There’s a very interesting article in the Sunday post last week that I keep going back to after last night.
The article went in-depth with Brendan Rodgers in a whole variety of issues but one of the main talking points was how the manager dealt with moving players on when they were done or dropping players who underperformed regardless of status. The new Celtic boss was straight to the point and admitted to needing a ruthless streak if you want to see your team evolve.
Speaking on a specific incident while at Swansea, he had to drop a good servant to move forward but knew it needed to be done.
“WE HAD JUST GOT PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE, AND GARRY (MONK) WAS MY CAPTAIN, THE MAN WHO HAD LED US THERE. HE HAD BEEN BRILLIANT FOR ME OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW SEASONS.” SAID RODGERS
“BUT I DROPPED HIM AND PUT A 19-YEAR-OLD KID, STEVEN CAULKER IN HIS PLACE IN CENTRAL DEFENCE.
“I MADE THAT CHOICE BECAUSE I KNEW HE COULD HELP THE TEAM. YOU TAKE THAT EMOTION OUT OF IT AND YOU JUST FOCUS ON THAT ONE QUESTION – WILL THIS ACTION HELP US?
“IT WAS TOUGH FOR GARRY, AND I KNEW SILENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN THE DEATH SENTENCE IN THIS CASE,
SO I EXPLAINED IT SO HE COULD UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHY I WAS DROPPING HIM.”
Since then Gary has moved into management and still calls on Brendan Rodgers for advice from time to time.
Of course, this was at Swansea but Rodgers says he will have no qualms about utilising the same philosophy at Celtic Park.
“BUT LISTEN. IF THE SAME SITUATION ARISES HERE AT CELTIC, THEN I WILL DO THE SAME THING AGAIN.
“IF I FEEL THE 17-YEAR-OLD IS BETTER THAN THE 27-YEAR-OLD, THEN IT WILL BE THE 17-YEAR-OLD WHO PLAYS – BECAUSE IT IS FOR THE BEST OF THE TEAM.” RODGERS PROCLAIMED.
These comments were made before the loss to Lincoln Red Imps on Tuesday but if Brendan is a man of his word then some of the Celtic players who let him down last night should be very worried about their future at the club.
Nobody in that dressing room should feel like their position is guaranteed, not even our captain. The reaction to this game and what Brendan has learned will come into full focus on Wednesday night when the manager announces his starting XI.
OUR BRAND NEW SHIRT IS NOW IN STOCK!
