BRENDAN RODGERS termed it “fighting football” – and no-one who witnessed Celtic’s true grit performance in the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock could disagree.
It had been exciting at Hampden in the 6-0 triumph over Aberdeen in the Premier Sports League Cup semi-final the previous weekend, exhilarating at Parkhead in the 3-1 success over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday and x-certificate at Rugby Park yesterday.
The hosts made no pretence of being interested in putting on a show as they bumped and clattered their way through 94 minutes of non-football.
FLATTENED…Adam Idah receives treatment after getting an elbow in the face from Killie’s Joe Wright who was booked. keeper Kasper Schmeichel and referee Nick Walsh look on as the game is held up for more than four minutes.
The mere fact they conceded their first foul in eight SECONDS when David Watson tried to run through the unfortunate Greg Taylor told us all what to expect from Derek McInnes’ snarling bunch, motivated to the max for the visit of the champions.
Thankfully, the points were safely delivered to the east end of Glasgow after goals from Callum McGregor and Nicolas Kuhn in either half to keep Rodgers’ serial winners at the Premiership pinnacle on goal difference from Jimmy Thelin’s determined Dons.
The Hoops also had a masterclass of goalkeeping from Kasper Schmeichel to thank for their latest victory.
The 38-year-old Danish legend proved to be unbeatable on the horrible plastic pitch and a save from Matty Kennedy in the second-half with the visitors leading 1-0 proved to be a turning point.
The 109 times-capped netminder repelled a low netbound drive from the Killie winger in the 65th minute – and Kuhn struck the decisive second six minutes later.
A relieved Rodgers said: “We showed another side to our game. That’s three different competitions now, different types of requirements needed in the games.
“It was more fighting football, but I thought the players were absolutely brilliant in how they defended pressure because they know build-up comes quite directly from behind. On this occasion, we needed to show our fighting qualities and stand up to the directness of Kilmarnock.
PAIN THE NECK…Liam Scales is challenged by Brad Lyons for a high ball.
“I thought our goalkeeper and back four stood up to it brilliantly, midfield players got to the second balls and then in the moments to settle the game and show our quality we did that.
“We could have had more, but it was always tight, right to the very end.”
The Hoops boss, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “It was tight in the first-half, but we scored at a good time and then we knew we’re going to have to defend for periods in the game, because you never get the chance to settle and work.
“Every time they have it, it’s going direct and you’re playing for second and third balls.
“But it’s so good to know that the players can deal with that and I’m very proud of them.”
Rodgers and most of his players can now enjoy the international break before it all restarts on the domestic front with a trip to Edinburgh to face Hearts at Tynecastle a week on Saturday with the unusual kick-off time of 7.45pm.
