Manager pleased with strong performance and result at Paradise

Celtic F.C.

·29 Maret 2025

Manager pleased with strong performance and result at Paradise

Brendan Rodgers was pleased to see his side return to winning ways as they produced an assured performance to beat Hearts 3-0 at Celtic Park.

All the goals came in the first-half – two from Daizen Maeda to take his tally for the season to 30, and one from Jota – while Viljami Sinisalo produced a clean sheet in his first league appearance for the Hoops.

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Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, the Celtic manager said: “I thought it was a very good performance and result on the back of an international break and players being away, and obviously the group only coming together on Friday.

“I thought the connections were really good and the three first-half goals were of outstanding quality.

“So I’m really pleased. Obviously Hearts have been on a really good run and coming here and wanting to press the game early in a similar shape to what Hibs did and what Rangers did, but we figured it out and worked out way through it well.

“And in the second half we just wanted to make sure we controlled the game. We obviously wanted to attack and create opportunities, but control it was important and make sure we didn’t give anything to Hearts.”

Callum McGregor made a welcome return to the starting XI after missing out on the recent derby through injury, and in the hour he played, the Celtic captain produced another midfield masterclass, including a wonderful through ball for Maeda’s opening goal.

“It was a nice little rotation between him and Reo,” said the manager. “He obviously plays in that controlling position, Cal, but we don’t pigeon-hole him in that, the mobility and movement between him and Reo was very good and that then releases the pass for the space for him to take it.“And then it was a brilliant finish from Daizen, and I thought it was a really good team goal.

“We don’t want to take any risks with Cal because he gives great tactical balance to our game, so it was a good 60 minutes for him, a fantastic performance and a wonderful player that thankfully is back.”

And the Hoops boss also praised his goalkeeper, who was only making his second start for Celtic, coming in for the injured Kasper Schmeichel.

“I was very pleased,” he said. “To come into a big game like this here, he’s a confident boy and he trusts his ability, and out there on the pitch he looked competent and very assured, so I’m pleased for him.”