“He’s a class act, how he takes the ball. He has a lovely arrogance with the ball,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media after Celtic’s delightful 6-0 victory over Dundee at Paradise last night. Here’s everything that was said in the media room at Celtic Park after Celtic increased our lead at the top of the table to 13 points…

Brendan Rodgers looks on prior to the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, your thoughts on that performance?

Brendan Rodgers: “I thought from minute one to the 93rd minute we were outstanding in the game. Our hunger and mentality. I said the other day to you guys that we’ve got a different mindset defensively and obviously it creates the platform for our football and our football tonight. Some of the goals were so good and just our general play was outstanding.”

Michael Nicholson, Celtic Chief Executive Officer looks on prior to the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: I know you said at the end of the transfer window you were maybe left a bit light up top. Was it good to see goals coming from different areas tonight, players getting on a score sheet?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, it’s been no different. I think that’s been our game all the way through the season. I think you have Daizen on 18 goals, numbers of assists. Nicolas is on 17 goals. I don’t know how many assists, but he’s got a lot. Adam getting his goal and you see him now, he’s moving differently and just freed up a bit and he’s wanting to really prove a point and show that he can be a number nine here consistently for Celtic. The other players, the midfield players, getting in on the act. So that’s always been our aim. So, I’m obviously greedy and I want more, and I want more players. I want to keep our levels, to keep improving because it’s not just about each week and each month. It’s each game we want to improve and be the best that we can.”

Callum McGregor acknowledges the fans following the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Is the most pleasing thing the relentless nature of the team?

Brendan Rodgers: “The team is hungry. I think that we knew when we played Dundee before that we were okay going forward. We scored three goals, but defensively, that wasn’t quite good. I think that just came at the end of, you know, it’s seven games in 21 days. So, we just weren’t concentrated on our defending. But tonight, you see we hunted the game in packs and numbers around the ball, winning it back and that, just to sustain the attacks. And then some of our goals were a joy to see.”

Q: Which one was the best goal?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think Daizen Maeda’s was a great goal. Why? Because it starts right in the very corner. We’re under pressure. Dundee are there. They want to press. We stay calm. We connect the game, take it out, get it out the other side. Arne’s pass and then probably no one would see Daizen scoring a goal like that. But what a finish it was. So, yeah, that was a great goal, as was Nicolas’. And in fairness to Trevor Carson in their goal, you can’t really do anything about all the goals. The goals were of the highest quality.”

Jota acknowledges the fans as he arrives at the stadium prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: You mentioned the other day that Jota is maybe a wee bit far away from full fitness, but he showed today, it’s not just tricks and flicks, although he’s got that in his locker, it’s a real substance to it as well, isn’t it?

Brendan Rodgers: “I absolutely agree. I’d obviously seen him before from the outside looking in and then I’ve seen him train and work. But he’s a big player, so I can’t wait for him to get up to the level in terms of that football fitness. He’s missed a lot of football, hasn’t played a great deal, but he’s a class act, how he takes the ball. He has a lovely arrogance with the ball. But like you say, he’s effective. He doesn’t just look a good player; he is a good player. He can beat people and make a pass, make a cross, make a shot. He’s a big talent.”

Adam Idah celebrates scoring Celtic’s second goal with Callum McGregor during the match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: How pleased are you with Adam Idah’s development and growth?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, he was always going to have to be patient here and obviously the nature of having a brilliant, striker in Kyogo, that fit a lot of how I want the team to play and pressing and everything else. So he comes in and he has to sort of fit around that, but he still made big contributions. But now I think he’s taken that responsibility now. He sees this as an opportunity for him because he knows it’s something you have to produce, and you have to produce consistently. I’m so pleased for him. He’s just moving different now and again he was a real handful tonight. And his goal was very good, makes a good run, gets his shot off, doesn’t lie about the floor, gets up and then he’s able to get the rebound and it was a really good finish. So, yes, I’m very pleased for him.”

Q: Fans were a wee bit nervous when he was holding his back just before half-time, but is he the type of player that he needs that momentum?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think a lot of strikers will tell you that. They need games, they need the rhythm, they need the confidence, all those sorts of things. So, yes, you’re going to take knocks here and there and you’ve got to expect it, especially when you are that type of striker. I thought he was very good tonight.”

Q: 13 games to play, you must be very pleased about how this title charge is shaping up going into the last few months?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, well, we can’t complain because I think that until this moment now, we’ve had an absolutely outstanding season. Like you say, 13 games left, 13 points clear, a big goal difference, which is always worth a point in itself. So, I’ve always said it’s really narrowing in the focus at this point of the season. Keep your hunger, keep your humility and keep thinking of performance. And that was the message this evening. It’s about winning, and we know that, but it’s about performing. And when we perform, we can play well and win games. So, we’re in a good place. But modern-day culture is all about the next game. So, we’ll get ready now for Raith Rovers.”

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the third goal with teammate Jota during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee at Celtic Park on February 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: With that kind of performance from your players at that level, you possibly could have come out the window stronger in football in terms of when you went into it?

Brendan Rodgers: “Listen, I’m not overthinking it. I’m not overthinking it. We knew what we wanted to do in January. It’s closed now. So, it’s gone, thank God, to this summer. And we can just focus on the culture and the development of the team. So, I think you see the response tonight. You know, there are no side effects. And that’s what I said to you. I don’t want to transfer any level of disappointment to the players, because they’ve been brilliant. And there’s some new, young, fresh players coming in, with Johnny Kenny and obviously Jeffrey coming in, Jota coming in. So, we’ve got a nice little freshness whilst the others are still growing and developing. I’m really excited about these next number of games. I’m not worrying about what we got or what we didn’t get. Just focus on the players we have, coach them, improve them, and hopefully we can get more performances like that.”

Conor Spence

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