BRENDAN RODGERS hailed his new, improved Celtic as he reflected on the emphatic derby triumph at Parkhead at the weekend.
The Hoops boss compared the most recent win with the Scottish Cup Final success over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox side at Hampden on May 25.
As the curtain came down on his comeback season and with the club’s third successive title already in the bag, it took a 90th-minute strike from Adam Idah to give the champions the victory and the silverware.
On Sunday, the hosts were cruising 2-0 ahead at the interval with goals from Japanese double-act Daizen Maeda and Kyogo Furuhashi – and that was after an eleventh-minute effort from the striker was mysteriously ruled out by VAR.
BIG HAND…a beaming Brendan Rodgers celebrates Callum McGregor’s goal to make it 3-0.
Any chance of an unlikely fightback by the visitors was obliterated when skipper Callum McGregor flashed in an unstoppable long-range left-foot drive 15 minutes from the end.
The win propelled Celtic into a five-point advantage over their Glasgow rivals after just four Premiership outings.
Rodgers’ men sit at the pinnacle with four successive triumphs, with 12 goals scored and zero conceded.
There is a lot for the gaffer to feel pleased about as his jigsaw comes together as the team pick up speed, momentum and confidence with each passing game.
Analysing the latest all-Glasgow success, Rodgers admitted: “When I look back to the Scottish Cup Final, even though it was the back end of the season, you can still look at it next time and see have you improved.
“I think that was clear for me we had done that.
MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF…Daizen Maeda celebrates the opening goal.
“That first 10 minutes was also a little bit of figuring it out. The players have become very, very astute in the game in that.
“Once we had that moment [offside goal]when we played through it, okay we didn’t get it, but that allowed to us then to know: ‘Right okay, this is now what we’re playing against’.
“Then we could go through the levels.”
Rodgers praised his entire squad, but singled out his three marksmen for special mention.
The 51-year-old Irishman said: “Daizen’s big superpower is his running, his athleticism and his ability to press.
“It brings an incredible integrity to the team, but he’s not on his own. Everyone has to do it.
“He sets a great benchmark, there’s not many can do it like him and with the ball he’s getting into a nice habit of scoring goals.
“But you can only do that by getting into the right areas.”
BY THE RIGHT…Kyogo Furuhashi slots No.2 past Jack Butland.
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Kyogo is 100 per cent in everything he does. When he presses, he’s all in and he really frightens defenders and goalkeepers with that speed of his press.
“But in order to do that, you have to be cute, you have to be clever, you have to be aware, so from a tactical perspective, he’s so, so good. Again, like Daizen, 100 per cent for the team.
“You saw the recovery run he made. There are midfield players wouldn’t make that run, from the edge of the box and tracked the game all the way back and put his body on the line for the team.
“Seeing that level of commitment, it’s a great tonic for everyone else in the team. On the offensive side, I’ve really been pleased with his development.
“I’ve spoken before about him playing the space rather than the position and, hopefully, you can see a lot more of that coming through now.
“His overall game is improving and so pleasing to see.”
THREE AND EASY…Callum McGregor thumps in the final goal as Reo Hatate and beaten opponents John Souttar adn Dujon Sterling look on.
Rodgers added: “Callum follows in a long line of great captains at this club, that not only are top players, but they operate with a huge humility and a real value of what Celtic is all about.
“He’s a really inspiring captain. He’s really selfless.
“His thoughts are for the club, his team and his team-mates. And that example, Luke McCowan coming into game and him bringing him that comfort letting him know that I’m here with you, we are together.
“I think those comforting words of support when he came onto the pitch really typifies Callum’s selfless way.”
