Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title - 7M sport

Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title



Posted Sunday, March 11, 2018 by PA

Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title

Brendan Rodgers believes 10-man Celtic took a big step towards the Ladbrokes Premiership title after substitute Odsonne Edouard scored a dramatic winner in 3-2 victory over Rangers at Ibrox.

In a classic Old Firm encounter Josh Windass’s third minute opener for the home side was cancelled out by Parkhead midfielder Tom Rogic and after Daniel Candeias restored the Light Blues’ lead Celtic striker Moussa Dembele equalised just before the break.

Hoops defender Jozo Simunovic was shown a straight red by referee Willie Collum for using an arm to brush off Gers striker Alfredo Morelos in the 56th minute before Edouard, 20, on loan from Paris St Germain and on for James Forrest,  curled in the winner in the 69th minute.

The win took the visitors nine points clear of the Gers at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title
Celtic substitute Odsonne Edouard scores winner against Rangers at Ibrox (Jane Barlow/PA)

Rodgers insisted the title race was not over  “by a long way ” but also added: “This is obviously a big step, nine points clear with a game in hand but still a lot of work to do.

“But when you come to one of your rivals and perform like we did and be up against it with 10 men for 30 minutes you are entitled to celebrate.

“A great victory for us and we deserved it. I thought we played well with 11 men. I thought we were the better football team.

“We had to cope with a lot of long balls and direct play. We made a couple of mistakes defensively but we have always got that threat going forward.

Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic sent off against Rangers at Ibrox (Jane Barlow/PA)

“We have a plan when we go to 10 men, you could see what the players were doing and they dealt with that final 30 minutes really well. I am very proud.

Rodgers understood Collum’s decision to send off Simunovic, saying; “I can see why he has given it, Jozo’s arm was slightly bent and his elbow catches him”.

He was more expansive praising keeper Scott Bain, on loan from Dundee since January, who replaced injured Dorus de Vries to make his Hoops debut.

The Northern Irishman said: “I am delighted for him. He has been absolutely brilliant in training but how it works, of course, is that it takes something to happen to get an opportunity.

“He didn’t have too much time to think about it.

Rodgers: Derby win puts Celtic a big step closer to the title
Celtic debut goalkeeper Scott Bain celebrates win over Rangers (Jane Barlow/PA)

“We gave him an idea last night that he would be playing but it was only officially this morning that we said, ‘Listen, your first game for Celtic is at Ibrox’.

“I am delighted for him and that will give him big confidence as a Celtic player.”

Rangers manager Graeme Murty conceded he had endured the biggest disappointment of his career by squandering “a real good opportunity to apply some pressure” to Celtic.

He said: “It was a big opportunity that we failed to grasp.

“I am not sure those opportunities comes along too often in your career

“It is the hardest one so far to take. We squandered a real good opportunity to apply some pressure.

“I said to the players, you can’t afford to give good players space and time because they will hurt you and I thought they showed that very well today.”

Tag:


Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.