BRENDAN RODGERS admitted he is “super motivated” as he prepares Celtic for their Europa League clash with Sturm Graz at Parkhead tomorrow night.
The Hoop go into the encounter looking for a win at the third time of trying after drawing 1-1 with Red Star in Belgrade and then following up with a dire 2-0 loss to Sporting Braga in the east end of Glasgow.
The stumbling champions also take on the Austrians in the aftermath of an utterly depressing display in the 2-0 nosedive to Dundee at Dens Park.
Rodgers is coming under pressure at the same time as the board as disgruntled fans make their feelings known. There has been scattergun criticism after the team’s sixth scoreless outing at the weekend.
The 52-year-old Irishman has a point to prove on this occasion and he said: “I’ve never been so more motivated in my time at Celtic.
“I can come into a club and teach and inspire and motivate players and at this point in time, I can’t be any more motivated to turn it around.
“It’s okay when you’re winning trophies and playing great football and everything else. We all have seen the challenges from the summer through to now and the continuation of that.
“I’m so determined to try and turn the feeling around and the feeling on and off the pitch because, for me, it’s not what Celtic is about or not what Celtic should be about.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “You will get frustrated at times. You’re only human and you will get disappointed.
“We were talking six months ago about challenging at the latter stages of the Champions League.” Making a reference to the Dens Park flop, he added: “And now we’re losing these types of games.
“So, I’m super motivated to do the very best that I can for this club and that motivation is burning inside to be able to do that.”
Rodgers also supplied an update on crocked duo Alistair Johnston and Daizen Maeda – and it was a mixture of good and bad news for the Hoops fans.
The Canadian international right-back, who has been out since being stretchered off in the goalless draw against Kairat Almaty in the first leg of the doomed Champions League mission, is in the squad, but the Japanese speedster will miss out again.
Images courtesy Celtic TV.
The Hoops gaffer concluded: “Ali Johnston should be okay, all being well. So that’s great news for us.
“Unfortunately, Daizen is not available. He is suffering stiffness in his lower back and his hamstrings.
“I think the game against Motherwell before the international break, he just felt his hamstring, so we’ve got some positive news on it, but no timeline.
“He certainly won’t be available for tomorrow and we’ll see where he’s at for the weekend.”
The threat of Maeda was sorely missed on Tayside at the weekend with the ineffective Yang Hyun-jun starting the game before being hooked at the interval to make way for James Forrest.
Rodgers could bring in £4.2million summer recruit Michel-Ange Balikwisha on this occasion as he seeks a solution.
