Brendan Rodgers & Callum McGregor unique: Celtic duo focus on title win, summer season transfers plans & extra | Soccer Information

Brendan Rodgers has revealed there shall be “change” at Celtic this summer season as he seems ahead to “a really bright future” on the membership.

The Hoops noticed off Rangers within the Scottish Premiership title race earlier than beating their rivals once more within the Scottish Cup remaining.

That cup double triumph marks a profitable return to Glasgow for Rodgers, a transfer that solely got here to fruition after talks in Majorca with captain Callum McGregor who has opened up about these conversations and his pleasure on the Northern Irishman’s return.

In an unique interview for ‘Celtic: Champions Once more’ – accessible on Sky Q and On Demand – the duo sat down with Sky Sports activities’ Luke Shanley to replicate on their title win, Previous Agency victories, the long run and far more. This is the total Q&A…

Let’s return to final summer season, speak us via how your return occurred

Brendan Rodgers: “I deliberate on taking a escape. I would all the time hoped sooner or later I would be capable to come again to Celtic, I simply by no means thought it will have been as quickly.

“When the decision got here from Michael [Nicholson, Celtic chief executive], I felt initially I did need to have that interval out. However then Dermot [Desmond, Celtic board member] rang me and defined the way in which the membership was transferring ahead.

“I then got to meet Cal [Callum McGregor] and we had a good, long chat and he told me about the team and everything else. This is someone I’d trust with my life, from our first time working together, everything he gave me. I trust his opinion.

“So when he was speaking to me, that is the time I received actually excited.

“I used to be coming again a bit of bit ahead of I assumed and knew it will be a bumpy journey for whereas and a bit awkward. However the one method you may change these minds is by working nicely and sustaining that over a time period.

What was the assembly like in Majorca? What did you say?

Callum McGregor: “Initially, I was just pleased to see him. It had been a few years, but we sat down and spoke and very quickly, it became clear that he was interested. He was probing and asking about players, how the club was, how it was moving forward.

“Right away, I am getting excited as a result of I am pondering, ‘it will occur, he will come again’. I attempted to offer my trustworthy analysis of the place the membership was and the place we will get higher and the place we will hold pushing to maneuver ahead, as a result of I knew that’d be a giant factor for the supervisor as nicely.

“He wants to move [forward]. That’s one thing I learnt from the first time he was here, he was always pushing for more and raising the standards higher up in the club as well.

“We knew the place we wished the membership to go and I used to be excited in regards to the prospect of working with the supervisor once more… we have been a younger, thrilling squad that in all probability wanted the following stage of steering to get us to the place we wished to be. I assumed the supervisor can be the proper man for that.”

Was he the best person to replace Ange Postecoglu?

CMcG: “When Ange came in, he totally transformed the club again overnight. The feeling of the place was buzzing, the football was great and with young, exciting players as well.

“I felt the following stage for us was having that actual tactical understanding of why we’re doing issues on the pitch and the supervisor [Rodgers] is one of the best I’ve seen at it.

“The way he transformed our team the last time he came in, we had a real understanding on the pitch of why we were moving where we were moving, we had a bigger picture all the time about the games.

“I assumed ‘that is going to be an ideal transition for what this group is’. I believe you may see now the distinction from after we assault to after we sluggish the sport down to hurry it up once more. It is a huge credit score to the supervisor and his workers as nicely.”

Was it about evolution rather than revolution?

BR: “As a Celtic supervisor and coach, there is a demand to play a sure model of soccer. That is the benchmark that has been set over a few years.

“Ange came in and did a brilliant job and formed a new team, built around Cal and they had fantastic success. So I came in with an idea that’s fairly similar in terms of attacking.

“My philosophy has all the time been of a prime boxer, is that you simply assault but additionally need to have your guard up at occasions. I just like the staff to assault and defend with aggression and naturally over time as we evolve, then the pliability inside that.”

Did you’re feeling such as you have been ‘again’ after profitable at Ibrox?

BR: “That’s a big game when you’re a Celtic player or manager and those are the games you’re really judged on.

“At the moment, we went there and had necessary gamers lacking. However what we confirmed that day was the spirit throughout the staff. It is one of many largest challenges as a Celtic participant or supervisor to go to Ibrox, and to then go along with no supporters in any respect.

“To then go and win that game and keep a clean sheet, I felt really good after that game because we went in as the underdogs, under pressure so early in the season.

