Brendan Rodgers says he’s happy at Celtic. So happy, in fact, that he’s not even thinking about money anymore, but only about doing his job.
“The biggest thing you can have is happiness.
“I mean that in a real way because stability in football is very, very difficult.
For me, being here doesn’t make me any less ambitious. It is what makes me happy as a coach and a manager.
“For me, that is about developing players and winning matches in the preferred way in which I work.
“I could leave Celtic and maybe double or treble my wages by going elsewhere but it wouldn’t guarantee me happiness.
“If you are happy at your work and have good energy then hopefully you are going to be successful.
“For me, that place is here at Celtic.”
When he’s happy, he’s happy, and thats why fewer players than you would expect have left Celtic over the years.
One, Moussa Dembele, kicks himself every day for not waiting to see how a little spat upstairs turned out before hoofing his toys out of the pram.
With the crucial, and difficult , final match in the Europa League group stage tomorrow night, the manager seemed calm in an interview for Dafabet, who sponsor the shirts, which in turn will filter down to the players.
He faces a bit of a dilemma in who to start in midfield, but his manner suggests he’s already made his choice, and he’s happy with it.
More importantly, it looks like the players are happy with it as well.
The most important decision surrounds the midfield, as the personnel within will dictate the style of play.
Does he keep MacGregor in the playmaker role, supported by Christie and Rogic, who himself has a telepathic understanding with potential match winner James Forrest, or does he elct to place Scott Brown alongside MacGregor, to try and bore the Austrian side into submission ?
Current form suggests the former, and its worth remembering that without Brown Celtic turned in probably their best away , in Trondheim, showing that they can be mature and professional.
Even though only a draw is required, one expects Celtic to try to get a goal or two of a cushion, and perhaps at that point utilise Browns experience and ability to break down other teams moves.
Or we could go with my idea, which is just to boot the ball out of the ground every time we get it.
And if the Austrians do take the lead, switch the floodlights off and say they’re broken.
What is important, and cannot be underestimated as a weapon, for want of a better word, is that if Brendan has so many options, in style and in personnel, it will be difficult for the Salzburg manager to set his team out to counter Celtic, and so his players will not receive their instructions until the team is named.
Every little bit helps.
For instance, where were all the celtic minded policemen when the Austrian team bus parked in a no parking zone last night ?
Haul it away and don’t tell them where it is until Friday, forcing them to take taxis to the ground tomorrow night.
Every little helps.
Tell them the heating and hot water is broken in the away dressing room, and send a guy in -who speaks Austrian-to mend it while they are having their team talk.
Every little helps.
Oh, and the practice match balls ? Tell them you can’t find the key to the store cupboard as the guy who has it went to hospital with his wife, who is having twins, about an hour ago and he forgot to leave it.
Every little helps.
Alternatively, just score at least as many goals as they do. That would work as well, I suppose.
Then theres the important stuff to consider, like the pre match tunes, which I would guess are probably not the same tunes most of us listen to pre match…
Brendan continues his relaxed interview…
“I have to say that the music tastes of the boys is very good and Kieran is great for the likes of me and the staff, because he plays some old-school tunes.”
“He has been brought up with his Mum and Dad’s song, so that’s great for me. He’s really good and he takes the responsibility seriously.
“He’s very good at it and is committed to it as well, with what he brings to put the music on.
“It’s a great ambience in the dressing room.”
Hang on, Tierney never played on Saturday, and Celtic put in the performance of the season so far !
Here we are wondering if its Brown or MacGregor to start, when in fact the crucial decision lies around who gets to pick the tunes.
The internet was alive last night with rumours that head of scouting Lee Congerton had left/been sacked/mutually consented. There’s been no word from the club, as no one actually knew he was still working there, so its been difficult to establish what has actually happened.
But if the man who brought us Marvin Comperr has been asked to leave, few tears will be shed, except by agents who have a plethora of injured players on their books.
Davie Hay, who has been rather nice about Peter Lawwell of late, used to be able to spot a player or two. We have a ready made replacement if he’s still got that knack.
Scott Brown will find out today-or tomorrow, because of the time difference, whether or not Western Melbourne, the Australian club who have offered him the chance to move down under, will be granted a licence to play in the Australian top league.
The other clubs will vote on the new clubs status after the original club went into liquidation when it was found they had opened a tax free haven….oh wait, that was another club who wanted to sign Brown…
Tomorrow, of course, we’ll hear that Brown is looking at his options, Calum Macgregor is wanted by southampton/Bournemouth/Melchester Rovers and James Forrest isn’t good enough for the EPL, so today we’re going to look at a few headlines about new players allegedly on the radar of whoever is in charge of that sort of thing at Celtic..
Celtic should move for Leicester City striker Islam Slimani in January
the striker already has a CSC named after him, according to some of the more virulent followers of William..
Benkovic delighted to be staying at Celtic
Not permanently, not yet anyway, but at least until the medals are handed out, and the more he enjoys it, the greater the chance of him staying are…even if its another loan.
Man United want Tavernier
No, not that one. Even they haven’t fallen that far yet. Its his brother, apparently, who is even better than the blue Cafu.
Dembele Wants to Come Back. Frenchman Homesick In France. Says He’s Sorry For His Tantrum
Okay, I made that one up
Meanwhile, as we discussed on the podcast, which is elsewhere on the site, business is so good over at the new “rangers ” shop, which mysteriously doesn’t use that word in the title, that they’re cutting opening hours to keep up with demand..
In order to keep up with demand and to benefit the fans we will be operating on reduced hours in store for the rest of the week, 11am-4pm. We will update you as soon as we are fully operational again, apologies for any inconvenience.#GersStore#RangersFC
Silly sods. No wonder their club went under, running a successful business isn’t their speciality.
Yesterday we had this picture to peruse..
caption: David Murray holds yard sale for items no longer required
Today…
