Rodgers reacts to Lyanco speculation
Brendan Rodgers han’t ruled out a move for Southampton defender Lyanco.
Over the last fortnight the Celtic boss has had to rule out Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Maik Nawrocki due to injury with end of October the most optimistic timeline for any of those defenders to return.
Gustaf Lagerbielke on his Celtic Park debut was paired alongside Liam Scales for the visit of St Johnstone but far tougher tests lie in store.
Celtic’s next match is at Ibrox with the September schedule including a return to the Champions League and a demanding trip to the plastic of Livingston.
With just a couple of days to go in the transfer window time is against Rodgers getting all of his transfer wishes completed but asked about Lyanco he didn’t dismiss the claim.
Covering today’s post-match media conference The Sun reports:
So it’s no wonder the Rodgers is in the market for reinforcements, with Lyanco’s name mentioned recently as someone who could be brought in before the transfer deadline next week.
Asked about a move for the defender, the manager admitted that the club are working on the move in the background.
He said: “We are obviously working and hopefully over the next few days we can update on that but nothing to confirm at the minute.”
Lyanco still have two years to run on his Southampton contract but following relegation it seems that he could be on his way out of St Mary’s.
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Daizen Maeda in honest Celtic form confession as Angeball advocate admits Brendan Rodgers adjustment
Maeda was in fine form during pre season but is still adjusting to life after Ange Postecoglou at Parkhead.
Daizen Maeda admits he’s yet to hit top form for Celtic this season as he adapts to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play.
The Japanese wide man has spent the last three years of his career under ex-Hoops gaffer Ange Postecoglou at Yokohama Marinos and Celtic. And he’s still adjusting to Rodgers ’ brand of football after he replaced the Aussie at Parkhead this summer.
Despite impressing in pre-season, Maeda hasn’t been at his best in the first few weeks of a new campaign that has included last week’s shock Viaplay Cup defeat to Kilmarnock. The Japan international claims Postecoglou’s methods are ingrained in him. And even with his old boss now at Spurs, Maeda still takes an interest in his work in London. But he knows that if Celtic are going to be successful during Rodgers’ second spell at the club, every player has to buy into his way of doing things.
Maeda said: “Since I moved abroad I’ve started watching football more often so, whenever a game is on, I watch.
“Ange went to Spurs so I’ve started to watch their games on TV. I was impressed by their win against Manchester United last week.
“For Rodgers, it’s his second time at Celtic. But, for me, he’s a new manager. We’re trying to do new things so individually and as a team we have to adapt to a new style of play.
“That happens quite often in football. For me, it just means I have to adjust to his tactics, keep working hard in training and in the games.
“Is it a big change? The tactics of the previous manager are instilled in my game.
“So obviously I have to change to the new style now. But the league has already started and we have to get results as you apply that new style. That’s what we are trying to do.
“Right now, my form is not at its best yet. Each player has to improve and I include myself in that. The team are working hard to be the best of ourselves and we have to keep doing that.”
Celtic will discover their Champions League opponents next week when the group stage draw is made on Thursday in Monaco. Maeda can’t wait for another taste of Europe’s top club competition after sampling it last season under Postecoglou.
He doesn’t care who Celts face – but hinted that he wouldn’t mind a second crack at Spanish giants Real Madrid. The Hoops got plenty of plaudits for their performances last year against Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk and R Leipzig without collecting a victory as they finished bottom.
But this time, Maeda wants to put more points on the board and qualify from their group. He said: “Last season after the draw, I was very excited about the opponents we got.
“But we didn’t win any games so we ended up very disappointed. This year again I’m looking forward to it. But when it comes to the games we have to play well and get wins.
“I don’t want to face any club in particular but I do think about playing Real Madrid again. Not for revenge but just to show that we’re strong and can get wins. I want us to show that we’re a different team.
“As a club we’re aiming to go through the group stage. It is very important for us to see how far we can take the club. That is what we want to achieve.
“As a team we had chances last year and you have to put them away. Also, if we give a chance away we have to defend better. From both viewpoints, we have to be better than a year ago.
“The Champions League is the biggest competition in the world so people watch it back in Japan. As we have more Japanese players, it’s getting more attention and they’re watching Celtic’s games.
“If we can get wins then it will be even more valued back home and there will be more interest, which can only be good for the club.”
Next up for Celtic, though, is a trip across the city to Ibrox for next Sunday’s first Old Firm derby. Maeda scored against Rangers there in a 2-2 Premiership draw in January and he’d love to repeat the feat.
The 25-year-old might have a better chance if he was deployed as a central striker – like he is for Japan. It’s a position Rodgers likes him in and Maeda played there in pre-season.
But the Hoops forward insists he’ll play anywhere for the Irishman. He said: “That’s up to the manager to decide where I play.
“All I can do is prepare well for whatever situation comes up so I can go into any position and affect the game. But of course I’d love to score in that match again.”
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