Top Line Summary

  • No Scottish Cup debut for Nicolas Kuhn
  • Kwon can emulate Kristoffer Ajer by thriving on loan at St Mirren
  • Not focused on interest in Matt O'Riley or selling best players
  • Fielding a strong starting XI against Buckie Thistle

Everything that Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said to the media ahead of the Scottish Cup tie against Buckie Thistle

What did you manage to take away from the break?

The players got a well-deserved rest as they had worked ever so hard in this opening period of the season. In the last week and a half, we have been working very hard on the pitch we are in a really good place and the team is looking really sharp. It was a much-needed rest and we managed to put in some extra work.

You were in good form before the break. Do you still feel it came at a good time as it gives you a chance to implement new things?

Yes. I just think a lot of it was reinforcing the good work that we did over the course of the four festive games and that was much more like us in terms of where I want us to be. We were really proactive and aggressive in the games with and without the ball and that's when we are at our best. We just need to show that consistency going forward.

You managed to add Nicolas Kuhn to the group. How pleasing is that and what is he going to bring to your team?

I mentioned before it was really all about getting players to come in and help us become a better squad. In all my time here if it was just about numbers we could have had people in here on January 1st but it's not. It is about getting quality in and that takes time. Nicolas has had that big club experience before. He is a young, gifted and talented player and as a young player, he experienced those moments at clubs like Ajax and Bayern Munich. He is at an age where he has done well at Rapid Vienna and now he can take it to the next stage. He fits the profile in terms of how we work. He's super-quick, he's direct, he's dynamic and we feel that we can continually improve his game and we are absolutely delighted to have him here.

How close are you to adding to that? I know everybody says it is a difficult window and it is about getting the right bodies in. Are you particularly close in any other areas?

There is lots of work going on. Hopefully, before the window shuts we can improve the squad.

With impressive performances comes attention as well. To what extent are you aware of any interest in Matt O'Riley?

None. I am not aware of any. Of course, if you have good players, they will attract attention. I am not focused on that at all.

I guess with how tough the January window is you would be keen to keep a hold of all of your best players?

Yes, absolutely. We don't want to lose anyone. The plan was to add to the squad and that is still the plan.

In terms of the game (against Buckie Thistle) this is a very different challenge to what you've faced before this season, isn't it?

I am so looking forward to the game. When we saw the draw and we saw the reaction of the guys at Buckie Thistle, the players and it is great for Graeme (Stewart) that he can be stood on the side of the pitch rather than the stands. This is what the Scottish Cup is all about. It is a great story. They have to come down a long way, they deserve to be there and we have prepared like we would for any game. We have looked at some of their games and seen how they got through and for us, we have to do a professional job at home. Hopefully, it will be a great occasion for them and their supporters to come to Celtic Park.

Is that the most important thing that it is a different day for them but Celtic have to treat it like they treat every other match?

That's always our plan. I have always focused on that. There is never any game that is bigger than the others. This is a game that we are expected to win. We have to perform on the field. I also recognise the joy and the journey that Buckie Thistle has had to get to Celtic Park. It is an incredible story. Hopefully, they come and have a good experience but clearly not too good.

There is no piece of paper in front of you today, does that mean it is good news on the injury front?

They are certainly clearing up. We've got the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers who will not be involved this weekend but he will rejoin the squad for the Ross County game. He has been out on the field for a while now. It has been a frustrating period for him this opening part of the season as he has picked up some niggles on the back of not having had a full pre-season. We really hope that he can now stay fit and strong for the second part.

There have been a couple of outgoings as well, do you expect there to be a few more before the end of the window?

Yes. Listen, first and foremost I need to make sure that the squad is the strongest it can possibly be for the second part of the season. Also if there is the opportunity for some players to go then I am sure that will happen.

How easy or difficult is it to trim the squad in the January window?

It is just time. Clearly, the squad is much bigger than we would want, however, we respect every player that is here, and we have large training groups, but the coaches do a brilliant job ensuring it all works and all flows. I think naturally in football players will want to play but once they are here, we respect them, and treat them well and as professionals. We will see what happens between now and the end of January.

How strong a position is the club in to reject any big-money offers?

It always works both ways if a player does not want to be here then of course, in my experience, then you are better off moving them on. Of course, the club is in a really strong position and has no need to sell and no thoughts of selling. Naturally, it is the time of the season when there is lots of speculation and gossip surrounding players. Matt is really, really happy here. He has signed a new deal, and he has really progressed. He is into double figures with his goals and his assists are there. For him, as a young player, who I know is a brilliant professional, all he wants to do is improve and you can see his improvement here just by taking things day by day and assessing it from there.

Do players like Kwon Hyeok-kyu and Adam Montgomery going out on loan to St Mirren and Motherwell respectively open up an avenue for others to get more experience of the Scottish game?

Yes, for the likes of Kwon, for example, he has come in from the other side of the world and it has been a challenge for him. I spoke to Stephen (Robinson) about him, he has a lot of good attributes which is why he was signed, but to get that experience and play games is important for his development. It happened here during my first spell with Kristoffer Ajer. He came in and probably was not going to get the game time, but I felt he needed the experience. He went out to Kilmarnock and had a great season and then came back and played. He did very well for the club so it is a really good move for Kwon as he can stay in Glasgow and has gone to a very good coaching team, so we expect him to improve by playing games. With Adam, it did not work out for him at Fleetwood, but he is clearly a talented player, and he will hopefully continue his development at Motherwell.

Is it at the stage in the window where it gets too close to the deadline to look for replacements for players?

I think it works right through to the end. I am quite relaxed as I know what we need to improve on and better in but like I said, unless there is the right type of player and quality then we will not be in a rush to do anything. Likewise, if something comes in too late that does not suit the squad and how strong we are then likewise we will not need to do anything.

Obviously, the Scottish Cup has been a special competition for you in the past. Are you excited to be back in the tournament?

Yes, I loved it in my first spell. Any of the cup competitions are really special and my memories of the few times being involved were great as it was a real special feeling and an amazing memory. Obviously, beating Motherwell on a lovely day at Hampden was also great so yes, that is the ambition, and our idea is to go all the way again.

Will you be playing a strong starting XI?

Nic [Nicolas Kuhn] will not be involved at the weekend as he has had a period out and then had an operation on his teeth so he has had a loss of strength in that, but he will be okay for Ross County. We will take the chance to be strong because we need to get the players back into a rhythm again and also I will take the chance to involve some young players as well but we will have a strong team because the players have been training hard at Lennoxtown and you can see the confidence and speed of everyone which is great but now we need to take that into the game. We have to get up to speed quickly.