The boss has had his says on the cynics gunning for his side but is looking forward to derby day.
Brendan Rodgers reckons the critics have Celtic in constant crisis mode.
But the Parkhead boss is having none of it and insists he’s charging into today’s Old Firm crunch with a good feeling. Rodgers’ team took heavy recent criticism after defeats and have now suffered the body blow of losing Cameron Carter-Vickers for the Rangers showdown. But the manager is firmly upbeat as he backed Stephen Welsh to shine in the American’s absence whilst stating Liel Abada and Reo Hatate could also return.
Rodgers’ team could also go eight points clear with a triumph and he said: “I think if you read or listen to everything you would feel we were in constant crisis mode here. That’s what I feel. But I don’t think that way at all. It’s another great game for us. I think going into that last [Rangers] game we were off the back of not a really good result. We had performed well against St Johnstone but didn’t get the result. This time we are going in with a good feeling.”
Asked if chatter such as crisis talk felt any different to his first spell, Rodgers continued: “It’s just levels, isn’t it? But for me there is no difference.
“I just think it’s maybe how it is out there. For me we are still in a good place as a team. We are going to get better, we will hopefully improve the squad. Like I say, we’ll see where we get to at the end of the season.”
Losing Carter-Vickers is a major blow, but Welsh was an impressive stand-in for the Champions League win over Feyenoord. Liam Scales grabbed a similar chance at Ibrox in September and Rodgers said: “It really liked Stephen as a kid when I was here first of all. I was really impressed with his mentality and focus.
“He’s got mature. He’s played in these types of games before from a youth player, so he understands the magnitude of it Against Aberdeen he played really well in the second-half and sadly got injured, came in against Feyenoord and the other night [against Dundee]. So he knows what’s expected and I’m pretty sure he’ll relish the chance.”
On Abada and Hatate, Rodgers continued: “We don’t want to rush them, but if they come through [training Friday] then they will be involved in the squad. Liel just wants to get back on the field again, it’s been a challenging few months for him with injury and everything else. And Reo is a big talent.”
Rodgers intimated Carter-Vickers is not long-term and explained: “Talking to the guys before, he hadn’t picked up a lot of injuries, he was quite robust.
“But since he’s had his knee operation, it’s been a challenge for him. Speaking to John Kennedy about that sort of experience around the knee, you end up compensating a lot.
“So it’s maybe going to take him a wee bit of time to get that rhythm back again. He never had a proper pre-season. He was on his own, so he’s always been catching up. Hopefully, he can get free of that for the second part of the season because he’s a fantastic player.”
Rodgers is adamant today’s outcome isn’t season-defining and said: “Not really, no.
“We have already won at Ibrox, so whatever the result and we want to win the game, there are still many more games to play.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, revealed it’s unlikely new signings will arrive for the start of January as he said: “Not that I’m aware of. I don’t think there are any who’ll be right in at the beginning.
“Every coach would want them in on the first day, but they’ll be in when they are ready to be in and if that are at the level to be in.”
READ NEXT:
Be the first to comment