Brendan Rodgers praised Celtic defender Liam Scales for his excellent display in Saturday’s duel with Kieron Bowie…
Kieran Bowie of Hibernian challenged by Liam Scales of Celtic Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Celtic one again failed to score in another competitive encounter which allowed Hearts to replace Rodgers’ men at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Despite creating a number of chances, it was not to be the Hoops’ day which is becoming a familiar story this season. It once again highlights the worrying deficiencies in the forward area of the pitch.
Despite being outscored in the league by Hearts, Motherwell, Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Livingston, Celtic have maintained defensive stability with a number of clean sheets.
Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic reacts after Referee Don Robertson showed him a yellow card for a challenge on Kieran Bowie of Hibernian. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
Rodgers singled out the work of Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers at the back – who have been excellent since the start of the season.
Speaking via Sky Sports, the Celtic boss said: “The two centre-halves dealt well with any long balls. Liam Scales was outstanding against the young guy, Bowie, who’s strong and physical.
“We really dominated the game. The only thing that was missing was the killer touch. We got the ball into really good areas and failed to find that touch that can open up the game for you. We defended really strongly and really impressively when we had to.”
🗣️ “The only thing missing was that killer touch… The pitch was brilliant for us, we’ve got no excuse…”
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers on their goalless draw against Hibs ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/McXbYwoSpy
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) September 27, 2025
Rodgers also singled out Marcelo Saracchi and Sebastian Tounekti for praise in his post-match comments alongside Scales.
Marcelo Saracchi of Celtic crosses the ball beyond Chris Cadden of Hibernian. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO Shutterstock
“I thought Marcelo was excellent today and played the role really, really well,” the Irishman told BBC Sport Scotland. “Sebastian you can see he is really good in the one-v-one.”
“So coming and playing their first games, some of the guys and some of those who haven’t played in a little while giving us that energy in the squad as well.”
🗣️ "It's irrelevant"
Brendan Rodgers praises Celtic's performance despite a 0-0 draw with Hibernian, and says a lack of recruitment isn't an excuse for failing to convert their chances.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/sSpjAfPbIN
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) September 27, 2025
Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic & Josh Mulligan of Hibernian Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 27 September 2025Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
Celtic will now look ahead to Thursday night’s Europa League encounter against Portuguese side Braga. It will be a difficult game for the Hoops but one Rodgers should be aiming for nothing less than three points.
Conor Spence
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