Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and goalkeeper Joe Hart preview their UEFA Champions League group stage clash with Feyenoord
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00:00 Yeah, I'm very excited.
00:25 Look, the guys have worked extremely hard last year for the qualification.
00:30 So it's what you play for to arrive in the top competition,
00:37 top players, top coaches, top managers, and we're really excited about it.
00:42 How confident are you that Celtic can be competitive in this Champions League group?
00:46 Very. I think it's one where anything is possible in it.
00:49 People ask you to forecast what it is you want to do and what it is you want to achieve.
00:55 But I think that how we want to play the game and with our competitive spirit,
01:03 and that's important in the Champions League because you're playing against top teams.
01:08 And we've seen it already this season, the spirit of this team will never be broken.
01:12 And you have to have that at this level when you're a team like ourselves,
01:16 coming into it, when people want to dismiss you in the tournament.
01:19 So for us, it's about being competitive.
01:23 Like you say, we have to work very hard.
01:24 You have to work very smart.
01:26 And let's see where it takes us.
01:29 First up, it's Feyenoord.
01:30 So how tough a challenge will this one be then?
01:32 I think any team at this level is always very, very difficult.
01:36 I don't think there's an easy game here.
01:39 And obviously, being Dutch champions,
01:42 with a great history in this country and producing teams and players.
01:45 So we know the challenge.
01:46 But for us, we're looking forward to it.
01:50 And it's the first game of six.
01:51 And let's see where it takes us.
01:54 Brendan, what would success be for Cell taking this competition?
01:59 I think success for us as a club is to, as I said,
02:02 be in Europe after Christmas.
02:05 I think that is what our aim is.
02:08 Whatever competition that is in,
02:11 as long as we're in Europe after Christmas, that is our aim.
02:16 But like I said, anything is possible in the group.
02:20 And as I said, we look to be competitive in all the games.
02:24 Given the finances in top-flight football at the moment,
02:28 how important is it that this club is consistently involved in Champions League football?
02:36 Well, of course, that goes without saying.
02:39 I think domestically, you have to win your league
02:44 in order to have that possibility to be in there.
02:47 And of course, when you are at this elite level,
02:51 then of course the finances that come with that,
02:54 they allow your club to grow and develop on and off the pitch.
02:59 So yes, you have to earn that right on the pitch.
03:02 And once you do that, then everything else follows that.
03:06 How much are you relishing this on a personal level?
03:08 Because I think you made it fairly clear that this was one of the big reasons
03:12 for you making a return to Celtic.
03:14 Well, it was one of a number of reasons.
03:16 I think that to be involved in European football is a great experience as a coach.
03:24 And obviously to lead this group of players into European football
03:29 and into the highest level, I'm very proud to do that.
03:33 But for us, like I said, we want to go in and make an impact.
03:38 And that's what we'll look to do starting from tomorrow.
03:42 Brendan, obviously, since you've come back in, you've played a certain style of football.
03:48 You've always been a flexible manager throughout the years.
03:50 Do you have to adapt on these European nights?
03:53 Are we likely to see something slightly different from what we've seen domestically so far from you?
03:57 Or do you think it'll be the same brand of football, the same formation, the same tactics?
04:01 No, listen, we're not at peak Celtic, is what I would say.
04:05 And we've got a long way to go before...
04:08 I think we'll be where I'm happy, where I want us to be.
04:12 However, what the players have shown is that flexibility.
04:17 In terms of style, I don't think there's a massive difference in terms of how the players have been asked to work.
04:25 I just think it just takes time and understanding for that to grow.
04:29 And obviously, of course, it's about players as well.
04:33 You bring players back into the squad that are injured,
04:36 then, of course, the football can look different because you maybe have more dynamism and more flexibility and more movement.
04:42 But I think in terms of stylistically, at this level, we want to play the game to our DNA,
04:48 which is to be aggressive when we're attacking and to have that conviction when we attack.
04:54 And that all comes from when you defend.
04:56 You have to have that collective responsibility and that collective resilience.
05:03 And if you have that in your defending, then you can look to show that in your attack and play.
05:08 So, I know there's times you're going to be under pressure, especially away from home.
05:12 But, of course, we want to give fine art a problem when we have the ball as well.
05:17 Just going back to what you said to Chris, you said that success would be European football after Christmas.
05:24 Now, that would be an improvement on last year.
05:26 The team received plaudits for the way they played, but obviously didn't get out of the group at all.
05:30 Have you looked back at those games that the team played last year?
