for a number of years.

“The European guys will have their slots and they’ll find agreements to help their teams prepare the best they can.”

The recent Motherwell v Dundee United League Cup tie, broadcast live on a Friday night shows that future league games could also be played in that slot if the stars align.

Brendan Rodgers added: “If there’s a Friday night slot then that could work. A Friday night game can be a really good game to open up the weekend.

“I think I has to be beyond the clubs. There has to be something in place with the federations and, of course, linking in the TV.

“I think, in fairness, in Germany, there’s more Friday night slots for their TV games which means that they can then probably request that, which then gives them the extra recovery.

“So maybe in the future, but it's been ongoing for years, I’ve got to say, having been in the Premier League, seeing it there across many years, and that at times takes priority over the wellbeing and preparation for footballers.”