REFS IN RODGERS’ DOSSIER

BRENDAN RODGERS has revealed an in-depth analysis of the referee forms part of the detailed dossier he hands his players before every match.

The Celtic manager is living up to his reputation for meticulous work as he settles into life at Parkhead.

His staff compile information that extends beyond the opposition players to ensure the reigning champions are as prepared as possible for each fixture.

‘It’s not homework, but the players are given a document on the opponent,’ he said. ‘Everything is in there about the player they are playing against.

‘We look at the offensive organisation of the opponent and the same defensively. We look at the different phases of transition, offensive and defensive.

‘We study the referee. We look at the last 35 games of the ref and look at his form going into games. Does he give particular cards at a high level or not?

‘So we study the opponent in depth. But then it is the choice of the player. It’s never forced on to them.

‘All of them will take away a document that will allow them to be 100-per-cent prepared for the game.

‘Some will read it religiously, read every letter that is on there. Some, I’m sure, will set it down after 10 seconds and not look at it again. But that is life.

‘It’s about us knowing as a staff that we have done absolutely everything for the players to gain that extra one per cent.

‘Then they don’t have any excuses. Creating that no-excuse environment is very important.’

Celtic face Motherwell in the Betfred Cup tomorrow evening, the fifth of seven successive midweek assignments.

Striving to reach the Champions League has meant a typically congested start to the season, having already come through ties against Lincoln Red Imps and Astana.

Hapoel Be’er Sheva visit Glasgow a week tomorrow for the first leg of their play-off round tie with the return in Israel six days later.

And Rodgers insists a great deal of thought is being placed into ensuring the squad peaks for each game.

‘It just means you have to use various tools to help them develop,’ he added.

‘They are obviously playing Wednesday, recovering Thursday so the nutrition is important in order to maximise their loading for the next game.

‘We do lots of video, individually and in-team analysis, and on top of that we work on the field.

‘There is an awful lot of work being poured into them so that they can be the best they can be.

‘Ultimately, that is the way you want it because if you are going to be successful then they could be playing 60-odd games a season and you will be playing in midweek, so you are tapering your work accordingly.’