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I love Brendan but I really couldn't disagree more with his assessment of the KT tackle.
He also seems really annoyed about the pitch. Seems like a straightforward answer, pitch is shampoo, sorted at the end of the season, yet he really focuses on it and seems pissed off about something.
Estimated cost £2m but doesn't say what the maintenance/renewal figures are. Presumably the maintenance week-to-week would be less costly than as is, and if it's guaranteed for so many years then it could be close to what we are currently spending on a year by year basis over a period of time.
He's certainly not happy, but at least he is saying it whilst we are winning, so no one can accuse him of excuse making. From my viewpoint it doesn't look that bad and no other manager or player seems to comment on it, but I think BR probs knows slightly more than me so a new pitch it is come the summer.
Think we got a new pitch in 2014 after the games which didn't take and was replaced in summer 2015. It's deteriorating badly though. It's been a relatively dry winter but you wouldn't know it. Wonder if it's more a drainage issue- pre 2014 the pitch was generally good
Did we not replace the pitch at the start of the season?
I think it was before last season, after the Commonwealth games?
Should've upgraded to the state of the art at that point, utilising the revenue we got during the summer, no?
Of course, that would've been a football decision, which at that time would've been taken by the CEO (probably in consultation with the groundsman, so he could always pass the buck).
Whatever the problem, it is obviously not great and won't be helped with us having so many home games in a row. Get a nice new surface for next season.
Brendan Rodgers wants new Celtic chief scout to "know a player" as appointment draws closer
Brendan Rodgers expects Celtic to have a new chief scout by the summer
Spoiler: click to toggle
BRENDAN Rodgers has revealed that he hopes to have a new chief scout in place at Celtic by the summer but won’t rush into an appointment. Celtic have been without a head of recruitment since John Park left the club in October but are in the midst of sourcing his replacement. Rodgers acknowledged the need for data analysis in the modern game but insisted the most important factor for any scout is an instinctive ability to “know a player”.
“Between now and the summer we’ll probably have something organised on it,” he said. “We’re working on it behind the scenes and it’s been a good process. We’re just waiting on the right one.
“It can very complicated in modern football but for me it’s simple: know a player. You get a lot of new school [thinking] around now with computers, statistics and analysis but you still need guys who know a player. A bit of new school and old school and that fusion should allow you to bring in the players that you want.”
Rodgers also warned he would not tolerate any dropping-off in intensity in the latter part of the league campaign even if Celtic are to clinch the title next month. The Northern Irishman admitted he may follow predecessor Neil Lennon’s strategy of resting one or two key figures once the championship has been clinched but felt Celtic owed it to the rest of the division not to let their standards fall.
“No, we have to push to the maximum,” he said about the idea of the team dropping down the gears in the last few months. “We have an obligation to do that. We can’t go soft. We are here to win and to win in the best possible way but that’s just about picking the best team and I think I’ve done that throughout the season.
“There were players who were deemed not to be starters and have done really well. What I have tried to do is maximise my squad and keep them fit, motivated and keep them in pursuit of our objectives and they have all been brilliant in their professionalism.
“So, even if I did give one or two a rest, I feel confident about any players coming in. It certainly won’t take the edge off us because we are preparing, not just for this final part of the season, but to keep the momentum going into next season.
“We will assess it. But if we reach the Scottish Cup final or not, it will still be a long season for us. We have to be ready to go again on June 19. With the Scotland game on June 10, we would have to consider giving the international boys the longest period of rest that we can.”
Brendan Rodgers wants new Celtic chief scout to "know a player" as appointment draws closer
Brendan Rodgers expects Celtic to have a new chief scout by the summer
Spoiler: click to toggle
BRENDAN Rodgers has revealed that he hopes to have a new chief scout in place at Celtic by the summer but won’t rush into an appointment. Celtic have been without a head of recruitment since John Park left the club in October but are in the midst of sourcing his replacement. Rodgers acknowledged the need for data analysis in the modern game but insisted the most important factor for any scout is an instinctive ability to “know a player”.
“Between now and the summer we’ll probably have something organised on it,” he said. “We’re working on it behind the scenes and it’s been a good process. We’re just waiting on the right one.
“It can very complicated in modern football but for me it’s simple: know a player. You get a lot of new school [thinking] around now with computers, statistics and analysis but you still need guys who know a player. A bit of new school and old school and that fusion should allow you to bring in the players that you want.”
Rodgers also warned he would not tolerate any dropping-off in intensity in the latter part of the league campaign even if Celtic are to clinch the title next month. The Northern Irishman admitted he may follow predecessor Neil Lennon’s strategy of resting one or two key figures once the championship has been clinched but felt Celtic owed it to the rest of the division not to let their standards fall.
“No, we have to push to the maximum,” he said about the idea of the team dropping down the gears in the last few months. “We have an obligation to do that. We can’t go soft. We are here to win and to win in the best possible way but that’s just about picking the best team and I think I’ve done that throughout the season.
