Celtic’s match against Kilmarnock on Sunday saw two fresh faces in the starting lineup, with both Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm making their first starts for the Hoops.

Despite the challenging result, manager Brendan Rodgers had words of encouragement for the young duo.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, who just joined Celtic midweek, was thrust into the spotlight after an injury crisis struck the Celtic backline, and Rodgers was pleased with what he saw from the player.

The £3 million signing’s penetrating passes, especially down the left flank, were a breath of fresh air in the uninspiring Celtic team.

“Gustaf did well,” Rodgers commented, quoted by The Celtic Star. “He is strong and aggressive for a young player. He wants to defend forward. He will get better and, as I say, the more the players can play together, the more relationships they will build, and the better they will be for it.”

Odin Thiago Holm, on the other hand, has been gradually making a name for himself with impressive performances off the bench in recent weeks. Rodgers acknowledged his potential, stating, “I thought Odin showed flashes and really good moments, but he is 20 years of age, and he is going to get better. Days like today will help him do that.”

It’s evident that Rodgers sees the potential in both players and is keen to integrate them into the team’s setup. Their performances against Kilmarnock, despite the result, will undoubtedly be a valuable learning experience as they continue to develop and adapt to the demands of top-tier football, at a club like Celtic, under Rodgers’ guidance.

With the season still in its early stages, fans will be eager to see how Lagerbielke and Holm continue to evolve and contribute to Celtic’s campaign.