Rigid TV scheduling puts British teams playing in Europe on the back foot, says Celtic boss Rodgers

BRENDAN Rodgers believes all British sides are being hampered in Europe by a lack of flexibility over televised matches.

Celtic play away to St Johnstone this evening then face a quick turnaround to travel to Germany for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Last season’s finalists will have an extra day to prepare for matchday two, with their home game against Bochum brought forward to last night.

Despite having a free midweek, Celtic’s hopes of enjoying a similar arrangement were stymied by Premier Sports’ agreed Saturday evening slot leaving no scope to bring the game forward 24 hours.

Frustrated at his side — and others — repeatedly being put at a disadvantage, Rodgers, speaking yesterday, said: ‘I think for all British teams it is a frustration. 

‘I’ll watch Borussia Dortmund play tonight, they play Bochum as they’re able to move the game that day early.

The Celtic boss is preparing for today’s Premiership clash away at St Johnstone

Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda both netted in Celtic’s Champions League opener

‘It gives them three full days to prepare for our game. For us, we’ll probably not be home until after midnight from the game tomorrow. 

‘Then it’s a very, very quick turnaround, travel and then you’re out playing the game. I think it’s (the same) for most British teams.

‘The TV and the slots and everything seems to take priority over the game and preparation. But we’re not the only team. That’s happened for a number of years. 

‘The European guys will have their slots and they’ll find agreements to help their teams prepare the best they can.’

While some Scottish Championship matches are televised on Friday nights, Rodgers feels extending the arrangement to top flight league matches could help clubs prepare better for European assignments.

Borussia Dortmund will have an extra day to prepare ahead next week’s clash in Germany

‘A Friday night game can be a really good way to open up the weekend,’ he said. ‘But, of course, it’s to do with telly and everything else. I think there has to be something in place with the federations and then of course linking in with the TV.

‘In fairness, in Germany there’s more Friday night slots for their TV games which means they can request that which gives them the extra recovery.’

Meanwhile, Rodgers revealed Cameron Carter-Vickers will sit out tonight’s game with Saints due to an ongoing issue with his foot — with the defender’s availability for Dortmund not certain.

‘He’s just got a pain on his big toe in the joint there, so we just have to look at that each day,’ he explained.

‘He’s been playing with it for a little while, but we’ve got to try and manage it now because he was in pain in the Bratislava game.

‘Hopefully it will settle down quite quickly and we’ll see where it’s at for Tuesday.’

Rodgers confirmed that Alistair Johnston is available for Perth, though, having sat out Sunday’s game with Falkirk with a niggle.