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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Brendan Rodgers praises Celtic 'team collective' after Dundee victory

Brendan Rodgers highlighted the importance of Celtic's "team collective" after the Scottish champions defeated Dundee 3-0.

A second-half penalty from David Turnbull, followed by goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O'Riley, gave the Parkhead club all three points as they remained at the top of the table.

And Rodgers was delighted with his side's efforts in the first fixture after the international break.

"I thought the team did very well," he told Celtic TV. "In the first half we created some opportunities and were unfortunate not to go in front and you need that first goal.

"I have to give credit to Dundee because they were very organised and made it really difficult but we kept persevering.

"Congratulations to the crowd because it might seem simple but when it is 0-0 at half time then the feeling can be a bit edgy.

"However, I think the supporters can see what the players are trying to do. In games like this, it might be the last 20 to 25 minutes that wins you the game.

"We ended up with a very good second half and a really pleasing clean sheet."

It is the second win in a row for the 50-year-old's side and he was keen to hype up that is very much a team effort at the moment.

He continued: "I think it is all about patience and time. It is important to notice for the team that it is very much a collective effort. They all worked hard and the goals were excellent.

"After David scores the penalty with great composure, the second goal is a fantastic ball from Callum and Kyogo does what he does. He is lethal in front of goal.

"And for the third, it pleased me how we doubled up with the pressing and won the ball back and then Matty [O'Riley] finishes it well.

"Overall, it was a professional performance."

Celtic's next fixture sees them travel to Rotterdam to take on Feyenoord on matchday one of the Champions League group stages and Rodgers will have more players at his disposal for the trip than he would have before the international break.

Reo Hatate returned to action for the first time since picking up an injury last month against Aberdeen and the Northern Irishman is delighted he is back fit.

"He [Hatate] is an outstanding player and he brings a dynamic to the team that other players do not have," he added.

"We wanted to get him up to speed by giving him half an hour to see how he would recover."

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