Brendan Rodgers is in a relaxed mood and you could tell that from his pre-St Mirren press conference on Friday.
The Celtic manager has wrapped up his second consecutive Scottish Premiership title and is on the verge of winning his third domestic Treble as Parkhead boss.
He watched his first-team smash Aberdeen 5-1 at Pittodrie on Wednesday night and will be hoping trophy day at Celtic Park delivers a similar scoreline against the Buddies.
Rodgers was in good spirits for reporters at Lennoxtown and that was telling after a journalist asked him about James Forrest’s desire to score a goal for Celtic this season.
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Rodgers jokes Forrest is on ‘everything’ for Celtic set pieces
Forrest now has just two more chances to get on the scoresheet for the 16th season in a row for his beloved Celtic.
He came close against Aberdeen amid a fine display, but it wasn’t to be…yet.
After Rodgers confirmed Forrest will walk out with the Premiership trophy against St Mirren on Saturday, he was then asked if the winger has been put on penalties and free-kicks to give him the best chance of scoring a goal.
Rodgers laughed and said: “Yeah, I think it’s…aye everything! He was so unlucky, the keeper makes a really good save the other night off his left foot.
“He’s always a goal threat, Jamesy, he’ll always be there. I’m pretty sure over the next couple of games, he’ll get the goal. But if he doesn’t, he’s still a wonderful player.”
Go to 7:56 in the video below to watch the clip.
Rodgers pinpoints biggest ‘difference’ in Celtic this season
On a more serious note, Rodgers was asked what he thought his side’s biggest improvement has been this campaign compared to the previous 12 months.
Celtic may have won a Double in the 2023/24 season, but not everything was plain-sailing. Across 2024/25 however, it’s been more dominant and akin to Rodgers’ first stint in charge.
He replied: “For me, the counter-pressing has been a bit different.
“It has always been a part of my philosophy, and I think that as last season went on, that became better and better, and then we could really hone in on that over the course of pre-season.
“So that, along with some of the slight structural tweaks that we make within the team, has given us that platform really to go and show our football, but our pressing has been really good this season, and obviously our counter-pressing.
“Like I say, when you want to be a team of dominance, it is not all about the skill, it is not all about the talent, as you have to get the ball back, and that has always been our mantra.
“We have maybe 70 per cent of the ball, but that 30 per cent, you have to respect that, and that’s what allows you to have the ball so much. From there, we are very clear on how we play.”
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