Brendan Rodgers recognises the tough challenge facing his side tomorrow afternoon in the Scottish Premiership match against Hearts at Tynecastle.
The Celtic manager also appreciates the qualities of Lawrence Shankland and knows that his defence will have to manage the Hearts captain very carefully indeed. There is however plenty of optimism from the Celtic gaffer after his team’s stunning performance in midweek against Dundee.
“It’s always a difficult place to go,” the Celtic managed said as he looked forward to the mouth-watering match on Sunday lunchtime at Tynecastle against Hearts. Celtic lost to the Edinburgh side in December at Celtic Park, an usual occurence but did win comfortably through at their place earlier in the campaign.
“We played really well and scored some really good goals,” Rodgers said, recalling that 4-1 win at Tynecastle on 22 October 2023.
“We lost a goal but over the course of the game, we were excellent in there. It’s always a great place to go as a Celtic manager or player, as it’s always a good atmosphere. We want to continue with the level of performance there.”
Managing Shankland
Rodgers, like every manager in the league ahead of playing Hearts, recognises the threat posed by Lawrence Shankland. He has scored more than half of all the Hearts goals this season. Shankland is a player that Rodgers admires and the Celtic manager recalls his club’s interest in the player from his first time in charge.
“I really enjoy watching him, because when I was here the first time he was a player that was on the radar and I had heard people speak about him,” Brendan said during yesterday’s pre-match media conference at Lennoxtown.
“Anytime I looked at clips, you could see he was a goalscorer. Having come back and seen him now in the Premiership playing, he’s a boy who looks super concentrated in the game.
“He’s got really good technique and uses his body well to protect the ball. He scores all types of goals; left foot, right foot and good in the air. He’s a very good player and one that we have to manage well.”
Watch Brendan’s media conference below…
