Brendan Rodgers hails 'complete performance' from players

01 March 2017 23:25

Manager Brendan Rodgers described Celtic's 4-0 thumping of Inverness in the Ladbrokes Premiership the Tulloch Caledonian stadium as the "complete performance".

The only two points the runaway league leaders had dropped in the previous 26 league games was in the 2-2 draw against the Highlanders at the same venue last September.

But there was to be no repeat as attacker Scott Sinclair fired the runaway league leaders into the lead just before the break.

A botched clearance from keeper Owain Fon Williams just seconds into the second half allowed in-form Hoops striker Moussa Dembele to effectively seal the points with an easy goal.

Midfielder Stuart Armstrong added a third with an impressive free-kick from 25 yards before Dembele scored his 11th goal in five games with his 31st of the season to take the champions 27 points clear of Aberdeen.

A satisfied Rodgers said: "It was a really complete performance. I think when I came in here in the summer, if I was to think of a performance that would reflect how we wanted to work and play, this was it.

"That was a demonstration of what we've been working towards. Defenisvely very storng and aggressive, denying them space, giving them no opportunity to play.

"With the ball, playing with charisma, mobility, penetration and looking a real threat.

"I take my hat off to the players, a brilliant performance on back of Invernss getting a good couple of results."

Reflecting back on the draw against Inverness earlier in the season, the Hoops boss said: "I said back then the team would get better.

"Even though we played well in that game, there was no level of control like that, no idea how to press and work together.

"That shows how we've come on from that point. Maybe people will stop talking about that game now!

'It shows the team are moving in the direction I want in terms of attacking philosophy."

While Dembele's goalscoring form is the talk of Scottish football, Sinclair took his tally to the season to an impressive 17 with a fine finish from outside the box.

Rodgers said: "We think of Scott as a winger but he scores so many. We had to be patient at the start of the game.

'Eventually the speed and movement gives us space.

"Scotty's goal is a demonstration of strength, balance, touch and shooting ability."

Inverness remained bottom of the table and boss Richie Foran described Celtic's second goal just seconds after the break, when Fon William botched a clearance straight to Dembele, as "comical".

He said: "It was a very disappointing performance.

"We know how good Celtic can be but I am not even sure they got out of second gear in the first half.

"The first goal, there is not a lot we can do about it. The other three were avoidable.

"The second one comical. We work hard from kick-off to get us on the front foot but we lacked courage on the ball all over the park, we passed the buck, didn't want to take responsibility.

"No courage at all on the ball. That is not good enough out there."

Source: PA