Brendan Rodgers sounds like one of the happiest men in Scotland tonight after watching his combative Celtic team show up Hearts with a 3-0 victory.
The Bhoys were excellent throughout Saturday’s win at Celtic Park, harnessing the energy of the crowd to show why they are the favourites to lift this season’s Scottish Premiership title.
Kyogo Furuhashi netted a double with Matt O’Riley also on the scoresheet to fire Celtic six points clear at the top of the table. Rangers will host Kilmarnock on Sunday to make up their game in hand.
Rodgers feels like the Celtic team is getting towards where he wants it to be. Unified, vibrant and entertaining.
He’s also picked out one moment from Callum McGregor that typifies where the Bhoys are right now – ready to get the job done over the next four games. In the second half, the captain was tackling all over the pitch and getting involved in personal battles, roared on by the home support.
Brendan Rodgers lauds his Celtic team
The Celtic boss said [Yahoo Sport]: “It’s felt it’s getting back to what I want it to be. A bit of the norm. I said before the first six months were a challenge for everyone and everything. But now you start to see a bit more of what a Celtic team of mine should look like. And still with a lot of work to do to get it to that point. But it’s certainly heading in the right direction.
“I thought it was fantastic in terms of performance, result and the game. Great feeling in the stadium. I thought we played very well, aggressive – apart from the first five minutes which I didn’t like, we were giving away throw ins from our own corners.
“But then we settled in, got the ball moving and the place comes alive. I was really, really pleased. These are big games at this time of the season so you want big contributions from your best players and I thought our top players were great.
“We looked like a proper team today. Players back, competition, players working their way back. You see that one run from Callum (McGregor), that was enough for me – I know he is ready. The quality of the goals, the composure, the penalty, we had other chances to score. It felt like a great Celtic day today.”
Celtic need this energy against Rangers
Today was a big game, no doubt – but it’s not time to take the foot off the pedal. Rodgers will be urging his team to slam down on the accelerator next week at home to Rangers.
The crowd have signalled they’re ready, the captain has signalled he is ready – now the rest of them have to back that up with more big performances.
Win next week, regardless of what happens at Ibrox tomorrow, and Celtic will have one hand on the trophy. It’s a tantalising prospect.