Brendan Rodgers has been looking ahead to the new season and welcomed the added competition with Russell Martin now in charge at Rangers.
The Celtic boss is focused on keeping the Hoops strong, but admits having a rival pushing you can bring the best out of everyone. With the season just weeks away, Rodgers made it clear that Celtic are working to hit the ground running.
Rodgers believes that the most important thing is that Celtic keep improving themselves, regardless of what’s happening elsewhere. Celtic have already sets high standards and the goal is to keep raising the bar. While what Rangers do matters, Rodgers wants the focus to stay on what Celtic can control.
He did admit he keeps an eye on what’s happening across the city – whether it’s players coming in, new tactics or the influence of a new manager. But he says that only matters if it helps Celtic stay one step ahead. He isn’t distracted by it. Instead, he’s making sure his own squad is as ready as it can be.
Rodgers made it clear that the pressure from competition actually motivates him. He says his job is to use everything at his disposal to keep Celtic on top, playing the style of football fans expect. For him, rivalry isn’t something to fear – it pushes everyone at the club to be better.
He said: (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. But 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.”
With another long season ahead, including Champions League qualifiers, Rodgers is planning carefully. He wants to make sure the team has enough depth and energy to deal with everything that’s coming. That starts with getting things right in pre-season and building a strong squad for the months ahead.
Rodgers says he’s fully committed to playing the kind of football that Celtic supporters want to see. That means attacking, quick, and exciting. Even with Rangers changing things under a new boss, Rodgers won’t change what Celtic are about. He wants the team to stick to its identity.
Rodgers sounded like a man who’s ready for the challenge. He says the rivalry is part of what drives him and makes the job so special. He knows people will talk about Rangers under Martin, but his message is simple: Celtic will stick to their plan, and aim to set the pace again.
