Brendan Rodgers has been under pressure at Celtic recently.
Not solely because of results, but mainly because there are people at Celtic working against Rodgers right now.
The summer transfer window has tipped Celtic fans over the edge as they question the board’s ambition for the club.
So with all this going on, how does Rodgers keep his Celtic players motivated and focused on their upcoming fixtures?
Journalist Michael Gannon has shared what Celtic players have told him about a recent meeting where Rodgers got the buy-in from all the Hoops squad.
Brendan Rodgers’ ‘chest-beating’ transfer meeting with Celtic players
Before Sunday, Celtic went three games without scoring a goal as Rodgers’ side looked bereft of ideas and confidence.
But it seems a recent meeting held by the Celtic manager may have helped turn that around as Gannon reveals the details of a recent team meeting.
Gannon told Hotline Live [48m 42s], “Speaking to a few of the players about the reaction from him, he said to us he was empty after the transfer window and it sounded like he was down, right?
“He had a meeting with them and apparently it was, again, vintage Rodgers stuff. It was like he got them all fired up.
“Basically it was a very passionate kind of emotional get together he had with them and got them fired up.
“He said this. ‘This is what we’ve got. I believe in you guys. We can do this’. Apparently it was proper chest-beating stuff.
“So he seems to still have that passion and whether that’s because he’s so angry at the folk behind the scenes that’s got him riled up, but he’s certainly got this appetite for the fight.”
What Brendan Rodgers said about a Celtic ‘insider’ briefing against him
One of the biggest problems Rodgers has had at Celtic this season is a club ‘insider’ going behind his back to the press to brief against him.
Rodgers told Sky Sports, “My own feeling is it’s a cowardly action to go that route.
“I’ve always been open here, I’ve made it very clear my desires for Celtic. I think anyone here at the club will tell you from both my spells, all I ever want is the best for Celtic.
“Most players will have gained new contracts, most staff will have improved contracts. I feel that I’ve always wanted to improve and develop and continue that development and not stand still.
“I see the potential of the club so for someone to do that, of course, it disappoints but it doesn’t affect me. If anything, I only get an even greater determination to succeed here.
“Let’s be clear, if it’s come out to maybe where it’s supposedly come out, then it’s not great.
“The optics of it aren’t good, but I get on with my work every single day.”
Rodgers came out punching last week and it’s clear that his anger has been used to fire up the Celtic squad.
It will be interesting to see how the team performs over the coming weeks as the Premier Sports Cup and Europa League fixtures come up.
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