Rodgers at Boiling Point: Celtic Boss Slams Fixture Schedule

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers slammed domestic scheduling, claiming TV bosses are prioritizing ratings over European success. The Hoops’ Champions League hopes are being compromised, he argues, as Borussia Dortmund get a favorable schedule.

While Dortmund enjoys an extra day’s rest, playing Bochum on Friday, Celtic’s crucial tie against St Johnstone was pushed to Saturday evening for TV coverage. The Scottish champions must then rush to Germany, facing Dortmund just 48 hours later.

“TV dictates the schedule, not the teams’ needs,” Rodgers lamented. “It’s unfair and puts our European ambitions at risk.”

Will Celtic overcome the odds and outshine Dortmund?”

“For all British teams, it is a frustration,” Rodgers said. “Borussia Dortmund play Bochum on Friday night, so they’re able to move the game and it gives them three full days to prepare for the game.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and Rangers’ Philippe Clement are sounding the alarm over the Scottish Professional Football League’s prioritization of TV slots over team preparation. With a crucial European match looming, Rodgers warns that his team may not return home until after midnight on Saturday, only to face a quick turnaround for travel.

“The wellbeing of our players is being sacrificed for the sake of television,” Rodgers lamented. “It’s not just Celtic – all British teams face this challenge. European rivals, meanwhile, get preferential treatment to aid their preparation.”

Rodgers proposes a simple solution: Friday night games. “It’s a win-win,” he said. “Fans love kicking off the weekend with football, and it gives teams vital extra recovery time.” He cites Germany’s successful use of Friday night slots as a model to follow.

Will the Scottish Professional Football League listen to the concerns of its top managers and give European representatives the support they need to succeed?

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