Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers recently shared his insights on the team’s performance in their pre-season friendly against Yokohama Marinos. The match, which was as much about building fitness as it was about honing tactics, gave Rodgers plenty to ponder after falling to a 6-4 defeat.
During his Celtic TV interview, the Irishman acknowledged that the team is still some distance from their peak fitness levels. The swift schedule and the challenge of playing against a team already three-quarters through their season made the match tough.
However, Rodgers viewed this as a perfect opportunity for the team, stating, “It was perfect for what we needed.” He emphasised that there’s still a lot of work to do, not just in terms of physical conditioning but also on the technical front.
The gaffer also expressed concern over the goals conceded from good ball possession. He stressed the need to work on the team’s technical structure and to avoid giving away cheap goals. This, he believes, is an area that needs significant improvement.
Rodgers also took the time to praise individual performances. He singled out Daizen Maeda for his outstanding performance, lauding his running, touch, and finishing. He also commended Tomoki for his excellent performance in a right-back position, a role he hasn’t often played before.
The importance of pre-season games was another key point in Rodgers’ reflections. He noted that each game represents a step up in performance level.
However, he quickly pointed out that the priority at this stage is not the results but building fitness. He believes that these games are crucial in preparing for the league campaign.
Rodgers also touched upon the changes he’s trying to bring to the team. He felt that the players coped well with the changes and that when the patterns work well, the team can penetrate the space in behind and attract opponents out effectively. However, he also noted that there were moments of hesitation and mistakes that needed to be eradicated.
The team will be heading to Osaka for the final match of their tour of Japan. He expressed his intention to push a number of players and to use the upcoming matches to get back in a good place physically.
With an upcoming match in Osaka and a pre-season friendly against Wolves, Rodgers and his team have a busy schedule ahead as they continue their preparations for the new season.
Watch his full interview here.
