Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Subbies sparked Celts’ fightback
BRENDAN Rodgers exploited Celtic’s strength in depth as the Hoops came from behind to beat St Mirren 4-1 i n their Scottish Cup quarter-final.
Harry Davis fired t he Championship side into a shock early lead as Celtic struggled to get going in the first half.
Rodgers brought on Patrick Roberts for the ineffective Gary MackaySteven at the break and striker Leigh Griffiths then replaced Nir Bitton in the 54th minute.
Quickfire goals from right-back Mikael Lustig and attacker Scott Sinclair turned the game around for the home team before strikers Moussa Dembele and Griffiths made t he victory more emphatic.
The Premiership leaders were later drawn against Old Firm rivals Rangers in a Hampden Park semi-final, with Aberdeen taking on Championship leaders Hibs in the other tie.
Rodgers spoke about the spark provided by Roberts and Griffiths, who were joined later on by January signing Kouassi Eboue, making his debut off the bench.
He said: “I felt the game needed that. I know what they can do.
“I don’t need food for thought — I know what their qualities are and I know what they bring to a game. Hence why sometimes we use them and sometimes we don’t.
“I think what is clear is I have a very strong squad capable of scoring goals, creating chances and in the main defending very well.
“I thought young Gary worked very hard but he could have been playing for the next 10 hours... sometimes you get games like that as a player where it’s just not going to go right for you.
“You have a choice as a manager. You either keep him on and see if it changes or you have a decision to make.”