THE MUMMY RETURNS
Hoops collect massive three points on Mothers’ Day as noisy neigbours are put back in their box
BRENDAN RODGERS savoured his sweetest Old Firm success as Scott Brown-inspired Celtic left Rangers in the shade.
The Celtic gaffer hailed his 10-men Hoops for twice coming from behind to make it nine-ina-row unbeaten in the derby showdown – and fire them nine points clear at the top of the Premiership.
Super sub Odsonne Edouard slammed a stunning winner as the champions found a way to win an epic encounter despite fighting it out for the final 34 minutes a man down following Jozo Simunovic’s red card.
Rodgers (right) has bagged another place in Parkhead folklore after becoming the first Celtic boss to win four games on the spin at Ibrox since club legend Willie Maley.
He said: “Is this the most satisfying? Definitely. The odds are against you at times. This was the kind of game I watched when I was growing up.
“I watched Celtic and Rangers games with lots of drama. We made a mistake early on to go behind. We were behind twice.
“It gives you great pride in the team a performance like that. We played well in the game, but we showed that toughness and character that you need.
“In fairness to Rangers, they have been in good form. They came into this game at the height of their confidence.
“For us to go on and win the game and win it with 10 men was an immense performance.”
Rodgers insisted the league was not in the bag just yet despite the wild celebrations on the pitch at the end.
He said: “Is it over? No, no, not by a long way.
“It was obviously a big step for us, though, to go nine points clear with a game in hand. There is still a lot of work for us to do and I think when you come to one of your rivals and be up against it with 10 men for 30 minutes of the game then you are entitled to celebrate.
“It was a great victory for us and I thought we deserved it.” Rodgers insisted he had no complaints with the Simunovic red card for elbowing Alfredo Morelos – but he was bold in throwing on attacker Edouard when down to 10. He said: “Normally defenders go with a straight arm. Jozo’s arm was slightly bent and then his elbow catches him.
“I can see why it is given. It is unfortunate for Jozo.
“You can either work two ways when you lose a man. You can go more defensive, sit and wait for the game and see what happens.
“But I always feel if you put on an extra attacker, reshuffle the balance in your team, the other team look to force more players forward into the game.
“You could see Rangers ran out of ideas a little bit. Both full backs were gone.
“You put your two strikers on that gives you two v two on half a pitch. I will fancy Odsonne and Moussa Dembele when it is two v two on half a pitch against most centre backs. They worked it brilliantly.”
Tom Rogic and Moussa Dembele notched stunners after Josh Windass and Daniel Candieas twice gave Gers the lead.
Edouard grabbed a sensational winner but keeper Scott Bain was also hailed for a heroic debut after coming in for the injured Dorus de Vries.
Rodgers said: “His performance, the nerve he showed, his calmness, his agility.
“I’m delighted for him and that will give him big confidence now as a Celtic player.”