Brendan Rodgers claimed Celtic are ready to run an ‘ultramarathon’ after the international break following a brilliant start to the season.
A hard-fought 2-0 win at Rugby Park ensured the Parkhead men completed the first round of Premiership fixtures with only two points dropped. With seven points taken in the Champions League and a Premier Sports Cup final against Rangers next month, they are in an enviable position on all fronts.
Many of Rodgers’ players now go away on international duty before returning for four solid months of club football.
‘We obviously have a little break now. (Then we) come back to the absolute ultramarathon spell where every single player will be needed,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘But it’s so exciting. Just look at the games between now and February. There’s no rest. There’s no breather. But we’re fit and ready for it. We’ll keep working, keep developing the players.’
Asked about a campaign which has seen them lose just once, to Borussia Dortmund, Rodgers said: ‘I think we’re in a really good place.
‘I said to the players before the game that, in life, it’s really all about staying on your path.
Rodgers said that the 2-0 victory against Kilmarnock showed another side to his team
Rodgers was delighted with Nicolas Kuhn, who claimed a goal and an assist at Rugby Park
Celtic’s Callum McGregor celebrates his goal against Killie as Alastair Johnston looks on
‘Sometimes that can be difficult, but by staying on it you get your rewards in the end.
‘This team is just consistently staying on the path, learning, developing and improving and playing some amazing football. But also having the dig and the bite you need to keep clean sheets.’
Rodgers claimed the win was just as satisfying as the midweek triumph over RB Leipzig as his players showed battling qualities to edge out an excellent Kilmarnock team.
He added: ‘It was a brilliant win for us. It was never going to be like last Tuesday. You know Kilmarnock, what they do, they do exceptionally well. Very direct. They get it forward. You’ve got to fight.
‘And, for that, the players deserve a huge amount of credit because they showed another side to the team.’
Rodgers was also full of praise for Nicolas Kuhn, whose 10th goal of the season came after taking his goal contributions this term to 21 by assisting Callum McGregor’s opener.
‘It’s absolutely brilliant,’ Rodgers said. ‘But that’s his job. That’s where the money’s in his bank every month. He’s been so good.’
