Brendan Rodgers can now look forward to December knowing that he has the chance to win the first piece of available silverware for Celtic this season.
The Hoops boss named the strongest Celtic side he could to inspire the 6-0 demolition of Aberdeen at Hampden in the League Cup and now, on the 15th of December, Rodgers has the opportunity to win the trophy that escaped him last season.
Winning the League Cup is dear to the Celtic boss as it was the first one he ever won as a manager in Paradise but the result could have been put in jeopardy after the team news was leaked prior to the Hampden kick-off yesterday afternoon.
And Brendan Rodgers was none too pleased.
Celtic boss comes out swinging with warning after Aberdeen win
Rodgers told PLZ Soccer, “It’s clearly disappointing. It’s something we have seen before and it’s not ideal. Modern game, there are no real secrets, that is the reality of it but it’s not nice when it gets out there.
“Especially if it comes out from Celtic supporters. It might feel great for someone’s ego to pass it on to other people but I can tell you as a manager that I have had that before with other teams.
“When I have got to know about it, that has really helped me in my preparation as I have come up with a plan to play against a team. I’ve then been told the day before a game, the team was going to play a totally different shape.
“I can then stick in another meeting at the hotel to say this is what we think the team is going to do as we have had a message.
“We go in the next day and the team is playing that shape. It really helped us to win the game. Whoever is putting it out, if it’s someone from Celtic, you are not a Celtic supporter. You’re not helping Celtic. If you are not a Celtic supporter, we will do everything we can to find out. For me, I don’t get angry about it.”
Squad leaks are not new to Celtic fans
Celtic fans will remember that the club had this same issue when Neil Lennon was the manager back in his second tenure as boss.
On many occasions, the team sheet was leaked as Lennon looked to seal a Quadruple Treble and it was an issue that plagued the Celtic manager throughout the COVID season as well.
Thankfully, the leak didn’t have any bearing on the result but it is clear from the interview that this issue has annoyed the Celtic boss.
Hopefully Celtic will weed out the culprit responsible because, with three trophies and another treble up for grabs, Rodgers doesn’t need this distraction heading into the busy Christmas schedule.
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