Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers hailed his side for showing a Champions League mentality in Perth as they prepared for Tuesday’s test against Borussia Dortmund with a 6-0 victory over St Johnstone.
Celtic prevailed thanks to a double from Kyogo Furuhashi, a tremendous effort from Paulo Bernardo after a passing move involving nine players, Callum McGregor’s fourth long-range strike of the season, a Daizen Maeda header and Adam Idah’s finish after another slick move.
Rodgers said: “It was an opportunity for us to show a real mentality. Obviously all the noise before the game was on the Champions League game on Tuesday but we had a chance to show a Champions League mentality at home.
“From the first whistle to the very last whistle the players were absolutely brilliant. Defensively strong, our counter pressing incredible, a great attitude to win the ball back.
“We really respected the percentage that we didn’t have the ball and were really aggressive in getting it back, none more so than Daizen in the 86th minute tracking back to win the ball.
“That’s the part of the game that really pleased me, that gives you the opportunity to be creative and free-flowing and obviously the goals were fantastic. A perfect night for us.”
Celtic have yet to concede a goal in the William Hill Premiership and have scored 33 goals in nine matches in all competitions this season. Their winning run stretches back 17 games to last term.
A 5-1 Champions League opening win against Slovan Bratislava has given Celtic fans further confidence they could upset last season’s runners-up in Germany on Tuesday.
“We are in a really good way,” Rodgers said. “The performance level is what I concentrate on and the consequence of that will be results. I look at the rhythm and speed of the team, the hunger.
“We are going to play a top team on their home patch but I am really excited to see how we can play against them.
“They are a very good side but we can go there and try to impose our style on the game. I always say, as long as we press, as long as we track, as long as we fight, we will see where it takes us.
“We have shown we can manage the ball and have the attributes in the team that can help us. We have speed and physicality and we can dig in, which is important.”
Rodgers revealed Greg Taylor had been taken off as a precautionary measure after experiencing tightness in his calf, while the Celtic manager is still unsure whether Cameron Carter-Vickers will shake off a toe injury to feature in Germany after Auston Trusty again played in central defence.
It was a difficult night for St Johnstone caretaker manager Andy Kirk and his players.
Kirk said: “When Celtic are in that form they’re unstoppable at times. They’ve got threats all over the pitch.
“Our game plan was to try and be organised, pass runners on, try and deny them space and opportunity to break us down. We did that well for 30-odd minutes.
“I thought that up until the first goal our discipline and shape was pretty good. But after we lost the first goal we lost our way and conceded three before half-time. It shows how quickly you can get punished by a quality team.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 Osimhen decides on Saudi move
- 9 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans