Celtic boss heaps praise on Yang, James Forrest and Daizen Maeda | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers praised three of his wingers at today’s media He looked back on the UEFA Champions League match on Wednesday night and ahead to both the game tomorrow against Dundee United at Celtic Park and the return fixture in the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night in Munich…

James Forrest at Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

James Forrest, Brendan remembered, got himself back into the team this time last year and played a massive part in Celtic strong finish to the season that saw the Hoops win both the Scottish Premiership and also the Scottish Cup.

Yang celebrates. Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Yang was praised for his tenacity in building his game to at last get some recognition for the effort he invariably puts in every time he is called upon. And against Bayern Munich he certainly made an impact against one of the top teams in World football.  The Celtic manager expects that there will be more to come from the South Korean.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.

Daizen Maeda amazing form and his energy levels are something else with Brendan referring to the UEFA stats that show Daizen as number one in the Champions League for number of sprints. Will Daizen get a rest tomorrow or will he be asked to go again? Probably the former but Brendan was giving nothing away.

Here’s everything that was said at today’s media conference at Lennoxtown, which also featured Adam Idah. We’ll cover than separately…

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic and Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, can we just start with injury team news? How’s everyone looking? How’s Paulo Bernardo after coming off against Raith?

Brendan Rodgers: “Paulo will be out for a few weeks. He’s got his ankle in a boot, so he’ll be maybe four or five weeks.”

Paulo Bernardo of Celtic leaves the pitch injured during the Scottish Cup match between Celtic FC and Raith Rovers FC at Celtic Park on February 08, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Is Paulo the only one out?

Brendan Rodgers: “There’s nothing new from the Bayern game. Everyone else available.”

Q: Is this where the strength and depth of your midfield options can really come to the fore?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, well, as you can tell with so many games, it’s needed. Paulo’s obviously done great for us this season. What we’ve tried to do with all the players is try and ensure we keep them fit by rotating and maximising the whole squad. Obviously, sadly, he’s out for a little while. But like you say, we’ve still got good numbers in that position.”

Celtic starting XI Celtic v Bayern Munich, UEFA Champions League, Knockout Round Play-offs, First Leg, Celtic Park, 12 February 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Q: How have the last few days been since that entertaining game on Wednesday?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, it’s been really good. Obviously, our culture here is very positive always. I think it was a great game for everyone the other night. Another step forward in our experiences of that level. I think what was important in that game, I mentioned it before, was that in a two-legged affair, you need to be in the tie. And especially when you’re playing against a team of that level, where you have, especially in the top end of the pitch, you’ve got world stars that can really hurt you. So we had to be smart in the game.

“And I think the players did that really, really well. We were disappointed with the two goals. The second one in particular, it’s a small detail at this level. If you don’t get it right, you’ll get punished. And there were a few other moments maybe where we could have pressed the game. But apart from that, the players’ concentration was good. They were stable in the game. We didn’t give too much away against a really top opponent. So again, we showed that in the main we could defend well.

“Then once we started playing in that last 20-25 minutes, then we caused them problems at the end. So, yeah, we reflect on that. We’ll take that into the game next week. But now we have a really important game against Dundee United.”

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Mid-Season Friendly, Showgrounds, Sligo 9.10 2024 Sligo Rovers vs Celtic Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Hynun-Yang shake hands after the game Photo INPHO Tom Maher

Q: How impressed were you when Hyunjun Yang came on? Because he pretty much hit the ground running when he came on the pitch?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, he’s done really well. He’s looking strong. He’s improving. Like you say, he came on and gave us that energy. The Champions League, in particular, is an arena where you need your squad. The level of physicality required is so big that you need those players that can come on and impact the game for you. I thought he did that really well.”

Q: Yang maybe goes under the radar a little bit in comparison with your other wingers. Given how well Kuhn and Maeda and you’ve got Jota coming in now. How good is that for him and his development, having that kind of competition? Is that taking him to another level?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think that to improve as a player, if you’re playing and working and training with better players, then it will do. I think what Nicolas and Daizen have shown, what we want from wingers and what the possibilities are. If you get into the right positions, you can score goals. But he’s done great for us, Yang. He’s obviously a young player still developing and adapting to the culture and everything about the game here and the size of the club. But he’s made a valuable contribution for us this season. When he’s been asked to play, he’s done well. He knows and he wants to improve his numbers. And you can see in the last few games, he’s starting to affect games more. He’s a good guy who’s developed really well.”

