The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Rodgers vote of confidence
Manager says players have mental toughness to succeed big games
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers will go into Sunday’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park with the confidence of a man who has the statistics to back it up.
During the Northern Irishman’s tenure, the Hoops have won all six fixtures at the national stadium on their way to capturing three pieces of silverware.
Celtic have also showed what they are about in the Premiership again this sea- son by moving to one win away from their seventh successive title.
Rodgers’ players were at their battling best in the trip to Ibrox last month when they came from behind twice to beat Rangers 3-2 while finishing the match with 10 men.
He said: “We showed in that game, despite being at a disadvantage, we have the same mentality to pull through whatever the circumstances.
“I’m very excited. These are always tense games but in the main we’ve always played well at Hampden and been very good, so hopefully we can have a similar performance and a similar result to each of the times we’ve been there. In those types of games we have normally performed well, which you want to do, so this weekend we’ll
“Tense games but in the main we’ve always played well”
take it.
“You always pay attention in these games as they are tense matches but we that confidence into want to go in and play our football, and at least now we have a free week to get ready and prepare for that.”
After a 3-0 win against Ross County and a goalless draw against their fellow relegation battlers Dundee, Celtic scrapped to a 2-1 win against Hamilton.
The Hoops could clinch the title when they take on Hibernian at Easter Road in the first of the post-split fixtures.
“We are nearly there,” said Rodgers. “We needed to win the game to keep developing. It’s been a long season for us and last week was always going to be tough, playing against three teams who are all fighting for different reasons to be in the league.” l St Johnstone’s Steven MacLean is set to seal a shock move to Hearts.
It is understood Craig Levein has offered the veteran forward a two-year deal that will be too good for MacLean – soon to be out-of-contract – to turn down.