As Celtic gear up for their crucial Champions League fixture against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday evening, Brendan Rodgers has pushed back on the notion that there’s added pressure on his higher-priced players to perform.
The club broke their transfer record twice this summer, signing Adam Idah and Arne Engels, sparking speculation that the spotlight will be firmly on the new arrivals to justify their hefty price tags. However, Rodgers has made it clear that these players shouldn’t be burdened by the fees attached to them.
The Celtic boss was direct in his assessment of the situation, stating, “I don’t set the fee, the player doesn’t set the feet, the only pressure is the football pressure.” he told Celtic Youtube. His remarks reflect a desire to keep the focus on the team’s collective performance rather than individual price tags. For Rodgers, the pressure that comes with playing for Celtic in Europe should be no different, whether you were brought in for a record fee or came through the youth ranks.
Rodgers also stated that although Celtic spent a significant amount of money, the club actually made more money than they spent.
Rodgers’ comments come at a time when Celtic are flying high domestically, leaving critics with few angles to attack the team. With little to pick at in terms of their league performances, there’s a sense that any slip-up in Europe, particularly from the club’s big signings, will be used as ammunition. The fact that Celtic have splashed out on Idah and Engels only adds fuel to the fire.
The upcoming tie against Slovan Bratislava will provide a different test for Celtic. It’s the first time in a very long time that Celtic are going into a Champions League game as clear favourites which brings its own pressure.
Nevertheless, Rodgers is doing his best to shield his squad from unnecessary scrutiny, stressing that it’s all about how the team performs as a unit. With Celtic looking to build on a strong domestic campaign and make an impact in Europe, the manager’s message is clear: price tags don’t matter; what counts is how the team handles the footballing challenge ahead.
