Brendan Rodgers may soon run out of Celtic records to break. Until then, at least he has worthwhile personal incentive.
Celtic’s ultimately comfortable retention of the League Cup means Rodgers has become the first manager in the club’s history to win his first four domestic trophies. He is the first since the legendary Jock Stein to collect four in a row. Celtic’s unbeaten domestic record has now stretched to a staggering 65 games. One wonders what the Irishman’s next trick could possibly be.
The answer, of course, resonates in the wounding events which preceded this win over Motherwell. Celtic were thumped 7-1 at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night, a result which triggered the latest questioning of a supposedly dreamy Rodgers approach and admission here of “a sore one”. The manager’s most meaningful, ongoing challenge is to compete better in the Champions League while remaining dominant at home.
“We had to tick a few character boxes after midweek and once again the players produced,” Rodgers said. “A fourth trophy in 12 months is a phenomenal achievement. The players deserve all the credit for that; they have a hunger and desire to keep going.”
Rodgers said he was unaware of the historical significance of this achievement until it was mentioned to him on Saturday. “Of course, that is a very special thing to have happened. Especially when you consider this club has had so many great managers. But this is a trophy for everyone at the club.”
Controversy provides a useful Scottish football backdrop, as routine, in these times of results formality. Motherwell complained vehemently about the penalty award which triggered Celtic’s second and decisive goal. The runners-up had a case, given how easily Scott Sinclair toppled with Cédric Kipré in close quarters. Kipré was also dismissed, which only added to Motherwell’s sense of grievance.
“For me, there was no contact,” the Motherwell manager, Stephen Robinson, said. “It completely changes the game. It is hard to take, a defeat in that manner. I would rather have been pumped 6-0 or 7-0. He hasn’t laid a finger on him, he hasn’t touched him. It is so hard for the boy [Kipré] to take, sent off in his first ever cup final.”
To suggest Sinclair was not touched at all represented exaggeration from Robinson but there is no question the former Aston Villa player embellished the situation. That, or he has a balance issue.
Rodgers said of the Motherwell complaint: “It’s always that way, isn’t it? I look and think it’s a penalty. The defender cannot get there so impedes him, pulls him. I definitely thought it was a penalty.”
Sinclair was equally adamant. “I felt a little tug on the arm and went down,” he said. Two wrongs don’t equal a football right but Kipré had been fortunate to stay on the pitch after an early, wild challenge on Moussa Dembélé that somehow went unpunished.
In truth, as will inevitably be lost in the wave of noise, Celtic seemed on course for victory at the penalty juncture anyway. After a dire first half – which would have suited Motherwell perfectly – James Forrest broke the deadlock with a curling, left-foot finish after cutting inside to collect a Callum McGregor pass. Equally valuable for Celtic was an outstanding Craig Gordon save from Louis Moult’s close-range header. Gordon was among those to receive fierce criticism following events in Paris.
Dembélé dispatched the spot-kick which was the upshot of the Sinclair affair. Leigh Griffiths rattled the post as Celtic chased a third, as did Moult with the final kick of the game. This was to prove the precursor to celebrations from Rodgers and his players which, domestically at least, have become so familiar.
“The culture we create allowed us to come into today with a real positive attitude, to work well, and the players showed that,” said Rodgers.
“They put real energy into the game and the quality of their football at times was very, very good. It was a great victory for us.”
Dons see off Kilmarnock with ease
Two early goals and a fine Stevie May effort extended Aberdeen’s impressive run at Rugby Park with a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock. The Dons struck twice in the opening 15 minutes to all but seal a comfortable three points and a seventh consecutive Scottish Premiership win in Ayrshire.
Kenny McLean opened the scoring after just 54 seconds before Kirk Broadfoot’s own goal as Aberdeen took immediate control. Jordan Jones pulled one back in the second half but a fine piece of individual play from May saw him grab his fourth of the season and a welcome win for the visitors before Jones was sent off late on following a clash with Shay Logan. Press Association