BRENDAN RODGERS was delighted his players rose to the challenge to overcome Hearts 2-0 at Parkhead yesterday after almost a fortnight away from club football.
New Bhoys Arne Engels and Luke McCowan, who both arrived on deadline day, were the second-half marksmen with their first goals for the champions.
It was a crucial triumph that maintained the Hoops’ 100 per cent record at the start of a week that will see them play in three different competitions.
CHEERLEADER…Brendan Rodgers urges on his trooops from the touchline.
Now the Edinburgh club have been dismissed, Rodgers and his players can turn their attention to the Champions League kick-off when Slovan Bratislava provide the opposition under the lights in the east end of Glasgow on Wednesday evening.
And then Celtic can prepare for visit of Falkirk in the Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final a week today.
Rodgers said: “On the back of an international break, you always hope the players will come back and show up. I thought there were a lot of moments in the game where we were very good.
“Hearts came to make it very difficult, they worked very hard and had good physicality in the team, but if we’d scored the goal earlier – we had a few chances – then it opens the game up for you.
HOOP HOOP HOORAY…Arne Engels celebrates his first goal for Celtic.
“We didn’t quite manage to do that, but I still thought we looked lively and creative and Big Craig [Gordon] made a couple of good saves, as well.
“In these games you have to show up and the players showed up very well.
“We kept pushing, we got the penalty, then the second goal and, unfortunately, the third goal was ruled out for offside. Overall, it was very pleasing.”
The Irishman also praised first-time scorers Engels and McCowan.
Reflecting on the penalty-kick shortly after the interval that broke the deadlock, the gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “It was a really cool finish and he showed great composure to do that.
“I’m really pleased for Arne. I thought he was excellent in the game – good running, good physicality and finished it with real aplomb.”
JUST CHAMPION…Callum McGregor congratulates Luke McCowan after the new Bhoy’s debut strike.
Looking at McCowan’s flashing drive near the end that sealed the triumph, Rodgers added: “It was such a special moment for Luke, being a Celtic supporter, to score in the game and have that feeling with the crowd.
“I think they all saw the joy that he’s had for himself and for everyone by becoming a Celtic player, and I think he felt that in the whole stadium when he got his goal.
“So, it was a really special moment for him and a really good finish against Big Craig, who’s a top keeper.”
