Top Performance From Top Team

 

- Mark Henderson

IT has become standard practice for Brendan Rodgers to hail his players for their performance levels this season such has been their stunning consistency. In the aftermath of Celtic’s Scottish Cup semi-final win over Rangers, he once again paid them a glowing tribute for producing a stellar showing on the big stage while under the severest pressure.

Ultimately, goals in either half from Callum McGregor and Scott Sinclair secured the champions a return visit to the National Stadium for the showpiece in May against Aberdeen, but this was an utterly dominant display from the Hoops in which they could have easily inflicted further punishment on the Ibrox side.

It was visible indicator of how far the club has progressed since the Irishman took the helm in the summer. When the Glasgow rivals met in the same circumstances 12 months ago, Celtic lost on penalties on a deeply disappointing day for the entire club. The contrast in emotions at the final whistle on Sunday was stark as the Hoops faithful, the players and the manager celebrated yet another derby success.

“It was a brilliant team performance,” Brendan Rodgers told the View in an exclusive interview. “I was delighted for the supporters as I know that 12 months ago it was a difficult day for them and the players as they walked out of here. It was a hard one to take. But 12 months on, you see the level the team are playing at and their confidence. Everything they did in the game was absolutely incredible. It was fully deserved and I’m delighted.