CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers saluted the Celtic supporters remaining in the North Stand as he made his way towards the still packed standing section where no-one from the Green Brigade had left early.
Rodgers, who yesterday signed a new contract for another four years managing what he called “the greatest club in the world,” stopped applauding for a moment and instead rewarded the support with a ten finger salute. You know the same one that the supporters use when chanting “Here we go, Ten in a Row!”
Everyone still in the ground or watching on Celtic TV got the message. Brendan Rodgers intends to write his name in the Celtic history books as the man who won the Ten.
After the match of course he mischievously played the moment down suggesting he was simply stretching his fingers.
“I really enjoyed watching the team today,” he reflected when things had calmed down a little, “I thought that collectively they were outstanding and the crowd enjoyed it.”
Kilmarnock’s back six backs to the wall approach, perfectly legitimate of course, was always going to require a little patience.
“If you are playing against a team who sit in, it’s very tough, especially at the beginning to break that down,” Rodgers said.
“We showed patience and quality in our game and worked the ball really well in tight spaces and got the goal.
“Our only disappointment today was defending the counter-attack, we could have been better in the goal we conceded.
“We always looked exciting and if we could score goals, and we defended in the main really well.
“It was a great day all round, a good three points and I’m happy.”
On Dembele and Rogic coming off the bench for some game time ahead of the forthcoming Scottish Cup semi-final, the manager was also satisfied that he’d achieved his target.
“We were just trying to get game-time into some of the players’ legs.
“Tom been out a while and you can see his qualities, and Moussa came back fresh and gave us a great platform at the top end of the field.”
And the job of integrating new Bhoy Eboue Kouassi into the side continued.
“Every single minute he gets on the pitch here at Celtic Park gives him more confidence, and you saw that.
“I have a fantastic squad all fighting to play, some players not even in the 18, but players full of confidence and playing very well.”
And on his celebrations in front of the standing section after final whistle Brendan was coy to say the least.
“I was just stretching my fingers!
“It’s been a great day for us and been a fantastic week.
“Having won the league and committed next 4 years of my life to here, it’s an incredible club to work for. There’s much more to do and achieve.”
Four to go, Brendan, to Ten in a Row.
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