Brendan Rodgers tells Rangers boss Russell Martin that Celtic welcome the chase as 2 'big deals' can bury rivals

Daily Record

3 hours ago

The Hoops boss is keepings tabs on the rest of the Premiership but he insisted his side set their own standards
Brendan Rodgers insists Celtic welcome the chase as the Hoops boss gears up to take on new-look Rangers under Russell Martin.
The Irishman is set to ramp up preparations for the new term with several transfer targets in the pipeline.
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Kieran Tierney is already on board, Callum Osmand is set to land from Fulham and Swedish ace Benjamin Nygren is expected to be rubber stamped early next week.
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Rodgers is also trailing Royal Antwerp wide man Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Japanese defender Hayato Inamura – with interest in several others – as he looks to tool up for the coming campaign.
The Hoops gaffer insisted Celtic set their own standards – and he's thrilled at the prospect of a tougher challenge from Rangers and the rest of the Premiership.
Rodgers told Sky Sports: 'We create our own benchmark and our own levels and we've been doing that consistently now, but there's no doubt competition makes you better in whatever sport it is or whatever pursuit of anything that you're trying to achieve.
'If you have competition, that really narrows in the focus.
'We always have to keep an eye on our rivals in terms of what they do and players that they might bring in and systems they play and tactics they use and managers.
'But competition is always healthy for you and for me it's what really drives me up here.
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'Ultimately for me it's about making Celtic the best that we possibly can be and using all the resources that I possibly can to help make us the best that we can and keep delivering the football that the supporters want.'
Celtic's summer shopping is set to gather pace but Hoops legend Chris Sutton has urged his former clubs to get a shift on.
The champions will unfurl the league flag at home to St Mirren on Sunday, August 3 – abut face a Champions League play-off three weeks later and just days before the first Old Firm showdown of the season.
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Record Sport columnist Sutton – who has urged Celts not to sell Nicolas Kuhn in this window – said: "I'm a little bit concerned Celtic don't have more players in. When a team is as strong as they have been, it's important they add to the squad and freshen things up,"
"I'm sure there will be a couple more moves in the pipeline and players brought in.
"I'd always like to see them strengthen early. Then you can bed players in, there's Champions League qualifiers for Rangers and Celtic which have such an impact on their seasons financially.
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"As much as Celtic have been dominant, and won a double last season, the pressure is on right from the off.
"I think Kieran Tierney coming back is massive. He's gone back to Celtic, arguably sort of in his peak, albeit didn't play enough football at Arsenal.
"Replacing him Greg Taylor looks like to be a pretty big deal because he was an outstanding player for Celtic.
"Keeping hold of Cameron Carter-Vickers is a big deal for Celtic as well.
"It's so important to strengthen when you're on top and go again and Celtic should be trying to absolutely bury Rangers in the transfer market this season.'