“We have to accept the criticism, whether we like it or not,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

The Celtic Star spoke to Brendan Rodgers at Lennoxtown yesterday afternoon ahead of today’s Scottish Cup match against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park…

Brendan Rodgers. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Brendan Rodgers, having had a few days to think about it, yesterday made some valid points about the way the match at Dens Park panned out on Tuesday night and on reflection as a support we might actually marvel at the sheer desire of the players to get something out of a match that was heading to defeat before Nicolas Kuhn won that late penalty and Arne Engels made absolutely no mistake hammering the ball into the back of the Dundee net.

Arne Engels scores. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Disproportionate amount of criticism

There was a disproportionate amount of criticism from the media and the within support with emotions running high as Celtic conceded three goals for the third time in a month.

The Celtic Star was the only fan media outlet to attend yesterday’s pre-match media conferences at Lennoxtown and both Brendan Rodgers – who did a brilliant job of telling us Kieran Tierney was coming in this window without saying anything at all about Kieran Tierney coming in this window – and Kasper Schmeichel were able to provide perspective of where Celtic are and how maybe the second half at dens Park was done to the volume of matches that the team has played in recent weeks.

Kieran Tierney and Scotty Sinclair of Celtic celebrate their team’s third goal scored by Callum McGregor during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox Stadium on April 29, 2017. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

READ THIS…Celtic v Kilmarnock – Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch

Dundee’s third goal. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“Listen, we have to accept criticism but if you look at the bigger picture of what the players are coming off, I think there’s also respect in that there comes a point in a season where any team, no matter how good a season you’re having, or no matter how bad a season you’re having, you’ll hit a little bit of a wall,” Brendan explained.

‘You’re going to hit a little wall’

“It’s natural. It doesn’t matter how good you’ve been playing or not, you’re going to hit a little wall. And I felt that probably on Tuesday, on that seventh game in 20 days, was maybe that point.

“We have to accept the criticism, whether we like it or not. When you draw a game or lose a game, it’ll sting. But for us, it’s all part of being at a big club. You have to accept it, whether you agree with it or not. We have to deal with that and then move on to our next game. And that’s what our idea is,” Brendan Rodgers said.

READ THIS…“Kilmarnock always difficult to play against. They’re well-organised, well-motivated,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodger and Tony Docherty ahead of kick-off. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Brendan accepted our point that with three upcoming home matches across three competitions the team has a chance to achieve some real momentum and with a run of home wins our season will look very much like a massive, memorable and successful one in the making.

‘The players have done really, really well’

“The players have done really, really well. So we now have a little point where we have that extra day of recovery going into Kilmarnock and then we don’t play until Wednesday.

“That allows us to virtually reset again and come out of what was a really, really, really tight, busy, hard schedule. From a physical perspective and a mental perspective, we’ll be ready. And if we have to go with team on a Saturday, then same team on a Wednesday, it won’t be a problem for us.”

Adam Idah scores the winner for Celtic in the 2024 Scottish Cup Final against theRangers at Hampden. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

The success in the Scottish Cup including last season is set aside as Rodgers prefers to look to the target of having to win it this season. That and barring an almighty collapse in the league, would deliver a 9th treble, breaking yet more records along the way.

‘We’re not defending it – we have to win it’

“We’re not defending it – we have to win it. And for that, we want to go in and attack the game and play to the level that we know we can. We’ve won a trophy, we’ve got two more to aim for, and of course it’s the next game.

“Our focus is very much on looking to get it off to a good start in the competition, one that this club is synonymous with. The final is an incredible occasion. It always comes on the back of a really long, arduous season with a lot of work.

Brendan Rodgers with the Scottish Cup on 25 May 2024, after Celtic’s 1-0 win over theRangers in the final at Hampden Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

“But as a game, it’s a great climax to the season. And obviously, of course, if you’ve won it, like we did last season against a great rival, then it makes it extra special. If you can get to the final and win it, then it can be a great end to your season,” Brendan said.

Rodgers has a great respect for Derek McInnes rating him highly for the work that he has done at both Aberdeen and Kilmarnock and will accordingly be well aware of the threat that today’s opponents will pose at Celtic Park.

‘It’s a really tough game against them’

“He’s a really good manager who’s got a lot of experience. And especially up here, he knows what it takes to win games. His teams are always difficult to play against.

“They’re well-organised, well-motivated. They work very hard. It’s a really tough game against them. Obviously, we played earlier in the season as well at home and played well and had a good scoreline. But it’s a cup game. So, we have to be ready to play against them.”

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