Brendan Rodgers says that Celtic are in a ‘really strong position’ in the title race despite the late Rangers equaliser that denied his side victory at Ibrox, but the Celtic manager accused Ibrox midfielder Fabio Silva of simulation as he won the penalty that flipped a thrilling game on its head.
Celtic had gone 2-0 up and were comfortable at half time, but when Celtic defender Alistair Johnston was penalised for a foul on Silva following a VAR check, allowing Rangers captain James Tavernier to score from the spot, Rodgers felt that the momentum shifted in the contest.
The hosts then drew level before Adam Idah stunned Ibrox by putting Celtic ahead once again just a minute later, before Rabbi Motondo’s injury-time effort ensured that the spoils were shared.
Despite his disappointment at that late leveller and his annoyance at Silva, Rodgers was pleased with the performance of his players, and he is more than satisfied with his team’s position in the Premiership.
Celtic remain a point ahead of their city rivals with Rangers having a game in hand against Dundee on Wednesday night, but with a match between the sides at Celtic Park to come, Rodgers is confident the champions are well placed.
"It puts us in a really strong position,” Rodgers said.
"We still have a lot of work to do, still six games to go. But when you have your nearest rival still to play at home in front of 60 odd thousand, and you know you're going to be stronger again to that moment, I'm very happy with that.
“It was a fantastic game to be involved in. Super proud of the team, how we played and managed the occasion.
“The first half was absolutely brilliant. Couldn’t have been more comfortable in the game. Some of the level of our football – we attacked with the ball, attacked without it – and could’ve been more comfortable by half time.
“Disappointed with the penalty, that gives them a little up in the game whenever we were clearly the much better team. Ali, who is on a booking, has to be really careful in the second half with the timing of his tackles and I thought he was perfect with it.
“I thought the referee got it absolutely right on the field. He connected with the ball, the player simulates, and it was right. So clearly then they score the penalty. It gets to 2-1 and then you expect something from Rangers.
“They obviously get a deflected goal too to take it to 2-2. And then you’ve got to dig in, show your heart and show your desire as well as your football. Then we get the third goal, a fantastic goal by Adam. Trying to see it through and then Matondo scores a brilliant goal.
“But the whole thing was leaving here today with the performance and still with everything in our hands.
“I think what we showed today was that the level of our football, players coming back to fitness, how we could deal with pressure and manage the pressure. So proud of the team.”
Rodgers admits that his players were a little down in the dressing room after the game, but he says that when the initial sting of Matondo’s goal wears off, the bigger picture will become clearer to them.
And he believes their performance proved a lot of their doubters wrong.
“It is great we can come here, and I said to the players afterwards, I can see they were disappointed they had not won,” he said.
“For a team that has been written off and told they are going through the motions all year I think we definitely turned up.
“This is the business end of the season and we are ready to turn up. I have nothing but positivity in how mentally they were in the game, how they approached the game, the courage they played with and knowing the back we have going forward.
"It will be immense and be huge for us.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers has revealed that he always knew Matt O’Riley was going to dink the penalty that put Celtic two ahead in the first half, with the manager almost as cool as his midfielder as he produced a cheeky finish at such a critical moment.
When asked if his heart was in his mouth when O’Riley produced the chip, he said: “No, it wasn’t actually. He has wanted to take penalties. He came into my office a few months back and said, ‘Listen if you want to change penalty takers, I am here.’
“He had practised that. He said he was going to dink it down the middle and he did that.”
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