Celtic rewarded for sticking to ideas in win at Aberdeen

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers praised his facet for sticking to their ideas in testing circumstances after Reo Hatate’s late winner in opposition to Aberdeen left them in a “actually, actually good place” within the title race. Hatate produced a contact of sophistication on a sodden night time at Pittodrie the place wind speeds acquired as much as about 50 miles per hour. The Japan midfielder chested down Greg Taylor’s lofted go 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 mentioned: “The circumstances had been terrible for the gamers to play in. “I feel you see by sticking to our ideas and the way we play, that’s the place the successful purpose got here from. “The primary half, we had been assured within the sport, we took the ball by into the ultimate third, however I feel a few instances we meant to make that ultimate go, however then the ball runs away and the wind takes it away, so we didn’t fairly make these passes on the finish of our build-up play. “In our counter-pressing, we would have liked to shut the house a wee bit faster as a result of that they had a few moments on the break. “The second half, we had been a lot better, dominated the sport, managed the sport, something that did get performed ahead, we had been there. It was only a case of sticking to how we play and what we all know, and clearly that’s the place the purpose comes from. “So, a improbable staff transfer, nice go by Greg Taylor and an exquisite end, and deserved to win the sport. “We needed to showcase our angle and mentality. All the things we had been saying earlier than the sport, that is your physique language, that is all the pieces, that is approach up within the north of Scotland, the rain, the wind is pouring in, our supporters are caught in a nook with no cowl. We now have to do it, do it for them, do it for ourselves. “The gamers confirmed an incredible mentality and an incredible bravery to nonetheless attempt to play how we need to play. Finally, we get a reward for that.” Rodgers was not taking something without any consideration after transferring additional clear on the high of the desk after making it 40 factors out of 42. “It’s nonetheless so early, 14 video games, so there’s solely simply over a 3rd of the season gone, however I feel I mentioned the opposite day that if we will get to seven factors clear with a sport in hand, then we’re in a very, actually good place,” he mentioned. “But it surely’s nonetheless such a protracted technique 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 facet, who created a number of good probabilities. “It’s good that we had been aggressive, that’s what’s vital for us, that we had been compact once more, that we seemed stronger as a staff once more,” he mentioned. “That was good with the efficiency. “I’m proud of the efficiency, however I’m not so proud of the outcome. However that’s soccer, and I additionally must say congratulations to Celtic. They win and we now have to maneuver on to the subsequent sport.”