Sport Nation 2Brendan Rodgers has had a significant impact on Celtic this season, guiding the team to an impressive start across domestic and European competitions. Under his management, the Bhoys have embarked on a remarkable ten-match domestic winning streak and shown competitiveness in the Champions League, collecting three points from their first two matches. Despite a heavy defeat to Borussia Dortmund, which exposed some of the team’s vulnerabilities, the overall outlook remains positive for Rodgers’ side.
Rodgers’ ability to navigate the challenges of a demanding season has earned him praise. However, as with any manager, there are areas where he could have made better decisions. In this article, we will examine three key decisions Rodgers got right and three that could have been handled differently.
Three Key Decisions Brendan Rodgers Got Right
- Nicolas Kuhn’s Impact Against Ross County
One of Rodgers’ most commendable decisions came in Celtic’s match against Ross County just before the international break. Facing a difficult afternoon in the Highlands, Celtic found themselves trailing by a goal. Rodgers made crucial substitutions, bringing on Paulo Bernardo, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Luke McCowan in a bid to turn the game around. However, the standout moment came from Nicolas Kuhn, who had not had his best performance up to that point.
Despite Kuhn’s earlier struggles, Rodgers kept faith in the German winger, and it paid off. Three minutes from time, Kuhn stepped up and scored the decisive goal, securing a 2-1 victory for Celtic. This decision highlighted Rodgers’ trust in his players and his ability to make game-changing substitutions.
- Paulo Bernardo’s Inclusion Against Rangers
Another standout moment came in Celtic’s clash with Rangers last month. With the transfer window nearing its close, there was pressure on Rodgers to start Arne Engels, the club’s £11 million record signing. Instead, Rodgers opted to play Paulo Bernardo in midfield, a decision that proved to be a masterstroke.
Bernardo dominated the midfield, delivering an impressive performance that earned Rodgers’ praise. Reflecting on the game, Rodgers said, “He is very honest about the game. He has got quality and he feels he should have scored. He did a wonderful piece of skill in the box, and that would have made it 3-0 in the first half.” This decision underlined Rodgers’ ability to balance star power with tactical flexibility, trusting Bernardo over the more expensive Engels.
- Starting Arne Engels in the Champions League
Rodgers also made a bold decision by starting Arne Engels in Celtic’s 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. Instead of sticking with Bernardo, who had performed admirably in previous matches, Rodgers chose to give Engels his chance to shine on the big stage.
This decision was rewarded handsomely. Engels scored a penalty and delivered an all-around dominant performance in midfield, helping Celtic secure a vital three points in Europe. It showcased Rodgers’ willingness to take calculated risks in high-pressure situations, which is essential in European competition.
Three Decisions That Could Have Been Better
- Celtic’s Approach Against Borussia Dortmund
While Rodgers’ boldness has often paid off, his approach in Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund raised some questions. Facing one of Europe’s elite teams, Celtic adopted a front-foot style that left them exposed defensively. While Rodgers’ philosophy is admirable, it was perhaps overly ambitious against a side of Dortmund’s caliber.
Many observers have since reflected on the match, noting that a more pragmatic approach could have helped Celtic avoid such a heavy defeat. Although playing aggressively against top teams can yield rewards, in this case, it left Celtic vulnerable, and a more cautious strategy might have led to a more competitive performance.
- Starting Greg Taylor Against Dortmund
Another questionable decision in the Dortmund match was starting Greg Taylor at left-back. While Taylor has been a reliable player for Celtic, his performance against Dortmund showed signs of fatigue. He looked off the pace and struggled to cope with the intensity of the game, leading to his substitution at half-time.
In hindsight, this decision was further complicated by Taylor’s subsequent withdrawal from Scotland’s Nations League camp due to injury. Given his form and fitness concerns, it may have been wiser for Rodgers to start Alex Valle in Taylor’s place from the outset, particularly in such a high-stakes game.
- Cameron Carter-Vickers’ Injury Management
Cameron Carter-Vickers has been a crucial player for Celtic, but his persistent foot injury has raised concerns about his usage this season. Rodgers revealed that Carter-Vickers has been taking injections to manage the injury, which has caused him to miss several matches, including the Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund.
While it’s understandable that Rodgers wanted to have his best defender available, playing through injury can have long-term consequences. With a long season ahead, it might have been better to rest Carter-Vickers earlier, allowing him to recover fully and avoid the risk of aggravating the injury further. Balancing the need for short-term results with the long-term health of key players is always a challenge for managers, but in this case, Rodgers may have pushed his luck.
Conclusion
Brendan Rodgers has made a strong start to the season with Celtic, guiding the team to success both domestically and in Europe. His decisions to trust Nicolas Kuhn, start Paulo Bernardo in key matches, and bring Arne Engels into the Champions League fold have all paid off handsomely. However, his aggressive approach against Borussia Dortmund, the handling of Greg Taylor’s fitness, and the management of Cameron Carter-Vickers’ injury have provided lessons for the future.
As Celtic continue to compete on multiple fronts, Rodgers’ ability to learn from these experiences and adjust his tactics accordingly will be crucial. With the team in a strong position, the focus now turns to maintaining momentum and ensuring that Celtic can challenge for both domestic and European honors.
Sport nation
Amina Umar
Sport Nation 2
