Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Nat Phillips has been “fantastic” for the Bhoys since arriving on loan, despite not getting much game time in green and white.
Phillips arrived in the late stages of the summer transfer window as the Bhoys hit a defensive injury crisis. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Maik Nawrocki and Stephen Welsh were all out of action when he joined.
He signed a short-term deal until the January window and is currently due to return to Anfield in the new year. It wouldn’t make much sense for Celtic to renew terms given the amount of defenders on the books right now.
Rodgers has Gustaf Lagerbielke waiting as backup, with Nawrocki, Welsh and Carter-Vickers now all fit too. Liam Scales has emerged as a deserved starter in the team, also.
Brendan Rodgers on Liverpool defender Nat Phillips
For the Celtic boss, it doesn’t take away from Phillips’ professionalism during his time in Glasgow.
Rodgers said [Herald Sport, 09/12 print edition]: “Nat’s an experienced player. He’s very good in the air and attacks the ball well. In both boxes he’s very strong. It’s one of his key strengths.
“He came in on a short-term loan to help us in an emergency period and he’s been fantastic since he’s come in, his whole demeanour and behaviour around the place. He was injured when he first came in and the guys that have played have done really well.
“It’s the one position in the field where I’m reluctant to make changes. And when I say one position I include two players because centre halves balance off each other. That fluency is important, other positions can change but in the two centre halves you’ll make minimal changes.
“He’s had some game time, he hadn’t played for a long time before he came. He’s trained consistently after getting over that early bit and he has contributed very well to the culture here.”
Phillips’ time at Celtic hasn’t exactly been memorable with just three starts and a handful of substitute appearances but Rodgers trusts him and he is making it into match squads ahead of others right now.
He may even get another start away to Kilmarnock on Sunday with Carter-Vickers waiting on the results of an MRI scan.
The Anfield defender may be able to squeeze out a good amount of minutes throughout December before returning to his parent club.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers delivers update on Celtic transfer ins and outs this January as Miovski pops up.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
