Q: You said when you came back, you were optimistic that you could compete in the Champions League again, does it almost feel as if it’s one step forward, two steps back?
Brendan Rodgers: “I want to try and make this club sustainable at the level. You know, I see a club like Club Brugge that seven out of eight times they’re qualifying and their cycle continues. You know, the operations continues, they lose players, bring players in, replace. So, we have to get to that level. Because clearly we’re not to that level. And we have to be honest with that. The frustration always comes because you want the very best for your club, for your team. And we had an opportunity. It hasn’t happened. So, we don’t give up on it. We go again and we look to be the best that we can be this year and see if we can give some great moments to our supporters and everyone involved with the club in a Europa League run whilst fighting domestically.”
Q: Do you think the Europa League has almost opened up an opportunity for Celtic to go even deeper in Europe? Obviously, you come up against a similar level of opposition. But it seems like there’s a real opportunity to take Celtic even further in Europe.
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, there is that possibility. I think that it’s sometimes hard to shift that mindset on to because, you know, we know where we wanted to be. We know where we were last year in the Champions League, and we wanted to try and better that. But like I say, we’re not there. So, you go into Europe. Everyone remembers 2003 and the run that came from not being in the Champions League that season, and then it became one of the great historical runs and seasons in our history. Yeah, it gives us the opportunity to create great memories here, and like I say, let’s see what we can do in the competition in some fantastic games, I have to say.”
Joaquin Seys of Club Brugge celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round Second Leg match between Club Brugge and theRangers at Jan Breydelstadion on August 27, 2025 in Bruges, Belgium. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Q: What are you expecting from theRangers on Sunday? Being the first derby with Russell Martin at Ibrox?
Brendan Rodgers: v “Russell knows the landscape. He’s played at theRangers before and he’s come in and it’s always a challenge. You come in as a young manager, you go into a big club. He’s had good success at MK Dons when he was there. At Swansea, and I still follow Swansea. So, I know he’s done a really good job there. He went to Southamp and got them promoted.
“And obviously the Premier League is a big challenge for any club. Then you come to theRangers, which is a big club. You try to impose your style, your way of working whilst trying to change a culture. So, it always takes a bit of time, you know? So, yeah, I’m pretty sure he’ll do really well. In the meantime, you always have to get through the sticky bits of your season. And sometimes those can be at the beginning. And hopefully over time, you can make it better. What do I expect? I expect always a tough game when you play against theRangers.”
theRangers manager Russell Martin. St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Q: Is he somebody you’ve crossed paths with a lot outside of football or in the past, Brendan?
Brendan Rodgers: “Not a lot. I’ve come across Russell a few times. His team used the, let’s say, Swansea used the Leicester training ground when they were playing a game. But I haven’t come across him too much. I’ve obviously spoke with him on Matt O’Riley as well, because he obviously worked with Matty. I don’t know him that well, but I know he’s a good guy and a good football fellow. These are the challenges that come across you when you move into a big club, and you’ve got to embrace it, I’m sure he is.”
