Celtic v Hearts – Everything said at Brendan Rodgers Media Conference

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·28 Maret 2025

Celtic v Hearts – Everything said at Brendan Rodgers Media Conference

Brendan Rodgers held his media conference this afternoon signalling the end of the two-week long international break and the resumption of hostilities in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts visiting Celtic Park tomorrow looking an emulating their big cousins showing…

Here’s everything that was said….

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, how has the break been, and what have you reflected on during it?

Video OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers: “Obviously, when you lose a derby game like that, and especially the manner at the end. The disappointment lingers on a little bit longer, of course. We were obviously disappointed with the result. However, what I can’t forget is what this team has done over the course of the season. We’ve been tremendous through large parts of the season and now we sit 13 points clear, we have eight games to go, the possibility of a Scottish Cup final. We’re in a really good place. Of course there’s always disappointment when you lose one of those games.”

Celtic players in a huddle before kick off with theRangers fans inside Celtic Park for the first time in two years. Celtic v theRangers, ScottishPremiership, Celtic Park, 16 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Q: Given that then, how do you find the balance between focusing on those real positives that you mentioned there, but also maybe addressing some of the things you might need to address after that game?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, it’s always the way. Whenever you lose a game, there’s a setback, there’s a disappointment, and then you have to bounce back. And obviously, of course, when I analyse the game and I look at it away from the context of actually being in it, then that obviously makes it easier to figure out. I think in both games, both of those Rangers games, Ibrox and at home, we haven’t started well at all. And whether it is a subconscious thing, I’m not sure. Being 13 points clear, 16 points clear, whether that does have a deep effect on how you enter into the game. It shouldn’t, because our mantra is always to start very quick and in lots of games we do. But we didn’t, and credit to the Rangers, because they did. They got 2-0 up and then we had to bounce back. But from that second half, we shouldn’t lose the game. It’s as simple as that. We get back into it. 2-0, two each, 15 minutes to go. Good in the second half, not giving away much. And then we concede the goal. So, the analysis is pretty easy, but that’s my responsibility to make us better the next time.”

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 16 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Q: Players have been away on international duty. How is Kasper Schmeichel in terms of the injury and how long he’ll be out?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, we don’t know how long he’ll be out. We’re just still waiting to hear on that. He’s obviously got some issues with his shoulder. I spoke to him the other day and he’s okay. He’s obviously disappointed that they lost their second game. But in the main, he’s okay.

Continued on the next page…

UEFA Nations League: Portugal – Denmark. Referee Slavko Vincic looks at Denmark’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is in pain in the shoulder during the UEFA Nations League playoff match in League A at JosÃ Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal on Sunday, March 23, 2025. (Photo: Bo Amstrup Ritzau Scanpix)

Q: A lot of comments came his way as well about his performance. Even some that got a bit personal as well over in Denmark. What have you made of that and have you had to say anything to him?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, one, I haven’t seen it. So, I don’t know what was said, but all I know is who Kasper is. The reason I brought him here, knowing him so well, is because he’s still a top-class keeper. I think if you look at his performance level for us over the course of the season, he’s been absolutely brilliant. In big games, he’s made big performances. And for me, he still has that hunger and that desire to play. When criticism comes, as a coach, manager, player, whatever it comes, sometimes it’s not civil. Sometimes, like you say, it’s personal, sadly. But what I know with Kasper is he’s an outstanding goalkeeper. He’s been brilliant for this club since he’s come in. He’s been an incredible ambassador and performer for his country. I know, like I said in my spell at Leicester and here working with him, how proud he is to play for Denmark and represent Denmark and how much he wants to win with Denmark. Sadly as well, sometimes as a goalkeeper, you’re in there on your own in some ways. But I know his character and mentality, and I know how determined he’ll be to come back.”

