BRENDAN RODGERS staged his own version of the Magnificent Seven as he celebrated Celtic’s Premier Sports League Cup Final triumph over Rangers.
The Hoops boss is unbeaten at Hampden and the 5-4 penalty-kick silverware showdown success was his seventh victory in a row at the national stadium.
Rodgers had already lifted the trophy three times in his previous stint and he chalked up his trio of Scottish Cup triumphs last season when Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side were on the receiving as Adam Idah fired in the late matchwinner.
On this occasion, though, the Irishman had to rely on his team’s expertise from the penalty spot to make certain green and white ribbons bedecked the Cup on its journey back to the Parkhead trophy room following a dramatic 3-3 draw after extra-time with Greg Taylor, Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kuhn on target for the champions.
HANDS UP IF YOU’RE HAPPY…Brendan Rodgers proudly holds aloft the newly-won League Cup.
And it was the Japanese speedster who had the final say with the last kick of a nerve-ridden shoot-out when he stroked the ball into the corner with keeper Jack Butland taking off in the opposite direction.
Great Dane Kasper Schmeichel had set up the thrilling climax when he saved Ridvan Yilmaz’s penalty-kick as the tension mounted.
Afterwards, as he reflected on another successful visit to the south side of Glasgow, Rodgers beamed: “It was a really tense game and the players had to show a lot of heart, desire and a lot of calmness and composure to get the win.
“But it’s such an amazing feeling. I said before the game that, in Finals, you don’t expect everything to go your own way and that was certainly the case in the game.
“We had some good spells, but we were very loose in the first-half and, in fairness to Rangers, they capitalised on it, especially for the first goal.
“We just needed to find a rhythm to get the ball moving and we started the second-half really well.
“But the game goes all the way through to extra-time and then you have to show that mentality and patience and composure to score your penalties. And that’s twice now at Hampden we’ve been very good on the penalties.
“I’m absolutely delighted for everyone involved with Celtic to win and we’re really pleased.”
HAMPDEN FIREWORKS…Brendan Rodgers (extreme left) celebrates with his triumphant Celtic players after the dramatic penalty-kick shoot-out success over their Ibrox opponents.
Including three Premiership titles, Rodgers is now into double figures on the silverware front over his two stints at the club.
The pursuit of points in the bid for a fourth successive title, the Hoops, nine points ahead of nearest challengers Aberdeen, travel to Tannadice on Sunday to face Jim Goodin’s Dundee United.
For the time being, though, Rodgers was happy to enjoy the afterglow of his most recent triumph.
The 51-year-old gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Over the course of the night and the next couple of days, it’ll probably sink in more. It’s probably more relief now.
“And I know the magnitude of this game – a Celtic v Rangers game.
“It’s maybe, what, my twentieth game? But I always treat it like the first and prepare that way.
“It’s so big and supporters all around the world would have been tuning in to watch it and all they want to see is their team win and pick up the trophy. And we’ve been able to do that.
“It’s all about coming out on the other side.
“And the guys showed a big heart to come back from being behind in the game and then to obviously show that composure in the penalties.”
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES…Brendan Rodgers and Philippe Clement watch from the touchline as the fall-out of the pyro displays engulfs Hampden.
Rodgers remarked: “There are things for us to learn and pick out from the game where we can be much better, but, overall, we showed that heart and desire to finish the job. So, it’s just real pride in the players and for the supporters.
“If it was about deserving a trophy, then they would have had it before the game, but you have to earn it and it caps off a really good start to the season for us.
“We’ll play better than we did on this occasion, but Finals can be like that at times. What you want to make sure is that you’re on the podium at the end, so I’m so happy for everyone and we can all enjoy the moment.”
The Hoops boss gave his players permission to party after their shoot-out heroics.
Rodgers added: “It’s about celebrating this one. It’s about celebrating it well and being with your families and enjoying it.
“Then we’re back in on Wednesday, getting ready for Dundee United. And that is it. .
“They can enjoy it, put it to bed, and then it’s our next game that is the most important one.
“And then we see how the season progresses from there.
“But you always want to put a marker down if you can win that first trophy.
“It can give you that huge lift and it’s really a reward for how the players have been up until this point.”
SCHMEICHEL, MAEDA ARE SILVERWARE CELTS
