Celtic v Sporting Braga – Brendan Rodgers Media Conference

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The Celtic Star

·1 October 2025

Celtic v Sporting Braga – Brendan Rodgers Media Conference

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media this afternoon at Celtic Park ahead of tomorrow evening’s Europa League match against Portuguese side Sporting Braga at Paradise. Here’s how the conversation went…

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers applauds the Celtic fans at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Q: Brendan, looking at this game, what challenges will you face tomorrow evening?

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Brendan Rodgers: “Braga started the competition with a good victory against Feyenoord. Like most Portuguese teams, they are very well organised. They’ll play, we think, 3-4-3. They are maybe not in the best form domestically, but it’s irrelevant. It’s a cup competition, and obviously, their last result demonstrated that. They’re a team of good players, a good young manager, and it’ll be a good test for us.”

The two teams ahead of kick-off Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia. Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: Is it also a good gauge for you as well? You were talking about being realistic in this competition, but will this be a good gauge of where your team are at just now?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think that we’re all in, in the competition, we want to go as far as we possibly can. We had a good result and the second half performance last week, and if we can take that into this game at home. We want to be really strong, particularly at home. Of course, you need to have strength and resilience, which we’ve shown all season in all the competitions. But if you’re going to do well in this competition, you want to do well in your home games for sure.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic misses the ball in front of the Hibernian goal. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, , Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock

Q: You created plenty of chances over the weekend. Is that a positive you take, but also taking it further, you need to be more clinical?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, it’s a simple message. We have to transfer the superiority into the goals. Our ball speed was good, creativity was good. In terms of my baseline philosophy, and how I want to work, it was there. The speed in the game was good, the creativity was there, chances were there. We just need to find that ruthlessness. That just comes with new players coming into the system, into the structure, understanding how we work, specifically to break down certain defences. But yes, just that final touch, really.”

Q: What do you think the atmosphere is going to be like in this one, given on a European night at Celtic Park, normally, it’s very noisy. This time around, it might not be full. There’s a protest with the silence for 29 minutes. What do you think it will be like, and how do you try and get the players to deal with that?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think our focus is pretty much on the performance on the pitch. That is the only thing that we can control. I really hope that the stadium is full, because that’s what Celtic is about for me. It’s an incredible club, and our history is based around our supporters and what they bring. So I understand frustrations, but I hope that we still have a full stadium here backing the team.”

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Q: In that environment, how important is it to get a fast start, given that there is going to be that silence, to give fans something to cheer about?

Brendan Rodgers: “It always is. It’s a big mantra of mine. I always like to start games really quickly and get into the running. You can’t always, but that is always our notion, especially at home. We want to challenge every team that comes here right from the very first whistle. So that quick start in the game is not new; it’s what we want to do.”

Auston Trusty of Celtic during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: We saw Auston Trusty on social media, that he’s back in training. How close is he, and what’s the rest of your team news for tomorrow?

Brendan Rodgers: “Auston’s back training, which is great. Reo Hatate is back training, which is good. So we’ve really only got Alistair Johnston out. Ali will join us probably the week leading into Dundee, after the international break. But he’s working really well. The other two guys I mentioned will be close to the squad.”

Q: How important do you feel it is for momentum to try and get that first win of the league phase as early as you possibly can?

Brendan Rodgers: “I do think it’s important. I think it can set the tone for the rest of the competition. Of course, at home, we want to be really, really strong and make it really difficult. We were that last year in Europe and we want to be likewise this year.”

Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Just mentioning those games last year, especially RB Leipzig and Young Boys and Club Brugge and all that stuff. What did you learn from those games and the approach of the matches? Did you change things, or did you take it the same as you do domestically? What was the feeling in those games?

Brendan Rodgers: “It was pretty much the same. I suppose what you have is, in Europe, you have the other team here wanting to win also. That gives you space. When we play RB Leipzig, we know that they’re a top team. They were doing great in Germany and hadn’t conceded any goals, or very few if any, at the time we played them. They know that we want to win, and I know that they want to win. But on the night, we were outstanding. Just our football, the level of our game, the speed of it, the tempo of the game.

“I’m pretty much sure that tomorrow their philosophy will be to attack. We see how they defend, and that always tells you the notion of a team and how much they want to attack. I believe they will want to press from the beginning. They’ll press in the mid-pitch, and hopefully then that can give us space to work the ball. So what did I learn? I learned that at that point last season, we were in a really, really good moment. The team was full of creativity and goals and speed and tempo. That’s ultimately how we want to play.”

