Celts are well set ahead of interval
CELTIC go into the international break in fine fettle despite dropping their first two points of the season against St Johnstone, according to boss Brendan Rodgers.
Saints striker Steven MacLean gave the visitors the lead at Parkhead on Saturday just before the break and the Hoops’ 52-game unbeaten domestic run was under threat until substitute Callum McGregor grabbed a late leveller.
Rodgers was happy with his side’s determination to extend their impressive run in the fourth Ladbrokes Premiership fixture of a season which which already promises more success for the treble winners.
“I can be nothing but proud of the team and everything they put into it,” said the Northern Irishman, who will not be signing Rivaldo Coetzee from South African side Ajax Cape Town after the 20-year-old defender failed a medical with a foot problem. We always want three points but we accept one.
“We have three wins and a draw in the league, we’re in the quarter-final of the League Cup and also qualified for the Champions League, so it’s been a great start to the season for us.
“The players, in the second half, showed their heart, spirit and desire to not the lose the game. That’s something we’ve created here within the squad.
“We did everything we could to get the win but we couldn’t so we’ll take the point.”
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright was happy with his side’s performance against the champions.
He said: “We knew they were going to throw everything at us because that is what we expect from Celtic.
“We deserved a point and they deserved a point with the amount of chances they created. Overall I was really pleased with the team