BRENDAN RODGERS was a proud manager last night on the long flight back to Glasgow after his side had coped with the tough weather and tougher tackling against Alashkert in the gloriously named Republican Stadium in the Armenian capital.
A 3-0 away victory effectively gets Celtic into the second round of the this punishing Champions League qualifying system that sees us having 8 games to play before we reach the group stages and face elimination in each of the four ties – well that’s one down and three banana skins to avoid.
The opening goal are from French striker Odsonne Edouard just before the interval – it would turn out to be a very good night for the French.
James Forrest and Callum McGregor, both so impressive for Celtic in European football, both got on the scoresheet near the end to kill off the Armenia challenge, to the delight of the manager.
“It is a huge credit to the players and medical staff.
“We know we have a long way to go in terms of getting to full capacity, but certainly at this stage, to show that hunger and desire to continue to work to the very end, it was a real winning difference.
“They kept pushing and kept working and they got their rewards. So, it was a great credit to how hard they have worked fitness-wise.
“A clean sheet was important because as you start to tire in the game you can maybe lose a goal cheaply.
“But we didn’t do that, we concentrated well and scored three very good goals.”
Rodgers found the heat of Yereven, the Armenian capital, to be particularly challenging for the Celtic party.
“It was breathless, really. You sense it just standing in it.
“I thought the players coped with it very well. They will really benefit from that game in terms of fitness and it sets us up well for the next leg.
“It is just a case of picking the team to win the game, but also to get the players developing their fitness.
And the boss gave a special word of praise to Odsonne Edouard who was sharp enough to react to the shot come cross to steer the ball into the net just before the interval to open the scoring.
“The first goal was great timing and a really good finish. He doesn’t need to justify his price tag. He is an outstanding talent and he just gets on with his football.”
