‘SO SPECIAL FOR OUR FANS,’ RODGERS

CQN Magazine

6 years ago

BEAMING Brendan Rodgers revelled in Celtic’s seventh successive title triumph following their ruthless 5-0 victory over Sevco Rangers at Parkhead this afternoon.

It was the first time in 39 years that the Hoops – then bossed by the legendary Billy McNeill – clinched the title in a Glasgow derby.

Rodgers said: “Our basic rules today were very simple. It was to attack with real aggression and intensity, try and recover the ball as we quickly as we could whenever we lost it.

“If we couldn’t do that, make sure we were tight and compact, look to dominate as much of the ball as we could and give it our best shot.

“And I don’t think I could have asked any more of the players. They were absolutely brilliant and I’m really proud.

“These games are full of emotion, but we said to the players beforehand that we obviously knew the consequences of the game and all the historical facts around it – for us to win the title against Rangers for the first time in 39 years – but we said to them that they had to play football.”

Odsonne Edouard, leading the line in place of the injured Moussa Dembele and picked ahead of Leigh Griffiths, hit a double before James Forrest added a third before the interval.

Early second-half goals from Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor looked as though the champions were on their way to a record scoreline with over half-an-hour still to play.

Some inspired goalkeeping from Jak Alnwick and some wayward finishing made certain it remained at five.

The Hoops boss added: “For us and our fans, it was a special day to wrap up the title. We had a performance away at Hearts last season to win the league.

“I’m really pleased with how the players coped with that pressure and expectancy. To then go and stay as calm as they did, but play with that intent in the game was really pleasing and the supporters obviously responded to it.

“There won’t be too many atmospheres like there was today around the world.

“It was a real special atmosphere and it was great that we could make our supporters happy.”

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