Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers last night insisted that the Parkhead side have to approach Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund with confidence after their 6-0 annihilation of St Johnstone.
Rodgers called on Celtic to produce a Champions League performance as they faced domestic opposition in Perth – and he was thrilled with the nature of the clinical display.
A double from Kyogo was supplemented by strikes from Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Daize Maeda and Adam Idah. There might have been more. Maeda was denied a goal by VAR.
Celtic were sleek and stylish as they kept their foot to the floor with Rodgers wanting the same belief from his side as they prepare to head to the home of last season’s UEFA Champions League finalists.
“Yeah, we’re in a really good way,” said Rodgers. “I think mostly for me, the performance level is something that I always concentrate on. And obviously the consequence of that would be results. But I look at the rhythm in the team, I look at the speed in the team, I look at the hunger in the team.
“Listen, we’re going to play a top team in their home patch. But I’m really excited to see how we can play against it. They’re a very good side, got really good players. But for us, we can go there, impose our style in the game. And I always say, in every game we play, as long as we try and we press and we attack and we fight, let’s see where it takes us.
“We can manage the ball, we can play. We have the attributes in the team which can help us now. We’ve got real speed, we’ve got physicality. And we can dig in, which is important.”
Greg Taylor was taken off during the win as a precaution with a slight tightness in his hamstring although there remain doubts over whether Cameron Carter-Vickers will make Tuesday’s game. The defender has been struggling with a toe injury with Rodgers unable to assess his chances of making the game against Dortmund. He did, though, maintain that Austin Trusty is ready if called upon.
“If he’s not available Austin comes in,” said Rodgers. “I thought he was excellent tonight. You’ve seen his pace, you’ve seen his power. He’s playing off that right side, but he’s got good balance in his game.”
And while Rodgers was delighted with what was a devastating display, he could not resist taking a pop at a few of his critics from this time last year.
Asked about the clinical element to a Celtic side who have now scored 33 goals across their last 9 games, Rodgers quipped:
“It’s not bad for a team that doesn’t play good football. I think that’s what we were told last year, wasn’t it? I think that was the accusation. We were too slow and we didn’t play football and we didn’t score enough goals.
“I said the other day that, in fairness, we weren’t all on the same page this time last year when we came here. And clearly, that’s your job as a manager and a leader, to make sure that everyone is on the same page. And listen, we go with the players last year, but in the main, it’s not my leadership style.
“My style is to correct the mistake, rather than highlight it. But last year was really about attitude and mentality. And so, we see that to where we’re at now. Everyone on the same page, everyone focused, everyone playing a high level of football, scoring goals, being really strong defensively.”
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