Brendan Rodgers has played down any talk of frustration over Celtic’s lack of transfer business ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League play-off first leg against Kairat Almaty.
With a place in the league phase on the line, his focus is locked on preparing the team, not outside distractions.
Rodgers spoke calmly about the current situation to CeltsAreHere, pointing to his experience and knowledge of how these things work. He knows there are parts of the job he can’t influence, so he’s putting everything into making sure the team is ready for what he called a massive European tie.
He spoke highly of the players and the way they’ve gone about their work. While a new addition would be welcome, he’s not letting that dominate the mood. He doesn’t want any negativity creeping in, especially with such a big game coming up. For Rodgers, the job right now is about getting the most out of the players he’s got.
There’s still hope a new face could arrive, and Rodgers made that clear, but he’s also ready to go with what’s already in the building. The target is unchanged: getting Celtic back into the Champions League. The message is clear, focus on the task, get the details right, and let the football do the talking.
He said: “I’m experienced. I’ve been here long enough, and I understand where we’re at. I can’t really control a lot of it.
“What I can control is the players we have, helping them be the very best they can be, and making sure they’re ready.
“I’m not going to get into a situation where I look frustrated, because that transfers onto the players. These boys have been brilliant.
“We’re hoping we get someone in, it’d be great. If not, we’ll go with what we’ve got.
“We’ll do everything we can, get the details right for the game, and see if we can take Celtic back into the Champions League, which is what we want to do.”
Rodgers’s comments come at a big moment for Celtic. With a Champions League group-stage place on the line, there’s been a lot of talk about the lack of transfer action. But the manager has kept the focus on the team, pointing to their togetherness and work in training as key strengths going into the tie.
By keeping a lid on any frustration, Rodgers is being smart both in how he handles the media and how he protects his squad. Staying calm and focused before a high-pressure match is vital. He’s putting his energy into what he can control, not what’s out of his hands.
He also left the door open for a late signing. His line about “hoping we get someone in” hints that work is still going on in the background. But just as clearly, he’s ready to go with the players already here. That shows belief in what the current squad can produce when it matters most.
With the first leg now just a day away, attention turns to the pitch. Rodgers has done his bit with sharp preparation, clear messaging, and a united dressing room. Now it’s down to the players to take that into the match and move Celtic closer to the group stage.
The talking’s done. The pressure’s real. But so is the opportunity. Rodgers has kept things steady. Now the players need to match that with a performance that sets the tone for the tie.
