Celtic Defeat St. Mirren by 3-0 goal margin at Celtic Park.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic FC manager, exuded confidence as his team surged ahead in the title race, extending their lead by four points after a commanding 3-0 victory over St Mirren.
With a Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen looming, Rodgers expressed his belief that Celtic is hitting their peak form at the most crucial phase of the season, with trophies on the line.
Following goals from Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Adam Idah, Rodgers emphasized Celtic’s favorable position, stating:
“We are where we want to be. It’s in our hands. I really look forward to this period because it’s where Celtic comes alive. There are five games to go with trophies at stake. There’s a Scottish Cup at stake, so bring it on. I’d rather be the team with points in the bag at the top.
“We’re in a really good position and when you know that everything is with you – and you can decide what your destiny is – that’s what you want. That’s why the result at Ibrox last week was huge for us, as well as the performance.
“We had to be tough, bite down on the gum-shield, and see it through in a difficult environment. That bodes well for us. We know we can play our football now, with speed, and we can score goals. We’ve also shown steeliness, which will be important for us in the run-in.”
He welcomed the upcoming challenges, highlighting the team’s ability to thrive under pressure, especially with the Scottish Cup at stake.
Rodgers praised the resilience displayed by his players, acknowledging their ability to navigate through tough encounters, such as their recent triumph at Ibrox.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure and determination, traits that will be vital in the remaining fixtures of the season.
The return to form of midfielder Reo Hatate was lauded by Rodgers, who highlighted his pivotal role in Celtic’s campaign.
Despite injury concerns, Rodgers expressed confidence in managing Hatate’s fitness effectively to ensure his peak performance during critical matches.
Additionally, Rodgers commended the depth of his squad, noting the contributions of players like Callum McGregor and Cameron Carter-Vickers, whose performances have been instrumental in Celtic’s success. Despite setbacks, including the season-ending injury to Daizen Maeda, Rodgers remained optimistic about the team’s prospects.
Reflecting on the victory over St Mirren, Rodgers praised his team’s second-half performance and acknowledged the defensive resilience of their opponents.
With the title race heating up and the Scottish Cup on the horizon, Rodgers and his squad are poised to tackle the challenges ahead with confidence and determination, fueled by their recent achievements and strengthened by the return of key players.
