'Arsenal have really matured'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
28 minutes ago
- Scotsman
Brendan Rodgers lays down law on Celtic squad, issues 'money in bank' message and has say on Jamie Vardy
Transfer narrative continues to dominate at Parkhead ahead of play-off tie Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has no doubts over his team's credentials in qualifying for the Champions League - but admits they need more to compete in it. Celtic go into the first leg of their Champions League play-off against Kazakh side Kairat Almaty at Parkhead shrouded by criticism of their transfer dealings so far this summer. While players such as Kieran Tierney and Benjamin Nygren have been brought in to strengthen defence and midfield, they remain light in attack and the club's fanbase have become increasingly frustrated at a lack of incomings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rodgers once again made it clear that his preference would be to work with the highest calibre players for this two-legged tie and while he believes he has enough quality within the current group to reach the Champions League, more would be required should Celtic progress to the main phase. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaks to the press ahead of the match against Kairat Almaty. | SNS Group 'I think firstly, we want to qualify, of course' said Rodgers. 'And if it's with this group of players, I'm confident that we can do that. Going forward, listen, it's clear we would have to improve the squad. 'I've had no injuries and I believe that the quality of our game and the intensity that we want to work at can hopefully be enough to see us through. But like I said, these games will always be tough games.' Rodgers has also told his players to blank out the external noise over incomings - and also outgoings - and make sure they reach the Champions League for an unprecedented fourth time in a row. Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate are among some of the current squad who have been linked with moves away from Celtic Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rodgers 'sets narrative to Celtic players' 'I mentioned this a few weeks ago to the players,' Rodgers continued. 'I think it's important to just set the narrative for them because, like you say, there's so much noise, especially as it ramps up towards the end. 'And it can be, and I've been in enough changing rooms to know how stability can be lost in this moment because some players will be thinking, are they staying, are they going? But in the midst of that, you've got really important games. 'So, I've already mentioned this to players a number of weeks back, just about respecting and acknowledging that it is a difficult part of the season. However, the money will be in your bank every month and it'll be from Celtic. And whilst it is, you need to perform. So, you don't need to worry about anything else. Daizen Maeda is set to be part of the frontline for Celtic against the Kazakhs. | SNS Group 'I respect and acknowledge that it can be tough. It's basically, are you going to be here or are you not? Celtic pay your wages and while they do, you focus on doing the very best you can for Celtic. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And then we start that process every day in training, doing the very best that we can, pushing each other, demanding, and then we'll take that into the games. And in fairness to the players, they've been brilliant with that. You see it in their attitude in the game, the energy in the games, they've been very, very good. 'So now we have to keep this going. And then, like I said, come the end of the window, that'll be the squad for the rest of the season.' Celtic have been continually linked with a move for experienced former Leicester City and England striker Jamie Vardy, who Rodgers worked with previously. Vardy is currently a free agent and a report earlier this week suggested the 38-year-old is keen to move to Celtic.
