“The objective is to get through and we did that,” Brendan Rodgers

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The Celtic Star

·18 de enero de 2025

“The objective is to get through and we did that,” Brendan Rodgers

Celtic secured their place in the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup this year with a 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock, on what was another match the Hoops made more difficult for themselves…

Nicolas Kühn of Celtic collides with Robby McCrorie of Kilmarnock during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Several extremely good chances were squandered in the first half of the match and Brendan Rodgers would have been in disbelief at the amount of times the ball went anywhere but in the net.

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Celtic too nonchalant in front of goal

It was another repeat of our night in Dundee where we were too nonchalant in front of goal and gifted our opponents a way back into the match when they didn’t deserve it. Kyogo really needs to be doing better than he has of late as some of those opportunities were truly gilt-edged.

Callum McGregor celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Too many times that ball goes flying wide of the post and in to the goalkeeper when it should be nestling in the net. His movement deserves more goals.

Celtic far too intricate

A permanent feature at times with this Celtic team is overlooking the goose and from Kyogo to Nicolas Kühn, or Arne Engels and Reo Hatate, we’re always trying to be far too intricate and walk that ball into the net. That aside, we got the job done on the night – just about – and now go into the hat for the next round in the Scottish Cup.

Reo Hatate reacts after a miss during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Premier Sports caught up with the Celtic manager after the game and he too admitted the objective was achieved, even if we took the long way round. “It feels very good. Obviously it was a game that should have been a lot more comfortable than the scoreline,” Brendan Rodgers said.

‘We had so many really good chances’

“We had so many really good chances. I am not sure what xG is, I am not really into that side of the game, but for that, I would be interested to know what ours was. Big credit to the players. Dominated the first half and had so many chances.

“Then we concede from a defensive throw-in in the first half. You then need to react and we did that in the second-half. Kept fighting and working and created more chances. But listen, the objective is go get through and we did that. We take that and are in the hat for the next round.”

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring Celtic’s second goal during the Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on January 18, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The boss is focussed on bringing more quality through the door this month and revealed the club know what needs to be done.

Rodgers added: “We know exactly what we want to do. Up to this point the players have been very, very good but we know what we need and what we want.”

🍀 @CelticFC manager Brendan Rodgers reflects on the win over Kilmarnock and where his team stand in terms of transfer business "Big credit to the players...the objective is to get through and we did that." 🗣️ #ScottishCup
– sábado, 18 de enero de 2025