BRENDAN Rodgers tonight expressed confidence the players he has at his disposal can fire Celtic into the Champions League league phase as the Parkhead club closed in on two new signings – Belgian winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Uruguayan full-back Marcelo Saracchi.
Rodgers fielded a second string side in the William Hill Premiership match against Livingston this afternoon – but his understrength team romped to a 3-0 win to move two points clear at the top of the table.
The Scottish champions’ fans unfurled banners protesting about the lack of transfer activity this summer and chants of “Sack the board” rang out around the ground intermittently during the course of the 90 minutes.
Read more:
-
Celtic 3 Livingston 0: Understrength Scottish champions surge seven clear of Rangers
-
Scotland's double European Cup winner Kenny Burns opens up on his dementia diagnosis
-
Why Scotland can end their World Cup qualification hoodoo (and one reason they won't)
The Celtic manager insisted that he knew nothing regarding fresh talks about securing the services of Balikwisha – reports in Belgium yesterday stated that a Celtic “delegation” had arrived at Royal Antwerp - following the final whistle.
However, it has emerged that negotiations to bring Boca Juniors left-back Saracchi, a 27-year-old player who has previously enjoyed spells at River Plate in Argentina, RB Leipzig in Germany, Galatasaray in Turkey and Levante in Spain, are underway.
Asked about the players Celtic had been linked with, Rogders said, “There's a number of players that we've been at for a number of months. So we'll see over the next 48 hours what that looks like.”
However, Rodgers, who is doubtful that Auston Trusty will be able to travel to Kazakhstan for the second leg of the Champions League play-off double header against Kairat on Tuesday night due to the injury the centre-half suffered on Wednesday night, stressed he has faith in the players he has.
Asked about Johnny Kenny’s late goal against Livingston, he said, “I'm really pleased for him because he works so hard, trains ever so well, scores his goals and just hasn't quite got there in the games.
“Listen, I value all the players that are here now. Of course, there's a lot made of what we don't have and we're all clear on that. We can all see that we need to strengthen at that top end of the pitch, there's no denying that.
“But I have to really value the players that are here. They've worked so hard over pre-season. We've started the season domestically very, very well.
“We had one half (against Kairat in midweek) that strangely was a bit passive and sometimes that happens over two legs. You don't really know the team and then you start slow and a bit sluggish and you're not quite at your level.
“But apart from that first half, I really value the players that are here. They've performed domestically and had three wins, not conceding hardly anything. So they're working very, very hard.”
Read more:
-
Brendan Rodgers answers Michel-Ange Balikwisha Celtic transfer question directly
-
Kilmarnock 0-0 Dundee: Home side rue missed chances in stalemate
-
Hearts 3-3 Motherwell: Super sub Braga inspires dramatic comeback
Asked if Kairat would see a different Celtic, he said, “I don't think there's any doubt about that. I've had games, like I said before, that went for us. And some that haven’t. But it's winner takes all now. And everything is there for us to do it.
“They're a good side, well-organised. It’s always tough in European football to go away. But we know we need the result. And we're going to give absolutely everything to get the result and be at the top table of European football. We know what we need to do. Like I said, we'll take this squad on Tuesday and hopefully get the job done.”
Rodgers is hopeful that Adam Idah, who wasn’t included in the match day squad this afternoon, and Luke McCowan, who limped off when he was substituted in the second half, will be fit to face Kairat in Kazakhstan.
