But while he’s standing shoulder-to-shoulder with his troops in Athens tonight, the manager admits he feels “sorry” for the group that Dedryck Boyata isn’t there to do the same.
Boyata is embroiled in controversy over a blocked transfer to Fulham last week, and didn’t travel with the squad.
The Hoops face a crunch Champions League qualifier as their group stage aspirations go on the line against AEK in Greece.
The Parkhead outfit are underdogs to progress to the play-off round having drawn the first leg 1-1.
Last week’s stalemate took place amid a backdrop of Rodgers outlining his frustration over delays in transfer dealings this summer and his determination to keep pushing to improve the club.
However, Rodgers acted to clarify his position with his squad ahead of tonight’s tie. He revealed: “I spoke to the players just to stabilise them a little bit.
“I think that, despite the noise, it’s important that the players understand the real story.
“There was never once that I said that I was quitting Celtic. What I said was we wanted the squad to be stronger.
“So, collectively, in terms of spirit, we’re fine.
“It’s just something that happens at this stage of the season.
“We know we want to strengthen the squad. The bar we have set over the past couple of years, we want to continue that improvement. It’s always a difficult period of the season, juggling your league campaign with your Champions League qualification.
“It’s something we have to manage and navigate our way through, whether it’s on or off the park.
“It’s private. I don’t need to go on any more about it.
“Stability is always important, especially for football players.
“It’s always important to stabilise the emotions of players.
“I’ve done that a number of times, but what is said at Celtic will always stay within. It’s nothing major.
“Just a stabilising effect that ensures we continue on the same direction.”
While the majority of Rodgers’ troops are now straining at the leash to get at the Greeks, Boyata is back in Glasgow not contributing to the cause.
The Belgian is at the centre of a storm after a bid from Fulham was kicked out.
Boyata’s agent Jacques Lichtenstein launched a furious tirade at Celtic for not selling and then said his client would refuse to play through a slight back injury, despite the fact tonight’s clash is pivotal in the season and a number of his colleagues are fighting through the pain barrier themselves to feature.
Rodgers stopped short of having a direct go at the defender, but said: “I feel for the players.
“This is a guy who has been with us on our journey for the last couple of years, one that we supported as a team and a management in what was a difficult period for Dedryck when we first came in.
“For him to then grow like he did, we’re now at a period of the season when we really need our best players who are fit and available. It’s the guys I feel for.
“I understand the situation and I respect the situation Dedryck is in. But I feel for his team-mates, really.
“This is a game where we need our centre-half and if you’re fit we would have hoped he’d have been with us.
“He’s not, so we just have to move on and look at the players who are here to, hopefully, get us through.”
Rodgers has Moussa Dembele back from injury for tonight’s clash.
The striker trained last night in the Olympic Stadium, but although he’s expected to feature in the contest, strike partner Odsonne Edouard sat out the session.
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