Celtics praised after glory at Hampden

BRENDAN Rodgers praised the character of his Celtic stars after they recovered from their European disappointment to clinch the Scottish League Cup with a 2-0 victory over Motherwell.

The Hoops, who only had three days to prepare for the final following their 7-1 midweek Champions League mauling from Paris Saint-Germain, seemed to be nursing a European hangover in the first half of Sunday’s final at Hampden Park.

However, a James Forrest strike three minutes into the second half and a controversial Moussa Dembele penalty on the hour, which saw Motherwell’s Cedric Kipre sent off, helped the Glasgow giants lift the League Cup for a second successive season.

“We had to tick a few character boxes after the result in midweek and once again the players produced,” said Celtic manager Rodgers, whose side’s unbeaten domestic run now extends to 65 matches.

“The players deserve a huge amount of credit.

“We came back after midweek, and it was a sore one to take. But the culture we’ve created allows us to come into the game with a real positive attitude and to work well.

“The players showed that with the energy they put into the game and the quality of their football at times was very good.

“It was always going to be difficult for us with the way Motherwell have started the season and the confidence they have in the way they play.

“We had to be patient and wait for our moment but once we got the first goal we settled into our rhythm.

“It is our fourth trophy in 12 months – a phenomenal achievement really – and the players deserve credit for their hunger and desire to keep playing and having that belief.”

Celtic’s 17th victory in the competition helps Brendan Rodgers become the first Hoops manager since Jock Stein to win four trophies in a row for the Scottish champions after leading the Hoops to a domestic treble last season.

“I didn’t know that until yesterday when someone mentioned it,” Rodgers said.

“Of course, it is a very special thing to have happened to me following in the footsteps of some many great managers.

“But I think today is a trophy for everyone at the club.”

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson couldn’t hide his anger about the disputed penalty decision, which saw Kipre ordered off after Scott Sinclair went down in the box following the slightest of touches from the Motherwell defender.