No shut-eye issue for Celtic manager ahead of Glasgow Derby

The Celtic Star

·12 March 2025

No shut-eye issue for Celtic manager ahead of Glasgow Derby

Brendan Rodgers has stated that he won’t encounter any team selection dilemmas for Celtic’s Glasgow Derby against theRangers on Sunday…

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers applauds on the touchline at Celtic Park Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Celtic Park,- 09 March 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock

The Hoops boss joked that he “sleeps very well” when asked if he’ll have any difficulty choosing his starting XI for this weekend’s highly anticipated clash at Celtic Park.

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Rodgers has downplayed any concerns

Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah both found the net for Celtic in their Scottish Cup quarter-final victory over Hibernian on Sunday in Glasgow’s east end. However, Rodgers has downplayed any concerns over team selection, despite both forwards scoring ahead of this weekend’s visit from Barry Ferguson’s side.

Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates scoring the second goal with teammate Arne Engels and Cameron Carter-Vickers during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“No, there’s no headache,” joked Rodgers. “I sleep well, my friend. I sleep very well. And I know the players have been great. They’ve been really, really good for me. So, I’ll pick what I think is the best team and they know that at some point, we’ll need other players to come into the game.”

“I don’t lose sleep if the strikers don’t score”

“It doesn’t really matter to me,” responded Rodgers to a question about both strikers scoring against Hibernian. “I don’t lose sleep if the strikers don’t score, to be honest. For me, there’s a responsibility to everyone in the team. But it’s absolutely great if those guys that are paid to score goals and create goals are doing it.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scoring during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“Daizen Maeda’s anticipation for the first goal is incredible”

Rodgers added: “Daizen Maeda’s anticipation for the first goal is incredible, really. The ground he makes up at such a short speed. If you look at when he moves, the distance and shots are short.”

“The space he makes up over the centre-half to get the finish was great. And Adam coming in, I know what he can bring. He can bring goals. He can give us that physicality when we need it. And like I say, we could have had a few more in the last 10 minutes.”

Conor Spence