“My only focus is on ourselves,” Brendan swerves Pittodrie outcome

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The Celtic Star

·31 October 2024

“My only focus is on ourselves,” Brendan swerves Pittodrie outcome

Brendan Rodgers expressed his delight following Celtic’s routine 2-0 victory over Dundee at Celtic Park last night…

Brendan Rodgers of Celtic after the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 . (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Tony Docherty’s side had managed to nullify Celtic in the first half, frustrating the Hoops and limiting the champions to very few opportunities. Unfortunate not to be ahead themselves, Antonio Portales swivel and shot inside the opening minute was denied by an outstanding stop from Kaspar Schmeichel.

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Frustrating night for Kyogo

Despite not creating a significant number of chances, Kyogo would have been disappointed in the first half not to have added to his four league goal tally of this season. He missed two gilt-edged chances within three minutes of each other. In fairness, the first was an excellent save from Dens Park keeper Jon McCracken.

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Alastair Johnston of Celtic celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Super-sub Alistair Johnston

Impatient with the way things were going, manager Brendan Rodgers rang the changes twelve minutes after the restart. First team trio of Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda and Alistair Johnston were substituted on for Paulo Bernardo, Luis Palma and Anthony Ralston, all who had little effect on the game.

Within three minutes of entering the field, Alistair Johnston netted his fourth league goal of the campaign and his second in successive matches after Yang’s cross found the Canadian who poked the ball past McCracken from an acute angle.

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Arne Engels of Celtic scores the second goal from the penalty spot during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Speaking to BBC Scotland post-match, the Celtic boss praised Johnston’s impact in the game.

“Alistair Johnston has got the feeling now of scoring goals so he’s hungry. But he’s top class, he’s a real leader, very strong defensively and a tough boy mentally. He’s done fantastic for us but tonight was also a good chance to get Tony [Ralston] some minutes”

Arne Engels cooly dispatched from the spot to seal the points for Celtic on a n eventual straightforward evening’s work. Aberdeen’s 2-1 victory over theRangers at Pittodrie means that Celtic sit nine points ahead of their Glasgow rivals after the first quarter of games played. The odds are already out on who their next manager will be with Derek McInnes the favourite.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen sit level on points with the Hoops as Jimmy Thelin’s side kept up their fabulous run of domestic results.

However, Rodgers insists his focus is only on Celtic as he looks forward to meeting his fellow league leaders on Saturday at Hampden.

“My only focus is on ourselves, looking at us improving our performance level as we go through the season. We should have won against Aberdeen, we went a bit slack but we’ll learn from that. I’m really pleased with the squad, we’ve been fantastic with lots of improvements to make. “We’ll be ready for that [cup semi-final v Aberdeen], we love going to Hampden. We’re in a good place, getting players back so we’ll be ready for Sunday.”

🗣️ 'My only focus is on ourselves' Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers on his side's win, 'real leader' Alistair Johnston and reacts to Aberdeen beating Rangers ⤵️ #BBCFootball
– Wednesday, 30 October 2024

Next up Hampden

Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kyogo and Alistair Johnston of Celtic after the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Kick off for Saturday’s huge encounter with the Dons is at 5.30pm and is live on Premier Sports. A place in the final against theRangers or Motherwell awaits the winners, with that second semi-final happening on Sunday.

Super Butland 😂😂😂
– Thursday, 31 October 2024

It’s going to be some weekend of football.

Toe nail he’s 💯 lost the fcvking plot 😂😂😂
– Thursday, 31 October 2024

COYBIG!

Conor Spence

Celtic in the Thirties – Published Tuesday 5 November

Celtic in the Thirties (Volumes One and Two) are both published next Tuesday 5th November. Order your signed copies now and treasure these landmark Celtic titles brilliantly researched and written by Matt Corr. Order at Celticstarbooks.com…