Rodgers praises vintage display
BRENDAN RODGERS lauded yesterday’s ‘outstanding’ team display by Celtic — after telling his players he would accept no excuses on the back of their defeat in Salzburg. Four goals by James Forrest and strikes by Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor contributed to the Northern Irishman’s biggest win as Parkhead manager. Now just three points behind leaders Hearts and up to third place in the Premiership, Celtic ensured they entered the international break having rediscovered their vintage form. Rodgers feared a 3-1 loss in Austria on Thursday might contribute to a leggy display but watched his side tear Saints to shreds in a five-goal first half blitz. ‘I said to the players, there is no excuse,’ he revealed. ‘We have
done it often enough over the last few years, coming off the back of really tough games in midweek and stepping up the performance level and intensity at the weekend. It was a tough game against a top-class team but getting over it is important. ‘I never tend to dwell too much on the negative. We know how we could have been better. I demand we technically play the game to a level and we did that. It was an outstanding performance, much more like our level. We’re getting back to where I want us to be.’ Forrest was sent off in Salzburg on Thursday but bounced back in spectacular style to claim four goals in a game for the first time in his career. ‘James has had an eventful week, that’s for sure,’ Rodgers smiled. ‘But it shows you his mentality. Something I’ve noticed in the last couple of years, that desire and will to want to score goals is important. ‘His job is to create and score and he has done that exceptionally well today. ‘It was a very, very good individual performance by James.’ Celtic had scored only five goals in six matches prior to yesterday. Reflecting on a result and performance he felt had been coming, Rodgers said: ‘Domestically, we have been getting there. I said to the players, when you are in a big team you hear a lot about desire and will to win games. ‘I think the players took that will on to the field today. We all want to win but you have to go and do it on the field.’ Rodgers was one of a number of names linked with the Aston Villa job over the weekend. Thierry Henry is the hot favourite to succeed Steve Bruce, but Rodgers said: ‘You get linked to a number of things. When clubs need a manager there is always a raft of names mentioned. ‘It’s a huge club, it’s a Premier League club, great facilities. ‘I said it before when young John McGinn was going. Brilliant support base, good history. But I’m sure they will know who they want to go in there. ‘I’ve got a great job here, a very exciting challenge this season. ‘You can’t rule me out because I’ve never been asked but for me it’s one where I’m really happy here.’