Celtic v Sporting Braga – 'Our whole duty is to win,' Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers reflecting on the goalless draw against Hibs and considering the season so far…

“It’s all about transferring that superiority in the game into goals. It’s as simple as that. Our general play was good, we created lots of opportunities, there was good speed in the game.

“My teams are always asked to play with that attacking intent, being creative and with that real rapid speed with the ball. So we pressed the game well, virtually gave nothing away but we just needed to score the goal. So that was really the message” (to the players).

“We’ve started the season unbeaten, we’ve drawn some games we’d liked to have won, and ultimately that’s what the game is about. It doesn’t matter if you’re the manager of a massive club like Celtic or you work lower down the leagues, when you arrive onto the pitch in that situation it’s to win – full stop.

“So I think we could have won more games. But I’m happy, there’s a lot of new players coming in and how they are adapting to the changes and slowly we are seeing the work on the field. But it’s just that final step that turns that superiority into goals.”

Brendan Rodgers on Marcelo Saracchi and Sebastian Tounekti…

“Both players have a tactical intelligence in the game and obviously they are technically strong. Marcelo has lots of experience, an Uruguayan international and from day one he’s been outstanding. You can see his mentality, his aggression all the things we want to see he has those.

“Sebastian has started his time here really well. It’s not easy to become a winger here at Celtic but for him to settle so fast into the rhythm of the team has been really good. So these players will show over time that they can offer Celtic a lot.

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