05:35 And if so, where do you think they need to improve?
05:38 What have you addressed, what have you needed to address in terms of these European games and the team?
05:43 Listen, I've looked back at all the goals that were conceded last year,
05:47 but I'm fully aware, having experienced it with Celtic before, what the issues are at this level.
05:53 And the issues are very, very simple.
05:54 The game moves quicker.
05:56 The speed of the game at this level is different.
06:00 And, of course, the quality that you're up against.
06:02 So, if you're not moving quite as well domestically or filling spaces,
06:07 then you may be able to get away with it.
06:09 At this level, you don't.
06:10 It's elite players with speed, high-level technique and tactical ability that can hurt you.
06:17 So, it's just small details at this level.
06:20 On the offensive side, it's about taking opportunities.
06:25 I've seen enough of the games last year where the guys played really, really well.
06:30 And the finishing at this level has to be precise and has to be clinical.
06:36 And I think that's something that is always the case at this level.
06:40 Just finally for me, injury-wise, how's the squad looking?
06:42 Nat Phillips came off at half-time at the weekend.
06:45 Is he fit to start?
06:46 Is anyone else not available or available that hadn't been previously?
06:50 Yes, Nat has obviously rolled his ankles,
06:54 so we'll just have to see on that.
06:57 But other than that, pretty much, the guys are fine.
07:01 They're working their way up to fitness.
07:03 And apart from that, we're okay.
07:06 Brendan, just one from me.
07:08 The record Celtic have had in terms of results over a period has maybe not been good.
07:13 You're talking a lot about performance and how you have to go about it.
07:16 What do you think Celtic fans can expect in terms of getting results at this level now?
07:23 It was very difficult.
07:25 I think, if you're talking over the last 20-odd years, 22 years or so,
07:32 the game has evolved so much.
07:35 And the challenges are there to see.
07:39 You see the levels of teams, you see the levels of players.
07:42 But for us, what we can promise is that we'll fight in every single game.
07:48 And, like I said, we want to compete.
07:52 We want to be competitive.
07:54 And that is all I can promise.
07:56 And from that, we play to the level that we can.
08:00 Then we know that we can cause teams a problem.
08:03 So, I can promise no more than that.
08:06 But, like I said, if we can produce that level of work ethic
08:12 and the quality that we do have,
08:15 I think we can cause teams problems.
08:17 And that will be our aim.
08:19 Is there any more questions for the manager before we open?
08:22 Yes.
08:23 Bendy, you spoke in one of your early answers about people being slightly dismissive.
08:30 Can that be a positive thing?
08:32 Can you use that to value the team in some ways?
08:37 Yes. Listen, it's not that I'm not one to
08:42 look to demonise anyone.
08:44 It's for ourselves.
08:46 It's for our pride.
08:47 It's for our club's pride.
08:50 The story that Media or anyone else will write, it's not our story.
08:56 I understand the logic of where the game is moving and where it has moved
09:00 in the years that Celtic get criticised.
09:05 But, for me, we're here.
09:08 We're in the competition and we want to fight to do as well as we possibly can in it.
09:11 And that's our own self-pride as players and coaches.
09:16 And it's our pride in our football club to fight for the results.
09:21 So that's where the motivation comes from.
09:24 Good evening, Mr. Rogers. I'm Dennis from Dutch television.
09:29 I have three questions, if that's possible.
09:32 Yes, no worries.
09:33 It's a match with a huge history, especially here in Rotterdam.
09:37 Flanders won their first Dutch European trophy against Celtic.
09:41 What was the reception in Scotland after the draw?
09:46 We were obviously very happy with the group.
09:50 We're playing against teams with a great history.
09:53 Like I said earlier, I think the competition is full of elite teams,
09:59 champions of their own countries, or certainly, if not champions, teams that are very close to being champions.
10:06 But, of course, the Celtic-Feyenoord from 1970, it's a huge history.
10:12 Obviously, the connection here with the likes of Wim Jansen,
10:17 who was an incredible manager for Celtic at the time,
10:22 and obviously a very historical player here for Holland and for Feyenoord.
10:28 So, yes, it was really nice when we got the draw.
10:32 We know from a football perspective it's a tough game playing against a champion,
10:36 but the draw we were really happy with, to be playing against some very good teams.
10:41 You mentioned Wim Jansen.
10:42 There are a couple of books there laying to pay tribute,
10:48 and you also went to Celtic Park to pay your tribute after his passing, right?
10:53 How was that?
10:55 Well, no, I actually wasn't there, no.
