Everything that Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers and his newest signing Kasper Schmeichel said to the media, ahead of the pre-season friendly versus Manchester City...

How does it feel to have Kasper Schmeichel signed, sealed and delivered?

BR: It is absolutely brilliant. We had a wonderful time working together at Leicester. It was clear what we needed after Joe (Hart) left. We needed someone who had played at the highest level, was a competitor, and was a winner. He can really support and help this young group of players. There was nobody better than Kasper for that. I am absolutely delighted. I am delighted for him that he is going to the Celtic experience. It is an incredible experience because it is such a massive club with a small family inside it. I am delighted he is here.

You have signed two goalkeepers with speculation surrounding other players like Matt O'Riley. Is there any update on his situation and how desperate are you to keep him at the club?

BR: There is no update. We are fairly relaxed. You saw him in the game the other night. He is working very well and he is very focused. Naturally when you are a really good player, especially a young player, and as committed and professional as he is then you are going to attract attention. He is working so well and there is nothing to report on him.

How does it feel to be a Celtic player?

KS: It feels great. I am absolutely buzzing to be here to be fair. Once I spoke to the boss it was exactly what I wanted and everything I have been looking for. I am happy to be here and I can't wait to get started.

You haven't had much rest, have you?

KS: No, but that's football these days, isn't it? The season is not far away now so we have got to get going.

How is the squad shaping up fitness-wise?

BR: I have been really pleased. Step-by-step the players are getting to a really good level. We have come out here and worked very, very hard last week and put in a really good performance in all aspects of what we wanted from the DC United game. We have got young players who are here who have been inspired by our senior professionals which is so important. Talent needs role models. At this club here we have senior players who are great role models for our younger players. Some of them have had an opportunity to play and the other guys are getting fitter as we grow and the days go by. These two games are great games as they will take the level and the intensity up. It is going very well.

What do you hope to gain from the US tour and the three matches you are scheduled to play?

BR: From a football perspective the games are all different. We are in pre-season and the idea this time around is to arrive into the new season in a physically good position. At this moment we are getting out of it what we want. I am sure we will do the same in the next couple of games. Technically and tactically we are looking at some new ideas that we can bring into our season. That will be nice over these next couple of games to observe that. I think overall the brand of Celtic and taking Celtic to America where it has not been for a while is great. Celtic is a worldwide institution. There are so many Irish-American people out here and Celtic supporters in general in America. To take that opportunity to bring the club out here and meet the supporters is equally as important for us.

Have you met a lot of the Celtic fans here?

BR: We have seen quite a lot around the hotels and it is nice that they got to see a great open training session. The Celtic fanbase is very passionate. In Washington it was great. We had lots of supporters at the game and the hotel. Some of them have made a massive effort to come to the game. Some of the fans have driven for 10 hours, some flew up from Houston and some hired cars to go to all of the games. It's been really nice to share their stories.

On the subject of Matt O'Riley is there a sense at the club that there is no pressure or obligation to sell Matt at this point? Is it a case of maximising the asset as well?

BR: I think the people that are close to Celtic understand how the model works. Matt has been at the club for three years. He has developed into the player that he has. He knows the privilege of playing for Celtic and of course naturally how it works is that players get that opportunity to move on. Now, Celtic as a club understands that you can move on but you don't have to and it is a very difficult club to move on from. Naturally, with the wages that are on offer for players, it makes it a real challenge for Celtic to compete at that level but what I have seen with Matt is that he is a first-class professional and Kasper knows him as well having been around the early stages of his Denmark career. He will tell you he is a really humble guy. He is very devoted to his profession and he knows what he has here at Celtic. We are all quite relaxed about it. Every player has a value - we know that - we see him as a really important player for us and whilst he is here we will continue to develop him and help him improve.

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What are your impressions of North Carolina so far and what are you looking forward to most about playing in the University of North Carolina Stadium?