Nicolas Kuhn at Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Aberdeen. Photo AJ for The Celtic Star

Q: Are you starting to think he’s got a big future at this club. Maybe six months ago or a year ago, people think he would be a loan deal somewhere.Maybe a crossroads in terms of his pathway here. But you’re starting to think now that he has got a big future here?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think it’s just timing. Really, it’s what he needs. Obviously, because of the intensity at which we play, we need to have four or five wingers around for all the games that we play. So it’s having guys that can contribute. It’s having to gauge whether he needs to go out and play and get the games to come back a better player, or whether he will improve being still in here and then playing, maybe not so regular, but getting those opportunities. So that’s always the balance. But we can definitely see improvement. We can see the strength in his game. For him, it’s about efficiency. You know, as a Celtic winger, you’re going to get lots of opportunities to score, to create goals. That’s where you get judged. What he also does, he presses the game. He works very, very hard. I like that side to him.”

Matteo Ruggeri of Atalanta BC is challenged by James Forrest of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Q: What about James Forrest? Is he inching closer to a return?

Brendan Rodgers: “He was out, he took his first day on the pitch yesterday. So he’s starting to move and jog. So hopefully in the coming weeks, he’ll be coming back.

Q: He came alive this time last year, didn’t he?

Brendan Rodgers: “I said that to him. In February and March, he came and saved the day. So he’s a brilliant player. And he made a great contribution at the beginning of the season for us as well. He’ll be a great addition when he comes back.”

Q: Is Tuesday a wee bit early for him?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, he’s nowhere near that. He’s just planting his foot out on the grass yesterday for the first time. So it’s going to be still a few weeks yet.”

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Brendan Rodgers during the training session at Lennoxtown on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: How do you balance this? It’s a Wednesday, first leg, Tuesday, second leg. Quite tight and a tough game in the middle of it as well. What was into your decision-making when you decide who’s able to keep playing this game against United?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, I think we’ll do what we’ve done most of the season. There’s some positions that we’ll freshen up, that we maybe need it. Of course, you can’t not look at Tuesday because the turnaround is so fast. We know that we’ll have to be at a real high level physically for that game. But I also know the bread and butter. We need to be at a good physical level for this game. Since the last time Dundee United played, we’ve played four games in that period. The last time they played was the 1st of February. Since then, we’ve played four games. We will still bring the freshness. I have to think of that when I’m picking a team to find the intensity and look to get the result. Hopefully, from that, we then go on to Tuesday. It’s all about the recovery now and then picking a team that can be fresh.”

Adam Idah scores Celtic’s second goal past Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Q: How do you get the boys up for a game like this on Saturday? Wednesday, massive game. Tuesday, another massive game. We just spoke to Adam there and he said that when he first came to the club, it was something that he found a bit difficult to balance. The massive European nights and then, as you say, the bread and butter of the league. What do you say to the boys to remain as focused exactly as they need to be?

Brendan Rodgers: “It just depends. Every game is a different scenario. It’s like last weekend, going into Raith. We’re expected to win. We should win. But then we have to perform. Sometimes you’re given performance goals within the game to achieve. Whether that’s a counter-pressing, pressing, target, whatever. But every game is important here. I think players understand that. If they don’t initially, they will do. Obviously, it’s my job to drive that and to lead that. I know as well as anyone the importance of whether it’s Raith, whether it’s Bayern Munich or whether it’s Dundee United. Every game is a big game here. We’re always mindful of that and the players are mindful of it as well.”

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Q: How have you found, having the two extra Champions League games this season, no winter break? I suppose your results speak for themselves. But are you satisfied that you have what you need to maintain your performance levels, squad-wise?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah. I think that the schedule has been unrelenting for us for a long period now. You look at the games we’re playing in September and October and then it’s cranked up over November, December, January into February now. So it’s been a real unrelenting schedule. But the players have been brilliant. There’s been nothing other than focus. We maybe had the Dundee game at the back end of seven games in 21 days where I felt we just weren’t quite there in our pressing. But we take our point and we learn and we move on. Yeah, we’re ready. You have to be. I think it’s not the case of you won’t be tired. You will have moments of tiredness. But that’s being at a big club.

Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich passes the ball whilst under pressure from Arne Engels of Celtic during the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic and Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I said to Arne Engels when he came in at the beginning that his one game a week holiday was finished at Augsburg. You’re now coming into a big club where there are no holidays. He now knows what I was talking about. He and all the players have been absolutely brilliant. Being a top player is managing the fatigue, managing the tiredness because you’ve got to deliver. That’s the notion of being at a big club. Otherwise, you go and play one game a week and it’s quite nice.”

Q: I don’t know about a holiday, but has Daizen Maeda earned a mini-break after his exploits this week?

Brendan Rodgers: “He’s remarkable, isn’t he? Yeah, he’s just an incredible player. You see the energy on the back of me talking about the three game I played him for 90 minutes and he goes into it. He’s having a remarkable season. Such a joy to work with. Yeah, you’ll see tomorrow.”

Q: He doesn’t seem like a guy who’ll come and say he could do with a break?

Brendan Rodgers:  “No, no, he’s an incredible… It’s as much the will to do it, because there’s lots of players that can actually run and run fast, but to do it repetitively and have the will and the desire to continually do it. I’m so happy for him. He’s getting the rewards now of the goals. His pressing and the energy is great, but you look at his numbers, you look at his finishing and you look at the calmness now. He’s taking his goals. He’s a player that’s really, really high in confidence, but we also have to be mindful that he is still human as well. We don’t want to break players.

Daizen Maeda causing havoc in the Bayern Munich defence. Celtic v Bayern Munich, Champions League play-off, on 12 February 2025 at Celtic Park. Photo Imago.

“That’s what I’ve tried to manage right the way through this whole season. And I’ve said it again, there’s times I’ve rotated when I haven’t wanted to, but I know to keep the fitness and health of the team I’ve had to. But the players, to their credit, they’ve still got the results and some brilliant performances. So we’ve just got to keep pushing onto our next game now and we’re at home. We love to play there and hopefully have a great atmosphere and get the energy from the crowd to help the players and keep pushing in all these games.”

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Q: You saw the respect that Bayern showed as well, an attacking full-back who was more restricted than he would normally be, purely because of the danger he causes?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, and I know some of our staff were speaking to their staff and they obviously were fully aware of him and the numbers that he created. I think in terms of high-intensity runs and sprints, he’s right up there with the very best in this competition. He is a handful, he’s a threat at whatever level. When you have that will and desire to run, then, as I said, the opponents will be aware of you. But no, the boy Laimer, he’s a good player, a midfield player, but he’s quick and he’s robust. They were a top side full of really good players. But what was great from our perspective was, we were there in the game competing and as our confidence grows at the level, we can improve.”

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores against Bayern Munich in the Champions League match on February 12, 2025. Photo IMAGO.

Q: The difficulties that you gave Bayern in the last 20-25 minutes on Wednesday give you cause to rethink how you approach Tuesday night. Was that maybe dictated by what happened in the match before that? You scored a goal, they got the equaliser, it really caused them a lot of problems. Will you take a different approach on Tuesday night as a result of that?

Brendan Rodgers: “No, again, we have to be smart in the game. You have to respect that you’re playing against some world-class players that are waiting for that moment for you to go gung-ho and then that’s when their technical quality arrives into the game. So, like I said before, you have to be in balance. There’s going to be times when you can press. I think we missed a few of those opportunities in the game. A few of the triggers that we normally have in our pressing, we maybe missed out on a few of those, which would have given us more pressure.

“But it’s okay, it can happen in the state of the game. But we still have to be compact, tight, together. But what the last 25 minutes does, it gives you that notion and feeling that, no, actually, we can play here and not just play on the counter-attack. So, if we get the first goal after that 28 seconds, then it’s a different game altogether and that gives that injection to the players for the whole game. But we’re also mindful that you have to pivot your strategy. We have to pivot it again this week, coming back into this Dundee United game. But it’s the beauty of the team, they’ve learned so well over the course of this competition. We’ll be there to get a result on Tuesday night and we’ll come up with the best plan after the Dundee United game.”

Greg Taylor training ahead of the Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic on 29 January 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, there were a couple of times the other night when some fans were quick to get on Greg Taylor’s back if he wasn’t going forward. Do you think they need to show a bit more patience there?

Brendan Rodgers: “I thought the crowd were brilliant the other night. I thought they were fantastic, the noise level. Maybe because it was a knock-out game it felt even more than what it normally does. I thought the atmosphere was incredible in the game. I thought we had great support, naturally. You misplace a pass, whatever, it’s going to happen. I thought the crowd were brilliant.”

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