11:01 I was down in England, but I'm fully aware of Wim's contribution to Celtic for that season.
11:08 He was there, what he did and what he gave the club,
11:12 and how he will always be revered from the Celtic family.
11:17 What are your thoughts, finally, to close it off on the current squad of Feyenoord?
11:22 Clearly very good.
11:24 Champion. Scoring goals and playing very, very well.
11:30 Obviously, Arne's done a really, really good job since he's come into here,
11:36 and transforming the team to challenge Ajax.
11:40 But, yes, they play a very, very good level of football.
11:43 Some fantastic players.
11:45 So we really look forward to the challenge.
11:47 Ho Manaway in this competition.
11:50 Thank you.
11:51 Feyenoord did not play in the Champions League for six years.
11:53 Only three players have experience.
11:56 Is it an advantage for Celtic, do you think?
12:00 For... Advantage for...
12:02 Playing in the Champions League.
12:05 It's not about advantage, you know.
12:06 We qualify for the competition and it's a great experience.
12:11 Like you said, we have a lot of young players playing that will be sampling the occasion
12:18 for the first time.
12:20 We've got really experienced players like Joe, who understand what this level means.
12:26 I've played at the highest level all his career.
12:28 So, for me, as a coach, it's about using those inexperiences,
12:34 to come and go and prove yourself and play without any fear.
12:39 OK, moving on to questions for Joe, please.
12:43 Joe, for fans, it's always a special time of the season when the Champions League comes around.
12:51 Maybe describe to us what it means to compete in the Champions League as a player.
12:56 It's an amazing competition.
13:00 One that you grow up watching, you grow up enjoying.
13:07 Myself, personally, when I was growing up,
13:09 you didn't have that much access to European football.
13:12 So, in terms of league football, obviously it's quite easy with YouTube and various channels now.
13:17 But I can only talk from being a young guy, watching the Champions League,
13:21 the excitement, the music.
13:22 That doesn't change, you know.
13:23 I'm still that kid.
13:25 I'm still a human being, as we all are, as I'm sure it is for a fan.
13:28 They're special nights.
13:31 The football seems to change, as the manager just touched on there.
13:34 The speed of the game is electric and the hype is real.
13:38 It definitely lives up to it, the competition every year.
13:42 There's amazing football being played.
13:46 The way the battles take place on the pitch in terms of match-ups,
13:50 they're breathtaking now.
13:51 So, it's a great competition to be a part of.
13:53 The manager said that he believes that you guys, as a squad, are ready.
13:58 How do you feel and how far do you think this squad can progress in this competition?
14:06 Look, we're ready to go at it.
14:09 I've only been here two previous seasons and played in Europe both times.
14:13 We felt like we'd been as prepared as we could be, as strong as we can be.
14:19 I feel like that now.
14:21 We've got a really hungry group of players.
14:23 We've got a bunch of players and staff who want to do well.
14:26 We've obviously got a club and a support network that wants us to do well.
14:30 We've all got to link arms and just go for it.
14:36 Joel, given that, what lessons can you learn from last year that you can take into this year and improve on?
14:43 I think this line comes out a lot in this competition.
14:46 I've heard it for years, and especially when I was first coming into it,
14:50 from the more experienced players, it's really clinical, both ends.
14:55 The competition is going to be tight.
14:57 There's all sorts of different styles, but taking chances and defending your box as best you can
15:04 when it ultimately will come under pressure, it's quite a simple formula.
15:08 But as we all know, if it was that simple, everyone would do it.
15:12 But we'll see.
15:13 Like I say, we train hard, we work hard, and we're going to give it our best.
15:18 Any more questions for Joel?
15:22 Joel, what does it mean to you personally still to be playing at this elite level you talk about?
15:29 You're still that kid inside, you get excited.
15:31 What does it mean to you personally now having played at this for over a decade, this level?
15:35 Everything. Amazing.
15:37 Truly a joy to still be a part of this competition.
15:41 I don't think I've ever set myself goals because I'm a very present person and a very present player.
15:47 But if you'd have asked me if I necessarily would have been doing this at my age,
15:53 I probably would have struggled to give you a definitive yes.
15:57 So from that point of view, I'm very pleased.
16:00 But from a present me, I feel like I should be here.
16:03 I love being here. I love being part of the team that I'm a part of.
16:06 And I can't wait to hopefully take it on tomorrow night.
16:10 OK, can the Scottish newspapers meet us outside?
16:16 Thank you very much. Cheers, guys.
16:18 Cheers.
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