Brendan’s clones pave way for a bright future
team, Anthony Ralston is 18 and, yet, you’d think he’s 28. His maturity and how tactically aware he is, is great. We had young Calvin Miller, too, and I’m delighted for him.
‘I saw the fruits of him last year and he’s a player who, from deeper, can push on. He’s quick, aggressive and is developing into a firstclass young player.
‘Kris Ajer showed his qualities and is improving all the time, so those three, along with Kieran, were great and young Benny.
‘All the players train hard and they understand the structure of the team. Then it’s just replacing one player with one of a similar profile. That’s what you look for when recruiting players. And how I work in particular, there needs to be a certain ability to run, be mobile and have technique. They need to be able to take on board information, so if a player comes through the system, they should have all of those attributes.
‘It means when you take one out, another goes in, then it’s just a clone, really.
‘There were so many positives. Firstly, the performance. It’s always a difficult surface, but the players coped with it well.
‘We had good control of the game with a good tempo. We understood what was needed at different stages.’
Rodgers offered words of encouragement to opposite number Lee McCulloch, currently bottom of the Premiership having suffered three consecutive defeats at home. The Celtic manager knows the pressure will grow the longer the side’s difficulties at Rugby Park continue, but he insists this torrid start to the season will prove invaluable in the former Rangers captain’s long-term coaching education.
‘Lee is an outstanding manager,’ said Rodgers. ‘I know the season hasn’t started that well in terms of results, but I was really impressed with him as an assistant to Lee Clark and I’ve been even more impressed with him since he became a manager.
‘He’s forward thinking, wants to do the right things, coach the right way, be organised. But I know how management works.
‘If a couple of results go against you then, in your first job, you can find yourself under pressure.
‘He has no need to worry. He’s a fantastic manager starting out and I really believe this start will be good for him in the end.’
Tom Rogic made the difference at Rugby Park, setting up Forrest for the opener with some terrific footwork and providing the pass that led to McGregor’s late strike.
‘The (Forrest) goal is magic. I was right behind it and you just notice him (Rogic) lift the ball over the defender to continue his run,’ beamed Rodgers. ‘If he plays it along the floor, the defender blocks it and he cuts it back for an easy finish for James.
‘With the second one, it’s the difference between a player who allows you to go forward or just keep possession. He’s just fantastic.’