The Celtic boss was asked about SPFL league reconstruction plans and he provided his thoughts on the proposed idea to reduce it to a 10-team league.
Rodgers wasn’t convinced and he had his say while the Irishman also discussed Kasper Schmeichel’s early return to the training pitch after he was injured on Denmark duties.
With Daizen Maeda winning March player of the month, the manager also discussed his form as the lone striker as he has come on leaps and bounds since the move.
And Adam Idah’s mindset on the Lennoxtown grass – having been bumped for Maeda and his 30-goal campaign – was also a topic of conversation.
Here Goldengallon pores over Rodgers’ presser and picks out some key takeaways…
Kasper Schmeichel comeback
“No, no, he’s clearly not damaged his feet. So, he can use his feet and work on his touch and whatnot. The timeline we’ve been given has been five to six weeks by the medical experts, but that could be sooner.
“So, he feels good, he’s got some mobility, he’s got rotation there, but we just obviously have to be careful with the blade and his shoulders.
“But he can do other things, so he’s out on the training field and working on the technical side of his game.”
League reconstruction
“I’ve just heard that, someone mentioned the possibility of it getting smaller or increasing. I certainly don’t think it needs to get smaller.
“If it goes any way, I think there’s still a notion for me that we could bring a few more teams into the league.
“Clearly, there’s maybe issues around TV revenue, money, or whatever way that would look like, and there might be a challenge to that. But I think from a football perspective, I always felt that the increase in the league would help.”
Would Rodgers and Celtic want winter break back?
“I think this season has been interesting because it’s been the first, well we’re nearly there, nearly through the season, but this has been the first full season with the extra Champions League games in there, and without the winter break.
“There’s no doubt that period was a tough period, and we managed to get through it incredibly well. That’s not to say that happens every season.
“I would have to think on that, I’m not sure I can answer that now. I think whatever protects the game and the quality of the game.
“Like I said, players just turning out, and clubs like ourselves, we are fortunate in relation to, obviously we play more games, so we have a bigger squad and a pool of players that we can pull on, but there are other teams that will, you look at the pre-season this year, Kilmarnock and teams like that in European football, it’s a real challenge.”
Have St Johnstone improved?
“I look at how they play and I think they’ve been unfortunate in terms of the numbers of the games they’ve played. I like the new managers coming in and what they’re trying to do and how they’re trying to play. They’ve obviously made some changes in January as well, so the team will look a bit different.
“He wants them to play a technical game. Tactically, you can see how they move. I’ve enjoyed analysing them, but somehow they’ve just not quite got the results.
“As always, we have to prepare for a tough game. The surface probably won’t be ideal, but we have to deal with that and look to bring our A game.”
Daizen Maeda future as a Celtic striker
“Yes, a remarkable few months he’s had, but also a remarkable season. To be sat on 30 goals where primarily he played as a winger.
“Before February, he had the odd game was a striker, but since February we’ve put him in there.
“The first one last week, even Jota’s goal, the sharpness of his movement to get the header. He’s just so instinctive, but also his reading of situations is so good.
“I think he’s improved on his technical level, his finishing, and that comes with confidence as well.
“He’s been in various positions. When you see him play through the centre, you feel that he’s going to get goals and he’s going to create goals. I’m very happy for him.
“I think the situation was that Kyogo was the central striker here along with Adam Idah. He’s played a lot of his games off the side and was still effective there.
You trace it back to when he was in Yokohama. I really feel he can play in that position.
“In January, I didn’t want him to have to play in that position because I wanted the squad to be as strong as we could.
“But I felt that if we didn’t get a striker, there’s no doubt he can play there. He’s hopefully shown why that is. His movement, pace, technical ability, but also the hunger in his pressing is massive. He’s played ever so well and consistently well.”
Having to manage Adam Idah amid Maeda’s form
“I think it’s all the players. It’s recognising and acknowledging that here there are a lot of games to play.
“I think with Adam, Adam trains really well. He’s very focused. He’s had some really, really big moments for this club.
“I’m really happy he’s here to be one of a number of strikers because it gives us something different. He’s always looking to improve his game. His finishing is really, really good.
“But of course, Daizen going into the middle has meant that he’s played a similar role to what he did with Kyogo. But it can also be the type of game that we need.
“Adam is hungry to always show what he can do. As is Daizen, as are the other players.”
