CELTIC took care of Partick Thistle in Maryhill, they now face Red Star in Belgrade in midweek and have a Premier Sports League Cup semi-final against Russell Martin’s Ibrox side to look forward to at Hampden in early November.
And, of course, the Hoops are back at Parkhead on Saturday for the visit of Hibs as the champions continue their quest for a fifth successive title.
It’s green for go for Brendan Rodgers and his players as the fixtures come thick and fast.
Before heading for the Serbian capital and the opening Europa League Cup encounter, the Hoops manager reflected on the 4-0 success over Mark Wilson’s side at Firhill yesterday where goals from Yang Hyun-jun, Liam Scales, Sebastian Tounetki and Luke McCowan got the job done.
FIRHILL FOR THRILLS…Brendan Rodgers applauds his Celtic players.
Rodgers said: “I’m really pleased with the outcome and the rhythm in the team.
“The surface, even though it looked nice, was really long, so you had to punch the pass in. However, I thought we played really well, were really creative and we defended strong when we had to.
“The fluidity and that rhythm in the team is something that we’re looking to develop and we were starting to see that on this occasion.
Once again, £5.2million Tunisian international winger Tounetki caught the eye with his all-round performance while claiming his first strike for the team after playing a neat one-two with Kelechi Iheanacho and finishing with an unerring low left-foot drive beyond the exposed Lewis Budinaukas.
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “He’s a great guy, he’s really hungry and he’s really positive in the game.
“Sebastian takes the ball, one-v-one, he wants to beat people, and he can do a little bit of everything.
PICK IT OUT…Sebastian Tounetki scores his first – and Celtic’s third – goal with a low left-foot drive past Partick Thistle keeper Lewis Budinaukas.
“He can go outside or come inside, he can combine and obviously he was looking to make those passes for the guys making the inside runs plus he works very hard.
“So, I’m pleased for him to get the goal because it’s one of the things I said to him that he needs to improve on.
“He’s got a lot of talent, but for him to keep progressing and moving in the football game, he needs to add numbers to his game and that’s what we’ve been saying to him.”
Rookie right-back Colby Donovan, 19, standing in for crocked duo Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston, delivered another solid display and the Hoops gaffer encouraged him to take a round of applause from the fans at the end.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Colby Donovan acknowledges the Celtic fans at Firhill.
Rodgers added: “He’s been superb. I really like him. I like his temperament and his personality.
“It’s not easy coming into this team, but he’s very aggressive and he understands the game.
“And that little moment at the end, this is a kid who has grown up a Celtic supporter all his life and he’s been dreaming of that moment.
“I think the supporters, particularly in the second-half, really appreciated him on that side.
“They see how strong and aggressive he is, and I’m really pleased for him. He has come into the team and has done excellent.”
SEB’S THE STAR TURN FOR FOUR-MIDABLE HOOPS
