“A brilliant team performance,” Brendan

Brendan Rodgers was delighted with Celtic this afternoon as his players turned on the style to thrash league leaders Kilmarnock 5-1 to go back to the top of the Premiership.

“It was a brilliant team performance.

“Kilmarnock have been outstanding, especially defensively.”

Brendan was happy to pay tribute to Kilmarnock for arriving at Celtic Park in December as league leaders.

“I thought how we played against that was near on perfect. It was very good. I’m so happy with the performance, a very good win for us.

“They ( Killie) deserve the hype. They’ve been absolutely brilliant and deserve a huge amount of credit.

“This is a team that sat above us and have shown consistency but we are competitors and we want to win every game we can.

“We scored really good goals and our pressing and shape was very good.”

The manager also had a word or two for his two regular starters Scott Brown and Olivier Ntcham who dropped to the bench today, both coming on in the second half.

“I have compassion for players, especially for ones who have been amazing for me.

“I don’t have sentimentality. The level and fluency of the team was great. Callum and Ryan Christie with Tom Rogic have been exceptional.”

On Kieran Tierney who had to sit out today, allowing Emilio Izaguirre to start, the manager gave this update.

“Kieran should be fine and ready for Thursday.

“He had a slight issue around his groin area and we didn’t want to risk it. He wants to play every second of every game but you need to be sensible about it.”

Meanwhile today’s Man of the Match James Forrest was delighted with the win and another two goals.

“First-half the boys came out with a real high intensity. Always hard to keep that going for 90 minutes but we can take real confidence from this game,” Jamesy said.

“We have created a lot of chances this season but sometimes not taken them but today we showed we are a real attacking threat. We are working really ` hard for each other.

“It shows real good character from everyone involved that in big games we have turned up. Kilmarnock have been doing really well this season and deserve to be up there.

“We’ve not played at home in a few weeks so it was important to get the win. We wanted to show what we can do and with the hard games coming up we need to keep playing like that.

“I want to keep working hard and contributing to the team. Whether that’s scoring or assisting, I want to keep adding to that.”

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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