BR: From the manager's perspective we have travelled up to here to the hotel and complex we are staying in and it is absolutely beautiful. The connection with Michael Jordan is a really special one and we all know that history so that's really special as well. We are coming here to train and play and are really looking forward to it. It is different to Washington and most of the players have all been out for a walk it is a beautiful place to be. Hopefully, the weather warning that we all got stays away!

KS: I can only really echo that. We haven't been here for long but we have seen has been really nice. The facilities are great. It is a great pitch. We are looking forward to seeing the fans and looking forward to the game. For me, personally, it is going to be my first training session and game with the team so I am really looking forward to that.

How would you describe Celtic's rivalry with Manchester City, if there is one?

BR: There is no rivalry. It is just a fantastic game for us to play. There is a friendship between both clubs which has been there for many years. Kasper started at Manchester City, so it is a really special game for him. For us, it will be great to see Pep (Guardiola) having worked against him in the Premier League. Most importantly for us, it is our fifth game in our preparation and we will be working very hard to get everything out of it that we need to.

The Latino community is big in this area especially people from Honduras. Will Luis Palma be playing in this game?

BR: Yes. Luis Palma will be involved. Lots of the players will get involved. I feel the Honduran population must be about 100 million because when we were in Washington there were so many Honduran fans there as well. Luis is loving his time at Celtic. He has done very well in his first season. It is always difficult to adapt especially as he was coming into a more intense game coming into British football. He's settled in very well and he will be looking to progress even further this season.

Can you recall your first game or moment in football as this will be a lot of fans' first introduction to soccer?

BR: No, not really, not off the top of my head. When I was younger my parents just told me that all I ever did was kick the ball. I don't remember but certainly, when I was young and I saw pictures of myself I always had the ball. I have always been in love with the game. It has always been a passion from being a youngster and I have followed that right through until 51 years of age. I have never really seen it as a job. It is something that I have loved and I have been so, so lucky in my life to work in this profession. I enjoy every single day of it.

KS: The first place I went to when I was born in a hospital was a football stadium. I didn't go home first. Football has been in my blood since the day I was born. My father played professionally until I was 15. Football has existed for me always. A bit like the boss I have been in love with the game since I can remember. It's been my whole life and I have played it since the day I was born and I am still hungry and still love every minute of it.

Kasper, you said that this was your first training session with your new team. How difficult is it for a goalkeeper to get behind a new defence?

KS: To be fair, they’ve made it really easy to integrate. I’ve been here a couple of days now and we’ve had some travelling. I’ve tried to integrate myself into the team. Football players, we’re quite easy to get along with, usually. We enjoy the same kind of things and we have been playing games on the bus. From a footballing point of view, I’m lucky that I’ve worked with the boss before and I know his style and principles. It’s not completely foreign to me. 

Kasper, welcome to Celtic. What is the biggest challenge for you personally - on or off the field - coming into a new league and a brand new team?

KS: The biggest challenge is always making sure that you perform. That’s what I’ve been brought here to do and it’s my job to be the best I can be for the team and help this team keep winning and progressing. This is a new kind of experience for me in the sense that I’m coming into a team that have a huge history of winning and that hasn’t been something that I’ve done too many times in my life. In that sense, I’m looking forward to the challenge of coming into a club that is used to excellence and having the highest of standards. That’s the kind of thing I usually thrive on, so I’m looking forward to being a part of that. 

Brendan, this sport has grown massively in this country almost day by day, especially with the World Cup coming in two years. What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in this country with football from 10 years ago to now?

BR: Even before Liverpool, I was here as a young coach when I was developing. The tactical level of the players and the understanding of the game. When I was here as a young coach it was the beginnings, really. I think now the level of coaching has improved. The American coaches work so hard and have so much passion for the sport. Speaking to Troy Lesesne the other night, I can see how much he is invested into his life as a football coach, so I think that’s passion and work ethic then spreads to the players. Weve seen so many fantastic players from the USA. It’s not surprising, given the size of the nation, the sporting excellence, that it will spread to football for sure. It’s brilliant to be over here and to feel it. I’m sure it will continue to grow and evolve.