BRENDAN RODGERS has laid it on the line for Celtic double-act Odin Holm and Bosun Lawal.
“I want more,” said the perfectionist boss. “A lot more.”
The Norwegian, a £2.25million arrival from Valerenga last summer, and the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who spent the previous season on loan at Fleetwood Town, have been left in no doubt of Rodgers’ demands as the champions prepare to embark on their three-game tour of the USA.
Both Holm and Lawal have been involved in the warm-up matches against Ayr United and Queen’s Park and the Hoops gaffer will no doubt take the opportunity to continue to run the rule over the pair against DC United, Manchester City and Chelsea in America.
GREEN LIGHT…Odin Holm featured in warm-up games against Ayr United and Queen’s Park.
The competitive action kicks off with the Premiership opener against Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Sunday August 4.
Looking ahead, Rodgers insisted: “They need to be a much higher level. If you’re going to play for Celtic, you have to be.
“Odin needs to do more. There’s something there, though, absolutely.
“And that’s why we persevere, and that’s why we stay with it, because he has talent, like Bosun Lawal, and that’s why we want to give them the opportunity, so I can see them in pre-season.
“But, it’s just running more. You have to run. Without the ball, you’ve got to run, you’ve got to be bright, you’ve got to be in good positions to press the game, then to get the ball and take the ball.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “You see Francis Turley when he comes into the game against Queen’s Park the other night.
“He’s a kid I’ve only seen for a couple of days and if he can progress and get his body right, then he’ll be a proper player. He’s a kid who moves well.
“You see how he moves, how he takes the ball, makes runs, he’s bright, he gets in the box, gets a finish.
“He just needs to get more power and energy, but that’s football, that’s movement, that’s taking the ball, that’s being clever.”
ON THE BALL…Bosun Lawal in action in the pre-season 1-1 draw with Ayr United at Somerset Park.
The 51-year-old Irishman added: “So I think the two boys [Holm and Lawal] have talent. But I want more. A lot more. Talent is not just enough.
“You can play in teams, but not in our team.”
Holm, 21, made only 13 appearances in his debut campaign and claimed one goal – in the 5-0 Scottish Cup victory over non-league Buckie Thistle In January – as he struggled to meet the demands of being a Celtic player.
Lawal was taken to the English third-tier side by Scott Brown to play in central defence. However, following the Hoops’ legendary skipper’s sacking early in September, the versatile performer, also 21, was moved into midfield.
Lawal proved a revelation in the anchorman role and attracted attention of the likes of Birmingham City, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers before returning to Glasgow in the summer.
The ball is now firmly at the feet of the young Celts.
