RODGERS ‘99.9 PER CENT SATISFIED’

CELTIC boss Brendan Rodgers was delighted with his team in their 5-2 win over a previously-unbeaten St Johnstone side at McDiarmid Park this afternoon.

However, the Irishman acknowledged there are areas where his players need to tighten up after allowing the home side a glimmer of hope by conceding two goals late in the contest.

Rodgers said: “We controlled 99.9 per cent of the match and I thought we were outstanding at a tough venue.

“We were brilliant in the first-half in the terms of movement, speed and passing. So, I thought that was a very good aspect.

“In the second-half, again, we had chances. Obviously, though, we are disappointed at losing two goals and that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth – especially when you have the majority and dominance of the game.

“We conceded a penalty-kick and then lost a soft one when we were down to 10 men.

“But we kept going right to the end and we deserved our fourth goal.

“So, 99.9 per cent of the time we were outstanding and there’s that little area we need to be better in.

“Overall, we played some wonderful football, got four goals, but we know we need to tighten up.”

Leigh Griffiths, celebrating his 26th birthday, Scott Sinclair and James Forrest got the first-half goals with sub Ryan Christie getting the fourth in stoppage time.

Rodgers is now preparing to take the team to Israel for the second leg of the Champions League play-off against Hapoel Be’er Sheva with the team protecting a 5-2 advantage.

He added: “We’ll train tomorrow morning before flying out. The squad is in a good moment and we’ll be ready for this game.

“I expect Mikael Lustig to be okay for the match although I thought Saidy Janko did well again at right-back.”

That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven is out now and available from www.cqnbookstore.com