Celtic put in a composed and professional display as they secured all 3 points with a Kyogo Furuhashi goal on the stroke of half-time proving to be the difference maker.
Naturally, following a noteworthy game, there has been plenty to discuss and digest whether it be the incredible player of the match performance from Liam Scales or just the massive step-up in performance levels from the players on the park. One thing that is for certain is that Celtic fans are a lot happier today than they were last Monday.
Mood change in the Celtic camp
Everything is sunshine and rainbows again at Celtic with Brendan Rodgers back in the good books of Celtic supporters.
It was highlighted on the ACSOM Blog last week that a win in the derby would do just that. Rodgers has always seen some poor early season results at Celtic, this season being no different, and the mood around Parkhead has completely switched.
The saying is that pressure makes diamonds and Brendan Rodgers utilised that to galvanise this Celtic team, turning the hostile Ibrox atmosphere as well as the pressure from the media into a positive to motivate and push the team on to success.
Ability to overcome adversity
When the chips are down, Rodgers knows how to grind out results, and it was a grind. Celtic had their backs against the wall and defended valiantly in what was a gutsy display. Under previous regimes, pressure was a killer, with forms of adversity completely deflating the team, but the exact opposite happened on Sunday.
The team played like they had a point to prove and a lot of the key players who had been underperforming up until this point put in some starring performances.
Importance to the new signings
Celtic’s summer transfer window came under vast scrutiny from Celtic supporters, with the lack of a real marquee signing putting a dampener on things. However, the players signed will be ones that are to be developed for the future and experiencing the intensity required to win a derby game at Ibrox, especially with no away fans, will be a vital experience to the likes of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Odin Holm and Yang Hyun-jun.
Rodgers emphasised this post match when he said that, “A lot of the new players needed that big win to feel what the intensity is like at a club like Celtic.
“Second half, we had to show resilience and fight. To come here, keep a clean sheet and win with not one away supporter in the stadium is brilliant.”
Looking ahead
Following the international break, we will see the return of Reo Hatate to the fold, a welcome boost to the Celtic midfield. Prior to Sunday, the best we had seen of Callum McGregor so far this season was when he was playing alongside Reo Hatate in the middle and the Japanese international’s energy will be vital for the upcoming Champions League campaign.
With Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki not expected back until mid-October time, Liam Scales may have just earned himself more minutes following the break. He has, for sure, earned the right to start the home fixture against Dundee and how Rodgers handles the Irishman’s game time following the resumption of the domestic campaign will be one to keep an eye on.
JAMES MCKENZIE
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