A new Celtic buzzword emerges as Brendan Rodgers wants more GREED after rare misfire at Tannadice
Frustrated Brendan Rodgers admits Celtic are greedy to win every game.
But after failing to gobble up full points for only the second time this season against Dundee United the Hoops boss insists nobody should complain about quality of fare offered up so far this season. Not when the punters are hardly starved of success.
Celtic can look forward to their Christmas dinner knowing their unbeaten domestic record this season is still in tack. But a week after filling their boots with the first silverware of the season against Rangers in a thrilling League Cup Final at Hampden it was a far more bland affair in Tayside. Kyogo missed a late chance which was laid on a plate by sub Adam Idah’s neat flick. But other than that and a decent save from Jack Walton to deny Arne Engels late on, the Hoops were living on scraps in front of goal.
It was unlike the free-flowing and free-scoring Hoops of just a month ago and Rodgers admitted he was disappointed. But with a nine point lead on Rangers at the top of the table, their Champions League qualification hopes in a healthy spot and the League Cup safely tucked up in the cabinet, the Northern Irishman was quick to remind listeners that Celtic are feasting on good times.
He said: "You are always disappointed when you draw a game that you should win. We didn't work the keeper enough but the players gave everything. In these types of games, if you don't get the early goal it gives the opposition something to hold on to.
"We had to make a lot of changes and the players that came in were really secure. Both sets of players dealt with the wind really well, because it was a real challenge. We are greedy to win every game. But nine points clear, with a trophy in the cabinet, and doing well in the Champions League, it's been a good period for us.”
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Austin Trusty were sidelined by flu meaning Rodgers was forced to pair Stephen Welsh - making only his second appearance of the season - and Liam Scales in the centre of defence. But a comfortable clean sheet - their 13th in 16 league games - was a positive for the manager to take into the Boxing Day clash with Motherwell.
He said: “The keeper made a great save from Arne Engels at the end and we also had a chance with Kyogo. We just needed to be more clinical and ruthless with our finishing. But I can't fault the effort of the players and what they gave.
"The football was good but it just wasn't to be. Welshy and Scalesy were excellent. The conditions were excellent but credit to both sets of players for the way they handled it. We’ve played a lot of fast, low passes and played good football - but we just couldn't find the goal.
“Stephen and Liam helped us control the game. We missed Ali Johnston and Nicolas Kuhn, who have been excellent for us. But we can’t use that as an excuse. Some of our play getting through the pitch was excellent and we still had 78 per cent possession. It was just that lack of a touch in the final third. We felt we had enough chances to score.”
Rodgers should have Carter-Vickers, Trusty and Johnston back to face Well on Boxing Day. But there’s a doubt over Nicolas Kuhn who will be assessed today after picking up a knee injury last week. There’s no rest for the champions either, not with three huge games coming up in the space of eight days - culminating in the second Old Firm derby of the league season at Ibrox on January 2.
But the manager knows the players will have their eyes on unwrapping three points when Well visit on Thursday - because the expectation to win drives them every single day. Rodgers said: “The boys will be back in training and we just need to keep going now.
“It’s been a good start to the season and the players have been absolutely brilliant up until this time. We put that expectation on ourselves to win every game but you can’t complain when you get a draw like Sunday. We just have to do better in the final third but I also give credit to Dundee United.
“They were resolute and got blocks in. But I felt that it was more us - not getting on the end of crosses and not hitting the target. However, the players have been fantastic, playing under that expectation to win every game.
“This has been constant for them in the last few weeks and they have played to a really good level. Now we have two home games close together and we will look to take maximum points from them.”