“However how the gamers dealt with it and stepped up, I got here away from that sport actually enthused by what I would seen.”

Celtic have been unbeaten for the primary 16 league video games of the season, however you mentioned it was the angriest you had ever been at half-time at McDiarmid Park. What was it like displaying that different facet to you?

CMcG: “It was scary!”

BR: “I’ve never been that sort of coach. I work closely with players because I care for them and I want them to be the best they can be.

“I simply felt in that first half, we have been nowhere close to the tempo and the extent and high quality and velocity that I’d demand and what the Celtic supporters need.

“But again, it’s testament to the players. You can fall out with yourself and not accept it, or you take it on board and you go on and prove a point.

“Within the second half, led by Cal, who introduced the sport to a unique stage and his team-mates responded to that. we have been completely unbelievable.”

CMcG: “That’s one of the brilliant things about the manager is he speaks and you listen. It’s in a calm way, but there are some serious words in there that you need to take notice of.

“So to see him a stage above that and be indignant with the gamers, it confirmed simply how dangerous we have been within the first half and the way a lot we might let ourselves down. In the end, that is why you get indignant and we’re all in elite-level soccer so we perceive that 45 minutes of soccer can kill your season and that you must get it again.

“With that reaction at half-time, you think, ‘we need to go here, we need to motor’. We were 1-0 down I think and we managed to win the game 3-1. Even after that, you’re still angry because you think, ‘why didn’t we play like that in the first half?’

“There was a lesson in mentality there as nicely for the gamers and that is one thing we have been attempting to emphasize as a lot as we presumably can, in that do not let 45 minutes of soccer slide by as a result of generally that may be the 45 minutes that kill you.”

How difficult was the dip in December with losses to Kilmarnock and Hearts?

CMcG: “It was actually tough. Once more, we had the warning shot of the St Johnstone sport and also you suppose, ‘we have responded nicely’, however then we do the very same factor within the different two video games in a vital second of the season.

“You think, ‘we’ve not learnt our lessons and it’s starting to manifest itself and create a problem and we need to try and get on top of it as quickly as we can’.

“Dropping the sport at Hearts at dwelling was a sore one. I mentioned to the gamers, ‘we do not lose once more at dwelling as a result of we do not need to get embarrassed in entrance of our personal supporters’ and the boys have responded brilliantly since then.”

Brendan, do you think people personally and professionally have questioned you? Has it been difficult or did you try to use it to your advantage?

BR: “You’ll always have critics and we’re not made of wood. We all have feelings, we all take on board and understand there are critics in the game.

“I believe it was kore stunning as a result of I would been right here earlier than and also you’re all the time right here to show a degree. However in that sticky state of affairs at first of the season, I assumed it was clear as to why we have been in that place with key gamers lacking and the fluidity of the staff not fairly there.

“I felt that if you had some football intelligence, you could see that. But it’s also a good sign because it means the bar you’ve set is a high one and it’s all a part of what comes with managing and captaining a club like Celtic.”

Callum, did you relish the title race strain?

CMcG: “It doesn’t matter how many trophies you’ve won, you’re always under pressure to perform and win the next trophy that’s on offer.

“It is a 10-month season, I’ve all the time mentioned it. The staff that offers with disappointment one of the best would be the staff that wins the league and I stand by that. We had just a few tough moments, however the course of has been there, the belief has been there and the gamers have delivered when the strain has been on and that is a mix of these factors.”

Why was the 3-3 sport towards Rangers a key second?

CMcG: “It’s the biggest game of the season. You go with no supporters, in the last couple of years as well, and it’s you versus them. Everybody wants to beat you and everybody hates you so you have to go with that siege mentality.

“I assumed the soccer we performed in a giant strain second, in such a giant sport, within the first half specifically, we have been unbelievable. That confirmed the mindset of the gamers – we weren’t frightened of what was coming, we have been going to win the sport.

“The players know coming off the pitch that we should have won that game and if it wasn’t for a little bit of luck, we might have done that.

“That gave us the idea at that time, understanding the fixtures that have been to return, we knew it was nonetheless in our arms and if we may go on and win each sport, particularly with the house sport arising, we might put ourselves in a very good place.”

In Old Firms this season, what does it say to get three wins and a draw in the league?

BR: “It tells you the whole lot in regards to the mentality of the group. We put together the staff to win the sport and the gamers have gone out and carried out precisely that.

