Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers heaped praise of midfielder Luke McCowan after he netted his opening goal on his first start for the Parched side.
McCowan opened the scoring as Celtic comfortably beat Motherwell 3-0 to move back to the summit of the Scottish Premiership.
Signed from Dundee on the final day of the transfer window at the last minute, McCowan has impressed when given his opportunities to date.
“I’m so happy for him,” he said. “As a Celtic supporter coming in, maybe there’s that enthusiasm first of all, but then that wears off. But he performs with great energy, a great passion for the game, and he has quality. Callum [McGregor] obviously wasn’t going to play, so the idea was to bring him in because he’s a goal threat, and I thought he was going to do really well.”
McGregor could be available for the midweek game against Dundee after missing out against Motherwell because of a minor adductor injury.
“It shouldn’t be too serious,” said Rodgers. “I got the call late last night, and with the number of games he’s played over the years, I think it was really sensible as well. It was really mature, because maybe before he might not have mentioned it. He had a wee feeling after the training session yesterday. And then I got to find out, and we said let’s see how he is in the morning.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers is delighted with the ‘modern’ leaders within his dressing room.
Alistair Johnston handed the captain’s armband over to Cameron Carter-Vickers when he came off the bench in the second period with Rodgers commenting on how the game and its personalties have changed.
“I think it’s one of the things with this squad, they are a very honest group, a very open group,” said the Celtic manager. “They all know what it means to play for Celtic. They all know how vital it is that you do take that lead role when you come in to play. Like you say, Ali got a great goal and he was really inspirational in his performance.
“And you look at [Liam] Scales, Auston Trusty as well, they were really strong. And Alex Valle, he’s just turned 20 years of age, he’s coming in and starting to play a lot of games now. So, yes, it goes right the way through the team.
“A lot of the modern leaders now, they’re not like the old ones. They’re very communicative and speak a lot. I’m very lucky to have that in my changing room.
“I’m absolutely delighted to come here on the back of a game during the week where there was a big exertion, a big physicality. Motherwell away has always been a tough game, so to finish 3-0 – and it could have been more convincing by the end, if we had been a bit more clinical – the players have done absolutely amazing.
“I’ve told all the players that they all have a role to play: don’t ever think it’s just about the XI, because with how we work, and with the number of games, the energy we have to put into games, they all know they have a big contribution to make.”
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