Brendan showing his ruthless streak, he’s an elite manager after all…
Brendan Rodgers comes across as a really likeable guy. Unlike Ange Postecoglou, who prefers to keep his distance from his players, Brendan has no problem interacting with his squad and be seen as ‘one of the boys’. That’s great for camaraderie and team spirit within the squad, but Brendan has also shown that he can be ruthless, something that’s been pretty evident in the past week.
Bosun Lawal and Odin Thiago Holm
Fresh on the heels of his criticism of Daniel Kelly over his reluctance to sign a new deal, Brendan Rodgers was asked yesterday for his thoughts on Bosun Lawal and Odin Thiago Holm and their chances of making the grade at Celtic.
Brendan didn’t sugar coat his words as he said “I think the two boys, (Lawal and Holm) have talent. But I want more. A lot more. Talent’s just not enough. You can play in teams, but not in our team.”
That’s Brendan’s ruthless but direct way of saying that they have to step up a level if they want to even be considered for a place in the squad never mind the starting XI.
If he’s said that publicly you can bet he’s said it in person to the two players, you can bet your life he has.
A make or break season at Celtic for both players
Lawal had a decent spell at Fleetwood town last year, but playing in league one is a completely different level from playing at Celtic. It’s worlds apart in both class and mentality, and Brendan will have pointed that out to him in no uncertain terms.
As for Holm, he too has shown glimpses of talent in his few appearances for the club, but he’s got to step up and show he has what it takes to compete at a club as big as ours. Brendan again will have explained this to him in full detail and this appears to be a make or break season at Celtic for both players.
That’s why Brendan Rodgers is an elite manager
Brendan has personally and publicly demanded more from these two players. It’s his way of improving them, however harsh it may seem. He demands nothing but the best. And they will have seen Daniel Kelly being discarded as a player not worth bothering about. That’s why Brendan Rodgers is an elite manager, and indeed a better manager than he was first time around.
Last season he accepted the projects that the club thought were oh so clever signings. In doing so he delivered the league and cup double but that has not blinded him to the weaknesses in the squad and the signing strategy. That double has restored his authority completely and the players coming in are clearly Rodgers signings while the ones exiting are Rodgers decisions.
Just the way it should be too.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
