NO NEED FOR A WAKE-UP CALL

Rodgers up before dawn after Europe glory night to plot a Tynecastle triumph

IN the ever-active mind of Brendan Rodgers, there was never any danger of the Premiership kick-off being overshadowed by Celtic’s ongoing quest for Continental riches.

Preparations for tomorrow’s domestic debut against Hearts at Tynecastle began in earnest following a mere three hours of fractured sleep prior to dawn on Thursday morning.

The previous evening had seen his side record a dramatic 2-1 victory over Astana at Parkhead, setting up a Champions League play-off round tie against Israeli club Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Rodgers, though, clearly is not one to dwell on such progress. His thoughts on how best to deal with Hearts all too swiftly forced their way to the fore.

‘My mantra and focus is always the next game,’ said Rodgers. ‘We had a very big game during the week and I got to sleep at 1.30am after it.

‘At 4.30am, I was studying Hearts for the game on Sunday. You have no time to rest. I didn’t set my alarm, by the way, I just couldn’t sleep!

‘I’ve got scouts here who do great work, including John McGlynn, who knows Hearts inside out. But it’s also good to see it with your own eyes as a coach.

‘Now everything gets poured into planning to get the best result against Hearts.

‘I watched their last European game which they lost. They worked hard and were unfortunate.

‘Conor Sammon is a new player for them and I know Don Cowie well.

‘He is an excellent player. I took him to Watford when I was manager there and he did a really good job for me.

‘We will give them plenty of respect but we go there with confidence that we can get a result.’

This will not be Rodgers’ first working visit to Gorgie. He is already well versed in the intensity of atmosphere that can arise after taking Liverpool there for a Europa League play-off in 2012.

An Andy Webster own goal gave him victory, although it required a late Luis Suarez strike to ensure Hearts were seen off in the second leg.

‘That night with Liverpool, it was very passionate,’ recalled Rodgers. ‘I was surprised when they told me afterwards how many people were in the stadium, because it felt like a lot more.

‘The Scottish supporters love their football and are very passionate. When Celtic arrive, it’s a big draw for any of the teams.

‘It will be tough. Robbie Neilson has done an excellent job there. He makes Hearts hard to beat.

‘I met him a couple of years ago when I was Liverpool manager and he came down for a couple of days to watch our training and talk football.

‘I found him a really nice guy, very intelligent and with good communication. I’m glad he has done well.

‘It is difficult for him because there is a level of expectancy at Hearts in terms of where they are, what they want to achieve with their resources.

‘He always has his team set up well and is very organised. I look forward to seeing him.’

A new season would not be the same without a bit of verbal sparring on the undercard. And so it has been this week.

Kenny Miller jabbed back at Scott Brown’s claim that Aberdeen — and not Rangers — would provide the biggest threat to Celtic making it six-in-a-row.

Rodgers, though, declined an opportunity to leap over the ropes to join in the banter, as he diplomatically surveyed his topflight rivals.

‘I don’t know a lot of the teams well but I think you look at the usual suspects who have been in and around it in the Scottish Premiership,’ he said, considering where danger will arise from.

‘Aberdeen are an experienced team who were close for threequarters of last season.

‘They have just come out of European football which means they will have fewer games to play.

‘They have been building without too many changes. They have some good players.

‘Derek (McInnes) has done an excellent job there. They will be around it.

‘At Hearts, Robbie has been trying to build something. They lost players but he is still organised and working to have another challenge this season.

‘Rangers coming into the league will have their supporters demanding they are up there and doing well.

‘Then you look at the great job Tommy Wright has done at St Johnstone.

‘They finished fourth last season, so I’m thinking every game will be a difficult test.

‘Our concentration, though, is primarily on ourselves. If you win the games you should win, then you are in with a good chance of winning it (the title) again. It will be the first time for me going into the first league game of a season after having already played competitive fixtures.

‘We are having the game in August and it feels like December already!

‘But it means we are in a good physical state. I’m now looking forward to the Premiership starting. I’m excited about it.’

The imminent arrival of Scott Sinclair will augment Celtic’s attacking options, while Rodgers hasn’t given up hope of another signing before Monday’s deadline for the Be’er Sheva tie.

Business will also continue to be done in terms of exits after Scott Allan moved on loan to Rotherham.

‘Scott hasn’t played 90 minutes in a year now,’ said Rodgers. ‘That is a long time as a footballer.

‘He was probably going to be limited in terms of how much he was going to play.

‘It is an opportunity to work with a manager he has worked with before. We wish him luck.’

“At 4.30am, I was studying Hearts game”