Yahoo News Rodgers grins at 'dirty' Celtic, Kyogo debuts a new hairdo and Johnston contract update – Parkhead news bulletin
Brendan Rodgers reckons getting 'dirty' has been the secret weapon to Celtic's stunning start to the season.
The Hoops have wiped the floor with everyone they've played so far this season with maximum points from their first four Premiership games and safely though to the Premier Sports Cup quarter-finals. They've averaged three goals per game, but arguably more impressive has been their defensive record - they're yet to concede in the league with Hibs' League Cup goal at Parkhead the only blemish on an otherwise flawless start defensively.
And Rodgers, whose team continue their defence against Hearts this weekend, believes that's testament to how well they've done the 'dirty bits' off the ball. Asked about his side's 'counter-pressing' and ability to keep it tight, Rodgers said: "That's the dirty bit that maybe isn't noticed so much from the stands. But from a coaching perspective, and a player's perspective, it's everything. The defensive philosophy coincides with the attacking philosophy. You need to be strong on the defensive side and your structure.
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"That gives you the opportunity to attack more. That's what we're seeing this season, that aggression, winning duels, second balls, third balls, all of that dirty stuff allows you to attack more. If you neglect that side, you won't attack the same. Why? Because you don't get the same amount of time on the ball, because you're defending more.
"The better you are in your counter-pressing, the tighter you are, the more aggressive and synchronised you are, the more chances you get to score goals. And I'm so happy with that side of it at the moment."
Alistair Johnston could go straight back in for Celtic this weekend despite an injury scare away with Canada. He's expected to sign a be rewarded with a new contract after an impressive start to this season but Rodgers stopped short of confirming that just yet.
Asked about that, he said: "Nothing that I'm aware of but I really hope we can get something organised on that. We'd love to have him here for as long as we can, and he's got three-and-a-half years left on his deal. He's playing ever so well, he's got his power, strength and running ability. He's in a really good place so of course as a manager, I want him to be here. But that's between his representatives and the club.
"Jesse (Marsch, Canada manager) was sensible with Ali in terms of how he felt in the game. They took him off and sent him back. It was just a precaution, really. He had similar going into the Rangers game. We were able to protect him and he's travelled, gone away, felt a little bit of tightness, and Canada managed him really well. We brought him back and he's trained well."
Johnston trained ahead of the clash with the Jambos and so did teammate Kyogo, whose new haircut (below) has got fans talking on social media. He's scored just once so far this season but will be hoping to add to that against the struggling Gorgie side at Parkhead.
One man who hasn't found goals hard to come by is skipper Callum McGregor who has three to his name already and was named Premiership Player of the Month for August. Incredibly, it's the first time he's won that award, and he said: “There’s a first for everything. We’re off to a great start and with all of these things, you never get there without your team-mates. So thank you to them as well because they’ve been so good. When you get some goals, and the type of goals that I’ve scored, it’s nice and it will always attract more attention.
"It’s all about the team, how we function as a team and how we look as a unit. I’m really happy and pleased with how we started the season, but we know we’re only a month in and we need to continue to keep pushing.”
