Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised the impact of Adam Idah after his double helped his side turn their game against Motherwell on its head, revealing that the decision to put the striker on at the break was tactical.
Kyogo Furuhashi had started the match leading the line for Celtic but endured a frustrating and ineffective 45 minutes before going down holding his shoulder shortly before the interval.
Idah was sent on in his place for the start of the second half, and within minutes he had headed Celtic level before producing a cool stoppage time finish to finally nudge them ahead.
And Rodgers said that his qualities enabled him to pose the Motherwell backline problems that Kyogo could not. When asked if the change was because of an injury to Kyogo or a tactical move, Rodgers said: "Tactical.
“Kyogo had a little knock on his shoulder but we weren't getting anything. That's the reality.
“Kyogo's strengths are running in behind and running into space, but this is a game when we need that, and Adam can do that, we also need a reference in the team. And as soon as the big guy comes into the game, he sets it up so well for us.
“He scores two brilliant goals. His first one is an amazing header - it's a great cross by Greg (Taylor) but his header is absolutely brilliant. And then obviously he makes his first-post run and gets the second one.
“I think the guys coming into the game made a really good impact. Yang was good, he gave us the width and attacked on the outside and created space for the passes inside. (Luis) Palma comes in and scores a goal as well, gets into the second post for the cross.
“I thought for the mentality of the team, the quality they showed - and the pitch was a wee bit bobbly - I thought the second half they were brilliant.”
Rodgers was also delighted to see Cameron Carter-Vickers back in action, and he praised the defender for the level of calm he brought to the game after Theo Bair had caused problems for Maik Nawrocki and Liam Scales.
“It’s massive for us,” he said.
“You see when he comes into the game, there’s no trouble.
“The big guy up front gave us a problem in the first half with his strength and his size, and Cam comes in and just controls that side of it and allows us to play and get forward quicker, because he’s controlling that along with Scalesy.
“So, him coming back is huge for us.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel