Sport Nation 2Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his enthusiasm as his team prepares to shift focus to the Champions League after maintaining a flawless start to their domestic season. The Hoops secured a 2-0 victory over Hearts, marking their sixth win in six matches, with 17 goals scored and five clean sheets. This winning streak has heightened expectations as Celtic begin their European campaign with a home game against Slovan Bratislava.
Rodgers, who has been at the helm of Celtic for two separate tenures, is excited to see his team carry their domestic momentum into Europe. “I’m really excited by it,” Rodgers said, emphasizing the balanced squad he has at his disposal. While he acknowledges areas that need improvement, Rodgers believes that the team is in a strong position heading into the Champions League. He praised the work done over the summer to strengthen the squad, highlighting the importance of maintaining a positive mindset as they prepare to compete at the highest level in European football.
Celtic’s domestic dominance is undeniable, having won 19 out of 24 domestic trophies since Rodgers first took charge in 2016. Despite this success, Rodgers remains focused on making a lasting impact in Europe, one of the primary reasons for his return to the club. He acknowledged the challenges that come with competing in Europe, particularly against some of the continent’s top teams, but he remains hopeful that his team can rise to the occasion. “At the very highest level, it was a real challenge for us, and many good managers before me have found it difficult too,” Rodgers said. “But with a strong squad and improvements in our play, we believe we can really attack the competition.”
One key area of interest for Rodgers is the integration of new signings into the team. Against Hearts, Rodgers handed a first start to record signing Arne Engels, who made an immediate impact by scoring the opener from the penalty spot. Engels, who arrived from Augsburg, showcased the qualities that made him a top target for the club. Rodgers explained the decision to start Engels, emphasizing the importance of getting new players involved early to help them adapt to the team’s style of play. He noted that while midfielder Paulo Bernardo had impressed in previous matches, the decision to start Engels was part of a broader strategy to integrate new talent.
Rodgers also spoke about his long-term vision for the team, describing his desire to build a squad that combines power, speed, creativity, and unpredictability. Engels, in particular, fits this mold, as he brings experience from one of Europe’s top leagues and has the potential to shine on the European stage. “He’s played very well in one of the top five leagues in Europe, and that’s the kind of player we need,” Rodgers said, expressing his excitement about what Engels can bring to the team in the Champions League.
In addition to Engels, Rodgers also introduced fellow deadline-day signing Luke McCowan, who scored Celtic’s second goal against Hearts. These new additions have bolstered an already strong squad, giving Rodgers more options as he navigates both domestic and European competitions. While the focus has been on maintaining domestic success, Rodgers is clear that the Champions League is a key priority, and he is eager to see how his team performs on the grand stage.
Despite Celtic’s strong start to the season, Rodgers remains cautious about the challenges ahead. He emphasized that the team cannot take their domestic success for granted, reminding his players that the demands of competing in multiple competitions are high. “We should never underestimate how difficult it is to meet the demands of domestic success,” Rodgers said. He acknowledged that while the Champions League is a major focus, the team must continue to perform consistently in the league.
As Celtic prepares for their Champions League opener, Rodgers is confident in his team’s ability to compete. However, he is also realistic about the level of competition they will face. Slovan Bratislava, their first opponent, may not be among Europe’s elite clubs, but Rodgers knows that no match can be taken lightly in the Champions League. The Hoops will also face other challenging teams in their group, and Rodgers is determined to approach each game with the same level of intensity and focus that has served them well domestically.
While Rodgers has been focused on preparing his team for Europe, Hearts head coach Steven Naismith is facing a different set of challenges. Hearts’ loss to Celtic marked their seventh consecutive defeat, a worrying trend for the team. However, Naismith remains optimistic that things will turn around. He pointed to small errors and moments of bad luck as the primary reasons for Hearts’ struggles and expressed confidence that the team’s fortunes would improve. “I genuinely believe in a lot of the games this season, it has been small details, maybe an individual error or something going against us, that’s cost us,” Naismith said.
Despite Hearts’ poor form, Naismith is hopeful that the team can rediscover their attacking threat in the coming weeks. He noted that the international break provided an opportunity for the team to work on their offensive play, and he expects to see improvements in their next matches. For now, however, Hearts will need to regroup and focus on turning their season around.
As Celtic look ahead to their Champions League campaign, the excitement among the players and fans is palpable. Rodgers’ return has brought renewed optimism to the club, and the team’s perfect start to the season has only added to the anticipation. With a strong squad, new signings, and a manager who is fully committed to making an impact in Europe, Celtic appears well-positioned to make their mark in the Champions League. Whether they can carry their domestic success onto the European stage remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Rodgers and his team are ready for the challenge.
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