Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers praised his aspect for sticking to their ideas in testing circumstances after Reo Hatate’s late winner in opposition to Aberdeen left them in a “really, really good place” within the title race. Hatate produced a contact of sophistication on a sodden evening at Pittodrie the place wind speeds bought as much as about 50 miles per hour. The Japan midfielder chested down Greg Taylor’s lofted move and dispatched a half volley to seal a 1-0 win within the 78th minute and ship Celtic seven factors away from the Dons with a sport in hand, and an additional 4 past Rangers. Rodgers stated: “The conditions were awful for the players to play in. “I think you see by sticking to our principles and how we play, that’s where the winning goal came from. “The first half, we were confident in the game, we took the ball through into the final third, but I think a couple of times we meant to make that final pass, but then the ball runs away and the wind takes it away, so we didn’t quite make those passes at the end of our build-up play. “In our counter-pressing, we needed to close the space a wee bit quicker because they had a couple of moments on the break. “The second half, we were much better, dominated the game, controlled the game, anything that did get played forward, we were there. It was just a case of sticking to how we play and what we know, and obviously that’s where the goal comes from. “So, a fantastic team move, great pass by Greg Taylor and a wonderful finish, and deserved to win the game. “We had to showcase our attitude and mentality. Everything we were saying before the game, this is your body language, this is everything, this is way up in the north of Scotland, the rain, the wind is pouring in, our supporters are stuck in a corner with no cover. We have to do it, do it for them, do it for ourselves. “The players showed a great mentality and a great bravery to still try to play how we want to play. Eventually, we get a reward for that.” Rodgers was not taking something with no consideration after shifting additional clear on the high of the desk after making it 40 factors out of 42. “It’s still so early, 14 games, so there’s only just over a third of the season gone, but I think I said the other day that if we can get to seven points clear with a game in hand, then we’re in a really, really good place,” he stated. “But it’s still such a long way to go.” Aberdeen have now taken two factors from a doable 12 after matching Celtic for his or her first 11 video games however supervisor Jimmy Thelin was proud of the efficiency of his aspect, who created a number of good probabilities. “It’s good that we were competitive, that’s what’s important for us, that we were compact again, that we looked stronger as a team again,” he stated. “That was good with the performance. “I’m happy with the performance, but I’m not so happy with the result. But that’s football, and I also have to say congratulations to Celtic. They win and we have to move on to the next game.”
HT Picture