BEAMING Brendan Rodgers declared himself “very happy” as Celtic stormed back to pole position in the Premiership with an impressive 3-0 triumph over Motherwell at Fir Park.
The Hoops were coming off the back of a hard-fought goalless draw against Atalanta in Bergamo on Wednesday where the point gained could mean entry to the multi-million pound knock-out stages of the Champions League.
However, the prestige of a resilient performance in Italy was pushed into the past in rain-lashed Lanarkshire yesterday.
The visitors were on thin ice in the early stages as an eager Well side looked for an early breakthrough and Lennon Miller twice rattled woodwork with Kasper Schmeichel helpless before Luke McCowan claimed a superb effort on his first start for the Parkhead club.
WELL DONE…Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans at Fir Park after Celtic’s 3-0 triumph.
Skipper-for-the-day Alistair Johnston launched himself at a left-wing cross from Alex Valle to send a header raging into the net to double the advantage and Adam Idah swept in the third in the fading moments.
Rodgers said: “It’s an excellent performance and result on the back end of a physically demanding week.
“By the end, I thought the players were really comfortable in the game.
“There were a few scares in the first-half, as you would expect with the one that hits the crossbar, and there were just a few moments when we didn’t quite manage.
“We didn’t switch the ball enough, you play against that system, 3-5-2, where you’ve got to keep working at it, you’ve got to switch it and you’ve got to double-switch it.
“And when we did that, then the opportunities came for us and we get a very good goal for the first one.
“So it comes from taking it out one side, coming back in again and getting the goal.”
EASY AS 1,2,3…Adam Idah is congratulated by Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston after netting the third.
The Hoops gaffer, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “We just said at half-time that that is the key to the game – just when we have the ball, switching the play, and the two other goals then come from that.
“It’s so important for us and it just came from managing the game much better.
“So, I’m really pleased.
“There were chances late on for Reo Hatate and Luis Palma to add more to it, but, overall, no goals conceded, a fantastic win, good performance and very concentrated which makes me very happy.”
THREE CHEERS AS CHAMPS RETURN TO NO.1