Brendan Rodgers ‘so happy’ with the side of Celtic that ‘doesn’t get noticed so much’ by fans

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As Celtic prepare to face Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, it’s fair to say Brendan Rodgers is a very happy man.

A strong pre-season period, an excellent start to competitive action and some late transfer window recruitment has left the Bhoys boss excited about what’s ahead.

Some of the manager’s new signings, such as Arne Engels, Auston Trusty and Alex Valle, have yet to even be fully integrated into the team but we’ve already witnessed a step up in performances from last term.

Rodgers is well known for his development skills and you can see the jump being taken, both in possession and in defence of the ball.

• READ MORE: All Brendan Rodgers Celtic Signings Since 2016

Brendan Rodgers loves ‘the dirty bit’ from Celtic

It’s that counter-pressing and defensive intensity that the manager is quick to laud right now, feeling that it might be an aspect of his team’s game that flies under the radar.

Speaking in a media conference on Friday, Rodgers said: “That’s the dirty bit that doesn’t get noticed so much from the stands. From a coach and player’s perspective, it’s everything.

“For me, the defensive philosophy coincides with the attacking philosophy. You need to be good in that defensive side and your structure. Being defensively good gives you that opportunity to attack more.”

He continued: “That’s what we’re seeing throughout this season – that aggression and winning duels, as well as winning second and third balls. All of that dirty stuff is what allows you to attack more.

“If you neglect that side, then you don’t attack the same. Why? Because you won’t have the same amount of time on the ball because you’re defending more.

“The better your counter-pressing and defending and the tighter you are, the more aggressive you are, the more synchronised you are – it allows you to score more goals. That side of it I’m so happy with at the moment.”

The current approach stems from pre-season work

It’s not by accident, either. Rodgers was also clear to point out that the fruits of Celtic’s labour right now are a result of their pre-season preparations at Lennoxtown and in the United States.

The manager explained: “That’s the edge that we want to have. We made that agreement in the summer that it’s defending first. That’s not a negative, that’s to attack better. All the work we did throughout pre-season, over the course, fine-tuning moments in games where we could press well.

“We’ve shown over this opening period that is the mantra. For any of my teams, it always is. To press well allows you to pass the ball well and create opportunities. Thus far, it has been very good.”