The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rodgers happy to cope with hectic schedule
Celtic’s drive for success sees them face a gruelling fixture list this month but boss Brendan Rodgers would not have it any other way.
Following the international break the Scottish champions play six matches before the end of October including a Champions League double-header against Bayern Munich and a Betfred Cup semi-final against Hibernian.
An exacting period starts with the visit of Dundee in the Ladbrokes Premiership today when the home side will look to extend their unbeaten domestic run which stretches back 58 games.
However, Rodgers is now used to the demands made on the treble winners.
“If you are doing well that’s what it brings,” said the Northern Irishman, who on Thursday picked up the Ladbrokes Premiership manager of the month award for September.
“The programme of games since we came back in June has been very demanding.
“But we have a medical team here who work together very closely with the players in order to bring out the best possible team to get the results in every game we play.
“A huge amount of credit goes to the players for their ability to adapt and perform in whatever competition they are playing in and to try to bring the very best out in every game.
“What we are clear on is that success just doesn’t happen, you have to work at it.
“There is a lot of games, a lot of travel but this is what you want, you want to be successful so you have to play a high number of games.
“For that you need a squad and thankfully this squad has been coping very well,” Rodgers continued.
Celtic comfortably beat Dundee 4-0 when they met at Dens Park in the quarter-final of the Betfred Cup last month.
However, Rodgers remains impressed by Dark Blues boss Neil McCann, whose side beat Hearts 2-1 just before the international break.
“Neil is clearly trying to get them to play, show a courage on the ball,” said the former Swansea and Liverpool manager.
“He wants his team to build from behind so they open the game up fairly well in order to get on the ball.
“It seems pretty clear to me how they want to play and it doesn’t matter where they play, whether it is home or away, they want to impose their way of working and playing.
“They obviously had a very good result against Hearts so that will give them the confidence.
“So this game, like every other game, will prove to be a very difficult game for us.”
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is likely to be without several players when Dundee come calling this afternoon.
Midfielders Stuart Armstrong (calf) and Scott Brown (hamstring) and defender Jozo Simunovic (hamstring tear) are set to miss out with a view to having them ready for next week’s Champions League game against Bayern Munich in Germany.
Defender Anthony Ralston is still recovering from a slight tear to his meniscus, Australia international Tom Rogic was not returning from international duty until yesterday and will rest, while defender Erik Sviatchenko and midfielder Eboue Kouassi (both knee) are still working their way back to full fitness.