Benjamin Nygren and Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic after the match Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 September 2025. Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: That was a solid result in Belgrade, Brendan. Do you think the players have taken a lot of belief from that? Has that given them confidence going into tomorrow night and the games ahead?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, and I also think the disappointment of not winning the game because we felt that we could have won the game. We’re not just happy to take the point in general. I think we played against a team that were doing very, very well. They had seven straight victories in the domestic league, which gives them confidence. I think they had some really good players, but we went there and challenged that and felt that with the second-half performance, we could have done even more in the game. But like we’ve been all season, we have a strong foundation defensively. If we bring that to tomorrow night’s game and continue working and look to, as I said, get the goals to match some of the approach play, then that will give us even more confidence.”

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Red Star Belgrade 1-1 Celtic.Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: It was a very intimidating venue, strong atmosphere and the players have dealt with it pretty well. Does that give you a kind of reassurance as well for other venues that are coming up, and just the general pressure of Europe?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I think the pressure in general of playing for Celtic is always there, and that’s something that’s inherent. It’s something that surprises lots of players when they come to here. There are players who, from the outsid,e will look in and go, I want to be a part of that big club, it’s great. It wins trophies, it plays in Europe, so I want to be there. Then, when they arrive, they feel, wow, there’s a cost to all that. You have to perform and there’s pressure. I think as a player, as a manager here, you know there’s always that pressure. Playing in the stadiums is all a part of that.”

Q: Just on that, you’ve seen teams come in here in Europe and perhaps been a bit spooked at first by the atmosphere. Does the fact that it might be quieter at the start than usual, does that change your approach to the game at all?

Brendan Rodgers: “It won’t change our approach. Our approach is the same; it’s to start fast, get on the front foot and really impose our style in the game straight away. Always, whatever the reaction is to that, we have to control on the pitch, really, what it is we have to do.”

Q: Speaking to a few of the fans, they don’t seem that fussed about the Europa League, maybe because it’s not the Champions League, some are not buying tickets, but for you, how important is Europa League this season?

Brendan Rodgers: “It’s very important. We didn’t earn the right as a club to be in the Champions League. We wanted to be there, but we weren’t. We’re now in a prestigious competition. For us as a team and coaches, and players, we really look forward to this challenge. We’ll come up against some really, really good teams. For us, it’s still a great tournament to be involved in.”

Reo Hatate of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: Will it be nights like this against Braga, away from the domestic scene, where you feel maybe the players will get back to the levels that you want? Do you think it can be some kind of an inspiration?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I just think it’s time. I think we refer back a lot to the opening of last season and where the team is at. In the main, that team was fluid and prepared. A lot of the players played the system, understood the intensity with which we worked, and how we break teams down. Obviously, we had goal scorers. Now, it’s a change in terms of personnel to the new dimensions, the new connections that you bring in. You always hope that they can arrive straight away, but if not, it takes time.

“What I do know is that you have to win. Whatever settling-in period there is or isn’t, whether you’re managing a big club like Celtic or a club in a lower league, when you go out onto the field, you’re out to win. That’s full stop. That’s what we want to do. For us, we want to play well. That’s very important. For us, like I said, guys understanding the connections, understanding the pressures of playing for Celtic. Hopefully, I believe, through the season, we’ll improve and get better. Whether it’s domestic or Europe, our focus is on performing and winning.”

Daizen Maeda – Crvena zvezda vs Celtic Glasgow UEFA Europa league match at Rajko Mitic stadium, Belgrade 24.09.2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic stadium Serbia. Photo: VM/MN Press

Q: How do you get them better? You alluded to it a year ago that there are guys at the moment whose levels have dipped since then. How do you get that back? Never mind recruitment and that, but the guys that were actually here.

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, listen, I say levels have dipped. Of course, we’re not scoring as many goals as normal. But the team are still showing a real resilient side. We haven’t lost this season. Defensively, we’re very strong. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to understand where and why we haven’t got the goals. A manager can always transform a team, but the trajectory of a team will always come down to the level of players that you have. That’s not changed. Football is not rocket science. It’s the same way back in years as to what it is now. The players ultimately will transform the trajectory of your football. So for us, we’ve brought some new players in. We give them time to settle in. But whilst we’re doing that, we support them and the players that are here. We continue to work with them and look to push the levels as we go through the season.”

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Colby Donovan of Celtic Crvena zvezda v Celtic, UEFA Europa League, Football, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia – 24 Sep 2025Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

Q: Just on Colby Donovan, he got a deserved rest at the weekend? Is he raring to go for tomorrow night?

