Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has been speaking about Motherwell ahead of our weekend meeting.
Rodgers‘ Hoops have already navigated a series of challenging away trips this season. Visits to Aberdeen, Rangers and Livingston have yielded nine points and seven goals, with just one conceded.
It’s been an impressive start to the Premiership season on the road. However, the challenges are still coming. We have to visit Motherwell, Hearts and Hibernian before the first round of fixtures is out.
The Steelmen are up first on Saturday lunchtime and Rodgers is anticipating a challenging game. However, there will be a welcome sight in the shape of the lush Fir Park pitch. Especially after the pain of playing on Livingston’s artificial surface last weekend.
“Motherwell have started really well,” Rodgers told Celtic TV. “Going to Fir Park is always a tough place.
“It’s always a fantastic pitch there so you get the opportunity to play the football that you want to play.
“It’s a place I really enjoy going. It’s always a good atmosphere. We always get that stand behind the goal which really pulls the team towards the goal.
“Like in all the games, I anticipate a tough game.”
Interestingly enough, Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell also referenced the stand of Celtic supporters in the lead-up to the game. Kettlewell says it can “almost feel they are sucking the ball towards your goal”. (Daily Record)
That will be a big boost to the Celtic side, as will the playing surface. The Fir Park pitch is not huge, but it is in great knick these guys — undoubtedly the best in the entire league.
It is no surprise, therefore, that Rodgers was keen to make that point in the interview. He is not a fan of plastic pitches and explained exactly why they can hurt teams like Celtic last week. The Motherwell surface will allow us the chance to play our normal passing game, with the likes of Reo Hatate and Matt O’Riley likely to be key.
Rodgers did not enjoy a good record at Fir Park in his first spell at Celtic. We only won one of our four visits there, and that saw us come back from 2-0 down to win 4-3 through a dramatic Tom Rogic winner. (Celtic Fitba Stats)
A more routine victory this weekend would be appreciated.
In other news, the obvious Celtic loan candidate after Duncan Ferguson talks take place
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