Bergamo, Italy, 23rd October 2024. Viljami Sinisalo and Alistair Johnston of Celtic applaud the fans following the final whistle of during the UEFA Champions League match at Stadio di Bergamo, Bergamo. Photo Jonathan Moscrop / Sportimage

Q: Brendan, on the flip side of that, is it a chance for Viljami Sinisalo to impress this weekend and perhaps a few weekends going forward?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes. Vil will come in and play. He’s a very talented young goalkeeper. That’s why we brought him here. He was a very, very good pre-season. He’s been outstanding in training and what we’ve seen, I’ve seen him grow and develop. But of course, with every player, it’s when you’re out in the arena of Celtic and beyond that, that’s when you’re measured and when you’re judged. But I’ve got no qualms about putting him in.”

Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Dundee United at Celtic Park on February 15, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: In terms of other injury news, Callum McGregor training today, we spoke to Paulo Bernardo yesterday, he said he’s ready and available. Can they both start at the weekend and how big a boost is it to have them back?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think availability is important. It was probably one of the things in the last game as well, we’re the shortest we’ve been probably all season. But we’ve got Paulo back. James Forrest is back in the squad. Austin Trusty will be back in the squad, Callum is back in the squad. Liam Scales, he’s training individually, because of his operation he cannot play until leading into Kilmarnock. But he’s training individually. Apart from that, the squad is in a good place.”

Q: With Kasper, is it possible that his season is over?

Brendan Rodgers: “I don’t know. I’m just waiting to hear on the scan back. I don’t know any more than that.”

Continued on the next page…

Q: One of the things Kasper has impressed with this season is how good he is with the ball at his feet, is Sinisalo a like-for-like replacement in that respect?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, that’s the idea. When we profile a player to bring him in, he has to have a certain level of competence with his feet. It’s how we play. Yes, he’s competent with his feet. Of course, you’ll always have different levels of players. But the modern game, in the big teams, the goalkeeper… And that’s a demand that we have, that they have to have that comfort with their feet. So, he certainly has that.”

Reo Hatate of Celtic celebrates scoring to tie the game 2-2 with Adam Idah of Celtic. Celtic v theRangers, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 16 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Q: Brendan, the team, in your time here, has tended to surge over the line, is that the message again?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, absolutely. Because it was the first time this morning that everyone was back. So, we had a debrief on the Rangers game. Draw a line under it. And then move on. And now, as I said, we’re into this business end now. Eight games to go, possibly two games in the Cup. So, a maximum of 10 games. Now we’re ready for the final push. And like I said, it’s understanding the disappointment. We all get it. And I felt it as well. It lingered for me longer than any defeat does. But then, the job is to lead. And now the job is to bounce back. And that’s what this club have been brilliant at. So, we have to take our medicine. We now focus on the great position that we’re in. And that starts tomorrow.”

Q: The aftermath of that match was pretty much dominated by the Vaclav Cerny celebration and the probe that came with it. I know the club weren’t happy and referred to the authorities. I just wonder, your own personal thoughts on that kind of powder keg match and what you made of those celebrations?

Brendan Rodgers: “My honest take on it is I know the club and that are dealing with it. Two, I haven’t seen anything. Because after the game, I went away. You know when you lose a game of that magnitude, you don’t read anything, you don’t listen to anything. You get away, out of the way. But I obviously heard what had happened. And you can’t do that. That’s the reality. I understand the jubilation. And Rangers players have every right to celebrate with their supporters. You come to Celtic Park like it would be when you go to Ibrox. If you win a game of that magnitude, you celebrate. But not in that way.”

Barry Ferguson, Interim Manager of theRangers, celebrates with backroom staff after Mohamed Diomande scored the team’s second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Barry Ferguson said he didn’t have a problem with that. If one of your players had done that, would you have had an issue with that?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, I would, yeah. I think it’s a lack of respect if a player runs up a touchline and he’s squirting a water bottle in the supporter’s face. I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do it.”

