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Q: Now the focus is on Sunday, but then international break, which can sometimes have scope to upset the rhythm. It’s a really busy run. I know it’s always busy this year, but no winter break. Is this international break welcomed?

Brendan Rodgers:“It is, yes. It’ll be, obviously, again, a busy schedule up until this point. Obviously, some of the players will go away and be involved internationally. So big challenges for them, all the travel that they have around the world and bring them back and look to recover them. But yes, certainly this one will come at a good time after the game and then we get back and try and synchronise everything as quickly as we can because we’ve got some big games and so many exciting games ahead and we’re all looking forward to them when they arrive.”

Alastair Johnston of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: There’s some talk about Alistair potentially being close to getting a new deal.

Brendan Rodgers:“There’s nothing I can add to that. I’ve seen something on that basis probably four or six weeks ago as well. So nothing to add. He’s clearly a player, of course, we’d want to tie down and he’s absolutely a fantastic guy to work with, both on and off the pitch. So hopefully, in the future, that can be the case.”

Celtic v RB Leipzig, 05 11 2024, Celtic Park, , UEFA Champions League, Matchday 4 , Celtic Glasgow vs RB Leipzig Greg Taylor and Cameron Carter Vickers. Photo Imago (The Celtic Star)

Q: What about Greg Taylor?

Brendan Rodgers: “Nothing as of yet. Again, a similar message. You see his importance to our game the other night. I think the possibility of having two quality players in each position, I think that’s what you see in the game the other night. We play Alex (Valle) in the semi-final and he does fantastically well. Tuesday night was a different game, I felt, and what we wanted from the game. So I can bring then Greg in and you see the level that he played at, how clean he was, how bright he was, how well he defended, how well he attacked. So he’s clearly obviously someone I see as a big part of what we’re looking to continue here and I hope over the coming months that we can do that.”

Q: Is there not fear that, I think, it’ll be a couple of months before he can theoretically start speaking to other clubs? Is there hope that you can get him nailed down?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, hopefully, yes, because there does come a point where both sides, we have to understand what we’re thinking, because if it’s not going to happen, then OK, we know that. We can then plan and prepare going forward. But I really hope it doesn’t get to that because I love working with Greg Taylor. He’s played, what, about 186 games here. I can’t tell you how influential he is off the pitch and how good he’s been on the pitch for this club, the consistency and also how we play. Both our full-backs are absolutely critical for us and how we operate, and they have two totally different functions and how they work. Greg is a specialist in what he does for us and you see the flow of the team. I watched the game the other night. RB Leipzig pressing us with four players. We’re getting five in our build-up. We’ve got different solutions to get through. He’s a massive part of that. So, I really hope that we can do something. Plus, I really, really like him. He’s such a good guy. He loves being here. He’s a big voice in the changing room. Every single day in training, he’s so good. He’s focused. He’s just married. He’ll be a father later on in the year as well. So, we want him to really settle down and get everything ready for him. I just want to continue working with him for as long as I possibly can.”