7 Brendan Rodgers Celtic presser takeaways as key man returns and another star could land new contract

Fresh from being named manager of the month for April, Brendan Rodgers sat down with the media to preview Celtic's clash with Hearts.

The Hoops have already lost twice, home and away, to Steven Naismith's side this season so know they will have to be on their guard at Parkhead on a weekend which could be pivotal in the title race, with Rangers facing fourth-placed Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Rodgers though insists the Jambos will come up against a different Hoops side this time, amid the run of form that led to him picking said monthly award. He'll have Daizen Maeda available as another injury issue abates and that will certainly be welcomed by the Northern Irishman.

Here are out main takeaways from the press conference.

Advantage over Rangers this weekend

"Listen, I can sit here and lie and say no. But scoreboard pressure is always there. However, it counts for nothing if you don't do your job. I think if you're playing second, of course you'll know the other team's result, but primarily you have to focus on yourselves. It can certainly add weight, especially at this time of the season."

Manager of the month

"I think the players have been great and obviously got the results. Awards like that are always testament to everyone both here [Lennoxtown] and at the stadium and clearly the players. We won't take too much heed to it. We're coming into an exciting period now with these remaining games so our focus is very much on picking up team awards rather than individual awards."

Maeda available

"He'll come into the squad for the weekend and it is great news for us. When you think he was maybe not going to be available to us that was the initial thinking medically. He has recovered remarkably well and we can all see that he is a specimen physically. It's great that he's back and it's brilliant news for us. It is the type of group that is always required here at Celtic. Celtic's culture is based very much on humility and hard work and being in an environment that allows you to grow and develop. Both of those players (Maeda and Callum McGregor) epitomise that. They are very humble guys and they get on with their work and have real professionalism in their approach to their work. That's what allows you to get back."

VAR review on previous Hearts calls

"Listen, my feeling at the time was that they weren't correct. It just confirms a few months later where we were at. It's gone. We served our punishment and didn't get the result and now we move on like we did back then. I think transparency is important, for sure. It also shows courage for them as well to come out and disclose that. That level of transparency and reflection will always help the game. I always think resources will help the game and help support the referees with the best technology and education that there possibly can be. That will also help. I think for them to come out and do that you have to say well done to them but it doesn't change anything from my perspective."

Hearts facing a different Celtic?

"I think just circumstances dictate that. We never turned up in the game we lost at home. We were nowhere near the tempo and the level that we would want to be at coming at the back end of a Champions League week. We had enough of the ball but we didn't give away too much apart from the corner and the free-kick that they scored from. We gave away virtually nothing in the game. It was just that our attacking play and tempo were too slow and we did not cause them enough problems. In the last game, we started well and the sending-off and penalty changed the game, of course, but my players kept going and obviously, circumstances within the game meant that the result wasn't for us. I'd expect us to be on a more similar level to what we were earlier in the season."

Scales contract

"Delighted. He's been a real stalwart for us and played a lot of games, a lot of minutes. He and Matt O'Riley have played the most football for us and when a lot of people were breaking down, he was the one who was always there for us. I’m absolutely delighted for him because last summer it was really in doubt where he was going to be and play. Hopefully, he can end this season as a winner and an international football player. It’s a great reward for his work over the course of the season.

Greg Taylor deal in pipeline?

"I’d love to keep Greg here. It’s something that we’ve spoken about. It’s up to the club and the agent to try and resolve. In the meantime, his focus is on us and the team. I really like him as a person, he’s very hungry and committed. He’s sacrificed a lot and he’s very professional. That’s the type of people that you want here. Hopefully, that can be something that is resolved."