Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed the notion that plastic pitches can be an excuse for poor performances as his side prepares to return to Rugby Park this weekend. The Hoops head to Kilmarnock on the back of an impressive run that has seen them produce dominant victories over Aberdeen and RB Leipzig, but Rodgers is determined to ensure his players maintain the right mindset for what is always a tough test on Kilmarnock’s synthetic surface.
The last time Celtic visited Rugby Park in May, they clinched the Premiership title with a resounding 5-0 victory. However, they had previously been beaten twice at the same venue earlier in the season, and Rodgers is keen to put any talk of the pitch conditions behind them. Reflecting on that memorable end to the 2022/23 season, he said, “We won 5-0 and played at such a high level that I can never moan about a plastic pitch again.”
Rodgers stressed that no matter the challenges of playing on artificial surfaces, it’s about the team’s performance, focus, and concentration. “After how we played at the end of last season, we proved we can overcome it. It’s just about focus,” he added, acknowledging that every match, especially those away from home, presents its own unique challenge.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash, Rodgers is fully aware of the threat posed by Kilmarnock, who recently defeated Rangers at home. He admitted, “You know when you’re at Celtic, you’ll face these highs, like in the Champions League, but then the next game is always a test. We respect every game.”
Rodgers also discussed his previous encounters with Derek McInnes, who has often posed a tough challenge to Celtic teams in the past. He noted that Aberdeen were a more formidable side in their early encounters last season, but since then, Celtic’s form has been on an upward trajectory. “We’re in an even better place now,” said Rodgers, but he remains cautious, recognizing that McInnes’ teams are always well-organized, highly motivated, and difficult to break down.
As Celtic look to extend their unbeaten start to the season, Rodgers is determined to ensure they stay focused and deliver on the pitch, regardless of the conditions.
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