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Celtic’s Quest for European Success Under Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers, since his return to Celtic, has expressed a clear ambition to elevate the club’s performance on the European stage. This season marks a promising development as Celtic came close to extending their match against Bayern Munich to extra-time during the play-off round, accumulating a commendable 12 points in the league phase.

To build upon this progress and maintain their dominance within Scottish football, Rodgers recognizes the necessity for enhanced squad depth and diverse options throughout the grueling season. This requirement underscores the significance of retaining key players like Greg Taylor. Rodgers elaborated that while fellow player Kieran Tierney possesses the versatility to operate more centrally, Taylor’s unique skills lie in his speed and dribbling ability, which allow him to penetrate defenses and deliver crucial crosses into the box.

Rodgers envisions a complementary relationship between Taylor and Tierney, which is pivotal for the team’s strategy. However, he emphasizes that the attributes sought in players go beyond mere technical skills; personality plays a crucial role as well. In discussing Taylor’s future, Rodgers spoke highly of the player’s unwavering determination and commitment, highlighting that Taylor approaches every game with an exceptional level of enthusiasm.

The manager hinted at a shortcoming within the team’s motivation during the initial half of their recent defeat against St. Johnstone, suggesting that such complacency is particularly troubling given Celtic’s extensive lead in the Premiership. The culture of the club, along with the expectations of Scottish football, necessitates a strong foundational presence of local players who inherently understand the imperative of winning every match, especially against rivals like Rangers.

While Tierney undoubtedly adds leadership to the team, Rodgers believes that surrounding himself with as many strong, driven personalities as possible is vital, provided they can also deliver on the pitch. “He’s very instrumental off the field, he’s got a big personality in the changing room,” said Rodgers about Taylor. He emphasized that Taylor’s character aligns perfectly with the ethos of the club. “You can see it in players like James Forrest and Callum McGregor; they embody the expectations, the sentiments, and the demands of Celtic, and Greg embodies that same spirit as well.”

Source
www.bbc.com