“It told me everything about the strength, mentality and the belief the players have and how we’re working.”

How a lot did you benefit from the celebrations at Rugby Park?

BR: “It’s special. With this club, there are big demands on you as a player, a captain and a manager – but that’s why you do it. We all live to give the supporters that happiness because it really is their life.

“They spend their days and cash on Celtic so to have the ability to give them that and see the enjoyment on the stadium… I’ve additionally been fortunate sufficient to have been round some huge stadiums, particularly within the Premier League.

“But we were in a little town in Scotland in Kilmarnock and the scenes after the game, it’s unrivalled that support, that passion and that love that they were giving the team. It was really special.”

Does it justify you saying ‘see you again right here in Might’ if you returned in the summertime?

BR: “I certainly put myself under pressure, but it’s what I thrive in. I wasn’t saying it in an arrogant way, I was saying it with a belief in how I work, but I also have a belief in the players and we were going to do everything we possibly could to be there.

“It was good for everybody.”

CMcG: “It was an announcement of intent that we’ll work the entire season to ensure we do come again in Might and we’re the champions once more and we’ll retain that trophy we have labored so exhausting to get.

“When you start putting the numbers together, there’s a real hunger and desire in the building to make sure it happens time and again.”

How does profitable this title examine to these in your first spell?

BR: “Being satisfied is very much that. My previous titles here were won in different ways, but I think we all understand the challenges we’ve had throughout the season.

“However the one factor that by no means waivered was perception in how we work and the belief and the spirt that we had collectively.

“But of course, you have to get the job done. You only have to look at this last period of games to tell you everything you need to know about this team, the mental strength they have, the hunger and desire they have, but also that ability to play under pressure.”

What do you want now to kick this staff on?

BR: “I’ve always said about adding quality to the squad. There’s going to be a natural change in the summer.

“A number of the gamers may have been right here for 3 years and in case you take a look at the cycle at Celtic, then there may be usually that change in that third yr.

“It’s getting another step in the types of profile I would want within the squad to allow us to progress and develop.

“However this season, I have been actually happy with the staff and are available the summer season, we’ll look so as to add these bits of high quality. We have the likes of Joe [Hart], who’s retiring so we’ve got to fill that void as nicely.

“But it’s a really bright future, we have to take that into pre-season and then we’ll look to fly from the beginning of next season.”

What do you make of Callum’s evolution from midfielder to the chief of the staff?

BR: “It’s been so satisfying and it’s been brilliant to see. I knew Cal from the youth set-up here but when he played for Notts County against my Liverpool team in a cup game, he was a young whippersnapper then.

“However then coming right here the primary time, how he grew in that point as a participant and what I discovered is somebody who has this unimaginable view of soccer, who’s at skill of the very highest stage, and simply to see his persona develop.

“That grew in my first time here with big performances in big games. If you look at the biggest games I had here in my first time, he was at the centre of it.

“However to see him lead now and be the figurehead for the staff, I’ve received such satisfaction in him and what he is doing. I do know due to the way in which he takes care of himself, he is received plenty of years to go to actually affect this squad.

“So to see him go from that guy when I first came in in 2016 who was trying to force his way into becoming a permanent fixture to now being this legend of a player and captain and who is now going to go and win more, influence more. It’s been so nice to see.”

Has the supervisor modified from the primary spell to now?

CMcG: “I would say no in a lot of ways in terms of the way he works and the quality that he shows in his work.

“Then in one other side, everybody evolves and will get higher with age and expertise. What we have is an actual top-level supervisor and the membership is fortunate to have him and get him again.

“The way he works, the way he carries himself and the demands he puts on the club, he’s a top manager and I love working with him. I just know I’ve got the confidence that he’s going to push this group and keeping pushing until he gets us to where he wants us to be.

“In elite sport, you want somebody to be pushing on a regular basis as a result of in case you stand nonetheless, you will get bypassed and for a membership like Celtic to have somebody like that lead it, it is so necessary.”

How does this title win examine to your first one?

CMcG: “It’s just as special. They get even more difficult every year, they get harder, there’s always a bigger target on your back and when you’re a champion, everybody wants to beat you.

“With the way in which this one happened and the way we managed to recover from the road, a number of strain conditions, I’d say one in all, if not probably the most satisfying one.

“I’m really proud of the players and staff and manager to get it over the line.”

Watch ‘Celtic: Champions Once more’ on Sky Q and On Demand