Daily Record
28 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Brendan Rodgers admits Celtic squad isn't ready for Champions League with searingly honest transfer truth
The Hoops boss has not hidden his desire to add to his squad but he's still in confident mood ahead of Kairat clash Brendan Rodgers admits his Celtic squad is not yet ready for the Champions League – but it is strong enough to kill off Kairat Almaty. The Hoops will face the Kazakhstan champs in tomorrow/tonight's £40m play-off showdown having failed to land top quality replacements for departed Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn and injured Jota. Rodgers refused to rule out linking up with Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy with the 38-year-old free agent understood to be keen on a move to Parkhead. The Celtic boss admitted he wanted to have reinforcements on board before the crunch Kairat clash. But he's convinced there is enough quality on board to get the job done. Rodgers remained tight-lipped on Vardy and said: ''Listen I would not speak about any individual player. Of course, I've worked really well with Jamie. "He was brilliant for me in my time at Leicester. But no, there's been so many names floated about. But I wouldn't disclose anyone.' Rodgers's focus is on Kairat but he admitted Celtic would need to tool up for the group stage. He said: 'Well, I think firstly, we want to qualify, of course. And if it's with this group of players, I'm confident that we can do that. 'Going forward, listen, it's clear we would have to improve the squad.' Rodgers is refusing to throw the toys out of the pram after a stuttering summer in the transfer window and he's urged his squad to shut out the outside noise around the tie. He said: 'No, listen, I'm experienced. I've been here long enough, and I understand where we're at. So I'm not going to get too frustrated about it, because I can't really control a lot of it. 'But what I can control is the players that we have, helping them be the very best that they can be, and making sure that they're prepared, and making sure that they're ready. 'Those players there just now have given me absolutely everything. So, I'm not going to get into a situation where I look frustrated or am frustrated, because that transfers onto the players that I have. And those guys, these boys have been brilliant. 'So, we're hoping that if we get somebody in or not, it'll be great. If not, then we'll go with what we've got. We'll do everything we can, and try to ensure all the details are right for the game. 'And then, see if we can take Celtic back into the Champions League again, which is ultimately what we want to do. 'You're a little bit more philosophical about it. It's so important because that emotional transfer can get through with players. 'There's even more noise now around the game, not just Celtic, but around the game. But it is very much experience that helps you massively, of course. 'It's understanding. I've been doing this for quite a while now. You can control what you can in the squad of players that you have. 'Of course, we need to push. I said it before, I want Celtic to live in the best possible place they can be on and off the pitch. "And that's not only players. That's about infrastructure. "That is about academy. 'That is everything to do with Celtic. Getting out the very best operation that we possibly can. And I know for that, that will always be about success on the pitch. 'When you get success on the pitch, everything else flows from that. 'So you would like to think you can be a little bit more philosophical at times.' Rodgers vowed to go all out against the Kazakhs to take a lead into next week's second leg. He said: 'I think it's how we play. "We set off in every game to go and attack the game and play our football in it. And this will be no different. 'Two of the three experiences I've had in qualification, having gone through qualification phases, has been based around a really, really good first leg (against Hapoel Beer Sheva and Astana). 'In both of those, we scored five goals. So for us, it's really that attack and intent in the game and being really, really difficult to play against. And then hopefully, we can then take an advantage into the second leg.'
STV News
28 minutes ago
- STV News
Chaiwa hopes Champions League experience will help him at Hibernian
Miguel Chaiwa believes his experience of playing in last season's Champions League can help him thrive at Hibernian. The 21-year-old midfielder made an eye-catching debut for the Hibees in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup win away to Livingston after joining earlier this month from Young Boys. Zambia international Chaiwa featured as a substitute in the Swiss side's Champions League play-off win over Galatasaray a year ago and then in their group-phase matches against Celtic and Red Star Belgrade in January. 'It has helped me a lot,' Chaiwa said. 'We played good teams in the Champions League. 'I've got one or two experiences playing against top teams, so it was a really, really good platform for me.' Chaiwa made his Hibs debut on the same day that another player recruited from the Swiss top flight marked his first start for David Gray's side with a goal. Thibault Klidje last month became the Edinburgh club's record signing when he arrived from Luzern for a seven-figure transfer fee. The Togolese forward was restricted to four substitute appearances prior to his maiden start on Sunday as Gray aims to break him into Scottish football gently, but Chaiwa expects his fellow African to make a big impact at Easter Road. 'We played against each other in Switzerland,' he said. 'I knew him personally, he's one of the good guys and has a little bit of shyness in him. 'But I know what he's capable of doing. He's energetic. He can run, he can jump, even though he's short. But he's willing to give everything. 'I think he will do well at Hibs once he gets a run of games, absolutely.' Chaiwa is delighted to have kicked off his Hibs career and is eager to play a part in Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at home to Legia Warsaw. 'I'm hoping to help the team and my team-mates like they did today,' he said. 'I'm really, really excited to be involved.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
