Everything Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said to Sky Sports, following Celtic's 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park...
Brendan, can we get your overall thoughts on the performance and the result, please?
Well, it was a really good reaction in the second half. It was probably the angriest I've been at half-time in my career as a manager. The intent and the mentality weren’t there, we were too comfortable. The second half is what I would expect, there was a much better energy and tempo to the game. Callum McGregor was absolutely brilliant in the second half and his goal – which looked like it was coming – sparked the reaction. In the second half, we were what I would expect us to be.
Just on that first half, was it a surprise, given before the game we were speaking about setting the tone early and having that tempo?
Yes, it's ambition. Some players want to be too comfortable and just do enough, and that’s not enough at this club. You have to have that mentality and intensity from that first whistle. As I said, the reaction was very good.
READ MORE: Celtic instant analysis: McGregor and O'Riley save the day
We’ll get into the second half in just a minute. Just to sweep up the first half, in terms of that goal you conceded, is that something that players have to do better? I know there was talk of a foul. What was your thoughts on it?
There was no foul, we were soft. We got bullied at that moment. It's a good ball in from Carey, but it's a corner that we’d looked at working in the first half and we get nowhere near that aggression. Their keeper came and took it free under no contact and theirs was a good ball in, they surrounded the keeper and then we didn’t defend it because we weren’t aggressive with it.
A great second half, how much did Mikey Johnston’s introduction help in that?
Yeah, he was outstanding. Bright on both sides of the pitch, he was excellent. He's one that if he can improve on his tactical ideas in the game in terms of his pressing and understanding where to be then you can see the talent that he has when he does have the ball. In duels and 1v1s he’s very good. I thought he was bright and was really positive when he came into the game.
Cracking goals in that second half. Does that set the standard, the Jekyll and Hyde today?
We just can't drop the standards as they are very high. They’ve been set over many years I said to the players at half-time that we've gone a game and a half without scoring – with the greatest of respect – against St Johnstone. Our levels need to be much better, but they were in the second half. It's a reminder for the players that the minute you drop off, there are good teams and managers in this league that can set up teams well and hurt you. Thankfully our intensity was much better in the second half, and we deserved to score three and maybe even some more.
"It's ambition. Some players want to be too comfortable and just do enough. It's not enough at this club." ❌
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 3, 2023
Brendan Rodgers was NOT happy with Celtic's first half performance 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/2em1FIkrWP
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