BRENDAN RODGERS ON LAST NIGHT’S DISAPPOINTING NIL NIL DRAW WITH KILMARNOCK
“They were compact and tight. If you make the breakthrough in these games it gives you a better opportunity but we didn’t quite do that. It was a typical 0-0.
“Kilmarnock have been a tough opponent for us this season. But, it wouldn’t matter if you put 11 firemen that deep on a pitch.
“It is always going to be very difficult and even more so when you have good players who are organised.
“We didn’t have any natural strikers but we take a point and credit to Kilmarnock for defending well even if it was not a great game to watch.
“Tonight was about giving the guys who have been on the sides an opportunity – the likes of Stuart Armstrong, Patrick Roberts, Jozo Simunovic, those who haven’t had a lot of game-time.
“The likes of young Calvin Miller came in and got more game-time and experience, while young Ewan, who is a talent, came on. There were real positives from that aspect, guys getting onto the pitch who are giving me everything every single day.
“You are always hoping you can make the breakthrough. We had a couple of chances and obviously we had the goal disallowed in the first half which looked offside. Jack Hendry also went close with a header and there were a couple of moments where we got in but just couldn’t make the final pass.
“There was no doubt if I had all my strikers available and fit, I would have played a different system, thinking of how you play against that low block – but it was too big a risk.
“Moussa’s my only fit striker at the moment and he’s coming back from injury. He played great at the weekend, but we just didn’t want to risk him for this midweek game and he’ll obviously feature again at the weekend.”
BRENDAN PRAISES STEVE CLARKE
“Steve has done a very good job. Maybe in the last few games they have tried to open up a bit and obviously conceded so coming here and how we have been playing and scoring, he probably wasn’t going to do that.
“So they were compact and tight and if you can make the breakthrough early in the games it gives you a better opportunity but we didn’t quite do that.
“So it was a typical 0-0 game.”
KILLIE BOSS STEVE CLARKE HAS HIS SAY
“It was a controlled, disciplined performance and we restricted Celtic to very few chances.
“Jamie MacDonald had one really decent save second half with his foot, apart from that, pretty comfortable defensively.
“As a coach you are never happy. I thought we could have done a little bit more with the ball.
“We broke up play quite a lot and didn’t really use the ball well enough going forward, didn’t really look like a goal threat which is disappointing because we normally do.”
THE CELTIC STAR’S THOUGHTS ON THAT GAME
Nothing much to report from Paradise, 72% possession, one shot on target, ten corners, no goals…
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