Following Celtic’s unexpected 2-1 defeat to Kilmarnock, Brendan Rodgershas openly addressed the game’s outcomes while deliberately avoiding any critique of his players’ mental strength.

In his post-match interview live on Sky Sports, Rodgers praised the team’s initial performance, noting, “We started the game really well in the first 25 minutes in particular. We scored a really good goal and created more chances.” This commendation of the first half, however, was juxtaposed with his disappointment in the second, where he felt the team lost their way, conceding, “In the second half, we never got started, as we played the game that they wanted to play.”

Significantly, when questioned about the mental toughness of his players, Rodgers was firm in his response: “I don’t want to say that.” This statement reflects his confidence in the team’s resilience, having shown strong performances previously in the season.

Rodgers acknowledged the tactical challenges they faced, especially in handling the wide areas, saying, “We defended those areas not so well… Too often, we didn’t do that.” Yet, he stopped short of attributing these tactical shortcomings to a lack of mental strength among his players.

Instead, Rodgers focused on the need for better ball control and proactive play. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the team’s style of play against pressure, stating, “Instead of playing sideward and backwards you have to beat pressure and want to play forward.”

His approach to the post-match interview highlights a strategic choice to maintain a positive team environment. Rodgers seems to be channeling the defeat as a learning opportunity rather than a reason for internal criticism.

His comments after the Kilmarnock defeat reveal a manager committed to supporting and protecting his players publicly. This attitude could prove vital in maintaining team morale and unity as they move forward in the season.