Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has taken advantage of the international break to offer much-needed rest to those players not on international duty, preparing them for a busy fixture period ahead. With 11 first-team stars away representing their countries during this second break of the season—just seven games into the domestic campaign—Rodgers is ensuring the remaining squad members recharge for the demanding schedule to come.
Brendan Rodgers believes that the increasingly stop-start nature of the football calendar is pushing the sport towards becoming a year-round commitment. During the recent international break, Celtic arranged a friendly against Sligo Rovers before Rodgers gave his remaining squad some rest. Meanwhile, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate traveled halfway across the globe to represent Japan, but both saw limited action, with Hatate failing to make an appearance and Maeda only featuring briefly from the bench. The disruption to the domestic season highlights Rodgers’ concerns about football’s growing, nonstop demands.
James Forrest had to pull out of Scotland’s camp due to an injury concern, while Kasper Schmeichel faced criticism after Denmark’s recent defeat. On the positive side, Arne Engels earned his second cap for Belgium on Monday, and Liam Scales celebrated scoring his first goal for Ireland last week. These moments offer a silver lining for Celtic, despite some of the challenges their players faced during the international break.
Brendan Rodgers recently spoke with Celtic TV to provide an update on the team’s activities at Lennoxtown during the international break. Since their last competitive match against Ross County on October 6, Rodgers has focused on giving players not on international duty some rest and recovery, while keeping the squad sharp through training and a friendly against Sligo Rovers. The break has also allowed him to assess the fitness and condition of the squad as they prepare for a busy schedule ahead.
Brendan Rodgers shared with Celtic TV, “The players who stayed back had a chance to recover. We played in Sligo midweek, which was a great exercise for us. After that, some of the players got a bit of breathing space to rest and recharge for the next batch of games. They’ve been back in training since Monday, and we’re preparing well for the weekend.” His focus is clearly on keeping the squad fresh and ready for the upcoming fixtures following the international break.
Rodgers emphasized the importance of recovery, stating, “Recovery is as important as training hard, and while the international players are away, we’ll get them back as soon as possible, recover them, and be ready to go again for the busy schedule ahead.” Many Celtic players didn’t get much of a break over the summer due to their involvement in the European Championships, followed by a pre-season tour in the U.S. Now, with international breaks more frequent thanks to the UEFA Nations League, Celtic are gearing up for seven games in 23 days across all competitions. The squad’s ability to manage this intense period will be crucial to their success.
The upcoming 23-day stretch for Celtic includes two crucial Champions League matches, four league fixtures, and a major Premier Sports Cup showdown at Hampden Park. While Brendan Rodgers has carefully built a large squad capable of competing both domestically and in Europe, he remains concerned that such a packed schedule could become a broader issue in modern football. Despite the depth in his squad, Rodgers has voiced his worries about the increasing demands on players due to the relentless nature of the fixture list.
Rodgers acknowledged the growing issue of fixture congestion, stating, “Yes, there’s definitely more football crammed into shorter timeframes.” When asked if frequent international breaks were a concern, he added, “Looking forward, I think football is heading towards becoming a 12-month sport. Players may not get rest in the summer, but at different points throughout the year. There are more games and higher demands on players. They love playing, but we want to maintain quality in every match.” His comments reflect a growing worry about the impact of such scheduling on players’ performance and well-being.
Rodgers praised his team’s efforts so far, saying, “We’ll continue to prepare the players as best we can, motivating and inspiring them to perform well, and so far, they’ve done a fantastic job.” He also highlighted Celtic’s strong start to the 2024/25 campaign as they prepare to face Aberdeen on Saturday. With only goal difference separating the two teams at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, Rodgers is keen to maintain momentum and keep Celtic performing at a high level as they head into this crucial fixture.
Celtic’s only setback this season has been a disappointing 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, overshadowing their impressive form as double winners. Reflecting on their performance, Brendan Rodgers said, “I’ve been absolutely delighted. As you said, we’ve played 11 games, won 10, and lost just once to a really strong opponent. The unity, the spirit, and the quality within the team have been fantastic. Now, we’re looking to carry that momentum into the next set of games. We’ve got seven matches in the next 23 days, which will be a busy period, but we’re determined to keep things going.” His focus remains on maintaining the team’s success as they face a challenging schedule ahead.