‘There is still more to come,’ Brendan Rodgers warns any remaining title rivals

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The Celtic Star

·27 de diciembre de 2024

‘There is still more to come,’ Brendan Rodgers warns any remaining title rivals

Brendan Rodgers insists ‘there is still more to come,’ from his Celtic side after their impressive 4-0 victory over Motherwell yesterday afternoon at Celtic Park…

Arne Engels of Celtic scores a penalty during the match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

It took a while for the Scottish champions to make a breakthrough in the game, but a quality second-half showing put some gloss on the scoreline.

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Celtic now 12 points clear of theRangers

Celtic have now extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table to 12 points following theRangers dramatically losing 2-1 in Paisley to St Mirren in the late-kick-off. Heading into the Hoops’ final game of the calendar year on Sunday against St Johnstone, three points would seal an incredible lead before going to Ibrox on 2 January for the dead rubber derby.

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates scoring during the match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. Picture by Mark Runnacles

Courtesy of Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kuhn and Reo Hatate’s strikes versus Stuart Kettlewell’s side, Celtic have now won 18 of their last 19 Boxing Day fixtures. It is now 12 straight victories on the date 26 December.

At the other end of the pitch, Kasper Schmeichel added to his remarkable clean-sheet tally yesterday against Motherwell — it now stands at 14 from 17 league matches with the Great Dane conceding only four goals during the campaign so far.

“I think there is still more to come”

Liam Scales celebrates a goal by Daizen Maeda during the match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. Picture by Mark Runnacles.

Speaking to Celtic TV post-match, Brendan Rodgers praised his players for their efforts but added that performance levels will improve further.

“I think there is still more to come. If you compare the performance level to the early parts of the season, obviously, of course, you’re playing less and you’re maybe not as fatigued or whatever else,” the Celtic manager said.

“But still, we still demand, even in a really hectic schedule, the intensity that we want to play at. That’s our intention getting into every game. It’s important that we continue to always look to up the level. And that’s what we continually look to do.”

“Against United, we didn’t create as much in the final third. We arrived there but weren’t as ruthless or as clinical as we could be. But that was there today,” Brendan said.

Reo Hatate celebrates scoring during Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

“The turnout was amazing. We love playing here”

“The turnout was amazing. We love playing here and having not been here for so long, it’s always nice. It was really good, and we’re very pleased with the performance and the result in such a big period. Games aren’t easy – you’ve really got to work ever so hard. The scoreline may say that at the end, along with the possession and chances that we had, but you’ve still got to work very hard.”

“Motherwell were well organised, compact, tight, with lots of numbers behind the ball, so you’re having to really shift them about and then you get that little break just before half-time.”

READ THIS…Sandman’s Definitive Ratings – Celtic v Georgeorwell

Returning to the Celtic side from last weekend’s stalemate at Tannadice were duo Cameron Carter-Vickers and Nicolas Kuhn. Despite Kuhn only making a second-half substitute appearance opposed to CCV starting from the off, it was clear the strength he added to the forward line which culminated in the German winger scoring his 13th goal across all competitions this season.

Rodgers explained: “In the second half, I felt we needed to get the tempo up that wee bit more and just keep that risk in the game. The players were excellent, the guys coming into the game were very, very good as well and gave us that speed and that relentlessness to keep going and keep trying to score.”

“It’s great to have Nicolas back’

“You look at the two wingers, they’re doing their job very well, creating goals, scoring goals. It’s great to have Nicolas back, just his speed and direct running and dribbling ability.”

“Now he’s got the taste for goals, he wants to get in there. He had a brilliant pass as well to Reo towards the end which maybe could have got another goal. But overall, it was really good to have him back.”

Arne Engels netted Celtic’s first of the afternoon from the spot, and the Belgian midfielder was instrumental in Rodgers’ side’s comfortable victory. It was the Hoops’ record-breaking signing’s whipped corner kick which Scales headed onto Maeda that doubled Celtic’s lead. Returning to the starting XI, Rodgers hopes this will give Engels much-needed confidence heading into a congested period of fixtures.

Arne Engels celebrates scoring during the match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, on 26th December 2024. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

“Yes, I just think it’s about time with him. He’s really enjoying his time here. I’ve taken him out for some games just to let him see from the outside looking in and take that pressure away from him because it’s a big move and everything that comes with it,” the Irishman outlined.

“But he’s been excellent in training and he’s only going to get better and better. When he’s asked to step up in pressure moments, he delivers and that was an important first penalty for us. His ball in for the corner was absolutely great as well. So, I’m really pleased with Arne.”

Conor Spence

🍀 Engels converts penalty 🎯 Kuhn, Maeda & Hatate on target Celtic extended their lead at the top of the table to 12 points with a 4-0 win over Motherwell ⤵️
– jueves, 26 de diciembre de 2024

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