Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
COOL , CALM & COLLECTED
Rodgers at Windsor in relaxed mood
BRENDAN RODGERS admits he was a bag of nerves the last time he walked out at Windsor Park but he won’t be going weak at the knees this time out.
The Celtic boss was shaking like a leaf at the Northern Ireland national stadium as he prepared to take on the might of Brazil in a school boy international clash in front of 8,000 fans. Almost 30 years on Rodgers is ready to return but he insisted he’s much more relaxed as his Celts prepare to kick off the long slog towards the Champions League against Linfield tonight.
Rodgers said: “The last time I was there was when I was 14, Northern Ireland schoolboys versus Brazil, and I haven’t been back since.
“Yeah, I was very nervous that night. I had big boots to fill.
“I think Brazil played against all the home nations that year. Having the shirt afterwards was amazing.
“My dad loved Brazil. That was his country, he loved the Brazilians. To be able to get the shirt and give it to him was great.
“There probably would have been a decent crowd that day. “Half of my school was there! “It will be a proud moment to go back to Windsor Park with Celtic.
The Linfield clash – and all the off-the-field nonsense that goes with it – has the makings of a tricky tie.
But Rodgers has a
calm confidence in his squad these days compared to the shock on the Rock when they were caught cold by the Red Imps of Gibraltar.
He said: “Twelve months on, I think we would all agree it is a different team with a different mentality in a different cycle of work.
“I think we have done that over the course of the season, I don’t think I need to see that tomorrow night.
“I know they can do it. The structure and the dynamic of the team is there now. It’s about building on it in the next years.”
Rodgers will block out any background noise about rivalry or atmosphere. It’s all about getting past the Northern Ireland treble winners.
He said: “I only worry about my own team and worry about how we work and how we play.
“I know where we are at this stage compared to where we were last year is a different place, but it doesn’t make the game any easier.
“You have to win the game of football.”