Brendan Rodgers makes SPFL Celtic fixture plea as Hoops at immediate Champions League ‘disadvantage’

Brendan Rodgers has pleaded with league chiefs for help to give Scottish teams more of a fighting chance in Europe.

The Celtic boss is stunned his side face a camel trek to Dingwall on Saturday before heading out to Spain for their crunch Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid. The La Liga big guns have shifted their scheduled clash on Sunday at Las Palmas back 48 hours to Friday. And Rodgers feels Scottish football bosses don’t do enough to shift the fixture list to give teams better preparations for continental clashes.

The Celtic gaffer – whose side host St Mirren in the Premiership on Wednesday – said: “The one thing I would always ask is if there’s ever a possibility (to help). It always seems to be a challenge in British football where federations can actually help the teams. If you look at us, we played last Wednesday here. We played on the Sunday and Atletico Madrid played on the Saturday and 24 hours is absolutely massive in football for recovery.

“It’s not rocket science to know that in the last 15 minutes you might be fatiguing a wee bit due to that day less recovery. If you look at the next time we play Atletico Madrid they normally, traditionally play on a Sunday but they are playing on a Friday night.

“We have got Dingwall on the Saturday then on a Tuesday in Madrid. If they can help in any way, can they help? That’s what I would say to give their teams a chance at the very highest level. We are travelling away to a top, top team and you go then with a disadvantage straight away in terms of physicality.

“So it would be great if any of the teams in Europe here can get support.”

Rodgers insisted he’s not issuing an SOS just for Celtic – but for the benefit of the entire Scottish game. He said: “That would be very, very helpful in every aspect — the coefficient, it gives everyone a chance.

“It’s in the best interest of all the clubs. If you are doing well everyone gets a share of the money. Less qualifiers? More chance of group stage football? That’s right and you get the cash for it. Any help from the federation would be nice.”

Rodgers will set his sights on the Saints on Wednesday before the Ross County trip but he admitted Celtic’s fixtures so far this season have raised eyebrows. The Hoops have been away in six of their fist 10 league matches – and all against the top sides in the country.

Celtic were held to a goalless draw at Easter Road at the weekend but it was the first points spilled on the road after trips to Ibrox, Pittodrie, Tynecastle, Fir Park and Livingston.

Rodgers admitted it’s been a gruelling run but hailed his side for coming through in such a strong position with a five point lead at the top of the table.

He said: “I think the first year I was up here we had a run of games but they weren’t as demanding as this. But I remember we were away at Hearts in the first game and we had Aberdeen in there as well.

“We had some tough games. Everyone has to play each other but there’s no doubt people have looked at it and seen the games, but for me, they are games to go and show your quality and we just have to accept it.

“It’s a huge testament to the players and their mentality, the training they do and the details that go into the preparation and how they approach the games. It’s been a very good start but there’s still a long way to go in the season.”