Celtic 3-1 Hibs – 'The performance level overall was excellent,' Brendan Rodgers

Martin Boyle tried to spoil the party with his first half shot that flew past Kasper Schmeichel but Celtic are champions and Anthony Ralston’s clever through ball found Nicolas Kuhn who rounded the keeper before finishing perfectly from a tight angle. Within a few minutes Kuhn became provider and gave Adam Idah his third shot of the afternoon and this time he smashed it home to give Celtic a deserved half-time lead.

Hibs were clearly looking to take something from the match but Celtic’s passing was too much for them and when Reo Hatate smartly finished from just inside the box after some fast passing from Celtic the game was beyond the visitors.

Their three point advantage over Aberdeen can be eliminated tomorrow if Jimmy Thelin’s side, who will face Celtic in the Scottish Cup Final in a fortnight, can beat theRangers at Pittodrie in the lunchtime kick-off. If they do it will be bad news for Hibs but Celtic supporters will be happy enough and the 20 points lead today’s win opened up will add to the misery over the road.

Brendan Rodgers, speaking on BBC Sportsound after today’s 3-1 win over Hibs praised his side’s excellent performance on a sunny afternoon in Paradise.

“The performance level overall was excellent,” the Celtic manager said. “We went one behind, but we were doing so many good things in the game.

“We stayed calm. My big message was about building on our recent success because that’s what the club is all about. We want to go into [the Scottish Cup final]in a really good way. For that we need to work.
“That’s why we have success here, because we build on past success and don’t settle and accept it.”

After today Celtic have now scored 106 league goals this season, with two games remaining. That’s the same number they managed in Brendan Rodgers’ first season at Celtic in season 2016-17. Two games left to outscore our Invincible side is quite something.

James Forrest got just under 20 minutes today but never got a chance. His one effort from outside the box was well saved but the offside flag went up anyway. Maybe Wednesday night Jamesy, we’ll be there to cheer you on!

The Celtic Star, Man of the Match – Reo Hatate, outstanding! 

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