“There were players who were deemed not to be starters and have done really well. What I have tried to do is maximise my squad and keep them fit, motivated and keep them in pursuit of our objectives and they have all been brilliant in their professionalism.
“So, even if I did give one or two a rest, I feel confident about any players coming in. It certainly won’t take the edge off us because we are preparing, not just for this final part of the season, but to keep the momentum going into next season.
“We will assess it. But if we reach the Scottish Cup final or not, it will still be a long season for us. We have to be ready to go again on June 19. With the Scotland game on June 10, we would have to consider giving the international boys the longest period of rest that we can.”
We are very lucky to have this man. He is keeping everyone else on their toes and is also looking ahead to give us the best chances moving forward.
I love Brendan but I really couldn't disagree more with his assessment of the KT tackle.
He also seems really annoyed about the pitch. Seems like a straightforward answer, pitch is shampoo, sorted at the end of the season, yet he really focuses on it and seems pissed off about something.
There's a close up picture (in the link) of the tackle on KT and it looks a very sore one.
RIP IT UP Brendan Rodgers blasts ‘poor’ Parkhead pitch and calls on Celtic board to make £2million upgrade The Hoops manager claims the pitch was at the fault of a shocking challenge by Ryan Bowman on Kieran Tierney
Spoiler: click to toggle
BY KENNY MacDONALD 18th February 2017, 10:45 pm
BRENDAN RODGERS watched his Celtic side make it 25 domestic wins in a row – then BLASTED the state of the Parkhead pitch. Rodgers will demand a new £2million Desso surface is laid this summer because the Celtic Park surface is so worn.
Brendan Rodgers is unhappy with the condition of the Celtic Park pitch this season He even conceded that the only booking of the routine 2-0 win over Motherwell – for a foul by visitors’ sub Ryan Bowman on Kieran Tierney – was CAUSED by the bobbly surface.
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Rodgers admitted: “I thought the players did remarkably well, considering the level of the pitch is poor. “Some of our football was very good on what – although it might not look it – is a very, very difficult surface. “It’s a corner for me. When we’re trying to entertain supporters and play a level of game, the pitch is vital. “We actually go away to some grounds and play better because the pitch is better. This here slows us down. “It’s an old pitch and we need to modernise it. “I’ve asked for a Desso and I’m sure we’ll get it sorted.
“I thought the Kieran Tierney challenge was a result of the pitch. The ball pops up, and the player makes the challenge on the back of that. “It didn’t look very good but I’ll give the benefit of the doubt to the player that he didn’t mean it.”
Despite the threadbare nature of the surface, Celtic were comfortable against a Well side who shipped seven goals in midweek. Rodgers added: “Motherwell did very well on the back of losing seven goals. You’re always going to come, sit deep and block up the spaces. “Whenever you do that, you rely on the speed of the game, the combinations, the quick play, but our players have to deal with a real difficult pitch. “Technically they’re having to make sure they take a touch before they get it under control – they can’t play first time. “The game first 20 minutes was slow, we weren’t aggressive enough. We didn’t penetrate enough, and we weren’t incisive enough. “We then get the penalty. Moussa uses his body cleverly, and after that we lightened up a wee bit.
“The second-half was much better. We changed a little bit at half-time to play quicker and have better penetration in the team. “We could have had two or three more, so I was pleased in general. The players have great focus. “James Forrest was brilliant, Scotty Sinclair was very good and should have scored after a great move building through from the ‘keeper.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers played down reports linking him with a move for Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil. French media yesterday suggested he could be set for a switch to Celtic this summer but Rodgers said: “Tell me why I would be interested in him? “Why would I want him when I have Craig Gordon, who’s the sweeper ‘keeper and who’s top class?”
Forrest scored his seventh goal of the season and turned in a lively wing display — but he also conceded the surface has become an issue. He said: “I’m delighted to get another goal, three points, a clean sheet and another good performance. We’re buzzing and delighted all round. “I think everyone has been affected by it to a certain extent but once the game is going you don’t think about it. You just play the conditions. “The gaffer has said not to make excuses but I think the boys have coped well with the pitch. In the last couple of games at home we’ve scored some good goals and kept some clean sheets.
“We spoke before the game about trying to get a few shots in in the first 20 minutes but that didn’t happen. “We took our time but once we got the first goal we felt more confident. A few times this season when we haven’t been at our best we’ve still managed to win, which is a good sign. “This is as good as winning 6-0 last week as it shows you can do both sides of the game.”
Forrest found himself up against former Celtic youth team-mate Joe Chalmers after Well lost Stevie Hammell to injury in the warm-up. He said: “Joe’s a good lad. I’ve played and trained with him a lot. “He’s doing well at Motherwell but I tried to be positive against him from the start. “I always want to do well for 90 minutes and keep getting at the full back. “I spoke to him after the game and he was saying Hammell pulled out during the warm-up. “But I don’t think that would have affected him.”