BEAMING Brendan Rodgers hailed his players for showing tremendous character as they beat Motherwell to win the Betfred League Cup to clinch a fourth successive trophy success.
Following the difficult midweek Champions League defeat in Paris, the Hoops rallied to beat the Fir Park outfit at Hampden with goals from James Forrest and Moussa Dembele.
Rodgers said: “It’s our fourth trophy in 12 months and it’s a phenomenal achievement. And it’s a huge credit to the players because their hunger and desire to keep having that belief.
“We had to tick a few character boxes after midweek and yet again the players produced.
“It was always going to be difficult for us, with how Motherwell have started the season and the confidence they have in terms of how they play.
“We had to be patient today and wait for our moments. Once we got the first goal, we settled into our rhythm.”
Rodgers added: “Jamesy’s goal was a good move and we started to then pass the ball and combine a lot better in the second-half and, in particular, that phase of the game.
“It was a wonderful piece of skill, although it was difficult for the defender because he thought that James was maybe going to go on the outside, but he’s got that ability to come in on his left side and play it with the outside of his foot or bend it in like he did, so it was a great finish.
“Craig Gordon didn’t have a lot to do today, but his save from Louis Moult was brilliant. It was a great reaction from Craig and those are saves which are important for you. From that, we kept going and got the second goal.
“Today’s a trophy for everyone at the club. You saw the support. It was amazing – three-quarters of the stadium really helping the team and our backroom staff, the work they put in, combined with the players.
“So, today’s a great win for the club.”
LISBON LION Jim Craig is the very special guest on the new CQN Podcast – out now!
Jim releases his new book, Right Back to 67, The Lisbon Lion Diary next week and we are pretty confident that this will be regarded as one of the classic Celtic books of all time.
There has been so much written about 1967 in some very fine books to-date but nothing like this. Jim kept a diary of his time at Celtic and in Right Back to 67 he is able to provide the authentic, inside story. It really is too good to miss.
You can order the book now from CQNBookstore.com and you will receive a signed copy. You can also add a personal dedication which is ideal for a Christmas gift. Simply email david@cqnpublishing.co.uk with your dedication after you have ordered and Jim will sort this for you next week.
Jim is on fine form in the Podcast too, you’ll love it.
A Celtic State of Mind presents its 25th instalment of insightful discussion around the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Jim Craig joined Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham in the Tolbooth Studios in Stirling to discuss the Lisbon Lions’ 50th anniversary celebrations in a year which also saw Celtic winning an invincible treble, a prestigious award from FIFA naming their fans as the best in the world, and even a BAFTA!
In this emotional interview, Jim reminisces about Jock Stein, Billy McNeill, Neilly Mochan, Bertie Auld, Tommy Gemmell, Joe McBride and George Connelly.
He also discusses his latest book, his magnificent Lisbon Lion Diary: Right Back to ’67. This memoir is a real fly-on-the-wall recollection of events from 50 years ago, brought to life by Jim Craig’s intelligent and humorous brand of storytelling. Order HERE.
The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.
Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes, @anorthernprose and @CQNMagazine and subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or through your podcast player.
ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY OF JIM CRAIG – RIGHT BACK TO 67, A LISBON LION DIARY TODAY!
SIGNED COPY!
