Celtic 3-0 St Mirren: Brendan Rodgers says this is time of season ‘when we come alive’

Brendan Rodgers says that is the time of the season “when Celtic comes alive” after they moved 4 factors clear on the high of the Scottish Premiership thanks to a few second-half targets in opposition to St Mirren.

However, after Celtic did not muster an effort on the right track earlier than the break, two elegant finishes from Japan duo Reo Hatate and Kyogo Furuhashi all however secured the factors inside quarter-hour of the restart.

Adam Idah’s close-range header within the closing levels was the icing on the cake – in addition to a lift to their purpose distinction.

The victory piles strain on metropolis rivals Rangers, who journey to face Ross County on Sunday earlier than enjoying their different recreation in hand in Dundee on Wednesday.

“We’re in a improbable place,” Rodgers advised BBC Scotland. “I actually sit up for this era – that is when Celtic comes alive. 5 video games to go, trophies at stake, Scottish Cup at stake, so carry it on.”

The Northern Irishman had been in search of his facet to produce the form of early depth that had title rivals Rangers on the again foot and two behind in Sunday’s draw at Ibrox.

Counterpart Stephen Robinson had dropped high scorer Mikael Mandron to the bench on to counter that in what he considered as an important opening 20 minutes.

And it was the Buddies who could have been happier with the beginning as they contained the early onslaught, regardless of the lack of right-back Elvis Bwomono to a head knock.

Certainly, they did extra than simply comprise. By half-time, Celtic couldn’t muster an try on the right track in opposition to a defence fantastically marshalled by Alex Gogic.

On the different finish, Greg Kiltie failed to complete from a high-quality cross then Gogic strode imperiously ahead to arrange Toyosi Olusanya, just for the striker to lash huge.

St Mirren, although, had been dealt a double blow as left-back Scott Tanser was pressured off at half-time, with Jaden Brown his alternative, and Kiltie adopted moments into the second half to get replaced with Lewis Jamieson.

Seconds later and Celtic broke the impasse as right-back Alistair Johnston arrange Hatate for a exact side-footed drive into the highest nook from the sting of the penalty field.

Rapidly, the wind of change was blowing Celtic our bodies – in addition to piles of garbage – into the St Mirren penalty field.

An unmarked Kyogo had already one way or the other flicked a header huge from a Johnston cross earlier than the 2 mixed once more, just for the Japan striker to this time nod powerfully previous Zach Hemming.

Hemming’s purpose was now beneath siege and it was no shock when substitute striker Idah was available to complete on the rebound after the goalkeeper had blocked from Matt O’Riley.

Participant of the match – Reo Hatate (Celtic)

Story of two halves – evaluation

Rodgers’ buoyant temper shortly earlier than kick-off could have darkened by half-time, however no matter was stated within the dressing room on the break ensured he had a spring in his step once more by the ultimate whistle.

St Mirren threatened a primary dwelling defeat since Hearts’ go to in December, however that’s now 9 with out loss since then, eight of them victories, as his facet throw down the gauntlet to their metropolis rivals within the title race.

The flexibility to throw on high quality substitutes, together with a captain, Callum McGregor, held in reserve due to an absence of match health, was maybe the deciding issue in opposition to a facet who had misplaced two key gamers a few minutes into the second half.

St Mirren supervisor Stephen Robinson will take coronary heart from his facet’s first-half efficiency, however there will likely be few different positives.

Kilmarnock’s win over St Johnstone means the fifth-top Buddies discover themselves eight adrift within the race for a potential European qualifying place.

They’ve now misplaced all 4 conferences with Celtic by an mixture of 10-1 and have now solely crushed the Glasgow facet as soon as in 35 conferences.

What they stated

Celtic supervisor Brendan Rodgers: “I simply felt that within the first half we had been a bit passive in our urgent and counter urgent. We did not maintain the ball properly sufficient to mix and maintain the assault.

“The primary purpose is vital. The gamers had been excellent for the rest. It’s a large credit score to the gamers. All the things began to attach significantly better and cleaner.”

St Mirren supervisor Stephen Robinson: “We had been wonderful for 45 minutes after which we are able to get undone by two wonderful targets. Kyogo’s motion for the second purpose was improbable and the supply as properly. And the primary purpose was an excellent end.

“That is the distinction in ranges. The 2 accidents earlier than and at half-time stopped a little bit of our momentum.”

What’s subsequent?

Celtic face Aberdeen within the Scottish Cup semi-final in every week’s time (12:30 BST) whereas each they and St Mirren await information of their first top-six fixtures after the Premiership splits into two sections for the ultimate 5 video games.