Manager delighted with outstanding performance from the Champions | OneFootball

Celtic produced a very impressive performance to beat Hibernian 3-1 at home, thanks to goals from Nicolas Kuhn, Adam Idah and Reo Hatate.

The display delighted Brendan Rodgers, with the Hoops enjoying a good afternoon in what was their first game at Celtic Park since securing a fourth consecutive league title.

And despite going behind in the first-half when Martin Boyle opened the scoring for the visitors, Celtic responded well, scoring twice in the first-half through Kuhn and Idah before Hatate extended the lead after the break.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the Celtic manager said: “I thought the performance was outstanding. We started the game very well and pressed the game how I wanted us to press because Hibs are a very good side who have had a very good season, but we really dominated that aspect of the game.

“I said to the players beforehand that to be that team of dominance, it’s not about possession, it’s not about skill, it’s not about talent, it’s your counter-pressing and to really press the game, because this was a team that, if you don’t, then they can break through very quickly like we’ve seen many times this season against other teams.

“But I thought we were so intent in our work – our pressing, our aggression – and then that allowed us and built the platform for us to pass the ball, and we were very crisp and clean. It was a really good performance.”

The Hoops now have two league games remaining – a trip to Pittodrie on Wednesday night to take on Aberdeen before next Saturday’s Trophy Day at Paradise, when St Mirren are the visitors.

The manager wants his team to continue their good form in these two games, and take that momentum into the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen at Hampden on May 24.

“Our success over a number of years now has been based around building from the past,” he explained, “so our past is – we were the Champions two weeks ago and now we’re building towards the next two weeks.

“And for that I wanted us to make sure we were concentrated, professional and put in a performance that we can be proud of today, take that to Aberdeen and then take it to Trophy Day. And then arrive into the final in a really good place.

Reo Hatate produced a Man of the Match performance, capped by a wonderful goal in the second-half, while there was also a first-team debut for 17-year-old midfielder, Sean McCardle, who came with just over five minutes remaining.

“Reo was outstanding and his goal was of high quality,” said Brendan Rodgers. “It was the three centre midfield players that were up there in the box, the one-touch play and the finish, but overall, he was very good in his pressing and he has that big quality to see a pass and make a finish.

“Sean’ss been doing really well with the B Team. He’s tenacious and he’s only going to get better. He needs to keep the aggression in his game.

“He can run, he can pass the ball well and now he has to look at the examples of the Academy players who have come through the system in how to sustain that.

"But this gives him a bit of reward for all the really good work that he’s done and hopefully he can build on that.”

Fixtures

Celtic Vs. Hibernian - Sat, May 10th 2025, 15:00 Final score: 3 - 1 Match Report