Three Celtic players Brendan Rodgers has learned most about during the international break

Add as preferred source on Google

The international break came at an interesting time for Celtic.

A challenging transfer window saw the Hoops’ summer transfer business left incomplete, despite the post-deadline signing of Kelechi Iheanacho.

This led to fan unrest and, eventually, a fan-led letter directed at Celtic over issues such as a perceived lack of ambition.

The club responded with a controversial statement of their own last weekend, leaving all eyes and ears on Brendan Rodgers, who still hasn’t spoken publicly about the recent escalation of the dispute.

His focus has instead been on the Celtic squad – not just those still training at Lennoxtown, but additionally those on international duty.

Let’s look at the three players who the Parkhead boss will have learned the most about during the break.

The players Celtic have learned the most about during the international break

Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel went into the international break having not conceded a competitive goal this season.

The 38-year-old’s Celtic contract expires at the end of the season – but for now, he is well-established as the Hoops’ number one. With his Denmark side this week, he has faced Scotland and Greece.

READ MORE: Celtic fans will know the player who can be Ange Postecoglou’s new Greg Taylor at Nottingham Forest

Remarkably, the Dane has kept his clean-sheet record going, enjoying a quiet evening in their goalless draw with Scotland before an outstanding 3-0 win away against Greece.

With Vijlami Sinisalo desperate to displace him and being given increasing first-team opportunities, Schmeichel’s position has been questioned this campaign – but his international showings have reminded Rodgers of his class.

Daizen Maeda

Celtic’s reigning player of the year has also made headlines during the break – but for very different reasons.

Daizen Maeda revealed his desire to leave Celtic in a bombshell interview with Japanese media, even saying that he had agreed personal terms on a move away.

This came as a huge surprise, adding to the negative feeling around the club. For his country, Maeda was in challenging friendly action against Mexico and the USA, starting the latter.

Similarly to Celtic, Japan struggled in front of goal. The Mexico game finished goalless, before Maeda couldn’t prevent his side from losing 2-0 to the US in Columbus.

Benjamin Nygren

Benjamin Nygren has settled in well to life in Glasgow, establishing himself as a key first-team contributor.

Since arriving at the club from Nordsjaelland, the 24-year-old has played in both central and wide positions. It is no secret that he favours the former.

Nygren has played a part in what was a troublesome week for Sweden. In their first qualifier against Slovenia, a late equaliser denied them the three points.

What followed was much worse – a shock defeat to 95th-ranked Kosovo. Despite being used as a substitute in the games, Nygren played a good chunk of both – thankfully though, much of the fan criticism has been directed at their starters.