Celtic are trying to compete on four fronts this season, but Rodgers appears to have few concerns.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has pointed to Celtic’s performance against Inter Milan in their International Champions Cup clash this summer as a reason why he is not concerned about the idea of rotating his squad over the coming months, the Evening Times reports.
The Hoops face another 16 fixtures before the turn of the year with the Scottish League Cup final and their final three Champions League group-stage clashes adding to their workload in the Scottish Premiership.
But while some managers may be concerned about the idea of rotating their squads to give them the best chance of battling on several fronts, Rodgers is embracing the challenge and explained why he has so much faith in his fringe players.
“I have got trust in the guys who could come in. You think back to the start when I took a team who maybe weren’t starters to play Inter Milan. And they were outstanding,” he said, as reported by the Evening Times.
Celtic’s Liam Henderson in action with Inter Milan’s Geoffrey Kondogbia
“That’s why they have to be on their guard every day in training, because they can be asked to come in and play. I have no qualms if I have to make changes.”
While it was Inter that came out on top in the pre-season game, it is fair to say that Rodgers and Frank De Boer appeared to have vastly different agendas heading into the clash at Thomond Park.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Inter Milan manager Frank de Boer before the game
The former Rangers defender named what appeared to be his strongest squad for the game, with the likes of Mauro Icardi, Ever Banega and Ivan Perisic all featuring.
Meanwhile, the starting line-up that Rodgers selected has subsequently made just 10 appearances in the Scottish Premiership this season, with Stuart Armstrong contributing half of those games, so it is not difficult to see why the Northern Irishman has full faith in what those currently on the periphery can do.
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