Ibrox Shame – 'Players’ safety is paramount,' insists Celtic manager

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | By Conor Spence | Last updated May 10, 2025 4:51 AM ET

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the mainstream media on Friday afternoon ahead of Celtic’s Scottish Premiership encounter against Hibernian this afternoon at Celtic Park. Here’s everything that was said…

Q: How’s the squad looking? You obviously had a few that missed out last week, any of them back?

Brendan Rodgers: “Kasper will be available for the squad. Alistair Johnston is still out but we’ll have a look for him in midweek against Aberdeen. Cameron Carter-Vickers is still out, we’re looking for him for St Mirren. That was the plan that we thought with those two players. Obviously the other guys that were out are still out.”

Q: How difficult a decision do you have with the goalkeeper now because Viljami Sinisalo has come in and done so well and obviously everything is going to gear up towards this Cup final?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think it’s been an interesting one because if Kasper had stayed fit we may not have seen so much of Vil, in which case then we would have had a decision in the summer because he’s a very, very talented young goalkeeper and was it acase of does he go out on loan to get that experience with the view of coming back to challenge to be number one. But indirectly the situation has really, really helped us and cleared up that thinking because he’s been excellent. He’s played with real authority and calmness for such a young goalkeeper. He had a big test away at Ibrox last week, he came through that really, really well. I’ve been really, really pleased for him. Kasper clearly was our number one goalkeeper, he’s been brilliant for us all season. It’s just really good to have him back and available and we assess it from there.”

Q: Is that just the harsh reality of that position where you can come in and do so well but ultimately you do have an established number one and a Cup final round the corner?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think we just have to, Kasper, we’ve been careful with him and we’ll wait to see until later on how his shoulder and that has reacted and then we can make a decision then who will play tomorrow. Yeah, it’s just the nature of it. But no doubt we brought Vil in here to eventually be the number one goalkeeper and everything to that plan is on point at this moment in time. He’s been very, very good. I’ve been really, really impressed with him in the games and it’s great to have that.”