Brendan Rodgers Unsure If Aberdeen Can Compete for Scottish Premiership Title
As Celtic prepare to face Aberdeen in what is shaping up to be a top-of-the-table clash, manager Brendan Rodgers has shared his thoughts on Aberdeen's strong start to the season. Both teams have won their opening seven matches, with Celtic only leading on goal difference. Despite Aberdeen's perfect form, Rodgers remains uncertain about their ability to challenge for the Scottish Premiership title over the long haul.
Rodgers acknowledged Aberdeen's impressive start, praising manager Jimmy Thelin for instilling a clear style of play in his team. However, Rodgers was quick to point out that it's still early in the season, and many challenges lie ahead. "It's only seven games in, and there's a long way to go in the season," Rodgers said. He emphasized that the true test for any team comes when they face adversity, such as dealing with injuries or unexpected defeats, and how they respond to those moments will determine their standing in the title race.
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Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin, for his part, has also downplayed title talk, calling it "way too early" to consider his team as serious contenders. Both managers seem to agree that while early-season form is important, the real challenge is maintaining that level of performance throughout a long and grueling campaign.
Celtic, who will be without key player Greg Taylor for this match and the upcoming Champions League tie against Atalanta, may also be without defender Cameron Carter-Vickers, though there is a chance he could return from injury. Rodgers stressed that he doesn't want to rush Carter-Vickers back too soon, given his history with injuries, which adds another layer of complexity to Celtic's squad management in the coming weeks.
In addition to his comments on Aberdeen, Rodgers also addressed a more off-pitch concern—Celtic fans’ use of pyrotechnics at recent matches. After being fined nearly £17,000 by UEFA for pyrotechnic use in their Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Rodgers issued a warning to supporters. He urged fans to stop using pyrotechnics, noting that continued breaches could result in further sanctions, including a ban on away ticket sales for European games.
Rodgers' message was clear: while fan support is vital, the use of pyrotechnics puts the club at risk. He believes it shows a lack of care for the team, as the fines and potential penalties hurt Celtic's chances both domestically and in Europe. This plea comes ahead of what promises to be an exciting and competitive match against Aberdeen, where all eyes will be on Celtic Park to see if either team can claim an early advantage in the title race.
So as the two sides meet this weekend, it’s not just about three points—it’s about laying down a marker for the rest of the season. While Aberdeen have been impressive, Rodgers is cautious about making any predictions, knowing that a lot can change between now and the end of the season.
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