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Rodgers taught Murty a lesson in management says ex-celts skipper

TOM BOYD watched Brendan Rodgers produce a masterclass in management at Ibrox on Sunday and take Rangers boss Graeme Murty back to school.

Former Hoops skipper Boyd (below) reckons Murty made a rookie mistake when he revealed the Rangers squad had cheered loudly after landing Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final draw.

He b eli e v e s that gav e Rodgers and his side all the motivation they needed to go into their rivals’ backyard and all but seal the title.

But the 52-year -old insists it was the Hoops boss who was mainly responsible for the 3-2 triumph after keeping his cool in the heat of Old Firm battle.

Rodgers brave substitution – bringing on striker Odsonne

Edouard for midfielder

James Forrest – as the Hoops battled with 10 men proved to be an inspired one.

The Frenchman bagged the winner two minutes after coming on and Boyd believes Rodgers taught his dugout rival a painful lesson.

The former full-back said: “That’s probably part of Graeme Murty ’s l earning curve as a manager. “You don’t ever give the opposition a motivational speech and that’s what h e did. Not that Celtic needed it. “Right from the start they looked composed on the ball but, for Murty, it showed a little naivety on his side. “There was a level of cockiness and optimism about them and it’s proved to be unfounded.

“Th ere was the cockiness from them beforehand and the cheering which came from their dressing room after they ’d been drawn against the champions in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup.

“They’d been given some adulation after being in s o me w o n d e r f u l games and scoring a lot of goals against some lesser opposition so they’d gone into the game with some confidence. Add to that they were playing in their own territory, they’d been in front twice and Celtic had then gone down to 10 men and still beaten them, which shows the commitment and the desire of Brendan’s players.

“It will be a big blow for them.”

Boyd added: “It was an excellent performance by Celtic.

“The team did their talking on the park with the quality they showed, especially the admirable way they coped with being reduced to 10 men.

“Brendan made the latest in a series of the great tactical switches we’ve become used to during his time here.

“It was a fantastic display and the boys did really well to dig deep and see it through.

“C eltic have th e extra quality as well as a top, top manager – which makes the difference.

“R an gers al s o have a very inexperienced man in charge of the club in comparison to

Brendan.”