Celtic resume domestic action this weekend with a top of the table clash against Aberdeen at Celtic Park.
Both clubs are enjoying a 100% start to the Scottish Premiership as Brendan Rodgers is set to face new Dons boss, Jimmy Thelin for the first time.
The Swede has the Pittodrie club well organised defensively, a good attacking unit and playing a style of football that is a far cry from what was on show last season.
Celtic enjoy a good record over Aberdeen over the past six years with the last defeat coming at the end of the 2017/18 season when Rodgers suffered a 1-0 defeat in the final game of the season.
Celtic boss impressed with Jimmy Thelin at Aberdeen
Thelin took over Aberdeen this summer with a view to improving the Pittodrie club’s fortunes and Rodgers admits that he’s been impressed with what he’s saw.
Rodgers told Celtic TV, “I think Jimmy has come in and done really, really well. At any level to get 13 wins out of 13 they are going to arrive into the game in a confident mood, playing well, and obviously getting results.
“So he will be really pleased with how it’s gone and I’m sure the supporters will be buoyed by their start to the season.
“But we will prepare like we do for every game and we will respect the opponent we will play and none more so than this weekend.
“But I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen from Aberdeen from being able to watch them over the international break seeing how they defend and how they attack and we will be able to put a plan in place.”
Brendan Rodgers looking forward to Aberdeen’s Celtic challenge
And when asked if he’s looking forward to facing the new challenge that Aberdeen pose, Rodgers says this is the sort of challenge he ‘really enjoys’ at Celtic.
Rodgers continued, “Yeah, I’ve done that for many years. I really enjoy that challenge on the side of the pitch. I don’t know Jimmy, I’ve never met him before, but the work is what you see on the field and they’ve been working really, really well.
“The team is well organized. Defend in 4-4-2, they work very, very hard when they haven’t got the ball, and then when they’ve got the ball, they look to build the game.
“They can go deeper if they want to, but they look to build the game from behind and progress through the third.
“They’ve got some talented players and a good mix of experience in there as well. So Aberdeen is a club that is always expected to be up there.
“When I was in my first period, Derek had done a great job with Aberdeen. They’re always there, thereabouts in finals, challenging at the top of the league, and after maybe a challenging few years, for whatever reason, Jimmy’s come in and looks very calm on the side. The players have obviously responded to that.”
Brendan Rodgers urges Celtic fans to make some noise
The game at Celtic Park is a sell out after Aberdeen fans snapped up their whole allocation but Rodgers says that when these types of challenges present themselves, the Celtic support never fail to rise to it.
Rodgers, “It’s a fantastic game to get back up and running again. And the crowd are always important for us.
“I think I always say that if Celtic Park wants something, then they are a big, big part of us getting what it is we want.
“So the atmosphere will be amazing. And it starts off a stretch of games for us which is really exciting.”
The Aberdeen game is undoubtedly Celtic’s biggest game of the season. With goal difference separating both clubs at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, the opportunity to win the match will create daylight at the top for the first time this season.
The 3pm Saturday kick off is sure to be an action packed game with goals but with the firepower at Rodgers’ disposal, the Celtic boss and the fans will be confident of securing all three points.
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