Brendan Rodgers hails Celtic’s ‘Champions League mentality’ after ruthless win

Posted Sunday, September 29, 2024 by PA

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed his side for showing a Champions League mentality in Perth as they prepared for Tuesday’s test against Borussia Dortmund with a 6-0 victory over St Johnstone.

Celtic prevailed thanks to a double from Kyogo Furuhashi, a tremendous effort from Paulo Bernardo after a passing move involving nine players, Callum McGregor’s fourth long-range strike of the season, a Daizen Maeda header and Adam Idah’s finish after another slick move.

Rodgers said: “It was an opportunity for us to show a real mentality. Obviously all the noise before the game was on the Champions League game on Tuesday but we had a chance to show a Champions League mentality at home.

“From the first whistle to the very last whistle the players were absolutely brilliant. Defensively strong, our counter pressing incredible, a great attitude to win the ball back.

“We really respected the percentage that we didn’t have the ball and were really aggressive in getting it back, none more so than Daizen in the 86th minute tracking back to win the ball.

“That’s the part of the game that really pleased me, that gives you the opportunity to be creative and free-flowing and obviously the goals were fantastic. A perfect night for us.”

Celtic have yet to concede a goal in the William Hill Premiership and have scored 33 goals in nine matches in all competitions this season. Their winning run stretches back 17 games to last term.

A 5-1 Champions League opening win against Slovan Bratislava has given Celtic fans further confidence they could upset last season’s runners-up in Germany on Tuesday.

“We are in a really good way,” Rodgers said. “The performance level is what I concentrate on and the consequence of that will be results. I look at the rhythm and speed of the team, the hunger.

“We are going to play a top team on their home patch but I am really excited to see how we can play against them.

“They are a very good side but we can go there and try to impose our style on the game. I always say, as long as we press, as long as we track, as long as we fight, we will see where it takes us.

“We have shown we can manage the ball and have the attributes in the team that can help us. We have speed and physicality and we can dig in, which is important.”

Rodgers revealed Greg Taylor had been taken off as a precautionary measure after experiencing tightness in his calf, while the Celtic manager is still unsure whether Cameron Carter-Vickers will shake off a toe injury to feature in Germany after Auston Trusty again played in central defence.

It was a difficult night for St Johnstone caretaker manager Andy Kirk and his players.

Kirk said: “When Celtic are in that form they’re unstoppable at times. They’ve got threats all over the pitch.

“Our game plan was to try and be organised, pass runners on, try and deny them space and opportunity to break us down. We did that well for 30-odd minutes.

“I thought that up until the first goal our discipline and shape was pretty good. But after we lost the first goal we lost our way and conceded three before half-time. It shows how quickly you can get punished by a quality team.”