Continued on the next page…

Q: Do you also think there’s a safety issue as well? It’s not just respect. The players have to set an example?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, and in the main, in these games I’ve always been involved in, they do. That’s the reality of it. And listen, it works both ways. There’s a lot that comes into players as well, from the stands to coaches, managers and players. But I think we all know there’s a line that we shouldn’t cross. And like I said, it is a very emotive game. It’s an amazing fixture and I thought it was great to have the fans back in. I think that gave it that extra bit as well. But I just think there are lines. We can’t antagonise because in this fixture in particular, that can lead to an issue.’

18 02 2025, Champions League, FC Bayern Muenchen vs Celtic Glasgow, Allianz Arena Muenchen, Brendan Rodgers Celtic Glasgow. Photo IMAGO

Q: Just a word on your UEFA charge, did that come as a surprise to you?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, well to be fair, I’d only read about it. I think it’s one of these ones. I wasn’t aware that we were doing anything different to what we normally do. But sometimes coming out at half-time, it’s a wee bit stricter than what you’d have normally at home. But yeah, we won’t be losing sleep over it.”

Daizen Maeda JPN, MARCH 25, 2025 – Football / Soccer : FIFA World Cup, WM, Weltmeisterschaft, Fussball 2026 Asian Qualifier Final Round Group C match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan. Photo IMAGO

Q: There’s been some chat this week about potentially a new contract for Daizen Maeda I imagine that’s something that if it was possible you’d back?

Brendan Rodgers: “Absolutely, if there is that possibility to do that. I’ve spoken with Dermot and the club and spoken with the player and hopefully in the future that is something that can be done. He’s been absolutely brilliant for us this season. Wherever he’s played, however he’s played, he’s had an amazing season. So of course you would love to tie up one of your best players.”

Q: Do you get the feeling from the chat you’ve had with him that he wants to stay here?

Brendan Rodgers: “He doesn’t give away much. Other than saying he’s very happy. I think I look and see how he plays. But listen, I’m also under no illusions here. There’s very few players that are going to do what Callum McGregor does. Some of these players have a lifetime here like James Forrest. Some players, especially these players that are from other parts of the world, they might fancy a change. It’s nothing to do with Celtic or the club or the support, it’s just life. But all I can do is judge when he’s here. He’s been brilliant here. He’s still contracted well here to the club. But of course there has been chats around improving that for him because he’s grown into one of the top players here.”

Continued on the next page…

Daizen Maeda of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Do you feel he earned an improvement?

Brendan Rodgers: “There’s no doubt. There’s absolutely no doubt. He earns every penny. And we feel as a club he deserves more. So we want to do that. But of course it has to work both ways.”

Q: Is there a case where a footballer is just a good fit for a certain club as well? Maybe some other players, like you say, look to move away for a change and it doesn’t work out as well. Is that something you can stress to players sometimes?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, but sometimes you don’t realise that until you’re gone, sadly. I think we’ve seen it. And also what I know from my own personal experience in moving away is that you sometimes will feel that you’re going to a better league or better wages or whatever it is. But the adulation you get as a Celtic player is unrivalled. What they feel when they’re here, very, very many of them don’t ever get that again. And that’s part of the loss. You go away, you’ll earn more money, you’ll play in maybe a top league. But you don’t quite get that feeling that you would get here. Sometimes, you don’t know that as a player until you’ve gone. But at this moment in time, I’m so happy he is here and he’s consistently playing so well. And hopefully he can finish off a great season for him and the team and finish well.”

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: What about Hearts? How difficult do you feel they will be?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think it will be a really good game. I think after a really difficult start for Hearts this season, they’ve obviously moved up the table well, Neil has settled in well. And now they’re up in that top six and they want to stay there. So, yes, I think it will be a really difficult game for us. They’ve moved to a diamond in their structure and how they’re playing. I haven’t played a diamond before myself. I know that gives you attacking options in the game. So we have to respect that quality. But for me, we’re at home and we need to impose our authority on the game from the very first whistle rather than wait for 20 minutes or 30 minutes to do that. So that’s on us tomorrow to do that and make it really, really difficult for Hearts.”

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.