The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Celtic Park draw ‘a great advert’ for Scottish game
Boss Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic’s thrilling draw with Hibs on Saturday demonstrated the best of Scottish football.
During an exciting, end-to-end 90 minutes both Hibs midfielder John Mcginn and Hoops counterpart Callum Mcgregor scored twice and there was a save of the season contender when home goalkeeper Craig Gordon denied Steven Whittaker from close range.
The draw extended the Hoops’ unbeaten domestic run to 58 games and keeps them top of the Ladbrokes Premiership on goal difference from Aberdeen.
Rodgers is aware that the game in Scotland is often compared unfavourably with the glamour of England’s Premier League but the Northern Irishman insists the enthralling encounter in Glasgow had it all.
“It was an outstanding advert for the game up here,” he said
“Over 60,000 people, great atmosphere, the home team going behind trying to preserve this unbeaten run and winning mentality, and to get back in was great for us.
“So, a great advert for the game up here for sure.
“Hibs played very well. They have got good pace, power and energy, and it was a really tough game for us.”
The uncapped Mcgregor, who was called up to the Scotland squad yester- day said after the Hibs game: “Listen, all I can do is play well for Celtic, getting goals and assists.
“I’ve always said that’s my priority. If I get the call for Scotland, great.”
Hibs manager Neil Lennon admits he is hoping rather than certain that his side will take confidence from the performance and the result.
He said: “God knows what it’ll do. We don’t play for two weeks and this team can be a bit Jekyll and Hyde.
“Subconsciously they raise their game for the big games and then when the expectation lifts a bit they can let themselves down, so they’ve got to take a lot from the game on Saturday and try and transfer that to other games as well.
“We could have easily got beat 4-0 but their drive and concentration levels were great. I need that every week.”