A big 6-0 win against St. Johnstone before the international break would have set the mood right across the Celtic camp and fans. A win like this was much needed as the team was somehow scraping past opponents in the league. Also, the Hoops were coming on the back of a deflating defeat against Austrian champions RB Salzburg in the Europa League.
Rodgers also felt that the team played at the level which is expected from them. There is a good chance now that the Hoops can kick on from here using this big win as a catalyst. The team had that drive and cutting edge which has been lacking so far this season, and this win goes to show that the Hoops still have that magic in their locker to produce brilliant football.
After the big win, Rodgers was quoted as saying,”It was a tough game (RB Salzburg) against a top-class team but getting over it is important. I never tend to dwell too much on the negative. We know how we could have been better. I demand that we technically play the game to a level and today we did that. It was an outstanding performance… much more like our level.”
The 45-year-old manager added further, ”We’re getting back to where I want us to be. Domestically, we have been getting there. I said to the players when you are in a big team you hear a lot about desire and will to win games. I think the players took that will on to the field today. We all want to win but you have to go and do it on the field.”
Even after an indifferent start, the Bhoys are now just three points off Hearts after Rangers managed to take all three points off the table toppers. Celtic’s defence looks tight as they have the best defensive record in the league so far, conceding just 4 in the 8 games played.
Their only problem was the lack of decisiveness and cutting edge in the final third which returned in the game against St. Johnston as the Bhoys scored five before halftime. Not having Moussa Dembele in the attacking third might have caused them a bit of a worry but the signs are there that the current crops of players can step up in his absence.
Players like James Forrest, Callum McGregor and Scott Sinclair would have to come up with more goals and the less they depend on one or two players, the better. Odsonne Edouard now looks set to be getting back to his element and this is what made Celtic go the distance in making the Frenchman their record signing. One can really see the Hoops getting back to their former self from here onwards.
