“He did great,” Brendan Rodgers replied, when asked about the stunning performance today from Costa Rican World Cup star Cristian Gamboa – The Celtic Star’s Man of the Match today – see HERE.
Rodgers wasn’t in the mood for throwing praise around – he was unusually critical of his team after today’s 3-1 win at Firhill but the exceptions to the criticism were Gamboa and his fellow South American at the other side of the park, Emilio Izaguirre.
“Both full-backs did well,” Brendan noted.
“Cristian has done well in some other games too this season.
“Both him and Mikael Lustig are international full-backs. He came in and had great forward running and great delivery on the cross.
“I thought Emilio was worth a mention as well. After being away for so long, to come in and show that quality, that composure on the ball and, of course, his fitness having not played for so long was fantastic. I thought both those boys did very well.”
Rodgers also spoke about the situation regarding Dedryck Boyata, who was training with the Development side today but will rejoin the squad on Monday to offer his apologies for the events of last week.
With that out the way the Belgium is likely to play in Lithuania for Celtic on Thursday night, bet you never saw that one coming! Read the story HERE.
The manager, while happy to get back to winning ways with today’s 3-1 win, was nevertheless less than satisfied with the performance which he believes lacked he necessary levels of intensity.
“It was a good result but not a very good performance,” Brendan continued.
“We were too passive. I know we made lots of changes and gave lots of other players chances, but the objective was to get through and get to the quarter finals.
“I’ve always been about the performances as well as the result. Our pressing and intensity in the game wasn’t at a good enough level today.
“Of course, over the last week or so the players have had something they’ve never had before, losing back-to-back games.
“I said to them before the game, if there’s one thing you’re guaranteed in football and in life, is that there will be disappointments. That’s one sure thing.
“However, you get the chance to recover from that and show your personality and show what you’re about.”
Meanwhile when Gamboa and Izaguirre were starring on the park, Celtic’s other full-back spent the day having a sing song….
