Brendan Rodgers has moved to quieten the noise around Celtic’s summer transfer needs by praising the players currently at his disposal.
Celtic made several changes for the league fixture but still managed to put together a strong second-half display, with Benjamin Nygren’s brace and Johnny Kenny’s goal sealing the win. While questions remain about injuries and squad depth, Rodgers was keen to credit those who stepped up.
There has been constant chatter around what Celtic still need in the market, particularly following a goalless first leg against Kairat in the Champions League play-off. But Rodgers stressed the importance of focusing on the players who are fit, available, and delivering.
It was a clear message to both the supporters and the wider media: the players who are on the pitch now have Rodgers’ full backing and remain central to his plans.
He said: (Sky Sports), “As you can see, we made a lot of changes in the game, and there’s been a lot of focus on the players who aren’t here and what we need.
“But today was really about the players I value who are here.
“Well, I value them all.
“Like I say, they’ve been fantastic since pre-season and I know they’ve needed help, but they’ve not wavered in any way other than being totally professional.”
Rodgers’ comments come at an important time, with the squad under pressure and a big European match coming up. The transfer window is still open, but right now his focus is on the players already in the team.
His words showed both praise and a bit of a challenge. He knows the squad has had to deal with a lot early in the season, but he’s happy with how they’ve handled it. Saturday’s win proved there’s still good quality in the side, even with several players missing.
With the trip to Kazakhstan just days away, Rodgers will be relying on this same group to deliver again. Their performance against Livingston showed they’re capable of stepping up when it matters.
Right now, the manager’s message is simple. The talk around new signings might continue, but the players on the pitch have earned his trust.
