A delighted Brendan Rodgers spoke to Celtic TV after Saturday evening’s 4-0 victory against DC United in the first of three friendly matches in the club’s 2024 Tour of The United States.
The Celtic manager was thrilled by the pressing and the performance on what was a difficult pitch and related the showing from his team to the game at Rugby Park on the night the league was won back in May.
“I was really pleased with the performance in terms of this stage of the season. I think I mentioned before the game that one of our key targets was the defensive intensity,” Brendan said.
“I always think that when you have that defensive attitude in the game it helps bring the offensive attitude which is fast and dynamic.
“I thought we pressed the game so well. All the guys from the first whistle were in contention. They were making the last step to win the ball. That sped up our offensive play. Some of our football on a really difficult surface was exceptional. In the moments we had to defend we did that.
“Our physicality was really good at this stage and where we are at,” the Celtic manager added.
“Across the board we had some young players coming in and they did really well. It’s been a hard week for them as they have put in a lot of work in the heat.
“To come here and finish off the week like we did and score the goals that we did and they were really good goals and we had a host of other chances as well.
“We bedded some of the youngsters into the structure who had done well in the training and they got their reward playing the games. It is another step for us.”
On the new signing Kasper Schmeichel, the Celtic manager provided this insight into his own conversations with the Denmark international keeper who he knows so well from their successful time together at Leicester City where they won both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
Brendan’s Kasper conversations
“Celtic is a massive club but it’s small as a family inside it and he’ll find that the Celtic family is like no other,” Brendan told Kasper.
“He sees the hallmarks of a big club. He was brought up with his father at a huge club so the support outside of the hotel, all these symbols, a notion of a big club. Celtic supporters are everywhere and he’ll feel that during his time here. I know he’s really excited and I am excited for him also,” Brendan said.
A successful start to the tour with English Champions Manchester City up next in midweek before the final game against Chelsea next weekend. Then it’s back to Lennoxtown to get ready for the Flag Day Opener against Kilmarnock at Paradise. Bet you can’t wait!
