Yesterday, in the pre-match press conference, Brendan Rodgers was asked a question that only Brendan Rodgers would ever get asked: what he hopes the score will be in the game between Aberdeen and the Ibrox club.
Rodgers, as he does so well, responded by pivoting back to Celtic’s own ambitions, saying it makes no difference to him at all. “We’re only focused on ourselves.”
When Aberdeen came to Celtic Park recently, do you think Philippe Clement got that question? Do you think he was asked who he would prefer to win the game – a game completely irrelevant to his own team?
Rodgers is the only manager who consistently fields this type of nonsense, and every single time, he calmly reminds everyone that he’s only interested in Celtic’s performance. That’s all he can control.
This focus is crucial. It’s the kind of single-mindedness a club serious about winning adopts in these circumstances. Celtic has been successful precisely because we don’t obsess over other teams. Fans are welcome to have their opinions on other games, but Rodgers doesn’t let his squad dwell on them, nor does he indulge in it himself.
Yes, the match at Pittodrie is drawing plenty of attention, but let’s not kid ourselves. We know the only game that truly matters in terms of the title race is the one at Celtic Park. Celtic benefits no matter the result in the north of Scotland – whether Aberdeen wins, the Ibrox club wins, or if it’s a draw. But those benefits only come if we handle our own business.
Clement wasn’t asked the same question – and his team’s focus slipped regardless.
Rodgers, however, ensured the reporters in the room were reminded of the real stakes. “Obviously it’s a big game between second and third place,” he said, with a hint of humour.
“We are only 10 games in,” he continued. “I know the build-up to the title starts from further out each year, but there are so many challenges to go through in the season. So the result there can be whatever. For us, it’s about focusing on getting three points against Dundee, playing our football, and entertaining our supporters. Because, ultimately, that’s what we can control.
“You can only look after yourself, and I’m so pleased with how our team has been playing, functioning, and working. If we look at or think of anything else, then that could take away from our performance.”
That’s perfect message discipline and professionalism in every sense. It shows exactly why Rodgers is so good at what he does.
This message doesn’t just shield the players from pressure; it reassures fans that the team is focused on nothing but the next game. It’s confidence in action – the belief that Celtic can handle any challenge without fretting over opening an early gap or anything else. When the business end of the season arrives, when the real issues are on the line, Celtic will be ready.
Whether tomorrow’s result leaves us three points clear, two points clear, or even neck-and-neck with Aberdeen, when it’s time to pull away, we’ll manage it. And we’ll do it.
Of course, I’m sure everyone at Celtic Park will keep an eye on what happens at Pittodrie, and it’s likely that Rodgers will get updates during our game, with players possibly checking at halftime. But once they’re on that pitch, they’ll be fully focused. Only when the job is done will they turn their attention to what’s happening elsewhere.
Rodgers is probably exasperated at being asked this question yet again, especially as it highlights the media’s obsession with sideshows. He’s been asked variations of this question time and again and has always responded in the same way. Knowing that, it was no surprise what his answer would be. And if the media is still asking that pointless question after all this time, then they’ll likely keep asking it forever. And forever, Rodgers will give the same response.
Frankly, it’s no wonder he’s fed up with these people. It’s no wonder he often treats them with barely disguised contempt – if he bothers to disguise it at all.
He should reply to the hack “You’ve just wasted your question – Next!”
With a 17+ million loss surely more loans from people with more money than sense is just digging the whole bigger for themselves as they can’t covert the loans to the usual confetti shares, also in the accounts it states they paid the SFA branch of the lodge £76k for using Hamdump but no mention about the cost of relaying the pitch surely their fellow brethren would help them out
Predictive text should have read their fellow brethren wouldn’t help them out
Lookin for a reply they can twist and use against our manager. Typical from the media maggots.
As an aside, James do you know if the 2 Covid business support loans to The Tribute Act, circa £6.5 million,
are still extant.No mention of them in coverage of their 2023/24 Accounts. ‘Quelle Surprise’.
Sorry James I think I double counted the loan quantum.
I think Brendan will privately be happy with tonight’s result !