Frustrated Rodgers rues injuries to most influential Celtic players

throughout the team but mainly in that defensive sector, which is where your stability comes from," Rodgers said.

"That's been the biggest frustration over the course of the season, not being able to put out our strongest 11.

"It has felt like we probably haven't had the options for a lot of the season but the players have given me everything, they have worked ever so hard, and we can still finish off the season in a really high moment."

Rodgers stressed after last weekend's 4-2 cup win over Livingston that his side's football looks different when he has the likes of Mcgregor, Carter-vickers and Hatate available.

But he will work to ensure he gets the best out of the likes of Tomoki Iwata, who has stepped into Mcgregor's deep midfield role in recent weeks. "It's just supporting the players that we do have," Rodgers said. "They are very good players.

"But how football works, there are players who are more influential in teams, and that's why you have different levels of teams, because of what certain players can and can't do.

"But we have players who have given their all and what they need is that support.

"Callum is a top, top European midfield player and you miss that quality, that football brain, and the speed of his technique and how he gets you through the pitch.

"But Tomo [Iwata] has come in and done a very, very good job in that position. So we try and maximise the players that we have to allow them to perform the very best that we can.

"We have some very good leaders in Greg Taylor, Joe Hart and Ali Johnston. So these guys have stepped up when Callum hasn't been playing."