Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed Callum McGregor after the Hoops captain began life after Scotland duty with a stunning strike in a 2-0 victory at Easter Road.
The 31-year-old midfielder struck from nearly 30 yards two days after announcing his retirement from international football.
“He was brilliant,” Rodgers said. “That’s what happens when you retire from Scotland!
“Hopefully there are many more goals to come. It doesn’t surprise me. He’s scored so many goals for me, especially in the first spell, then a few this spell. Twenty-five to 30 yards out, it was a wonderful strike. That’s what you need in your team and he possesses quality.”
Steve Clarke was watching from the Easter Road stands and Rodgers produced a mischievous grin when asked if he had sympathy for the Scotland manager following McGregor’s decision.
He added: “He’s played so many games, hasn’t he? I think when I give Cal a few days off on international breaks, he’ll relish it.
“I do feel for Steve because he’s a quality player, of course. But from a Celtic perspective, for longevity, for him, his career, his recovery, there’s so many games now, it’s a 12-month season.
“For him to get these little periods of recovery, to recover and rest, will be important for him. We’ve got no winter break this year either.
“He’s such an intense player for me on and off the pitch. Those little windows where you can give him that breather will do him the word of good.”
Kühn lays it off for McGregor who thunders a left footed strike into the corner of the net from 25 yards out 🔥⚽️
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 11, 2024
Celtic took the lead inside three minutes through Nicolas Kuhn and looked like they would go on to record a resounding win after McGregor’s 19th-minute goal. However, the goal threat dissipated after a flurry of chances early in the second half.
Rodgers said: “In the second half, we just had a little spell where the game became too long for us. We didn’t shorten the game how we normally do and play quickly through the lines, so it got stretched a wee bit too much for my liking. But we always had control of the game.
“If I was nit-picking, I would say we have to be more clinical. We scored two and again could have had four or five.”
Rodgers took off Kyogo Furuhashi after the forward suffered a shoulder problem, although he is not expected to miss any games.
“His shoulder popped out,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s just one of those ones that, he had a fall and it knocked it out. The guys put it back in again, but he felt the soreness. I don’t need to risk him.”
With no other experienced strikers, winger Mikey Johnston replaced Furuhashi before going off himself following a facial knock.
“There are other players who can go in and play that position,” Rodgers said. “And that’s what we have to do while we’re waiting for players to come in.”
Hibernian head coach David Gray bemoaned the loss of the early goal and a poor first-half display which saw his side failed to register a shot.
“The thing that concerned me the most was the lack of composure on the ball at times,” Gray added. “We knew what we were going to face, even though some of the players had never faced it before.
“We need to learn quickly. Because we face it again in seven days’ time. So we need to learn that giving them a goal after three minutes makes it a long afternoon.
“Up until half-time, we carried nowhere near enough threat. A lot of individual errors. Celtic dominated from start to finish in that 45 minutes – and we were lucky to go in just 2-0 down.
“The second half was more positive. We were braver on the ball, carried a bit more threat. We still didn’t do enough to get back in the game. I’m not shying away from that. We know we need to be better.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Who remembers this shirt? Since Arteta played for Arsenal Maresca: Do you want something good? Man Utd and Hojlund Paul Pogba will sign for Monaco until 2027, reports Fabrizio Romano POGBACK 10 years ago, Liverpool signed Firmino. Eight years later, he left a legend Lionel Messi turns 38 The man who's won it all has got a new gift on his mind right now... Chel...
Chelsea are reportedly hopeful of reaching an agreement over a £45m transfer deal for Borussia Dortmund left winger Jamie Gittens.The 20-year-old has shown himself to be an exciting young talent with his performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League in recent times.Chelsea are now seemingly ready to make a third bid for Gittens as they hope to get the deal done for around £45m,...
Man Utd are reportedly on the brink of offloading Jadon Sancho with the help of a former manager.Jadon Sancho is reportedly nearing Fenerbahce.Jadon Sancho has reached an agreement on personal terms with Fenerbahce in a significant step towards a Manchester United exit, according to reports. The 25-year-old is claimed to be nearing a permanent departure, spelling the end of a failed £73millio...
Liverpool have made a centre-back signing their next priority in the transfer market.Liverpool are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace captain Marc GuehiLiverpool reportedly have other centre-backs on their radar despite being heavily linked with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The Reds have an established partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre of their defence, but a ...
Marcus Rashford is likely to leave Manchester United this summer.Marcus Rashford's dream move is reportedly to BarcelonaMarcus Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona FC could be back on with the La Liga club reportedly exploring a loan move for the Manchester United outcast. A move to Catalonia is widely reported to be Rashford’s preferred destination following his temporary spell at Aston...
Newcastle to smash wage structure to make Isak highest-paid player everPer The Times, Newcastle are determined to retain Alexander Isak's services beyond this summer and the officials are set to initiate talks with the player over a new and improved contract, which could potentially fend off interest from the Gunners and Reds. The Magpies are ready to offer a salary beyond £150,000 a week, wh...
Alexander IsakNewcastle United are set to offer a new lucrative contract to Alexander Isak that will make the striker the club's highest-paid player ever.WHAT HAPPENED?Isak had a terrific outing for the Magpies in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 23 league goals and helped the club secure a Champions League slot. He also played a key role in Eddie Howe's side ending the club's trophy drought with...
Marcus Rashford Man Utd Barcelona 2025Barcelona are keen on a loan deal for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford as they weigh up a permanent move for Nico Williams.WHAT HAPPENED?The reigning La Liga champions are keen to add to their attacking options this summer, with a move for Rashford now back on the table, as first reported by The Sun. The club's unhealthy financial situation means a lo...
Chelsea making new offer for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensChelsea are closing on an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for winger Jamie Gittens.The England U21 international saw a move to Chelsea collapse on the Club World Cup transfer deadline day, leaving the youngster frustrated.However, the move now appears to be back on, with claims an agreement is close to being struck.The Athletic says Che...
Real Madrid set 377M price tag for Rodrygo as Arsenal deal draws closerArsenal have targeted Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer but will have to pay a hefty price tag to secure his services.The 24-year-old has been linked with a lucrative move to the Gunners this summer after he felt like he was underappreciated in a side that includes some of the best players in the world, including Kylian Mbap...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Liverpool cult hero waves goodbye as transfer is confirmed: It’s been an absolute honour
- 9 Marcus Rashford to Barcelona is back ON! La Liga champions ready to sanction loan deal for Man Utd outcast amid Nico Williams pursuit
- 10 Barcelona announce Garrido departure