Mark Devlin 
Mark Runnacles/Getty Images Sport
Brendan Rodgers has revealed the self-motivated spirit that Celtic centre-back Erik Sviatchenko poses.
The Danish international has been a central figure in defence for Rodgers’ side this season, and has formed a solid partnership with teammate Jozo Simunovic, who has broken into the team following returning from injury.
Celtic haven’t conceded a single goal in domestic football in eight games, and part of that has been due to the impressive performances by Sviatchenko and his defensive partners at the back.
Rodgers spoke highly of Sviatchenko’s personal drive to improve after every game, and was quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times, saying:
He’s a boy that I’ve got huge admiration for. After every game he studies his own game and cuts how own parts – edits his own individual clips – and then comes to us.
We then sit and look together. That’s learning.We sit and talk through his game – what he’s done well and what he can improve on so he can take it into the next game.
So the improvement he’s making is because of him. He’s done that since he was in Denmark. It was part of what they did there, he’s felt the benefits of it, and he’s continued with it.
Self analysis is very important. Others will do it, look at things with the coaching staff. But Erik does his own, and that’s what you want as a coach. You want players who think about the game.
The defender signed for the Hoops last January from Danish side Midtjylland and has shown just why he was brought to Glasgow after performing well on a consistent basis.
He was handed the captain’s armband in May, showing traits of someone who can lead a team both on and off the pitch in the process.
Sviatchenko and co face a packed schedule this month starting today against Motherwell, which may allow them to pick up points and move even further ahead at the top of the table in a bid for their 48th league title.
