Rodgers pleased with controlled Celtic effort
Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the way his side controlled the game during its 2-0 Scottish Premiership win against Aberdeen, as it earned a measure of revenge for its penalty shoot-out defeat in May's Scottish Cup final.
New signing Benjamin Nygren put his side ahead in the 27th minute, with the Swede scoring his first goal for the club.
Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate then scored with an impressive strike from the edge of the box in the 64th minute, and Celtic were rarely troubled by the side that beat them on spot-kicks at Hampden Park three months ago.
Celtic manager Rodgers said after the game: “Really pleased. We controlled it really well.
“We had a lot of really good moments in the game, scored two outstanding goals and had a few other opportunities to score.
“Their keeper made one great save, and then we had to defend, which you do, you can never dominate 100% in the game.
“But in those moments where we had to defend, we defended it very, very well and strongly. So I’m so pleased for the players because last season [the Cup final] would have hurt them, because we had a fantastic season last season.
“But we came here today, we played with quality, we played with heart and we got the result.”
Nygren joined Celtic from Dainish side Nordsjaelland, and Rodgers was full of praise for his new recruit’s performance.
“Yeah, brilliant. Really pleased for Benji. That’s why we signed him. You know, he’s a player,” Rodgers said.
“If you look at his record, he scores goals from midfield or wide areas, but we see him as someone who can move well, he can take the ball in tight spaces and he can get in the box.
“It was really nice for him to get that goal. And the second goal, we played out of the pressure really well. Reo has done that up here a few times, some very good finishes.”
