BRENDAN Rodgers has stressed there are no issues between him and Alexandro Bernabei despite the Argentinian left back being left out of the Celtic squad for the Ross County game last week after sleeping in and missing a team meeting.
Bernabei was named on the replacements’ bench for the cinch Premiership match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie this afternoon – but the defender was not among the four substitutions which his manager made during the 3-1 win.
However, Rodgers made light of the opening day disciplinary matter after the victory and stated that he has enjoyed working with the South American player since returning to Glasgow during the summer.
“His alarm is working now,” he said. “He has been brilliant in pre-season in terms of mentality and attitude and I felt for him. The very morning of the first game of the season, whatever happened, the alarm did not go off.
“I don't have time to wait. If you start late in the game and you are not quite ready then the game could be dead. It's gone. We draw a line under it. He's a good guy. You’ve got to learn and you've got to be ready.
“His professionalism is fantastic and there is no worry. When you come into a club the standard of your performance on and off the pitch is vital. We all make mistakes, but you learn from them and you'll be better for it.”
Rodgers handed game time to three summer signings against Aberdeen – Maik Nawrocki, Odin Thiago Holm and Yang Hyun-jun all featured – and he believes they will all benefit from being involved in such a difficult outing.
“It was a tough game for us,” he said. “Barry (Aberdeen manager Robson) has made them very hard to play against. They are direct and get up on to your defensive line very quickly. So you have to fight for second balls. And the pitch was a bit longer than normal.
“Overall, it was a really good win for us. There were spells of really good football. We took the goals really well and in those moments of adversity we stayed strong. It was a really good three points against one of our rivals.
“I think it will be great for their spirit because they had to come through tough moments in the game. You’ve got to be strong and aggressive and defend the box well. And in the moments of quality you need to show that to get the goals.
“It will really be a good boost for the players, and the new players getting used to the league and how we want to work.”
Rodgers was particularly pleased with how his centre backs Stephen Welsh, who replaced Cameron Carter-Vickers at half-time, and Nawrocki performed against Aberdeen.
“I thought Stephen was excellent when he came in,” he said. “I like him. I took him with me one pre-season as a young player because I really liked him. But for whatever reason he maybe hasn’t played the games.
“He is a Celtic boy, he wants to be at the club, I want him to be at the club. I can’t guarantee how many games he is going to play, but I know he is always ready. He trains really hard every day. He came into the game and played with composure. He’s aggressive.
“He (Nawrocki) still has a way to go on his fitness. He is aggressive, he defends the first ball well whether in the air or he steps in. He’s good with the ball at his feet. For centre-halves it’s all about the partnership, but I am really pleased with him since he stepped in and he’s only going to get better.”
