Celtic earned a convincing win over Dundee United to take another stride towards the Scottish Premiership title.
Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the Bhoys’ performance as the Celtic manager praised his team and Callum McGregor for their performance over the Tayside club.
With a gap of 13 points now set at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and just 12 games left to play, Celtic are on course to win the 55th league title of their history at the end of this current season.
Reflecting on the defeat, Dundee United boss, Jim Goodwin picked out one Celtic hero as he said he can now understand why Brendan Rodgers shelled out a huge chunk of cash for him in the January transfer window.
Jim Goodwin admits Celtic gave Dundee United a ‘really tough afternoon’
Goodwin told Dundee United TV, “It was a really tough afternoon for us. Obviously, we had a game plan in mind, and I thought the shape and the structure behind the ball were really good from the off.
“But, unfortunately, we concede that first goal that we think is so avoidable on our part. McGregor receives the ball on the edge of our 18-yard box.
It’s a little bit too easy to get goal side, and then we don’t put enough pressure on the shot to prevent the ball creeping in at the near post.”
Jim Goodwin hails the ‘quality’ of Celtic’s £8m man vs Dundee United
“The second one is quite similar, really, ” continued Goodman, “We know the quality that Jota has got, hence why Celtic paid £8m for him in the January transfer window.
But he favours coming in on his right foot when it does come along the edge of the 18-yard line, we then need to try and engage and we need a midfielder or a defender to get out there a little bit quicker and try and put a block on.
“So at two nil, obviously it’s a mountain to climb, but, you know, the message at halftime was the next goal. You know, if we can get it, then we can maybe increase the tension and create a little bit of anxiety within here.
“But I’ve got to credit Celtic. They have got such high standards and consistency all season. We were hoping that they might have one eye on next week, given that they’re still in that tie against Bayern Munich.
“But that’s the professionalism of this team and you know, they are relentless and I think that’s the bottom line.
“We’ve got to credit the opposition sometimes, and unfortunately, today, we were just beaten by the better team.
Celtic are now 13 points ahead of Rangers after the Ibrox club’s latest win against Hearts at Tynecastle this afternoon.
With four games to go till the next Glasgow Derby, there is a chance that Celtic could make the league title win official with a win over Rangers at Celtic Park.
Until then thought, the Hoops have the small matter of the Champions League to attend to in less than 48 hours as Brendan Rodgers looks to pull off a great escape and beat Bayern Munich by two goals or more to progress into the last 16 of Europe’s premier competition.
