Brendan Rodgers on why Celtic have found additional ‘confidence’ in last few weeks

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has finally been able to enjoy a run of matches without major injury trouble in his second spell in charge at Parkhead.

Fitness issues involving key players have dogged the Bhoys, leading to important individuals such as Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers all spending time in the treatment room this season.

Nevertheless, Rodgers communicated the last time we heard that Celtic have a clean bill of health for the first time in a while, which can only bode well as we glide into the run-in period.

We will find out more about whether that is still the case once the Irishman completes his press conference before the Bhoys take on St Mirren at Parkhead this Saturday.

Encouragingly, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions appear to have hit the goal trail at a key point in the season, notching 23 strikes in their last seven Games across all comPetitions.

Five wins, a draw against Rangers, and a controversial defeat against Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle have materialised in that timeframe.

Seemingly, Celtic have found some additional confidence in front of the target, providing a string of entertaining recent performances that contrast with some of our earlier season displays.

Brendan Rodgers on why Celtic are feeling more confident

Sometimes, there isn’t a magical secret to an upturn in fortunes at a Football club. In truth, it may just be that hours spent on the training field at Lennoxtown rehearsing ways to break down packed backlines are starting to pay off.

The emergence of Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and the return Carter-Vickers and Hatate will also have instilled confidence in the group, though Rodgers has put forward his own explanation in a recent interview with Celtic TV.

Taking fans behind the scenes, Rodgers opened up on the reality of needing six wins to clinch the title, his gratitude towards the Celtic support and why his side have found ‘confidence’ at a crucial stage.

He stated: “It’s nearly a contradiction (needing six wins). You want to have that desire and speed in your Game but at the same time, you have to have patience as well.

“These last number of weeks, the supporters have been brilliant for us. They recognise what we’re doing and where we’re at. The players are coming back are giving the team confidence as well. 

“But for now, there are six games to go but the important one is really the next game and taking the levels of performance that we’ve shown. We’ve got a great game at home in front of our own supporters. It’s another tough game against St Mirren, but we look to bring our A-game into that.”

Celtic need to take one game at a time over the coming weeks

St Mirren stand in our way this weekend at Parkhead, which will be the only priority on Celtic’s internal psyche despite the looming Glasgow Derby on home soil post-split

Stephen Robinson’s men have already secured a top-six finish and are still in the race for continental qualification, and they won’t be pushovers come Saturday at 3 pm.

With the chance to move four points clear at the summit, Rodgers will be aware of the significance three points would hold amid our rivals’ trip to Dingwall on Sunday lunchtime.

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