A delighted Brendan Rodgers spoke to Celtic TV’s Paul Cuddihy after an impressive 4-1 win over Hibs at Celtic Park last night…
Here’s what the Celtic manager had to say and there’s also some Celtic supporter comments and opinions on the game with Oh, Calmac and Tomoki Iwata all receiving praise for their performances on a night when any of those three plus Matt O’Riley and Luis Palma could easily have been voted Man of the Match…
Here’s how the boss reflected on the win over Hibs…
Celtic TV: That was a comprehensive victory how pleased were you with the overall performance?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, I was very pleased. Hibs are a team that if you are not organised and together then they can hurt you as they play some really good football. I thought our pressing was really good and we scored some good goals. The attitude was excellent and it was a really good win for us.
Celtic TV: You decided to make a few changes tonight how big an impact do you feel they had on the match?
Brendan Rodgers: “We make the changes because we trust the players to come in and deliver. I thought Oh was excellent, particularly up front he was a good reference point for the team and I am delighted with him.”
Celtic TV: His second goal is one that would have impressed you as he holds the defender off and the finish is one of a composed striker and someone who is playing with a bit of confidence isn’t he?
Brendan Rodgers: “He is definitely playing with confidence. I think the key was the pass forward from Callum (McGregor). That was penetrating and it got us in behind and like you say Oh shows his strength as he comes inside and it is a really good finish. He is training really well and when he is playing he is very effective.”
Celtic TV: How pleased were you that Callum did have that influence on the game as you suggested before the match that with Tomoki beside him that might let him move a little further forward as he had a huge influence at vital moments in both the first and the second half?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, he is a top class player and wherever I have played him in both my spells here he has always been exceptional. He knows the game inside out and when he is playing in that higher role he knows the run and he can control the game. You can see he also had a couple of efforts at goal as well. I thought Tomoki did well in there too and Matt O’Riley was absolutely outstanding. He is so graceful getting around the pitch. His workrate and his quality was superb this evening. All round it was excellent. I said to the players beforehand let’s show everybody why you are a good team. Why you can be organised, why you have good spirit and why we have quality and we did that.”
Celtic TV: As pleasing and as impressive as it was tonight you have had to change two of the back four. It looked like enforced changes. How are Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor?
Brendan Rodgers: “Cameron just felt his hamstring so we did not want to take any risk. He hasn’t pulled it or anything. He just felt it a bit tight and that is probably the accumulation of games. It is the one position which we haven’t changed about so much because the continuity is very important with the two centre-halves. We took him off as a precaution. Greg did well to make the game as he had a touch of flu and as soon as we were in a good position in the game we took him off to look after him.”
Celtic supporters reactions…”I thought Tomoki had a great game. Hopefully the start of a run in the side.”…”The difference with Callum playing in a more advance position rather than playing in the no6 is night and day he was outstanding tonight.”…
“I thought we dominated. It was good. Very good performance. Well done Brendan. The games come thick and fast at this time of the season. We’re cruising on our way to the New Year Derby. Bring on (the)Rangers!”…”The big fella Oh is looking better and better the more he plays.”…”Calmac was outstanding”…”Well played bhoys roll on Sunday more of the same.”…
“Nat Phillips is a bombscare, (makes Scales look like he is the one who is out on-loan fae Liverpool)… that aside – So happy for Japan’s ‘Player of the Year` in 2022, Tomoki IWATA, getting a start – really took a hell of the responsibility and stress off CalMac’s shoulders almost having to play two positions every game – so good to our captain getting further up the park alongside the, on-fire star, O’Riley. Also, big OH got some much-needed confidence building accomplished tonight which has been long since overdue. Mibbe’s Brendan needs to ‘go pure tonto’ in the dressing-room more often They played 80%+ like the team we all know & love. HH & COYBIG!! awrabest fae Japan.”…
“Tomoki strolled it tonight”.
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