Brendan Rodgers Commends Celtic Players For Their Resilience Amid Challenging Fixture Schedule

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised his team for managing a tough schedule after their 2-0 victory over Dundee United. This win extended Celtic's lead to 16 points at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Goals from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate secured their 18th win of the season. The team has kept clean sheets in 17 out of 21 matches and leads the scoring charts with 57 goals, surpassing Rangers by 20 goals.

Despite facing a challenging fixture list, Celtic has already played three games in 2025. They lost to Rangers last week but bounced back with a win against St. Mirren three days ago. January remains busy for them, with six more matches, including Champions League ties against Young Boys and Aston Villa, as they aim for the knockout stages.

Rodgers highlighted his team's strong performance against Dundee United at Celtic Park. Although they faced pressure in the second half after dominating the first, they managed to hold firm. The visitors didn't have a shot in the first half but improved later, with Kasper Schmeichel making crucial saves from Glenn Middleton and Sam Dalby.

Rodgers told BBC Sport that even when dominant, teams must defend during certain periods. He commended his players for handling these situations well and securing the second goal to seal the game. "There are two teams playing in the game," he said, emphasizing the need to exploit opportunities better in the first half.

The Celtic boss acknowledged that taking control of matches requires significant effort from his players. He expressed satisfaction with their commitment despite a demanding schedule. "I can't fault the players; they're giving everything," Rodgers stated, appreciating their determination and energy.

He credited his squad for maintaining their style of play, which demands high levels of effort and mobility. "The game shows you all the time that you can't give very little and get a lot back," Rodgers noted, underscoring the importance of giving everything on the pitch.

As Celtic continues its campaign, Rodgers remains focused on maintaining momentum through January's fixtures. His team aims to balance domestic success with progress in European competitions while managing player fitness amid a hectic schedule.