GAFFER PROUD OF CELTS STARS
BRENDAN RODGERS is adamant Celtic are now in a really strong position to retain their title.
But the Parkhead boss (above) reckons Fabio Silva was guilty of simulation as the champions missed out on going four points clear.
Rodgers’ side kept their lead at the top of the table after an Ibrox classic.
Despite being dragged back from 2-0 up at halftime and 3-2 in front in stoppage-time after Daizen Maeda’s opener, Matt O’riley’s penalty and sub Adam Idah’s late strike, Celtic just failed to extend their lead to four points.
But, with a final Old Firm game at home still to come after the split, Rodgers feels his team are positively placed and said: “It puts us in a really strong position.
“We still have a lot of work to do, still six games to go. But when you have your nearest rival still to play at home in front of 60-odd thousand and you know you’re going to be stronger again to that moment, I’m very happy with that.
“I said to the players afterwards, I can see they were disappointed they had not won.
“For a team that has been written off and told they are going through the motions all year, I think we definitely turned up. This is the business end of the season and we are ready to turn up.
“I have nothing but positivity in how mentally they were in the game. It will be immense and be huge for us.”
Rodgers’ team were in control with a two-goal lead and the boss felt the decision to award a Rangers penalty gave the hosts a lift.
Silva went down under a challenge from Alistair Johnston and, although ref John Beaton initially booked the Rangers attacker for diving, changed his mind after being called to the monitor by VAR Nick Walsh for a second look.
Rodgers said: “Disappointed with the penalty, that gives them a little up in the game whenever we were clearly the much better team.
“I thought the referee got it absolutely right on the field. He connected with the ball, the player simulates and it was right. So clearly then they score the penalty.
“It gets to 2-1 and then you expect something from Rangers.
“Then we get the third goal, a fantastic goal by Adam. It was just unfortunate we could not hang onto it, but we were undone at the end by a Kevin De Bruyne goal. [Rabbi] Matondo scores a brilliant goal.”
Idah’s strike with three minutes of normal time to go looked to be a winner and Rodgers said: “Listen, I’m not disappointed.
“Collectively, the team was excellent. The only disappointment was we didn’t make one or two more opportunities count.”