Brendan Rodgers Undaunted by Dinamo Zagreb’s Crisis: “I Don’t Become Wary, I Just Don’t Believe It”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed talk of crisis surrounding Champions League opponents Dinamo Zagreb, instead focusing on the Hoops’ own relentless appetite for success. As Celtic prepare to face the Croatian outfit, Rodgers remains undeterred by Dinamo’s struggles, choosing to assess reality rather than fall into the trap of underestimating an opponent in turmoil.
Despite Dinamo’s recent woes, including a five-game winless streak and injuries to key players, Rodgers is not buying into the narrative. “I don’t become wary, I just don’t believe it,” he said. “That’s the reality. When a team is in crisis mode, that’s always dangerous for me, and that’s why I never think about it and look at it because I always think it gives the opportunity for someone else to come in, whether it’s players that are missing or whether the form has not quite been good.”
Rodgers’ focus on Dinamo’s underlying strength is evident in their impressive Champions League campaign, which has yielded seven points, just one less than Celtic’s tally. The Celtic boss acknowledged, “Well, I think that tells you everything. If you can pick up seven points in a Champions League format, then it shows you that you’re a very good side.”
Dinamo’s talented squad, featuring gifted players like Baturina in midfield, will undoubtedly provide a stern test for Celtic. Rodgers, however, remains confident in his team’s abilities, stating, “There’s some really gifted players. We’ve prepared for a really difficult game, but we also want to make it really difficult for them also.”
A win in Zagreb would catapult Celtic to 11 points, a total that appears poised to secure a historic opportunity to reach the Champions League play-off phase. Rodgers, though, is taking a measured approach, emphasizing, “We’re a very ambitious team, and we go into absolutely every single game to look to win. This is no different. We always respect every opponent that we play. We arrive here with confidence, but we know we have to put the work in.”
The Celtic manager’s assessment of his team’s mentality and depth is reassuring, particularly with a young squad equipped to cope at this level. “The ambition is here,” Rodgers said. “I’ve said to Auston Trusty when I spoke to him before joining here, when you come to Celtic, everyone wants to come to Celtic to play in the Champions League and win trophies, and that’s our job.”
As Celtic seek to make history, Rodgers’ unwavering optimism and focus on the task at hand will be crucial in driving his team forward. With a strong squad and a winning mentality, the Hoops are poised to take on the challenge and emerge victorious in Zagreb.
Leave a Reply