Rodgers pinpoints his Celtic side’s greatest improvement

The Celtic Star

·16 Mei 2025

Rodgers pinpoints his Celtic side’s greatest improvement

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has identified the specific aspect in which his team has shown the greatest improvement this season…

Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. Brendan Rodgers. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The club anticipates celebrating another Trophy Day with their fans at Celtic Park tomorrow afternoon, as they prepare to compete for a domestic treble next Saturday against Aberdeen at the national stadium.

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During his pre-match media briefing with the Mainstream Media, Rodgers was questioned about the area where his side has made the most progress compared to last season. “For me, the counter-pressing has been a bit different,” Rodgers said.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates the title win. Dundee United 0-5 Celtic at Tannadice Park on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“It has always been a part of my philosophy, and I think that as last season went on, that became better and better, and then we could really hone in on that over the course of pre-season.”

“So that, along with some of the slight structural tweaks that we make within the team, has given us that platform really to go and show our football, but our pressing has been really good this season, and obviously our counter-pressing.”

“Like I say, when you want to be a team of dominance, it is not all about the skill, it is not all about the talent, as you have to get the ball back, and that has always been our mantra.”

“We have maybe 70 per cent of the ball, but that 30 per cent, you have to respect that, and that’s what allows you to have the ball so much. From there, we are very clear on how we play.”

Reo Hatate of Celtic arrives prior to the ScottishPremiership match between Celtic FC and Hibernian FC at Celtic Park on May 10, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

While expressing optimism ahead of this weekend’s match at Celtic Park, Rodgers confirmed that midfielder Reo Hatate will be sidelined for the last two games of the season after picking up an injury in the final moments at Pittodrie.

During his post-match press conference with Sky Sports on Wednesday, the manager expressed his displeasure with Pape Habib Gueye’s aggressive tackle late in Celtic’s 5-1 victory over Jimmy Thelin’s side, remarking that the forward “lost his composure somewhat.”

Conor Spence

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