BECKHAM U.S. CLUB PLAN ‘MESS’
The Hoops got off to a slow start this season when they crashed out of the Champions League and lost at Hearts and Kilmarnock as well as dropping points at St Mirren.
But Rodgers’ side are motoring again and were back to their best in a demolition of Craig Levein’s men yesterday.
They can now go top of the Premiership by winning their game in had against Motherwell.
French striker Odsonne Edouard grabbed a first half double, one either side of Filip Benkovic’s first goal for the home side.
Further goals after the break from winger James Forrest and Ryan Christie, from the spot, sealed a commanding victory.
“That’s a good Hearts team who are difficult to beat and have started the season well,” said Rodgers.
“But we were excellent. We scored five and it could have been more. It was an outstanding performance.
“Our form in the last few weeks has been much more like us. I said six weeks ago we’d get back to our level. It just takes time. It’s a joy to watch us right now.” Rodgers praised Edouard whose double took him to 11 goals this season – and Callum Mcgregor who is filling Scott Brown’s boots as midfield anchor.
The manager said: “Odsonne has scored consistently since he’s been here. His goals to games ratio is excellent but it’s also about what else he gives the team.
“His first goal today was brilliance for a young kid. His second was probably what you’d expect from a striker in the box. We’ll always create chances and it’s up to him to take them.
“Callum has slotted into Scott’s position effortlessly. He controls the tempo. He has a dream of a touch and his feet are nice and soft. He’s got a great range of passing.
“Now he also has the personality to play those passes. He can break a line with a pass and split up the game for us.
“He’s been exceptional in that role but I say that everywhere he plays.”
Hearts boss Levein was self-critical when asked for his assessment. He said: “The manager is an idiot. I thought with all the high profile games we have had, I thought our energy level were beginning to wane.
“I made the decision to try to sit in, frustrate Celtic and hit them on the counter attack but I got that one wrong, eh? DAVID BECKHAM is making a mess of his Major League Soccer dream.
That’s the view of multi-millionaire Miami activist Bruce Matheson.
Former England skipper Beckham is in court on Tuesday over the 73-acre site near Miami airport that he wants for their stadium.
Becks must win a public vote of Miami citizens, or his latest bid to find a home for Inter Miami FC will be sent back to square one.
However, his plans to build a massive shopping mall and a 750-room hotel on the only golf course in Miami has enraged locals.
Matheson (below) said: “We don’t need a mega mall in the middle of the city on Miami’s only golf course.
“It’s sad that they have made so many false attempts at bringing soccer here. The big problem is that they’ve put the cart before the horse. They should have secured the land first and then talked about a stadium. It’s a real mess.”
Matheson, who is fighting Beckham in the courts, reckons the Manchester United legend’s team are just making it up as they go along.
Beckham has already seen first hand the opposition to his golf course plans – dubbed Miami Freedom Park – from disgruntled locals and kids.
They argued for over three hours about why he should look elsewhere.
There’s also the fact it is on toxic wasteland, which could cost around £25million to clean up.
MLS bosses reckon Beckham’s franchise are on course to start playing in 2020. But even if Becks wins Tuesday’s vote, his dream will then be in the hands of Miami’s politicians, who are split on the proposals.
It could be at least another two years before any building work, as his bid drowns in Miami red tape.
Matheson added: “We only need two ‘no’ votes to kill it for them and then they will be forced to look elsewhere.“
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