RODGERS NOT PLEASED WITH CELTIC PERFORMANCE 

BRENDAN RODGERS admitted he wasn’t satisfied with the performance of his Celtic players in their 2-0 League Cup quarter-final win over Alloa at Parkhead tonight.

The Hoops had overwhelming possession against the First Division outfit, but had to rely on two late goals from James Forrest and Moussa Dembele before they could book their place in tomorrow night’s semi-final draw.   

After watching his team squander an array of opportunities, Rodgers said: “We were nowhere near good enough and that’s the reality of it.

“We got the job done, we wanted to qualify, of course, but our performance level in terms of being clinicial in the final third of the field and the final ball was nowhere near what we would expect.

“We got the result, but the performance was disappointing. However, you must give huge credit to Alloa. They came here as a part-time team, playing in this great stadium, they defended as though their lives depended on it and they showed wonderful mentality to get blocks in.

“We had 13 shots on target with probably about 15 off target. For us, the players deserve great credit, we got there in the end, but the performance didn’t please me so much.

“We’re not going to be perfect in every game. That’s not a criticism, just an analysis. Now we’ve got another good game coming up against Kilmarnock and we hope the stands will be full as they have been for most of the games this season.

“Players need that energy from the supporters and we’re going to keep pushing in every single game.”