Celtic 4-0 Rangers: Title focus will lift Celtic for cup final - Rodgers
Last updated on .From the section Celtic
Celtic's push to retain the Premiership title will ensure they are ready for May's Scottish Cup final, manager Brendan Rodgers says.
The club are trying to win back-to-back trebles, and are one win away from their seventh consecutive title.
After defeating a meek Rangers side 4-0 at Hampden, Celtic face Motherwell in the Scottish Cup final on 19 May.
"The last five [league games] will really get the players focused and ensure that we're ready," Rodgers said.
"The important thing now is to close up the league. We're in a really good position, [but] we've got tough games now.
"The final will be a tough game. You saw Motherwell [win against Aberdeen], a totally different type of football to what we will play, which makes it a very interesting final. They work hard, they're very honest and they won't make it easy."
'The players have inspired the Celtic supporters'
If Rodgers' side defeat Hibernian at Easter Road on Saturday, they will retain their Premiership crown, and take a step closer to becoming the first side to win back-to-back trebles, having successfully defended the League Cup last November, beating Motherwell 2-0 in the final.
"I'm always looking to push [the players] and bring out that bit more from them, what makes a difference going into these big games, but they bring the real edge to it," Rodgers said.
"They have really inspired the supporters in my time here, the supporters feel safe that the players are going to give everything they can. We have a way of playing that we know can win games."
Rangers were passive opponents at Hampden, with Celtic quickly and effectively getting the measure of their game plan to flood the centre of the pitch.
Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor scored before half-time, then penalties from Moussa Dembele and Olivier Ntcham rounded off the scoring after the break.
Rangers defender Ross McCrorie was sent off early in the second half for the foul that led to Dembele's spot-kick.
"I was very proud of the team," said Rodgers, who remains unbeaten as a manager in 10 Old Firm games.
"It was always going to be difficult, but I thought we controlled the game well in the first half. We played around their shape. Rangers looked like they were trying to block the middle of the pitch but that allowed us to exploit the sides.
"We had fairly decent control without too much threat against us. The team was compact, defending well, counter-pressing well and we get a very good first goal that relaxes you as well, a brilliant finish from Tom, a wonderful piece of skill. From there we had really good control throughout the game.
"I said to [Rogic] he didn't start so well, a bit loose in his passing, but the goal comes from [the ball] going up to Moussa, it's played back in and then James Forrest makes a great first-time pass in to Tom, who shows his strength and skill to finish. He was very good and he scores big goals in big games, which is why you always look to him."
Comments
Join the conversation
From overspending with Souness, using money provided on the never never courtesy of the Bank of Scotland...thanks to Gavin Masterton (Dunfermline supporter..ahem!)
Until the industrial cheating years, using EBT’s and individual side letters unknown to the SFA ( if you believe in fairies!!) Karma👍
Will be an interesting Final against the Well...
Great day again for us Celts 😁
Rangers players cheer , than come out and play like that in front of your fans ?
Shame on you players that cheered !
Other Scottish clubs, sound business and development model
Celtic are going about our business in a totally different manner by comparison yet the result is the same .
Domination.
Our Club has managed to do this on budget & within our own financial constraints hence why we have manageable debt & cash to spare when needed.
Support the jersey and head off home with your neighbour who’s likely to support the opposition.
Broony and Ntcham ran the show and Moussa bullied the new Maldini all day... well for about an hour anyway.
With Motherwell in the final that mean only top 3 get Euro football from the league, i doubt Sevco will make the cut from what i have seen recently
Good times. Bring on the double treble !!!
HH
Celtic really should have won by more and Rangers have a lot to do between now and the start of next season.
Motherwell Supporters happy well done Motherwell.
What more can be said.....The best teams won.