BRENDAN Rodgers, the Celtic manager, last night urged his players not to get carried away with their emphatic 5-0 win over Motherwell in the Betfred Cup and insisted they can still play far better.
Doubles from Moussa Dembele and Tom Rogic and a Scott Sinclair strike at Parkhead saw the Scottish champions book a place in the quarter-final of the competition against Alloa at home next month.
Rodgers was pleased with how his team performed and praised the contribution of James Forrest and Rogic – who have both signed three year deals this week – and new arrival Sinclair.
However, the Irishman stressed there is still room for improvement and expressed hope he can strengthen his squad even further before the close of the transfer window at the end of the month.
“We still have a way to go,” said Rodgers. “We still can be better at times. I said that to the players after. What’s very pleasing is that during the week they are playing big games and performing. Tonight they gave a wonderful football demonstration. There was aggression in our game.
“But we still have a way to go, we won’t get carried away. If I can get one or two in before the window shuts I would be extremely happy and that would set us up for the rest of the season.’
“I have been encouraged by what I have seen. I really enjoyed tonight’s performance. The speed of the team from when I first came in. As a coach you like to see the consequence of your training in the on-field performance. In that case I am very happy, however, we still have a way to go.”
Rodgers added: “I think for James it’s about consistency. Sometimes players lose their way for whatever reason. He has always been one where, if he can play to the level I know he can play, it I certainly want him here.
Read more: Sinclair shines on first Celtic start as Motherwell are brushed aside
“He was sat with six months to go (on his contract), but I made it very clear I wanted him here because he has speed, pace, power. That’s important to how I want the team to play and when you see him in the mood tonight with that pace and aggression then he is a real aid to the team.
“Tom and James are wonderful players but to be part of this team they need to be able to press. Both of them did that. James had the quality with the ball. Tom is a wonderful player. Don’t forget, he’s an Australian international, but he’s had a lot of injuries.
“Hopefully he’ll stay fit this season because when he can you can see his abilities. He was a great connection between our front three and all of those boys were excellent.
“Scott Sinclair has added a different dimension. All of a sudden the dynamic of the game completely changes. Our counter pressing was very good. Game by game we’re getting better.
"We were very good this evening. I thought out speed and intensity was excellent. It was always going to be difficult, especially early on, but we worked the ball from side to side and penetrated through the middle.
Read more: Celtic 5 Motherwell 0 - Rampant Hoops unstoppable in Betfred Cup
“We got five goals and could have got more. I’m delighted to have qualified for the next round and get a home draw no matter who it is. I sense the players love playing here - I certainly do. We’ll respect Alloa though."
Mark McGhee, the Motherwell manager, praised the performance of his goalkeeper Craig Samson and predicted that Celtic would defeat teams by far bigger scorelines at Parkhead this season if they performed at such a high level.
“I don’t think for a minute that that will be the worst result for a team here this season,” he said. “When they get going like that and their finishing is a little bit better it could be more.
“Our goalkeeper played particularly well. There will be a day when a team’s goalkeeper doesn’t play that well and it will be more. They do have to keep these players fit. That is an aspect of it. And these players have to keep that form going.
“We could have done a bit better. I thought at times Celtic were not only technically better than us, their movement and passing were better, but even physically at times they looked stronger than us.
“I don’t think there is any excuse for that. We have got a gym and the boys need to learn there is a more physical side to it. I am talking about a challenge where you have got to stand and hold the ball and keep the ball.
“The boys have got to learn from what they see in some of the Celtic players. They have to look at these players and see the tempo and the way the two wide players played and aspire to that. There is something to be taken from that.”
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