Rodgers: Supporters are not daft. They
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was a relieved man after watching his side bounce back from consecutive league defeats with success over Livingston.
“It was a very good win,” he said.
“It’s been a tough week on the back of two results. Naturally it’s not been what you want but the players were excellent.
“From the first whistle the tempo was really good.
“We could control the game, created lots and the players probably didn’t get what they deserved in terms of a higher scoreline.
“There were some really good moments and I was delighted with our performance and win.”
The games come thick and fast at this time of year with Dundee to be faced at Dens on Boxing Day before rivals Rangers visit Celtic Park on Saturday.
And Rodgers looked ahead to another big week in the title race and admitted he is mulling over whether to risk Reo Hatate in the derby.
The Japanese has been out since the end of October when he suffered a nasty hamstring injury in the Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid.
However, after impressing in training, the Hoops boss is clearly tempted to bring him back for the boost it could give the team.
“Reo has been on the grass, been working well looks strong and fit just have to assess and weigh up the risk which is the key one,” said Rodgers, who looks less likely to introduce his midfielder with such a short turnaround to the game at Dundee.
The Bhoys boss said: “He is such an instrumental player for the dynamic he gives the team.
“He has not featured much this season but I know in a game he came into, the whole speed of the game was different.
“That tempo and intensity is what we are about so having him back will be like getting a new signing.”
He praised the fans for sticking with the team after they went in at halftime held to 0-0.
“Clearly the supporters
aren’t daft. They understand football,” he said.
“There have been a few games where we haven’t maybe been as comprehensive as we’ve been going into half-time but they could see we were creating, we just hadn’t put them away.
“We told the players to be persistent, didn’t need to change, to keep the structure and speed of game and the chances will come and thankfully got early breakthrough.”
Livingston manager David Martindale berated his players for losing focus on their return after half time.
“The way we started was criminal, terrible,” he said. “The first goal is shocking for our point of view.
“I am not saying it is good movement from Kyogo, it is basics. The centre half has got him, he just walks off him and sticks the ball in the net after letting Palma come inside.
“Luis Palma has had a fantastic start but we don’t do the basics. Big Luiyi de Lucas has to do better.
“The movement wasn’t great but I think I could defend it.”
Martindale, meanwhile, said he was unsure whether his side’s first-half penalty claim against Paulo Bernardo, which survived a VAR check, should have been given.