Celtic v Sporting Braga – “Our whole duty is to win,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers spoke to Celtic TV earlier today and the video is now available to subscribers on the club’s own channel. However if you’re not a subscriber to Celtic TV we’ve got you covered so you can read everything that the Celtic manager has had to say about the game at the weekend, the season so far, some of the new arrivals and the Europa League match at Celtic Park against Braga on Thursday evening…

Brendan Rodgers reflecting on the goalless draw against Hibs and considering the season so far…

Benjamin Nygren and unused substitute Kieran Tierney of Celtic applauds the Celtic fans at full-time. Final score Celtic 0 Hibernian 0. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

“It’s all about transferring that superiority in the game into goals. It’s as simple as that. Our general play was good, we created lots of opportunities, there was good speed in the game.

“My teams are always asked to play with that attacking intent, being creative and with that real rapid speed with the ball. So we pressed the game well, virtually gave nothing away but we just needed to score the goal. So that was really the message” (to the players).

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

“We’ve started the season unbeaten, we’ve drawn some games we’d liked to have won, and ultimately that’s what the game is about. It doesn’t matter if you’re the manager of a massive club like Celtic or you work lower down the leagues, when you arrive onto the pitch in that situation it’s to win – full stop.

“So I think we could have won more games. But I’m happy, there’s a lot of new players coming in and how they are adapting to the changes and slowly we are seeing the work on the field. But it’s just that final step that turns that superiority into goals.”

Brendan Rodgers on Marcelo Saracchi and Sebastian Tounekti…

Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic crosses the ball beyond Chris Cadden of Hibernian. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

“Both players have a tactical intelligence in the game and obviously they are technically strong. Marcelo has lots of experience, an Uruguayan international and from day one he’s been outstanding. You can see his mentality, his aggression all the things we want to see he has those.

Sebastian Tounekti during the Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Sebastian has started his time here really well. It’s not easy to become a winger here at Celtic but for him to settle so fast into the rhythm of the team has been really good. So these players will show over time that they can offer Celtic a lot.

Continues on the next page…

Brendan Rodgers on the defensive aspect of Celtic’s play this season…

“Obviously you always want balance in your team, both from an offensive and defensive situation and from a defensive perspective it’s not just back four and goalkeeper, we defend well as the team, working very hard in their pressing and their counter-pressing and when it gets to the back four when they have to make blocks or the keeper makes saves then they’re there to stand up.

Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo IMAGO Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock

“So I look at that part of the game equally in balance with the offensive side. That part is really good but now it’s improving the hardest part of the game which is improving the trajectory of the team with the goals.”

Brendan Rodgers on utilising his squad as the fixture list intensifies…

“It’s the name of the game at a big club, you rely on all your players. You’ll get some niggles along the way but that desire and mentality to win must always be there. So I’m really pleased with the baseline idea of the players and what they are looking to bring and it will increase and improve as we go through the season. It’s how you want it, really exciting, lots of games, lots of opportunities to perform and our next game is obviously on Thursday.”

Continues on the next page…

Brendan Rodgers reflecting on Europa League opener in Belgrade…

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates his goal 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

“I still feel it was a game that we could have won, being a little more progressive in our play and obviously we conceded from a corner which is a static position so we ought to defend that better. But I still feel coming away with a point, away from home in Europe – yeah we want to win every single game we play but we’re not entitled to do that, we have to earn it. What you mustn’t do when you go away from home in a tough venue is lose. We showed that mentality, that strength and stayed resilient and now we’ve got a couple of home games and that’s where you want to maximise your points.”

Brendan Rodgers on Kelechi Iheanacho and how his season is going to develop…

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 September  2025. Belgrade Rajko Mitic Stadium Serbia Photo Nikola Krstic Shutterstock

“The reason for bringing him here at the time was we needed a striker in and he, in my time working with him for over four year, I know everything he brings on and off the pitch. So I think he’ll prove by the end of the season to the supporters and his teammates, what a great signing he’ll be for us.

“He’s a great guy around the place, he’s got a lovely demeanour, he’s always available in the main – touch wood – his robustness and his love for football that he clearly has and obviously he loves scoring goals. So I think this is a really good time for us to get him and also hat we can give him as a football club and a team so really pleased for him.

Brendan Rodgers on Liam Scales being superb this season

Liam Scales of Celtic wins a header from a corner during the Scottish Premiership match, theRangers vs Celtic, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow, 31/08/2025. Photo Colin Poultney PSI

“I think that Liam Scales has been playing at a really high level, a consistent level. Scalesy has been superb in the team. He’s someone I trust, I know what I’m going to get every single game from him every week so yes it’s been a good start for us.

Brendan Rodgers on the challenges posed by Sporting Braga

“I think they’ve had their struggles in the league but had a good result against Feyenoord so that got them the three points in the first game. Like all Portuguese teams they’ll be well organised. They jump between 3-4-3 in there structure and 4-3-3 so we’ll see what they will bring. They have got gifted players, talented players and in games at this level are always going to be a good challenge.

Brendan Rodgers of Celtic 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

“But I’m really happy for us to be at home over our next to games as it’s a really good opportunity for us to impose ourselves in this early stage of the group. Every time we play I always want us to be creative and be attacking and play with a real speed and tempo in their game. That’s when my teams are at their best, then that’s how they are playing.

“So we want to bring that to Celtic Park so the supporters get behind that and enjoy that and for us to have a really good performance and of course get the three points. Like I said at the beginning our whole duty is to win and that’s what we want to do.”

Continues on the next page…

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 agreed to sign 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, from Wednesday of this week (Danny is signing the books on Tuesday evening).

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.

More Stories / Latest News

Celtic v Sporting Braga – “Our whole duty is to win,” Brendan Rodgers

Sep 30 2025, 19:49

Tony Ralston or Colby Donovan, Celtic manager’s Braga dilemma

Sep 30 2025, 16:47

Wrong man at the wrong time – Liam Brady as Celtic manager

Sep 30 2025, 15:09