BRENDAN Rodgers said it would have been a “crime” had his Celtic side lost their unbeaten domestic run against Hibernian yesterday.
It looked like the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders were on course for a comfortable win at Easter Road when Scott Sinclair scored twice in four minutes after the break.
However, Hibs replied with two goals in three minutes from former Celtic defender Efe Ambrose and substitute Oli Shaw, and Mikael Lustig cleared a shot from the latter off the line in a thrilling last few minutes when either side could have won.
Rodgers said after the 2-2 draw that stretched Celtic’s unbeaten run to 68 matches: “That was the craziest thing about it as you could actually lose the game – and to lose the game would have been a crime.
“We were 2-0 up going into the last 15-16 minutes and we should have been probably four or five up.
“They didn’t really have anything against us. There was one chance in the first half when Martin Boyle got down the right and got a shot away but apart from that, we had great comfort in the game as a team and at 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go, it looked as though we could go on and get more goals.
“In football, 2-0 is the most dangerous scoreline you can have as at 2-1 – from them being not in the game really – they have that momentum and they can be free and there is no pressure, they can just run and play. On reflection, I was really happy with a lot of the game, how we played, our composure, as it’s a tough place to come and play.
“They are a tough team. I thought we were much the better side but without getting the result.”
Asked about the contest between Scott Brown and fellow Scotland midfielder John McGinn, which provided an enthralling sub-plot, Rodgers backed his captain to the hilt. “There is no contest,” he said. “Scott Brown was the exceptional midfield player on the pitch.
“I think John McGinn is a good player, good drive, good energy but Scott Brown is the exceptional midfield player in Scotland and he has shown that not just in Scotland but in the Champions League. [McGinn] will have a way to go before he would be at that level.”
Hibs manager Neil Lennon – who admitted his interest in signing former Aberdeen player Niall McGinn, who is back from a stint with Gwangju in South Korea and who watched from the stands as a guest – was at odds with his fellow Northern Irishman’s assessment.
“I totally disagree with that,” said the former Celtic manager, although admitted it “would have been for- tunate” had Hibs snatched the win. “I thought McGinn was superb, phys-ically, his football was good.
“I don’t remember Broony dominating the game and in the last 20 minutes John got stronger when we put him back in his natural position. I thought he was magnificent. Maybe Brendan sees it differently from me. I thought McGinn was a cut above today.”
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 here