Brendan Rodgers: “He’ll be available for the squad, yes. I thought he was outstanding last weekend. He’s been a real bright spark since coming up. I’ve really liked Colby since I came back. Just his personality, what it takes and what it needs to play for Celtic. From a mentality perspective, he’s shown really good signs of that early on. You have to manage young players like that. Like I said, he’s played his couple of games with Scotland. He’s played games back-to-back with the first team, so you have to be mindful and manage that. I’ve been so pleased for him and great that he’s available for the squad.”

Q: Just in the long run, how good can experiences like that be for him, playing in the Europa League consistently?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think European football gives them that. Obviously, it’s a different type of game as well. Domestically, a lot of it is playing on half a pitch. Over the course of European football, you have different challenges. Just dealing with the different environments. I’ve got no qualms about Colby with that. I think it’s one of the big factors I like about him. He’s frightened of nothing. He shows that in how he trains, and then he takes that into the games. That’s what gives you the confidence to play a young player like that.”

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Q: Just finally, can I ask about Hayato Inamura and Shin Yamada? I don’t think either of them have been in the squad since the international break. What’s the situation with those two guys?

Brendan Rodgers: “The guys are just training hard and well. If there’s ever a spot that opens for them, then they’ll be in as fit a condition as they possibly can be. Like I said, there are players in front of those guys. They are good guys that are working very hard. If the opportunity comes for them, then they’ll put themselves in a good place.”

Shin Yamada of Celtic Celtic v Livingston, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 23 August 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

Q: Brendan, you were asked earlier about how a potentially subdued atmosphere could affect your team. But conversely, would you be concerned that a subdued atmosphere could play into the hands of the opposition, who are more used to a hostile, more intimidating environment?

“I think that obviously Celtic Park is renowned for its atmosphere and what it can do to the opponent. So it’s probably something, in all fairness, you would have to ask the other team. But I suppose my message is, probably for the longer term, is that hopefully both parties can sit down and respect the differences and find a solution so that we can all pull together again. Because that’s what’s always key here for Celtic. Until that happens, I need to manage the team to maximise what we can get out of the team. And knowing that the team will be very focused on getting the results that the club want.”

Paulo Bernardo at Firhill. Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Q: The first is, in your opinion, what are the major qualities of Braga’s team? And the other is, if Paulo Bernardo is expecting to go into the game?

Brendan Rodgers: “Thank you. Yeah, Paulo will be in the squad. He’s done very well since he’s been here. Maybe not played as much as what he would have liked. Last year, he had a lot of injuries that kept him out and probably didn’t quite have his rhythm. But he’s come back in the summer, worked very, very hard. Obviously, there have been one or two other players that have been in front of him, but he’s fighting now for his place. Now he’s up fully in his fitness level, so I expect him to play some part tomorrow.

“Secondly, the Braga team, all Portuguese teams, I think they are very well organised. How they play, the system. I know that Carlos Vicens has changed it around a little bit in terms of the structure. Sometimes you try to find a winning formula, and you can go to a back four or back five, but we think they will play a back five. And a lot of the Portuguese teams, they understand that structure very, very well; how they play, the wing-backs are fast on the outside, they like to go forward.

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic vies with Shane Blaney of Livingston during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on August 23, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Two controlling players control the game inside with two tens in front. So they try to find the space in between you, get the ball wide, and then obviously look to attack the box with good quality crosses. So yes, tactically they will be very good. Technically, all teams from Portugal, having played against most of them in my career, they play the game technically very, very well. So yes, we expect a really difficult game.”

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Danny McGrain, David Potter & Willie Fernie – what a combination!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now, order your copy at Celticstarbooks.com

We’re certainly Putting on the Style with the new promotion from Celtic Star Books. David Potter’s final book – Celtic in the Eighties – has been selling wonderfully well since its launch earlier this month. It is by far our fastest-ever seller. Order one of the last remaining copies of Celtic in the Eighties and Danny McGrain will sign it for you PLUS you’ll receive a copy of David Potter’s wonderful book on Willie Fernie as a free gift.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has now signed the final batch of Celtic in the Eighties. Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny and a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Celtic 3-0 St Mirren, Scottish Premier League, Celtic Park, 15 May 1982.Celtic captain Danny McGrain collects the championship trophy as Roy Aitken looks on. Photo The Celtic Wiki

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Please note that postage will only be charged on ONE book.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.