Brendan Rodgers has been giving his reaction to Celtic’s 2-0 win over St Mirren in the Scottish Cup on Sunday afternoon.
A returning Kyogo Furuhashi opened the scoring for the travelling Bhoys from Luis Palma’s low cross, following a slick counter-attack.
Then, Daizen Maeda struck after the interval, following up from a Matt O’Riley that crashed against the St Mirren crossbar.
The Buddies had their moments in the game but overall it was a pretty comfortable afternoon for Celtic, who now move into tonight’s quarter-final draw.
Brendan Rodgers on Celtic display vs St Mirren
The Bhoys boss told Viaplay Sports post-match: “I think we managed the game well in the second half. It was always going to be a tricky game. St Mirren were in really good form.
“Obviously, the narrative around our team is that we’re not together. But you can’t come and win fairly comfortably like that if you’re not. I thought the guys did really, really well. I was very pleased for them and proud of them.
“It’s such a tricky tie with the form St Mirren have been in. They’re really high on confidence and got their better players back as well from the Asian Cup. Defensively we stood up to it really, really well. We had some moments in the first half, we just need to figure out one or two ways better to play through their midblock.
“The message to the players was when you’re successful, and this club has been for a long period, it doesn’t take much for people to want to bring you down.
“For us, it’s about keeping that calmness. We know we haven’t been playing consistently to the level but we’ll get there. I can’t complain about the players. The guys coming in, adapting and giving us absolutely everything.”
Remarkably, Rodgers has never been defeated in a Scottish Cup match as Celtic manager, stretching back to his successful first spell in charge of the Bhoys.
He loves this tournament and will relish the chance to book a place in a Hampden semi-final.
Celtic now return to league action over the next few weeks with an away trip to Motherwell sandwiched by home tests against Kilmarnock and Dundee.
If the team take nine points from the next nine available, it sets up a massive end to the season as the Bhoys push for a double.
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