HOOPS’ STROKE OF LUKE
McCowan scores late winner after champs struggle to get off the mark
BRENDAN RODGERS has vowed that Celtic will be ready for the Champions League – despite an opening-day scare against St Mirren.
The Hoops needed a late Luke McCowan strike to avoid the party going flat on flag day at Parkhead. Celtic struggled to find a
cutting edge against stubborn Saints but they eventually found a way through to ensure a winning start.
Rodgers insisted he was delighted with the display but admitted he is still looking to strengthen his squad in the coming days and weeks.
De f ende r Jahmai Simpson-Pusey was at Celtic Park yesterday and his loan move from Manchester City will be confirmed today.
Rodgers is desperate for more firepower but the Northern Irishman is adamant that his men will be firing for the Champions League play- off in a fortnight.
Celts will learn who they will face in the showdown for a lucrative place in the group stage in today’s draw in Nyon.
Rodgers said: “We will be ready for the games. Whenever they come, we’ll be ready. The players are working very hard. They are always tense games.
“But we’re in a good place and we’ll take that game on when it comes.
“I’m feeling really good. We’ve had a great, really, really good pre-season.
“The players are shaping up very well and are working very hard.
“There’s real spirit and solidarity here in the team. So we look forward to that.
We know whoever we get, it’s going to be tough, but it will also be tough for them.
“And we will accept whatever chal l enge comes.”
Rodgers is thrilled to bolster his backline with the arrival of Simpson-Pusey to compe t e alongside centre-backs Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
He said: “It’s just about improving. There are areas that we want to improve in the forward line.
“That’s something that we hope we can do over these remaining weeks.
“We’re still waiting for clearance on that one [Simpson-Pusey]. But he’s up here. And I think obviously once it’s definite, then it’ll be announced. But yes, he’s up here ready for the move.
“That area of the team is always so important. Any team, your centre-halves need to be dominant and we’ve got really good options there now.
“Your centre-halves need to be strong at Celtic. Sometimes you’re not doing a great deal.
“You’re stood on the halfway line and you’re attacking a lot of the time. But you also need to be able to defend space.
“We knew that Kieran (Tierney) and maybe even Ali ( Johnston) because he’s only back for a few weeks, we knew Kieran was going to have to come out at some point.
“So, Austin on the bench, move Scalesy to left-back. I thought he was fantastic in the game.
“He was dominant and won headers against two big strikers.”
Tierney caused concern when he limped off with 25 minutes to go but Rodgers revealed there was no serious injury.
The full-back impressed on his first competitive start since his return to Celts from Arsenal and the manager said: “It’s brilliant for him. I’m so happy for him.
“He’s got a great reception and you see the qualities that he has. He had a wee bit of cramp at the end.
“He hasn’t played a lot of football and that’s part of managing him through this period. now that he’s back.
“Build him and his fitness. But yes, just his qualities, his crossing ability and his one-v-one ability. I’m really pleased for him.”