MX23RW : Thursday, January 24 08:11:30

Brendan Rodgers intends to 'strip back' Oliver Burke's game

Brendan Rodgers intends to 'strip back' Oliver Burke's game
© Reuters
The 21-year-old has racked up almost £30million in transfer fees already in his career.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers intends to "strip back" Oliver Burke's game as he looks to finally solve the conundrum surrounding the on-loan West Brom player's best position.

The 21-year-old has racked up almost £30million in transfer fees already in his career but Rodgers admits the Scotland international is nowhere near the finished article.

The Parkhead manager handed Burke his Hoops debut as a lone striker against Airdrie in Saturday's comfortable 3-0 win which sealed the holders' place in the last 16 of the William Hill Scottish Cup.

But it was a not exactly a show-stopping display from the former Nottingham Forrest and RB Leipzig attacker and Rodgers acknowledged there was work to be done with Burke.

"There are a number of positions Oli can play," said Rodgers, who hopes to welcome main frontman Odsonne Edouard back from an abductor injury this week.

"He came through the system at Forest as a winger then goes to Leipzig, who don't play with wingers so went through the middle.

"With Oliver, he's had such a whirlwind few years, with the transfers. But with the talent he has, it's about stripping it all back.

"We have to make his role clear. With young players worth a lot of money, sometimes they think they know the game.

"But he's still very young at 21. He's nowhere near the finished article but he has so many attributes and strengths.

"I love working with that kind of player to see if I can extract that bit more.

"I can see that with him. With that pace and power, hopefully we can give him another view of the game.

"That should see him improve as a player and if he does, it'll be great for Celtic.

"He's a boy who's had so much happen to him in the last few years. But we'll give him an environment to learn here.

"He can be an exceptional player, not just for Celtic or West Brom, but for his country too.

"There's not too many players here who have the attributes he has – and can affect the game at the highest level."

Celtic had to show patience against Ian Murray's brave League One minnows but eventually took command thanks to Scott Sinclair's double and a debut strike from another new recruit Timothy Weah.

Now with home games against strugglers St Mirren and Hamilton plus midtable St Johnstone coming up before the end of January, Rodgers agreed that virtue would be key if they were to keep their noses in front of Rangers in the title race.

"When we look at our next games, teams will defend low against us," he said.

"So the key points we have to look for is keeping the game stretched and get crosses into the box. And we need penetration – players running without the ball.

"That's what brought us our success today.

"And the ability of guys like Dedryck Boyata to play passes like he did for Timothy's goal. It was a great pass to the run in behind and a great finish from young Timothy."


Click here for more stories about Brendan Rodgers

Click here for more stories about Celtic

Share this article now:
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay warms up prior to his side's Champions League clash with Valencia on October 2, 2018
Read Next:
Celtic 'tracking Scott McTominay'
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic21143450143645
2Kilmarnock22135434211344
3RangersRangers22126444182642
4Aberdeen22133637241342
5St Johnstone2111462624237
6Hearts2210482628-234
7Hibernian227963022830
8Livingston228682620630
9Motherwell2273122133-1224
10Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2242161446-3214
11Dundee2234151747-3013
12St Mirren2233161543-2812

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account