How Brendan Rodgers reacted to Celtic missing multiple chances vs Kilmarnock, talks Young Boys Champions League prep

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic missed a hatful of chances this afternoon but saw off Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup.

It was not the Hoops at their best as they beat Killie 2-1 in front of a home crowd but manager Brendan Rodgers was satisfied with the performance.

The manager made changes to his XI before kick-off after Rodgers had teased rotation from the clash vs Dundee in midweek.

And the players he picked made a heavy job of the cup tie even if they came out winners in the end thanks to goals from Callum McGregor and the returning Daizen Maeda.

Celts have struggled with profligacy already this season and sinner Kyogo admitted recently he must “improve” with chances in front of goal.

Which is exactly where Rodgers says his side have stumbled somewhat.

• READ MORE: Celtic player ratings vs Kilmarnock as 8/10 star helps spare blushes in narrow Scottish Cup win

Celtic manager Rodgers addresses Killie win

“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the dominance of the game but if you don’t finish your chances then you know Kilmarnock are a team that can hurt you,” he told BBC Sportsound at full-time.

“They play a pressure game, the ball goes up you’ve got to be strong. Throw-ins into the box and the goal comes from that as we don’t defend well enough.

“Overall really pleased with the appetite of the team and how we responded to 1-1 because we had so many chances and the game should’ve been dead and buried by half-time.”

Celtic face Young Boys in their next Champions League outing and the Hoops know a win would essentially guarantee a knockout playoff spot.

Rodgers, then, is focusing immediately on the Swiss club after getting past Killie.

And despite a narrow scoreline, the Irishman reckons it was the ideal preparation for what could be another physical test on Wednesday.

Brendan Rodgers promises Celtic will be ready to face Young Boys

“We’ll recover from this game and analyse what could have been better but I thought it was a good test for us going into (Young Boys) game.

“With the greatest respect to other teams we have to be physical today and really work for the result and now it gives us good preparation into Wednesday’s game.

“We’ll design a plan for that game and it should be an incredible evening here that we’re looking forward to.

“We’ve worked really well in the Champions League this season, we’ve had one game that we got punished heavily in by a top class team.

“Okay. We have to accept and learn from that which the players have done.

“Especially at home we’ve been very good and away we’ve picked up valuable points so that puts us in a great position now.

“With the crowd and the team and everyone synchronised on Wednesday it should be an incredible night and hopefully we can get a performance and result to match.”