Top Line Summary

  • Praises James Forrest and his experience
  • No real complaints about the pitch
  • Callum McGregor update​​

Everything Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said to the media following his side's win over Dundee at Dens Park on Sunday afternoon...

What can you say about James Forrest?

James is just a brilliant player. He’s one of the remaining fathers of the success this club has had over the last decade or so. There are very few of them left, but he’s definitely one of them. His creativity, mentality and quality over the last decade have been so important. I’m so pleased for him. His first finish is sublime - what technique. His second one, he’s made it look easier than it actually was. He may not quite have the legs he had years back but the quality doesn’t diminish. He was our matchwinner today and I’m so happy for him. He wasn’t only demanding the ball, he looks after it. If he can’t beat a man he secures it. That’s his game, looking to take people on, passing and shooting - everything you want in a winger to be effective in the game.

Is that experience key at this time of the season?

Yeah, I think that experience and ability to want the ball in pressure situations. That’s something he’s delivered many, many times for this club. It definitely helps at this stage of the season.

Do you think he is in line to be recalled into the Scotland squad for Euros?

I hadn’t thought about Scotland, to be honest. I certainly know when I was here the first time James was a key player, scoring goals. My only interest is in Celtic, we have four matches to go and a cup final. If he keeps producing that quality of performance it will be a big help to us.

Did you have any reservations about the pitch?

I’m pleased. The pitch was difficult, it’s bumpy so it was always going to be a challenge to play fast, flowing football but at this stage of the season, it’s about getting the results. Dundee have had a fantastic season and have made it very difficult for teams here. We got into a fantastic position going 2-0 up then the own goal gave them a bit of hope in the final fifteen minutes. But we saw it through and picked up a fantastic three points.

Any trepidation coming here?

No. Not at all. Three games with an aggregate of 13 goals, and conceded one, so I felt fine coming to here. I felt that if we were aggressive and took the ball like we had in those other games then we could have a good day. The pitch made it really difficult to play with that fluency but we still had to get the job done. Dundee have had a fantastic season. I am so pleased for Tony he is a good man and a super coach and he has managed this group really well. Collectively they have made it very difficult and you can see the results they have had and that is why they are where they are. At this stage of the season if you want to win and have that trophy head on then you have to win. You have to perform and the players did that.

Do you think the remaining games will be the same?

Yes. I said to the players afterwards that we were on top but we keep climbing. Let’s not settle on just being top of the league. We keep climbing, we want to achieve more, score as many goals as we can and be as strong as we can defensively and now I am really excited about next week against Hearts at Celtic Park. 60,000, the atmosphere will be amazing, the pitch will be amazing and hopefully, we can play a level of football and get another really good result.

There were some nervy moments but is there a way to manage that in remaining games?

It’s par for the course. You’ve just got to have that courage to take the ball. There is always going to be pressure playing for Celtic at the end of a season in particular when it is tight. You just keep your calmness and take the ball, pass it, show that personality in the game. It’s just do the basics right at this stage of the season. Sometimes you can overthink it and we have some players who have maybe not been in this situation before. Just do your fundamentals well and if you can take care of that we will have a great end to the season.

Is Callum McGregor okay?

Yeah, he is fine. He continued. Hopefully, he can just keep building his fitness through the end of the season and then go and do a great job for Scotland.