Hoopless
ALL TO DO FOR CLEMENT’S MEN
BRENDAN RODGERS told his Celtic stars to ‘go and win it’ as they took a massive step towards retaining the Premiership title.
Celtic moved six points and seven goals clear of rivals Rangers with two matches left and set themselves up to clinch the first silverware of Rodgers’ second spell in charge at Kilmarnock on Wednesday, if Rangers do not drop points at home to Dundee 24 hours earlier.
Two goals in three minutes against Rangers sealed the win for Celtic with Matt O’riley drilling home before John Lundstram, who was sent off just before the break, diverted Daizen Maeda’s cross into his own net.
Cyriel Dessers halved the deficit moments later but Celtic held on despite O’riley’s penalty being saved by Jack Butland and Rodgers knows the title is within reach.
“It is there for us now,” he said. “We have to go and win it. We can see the finish line we just have to get over it.
“The focus is on recovery and we go there on Wednesday and look to finish the job.
“I pay tribute to the players because they started the game with crispness.
“And the quality of football was very, very good.” Despite the title being Celtic’s to lose, Rangers boss Philippe Clement is not going to give up hope just yet.
He said: “I never accept until it’s mathematically sure. It’s a long shot now.
“We had our chances and made our goal. At half-time, the xg [expected goals] of the teams is similar.
“If you stay with 11, it’s another story.
“John [Lundstram] made a bad decision and he knows it. We don’t forget everything he has done for the team. Now it’s about looking forward.”
SCOTTISH ROUND-UP
KILMARNOCK wrapped up a spot in Europa League qualifying with a win at St Mirren, Kyle Vassell’s goal securing fourth place in the table.
St Mirren are on course to finish fifth after Dundee lost 3-0 at Hearts.
Motherwell stormed to a 5-1 win at Ross County, while already-relegated Livingston beat St Johnstone 2-1.