Adam Idah of Celtic celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 2-1 lead. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 10 May 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Q: In the lead-up to this game, you did say you would rotate across the week, but it was obviously a strong line-up today. Obviously, seeing the way the game played out, you’re justified in that team selection today…
Brendan Rodgers: “You thought I’d say I was wrong? No, no, I’m saying it worked, because you obviously won the game. But you said you’d rotate, but today didn’t feel like the day for that. You’re obviously looking at recovery periods and looking at the Scottish Cup final and trying to work your way back. Plus, we played a week ago. So, no, I didn’t think there was a need to do that. But definitely, I’ve already named the team to the guys. They know the team for Wednesday. So, don’t ask now!”
Q: Did you say there’s going to be a change in goal? Have you already said there’s going to be a change in the goal?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, Vil (Sinisalo) will play.”
Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel applauds the fans at full-time. Celtic v Hibernian, 10 May 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Q: Were you pleased with Kasper today?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I just get the feeling again, he’s been out for a long time, but I think that him being out, the positive is that having the chance to see Vil now, and his authority, and going to the outbox, you see the calmness of him for such a young goalkeeper. We’ve really, really gained from that. Kasper, I know in football there’s short memories, but not with me. He’s been brilliant for me all season, and it’s just nice to get in that field, see how he reacts with his shoulder over the course of the week, and then we can then look at it next week.”
Reo Hatate of Celtic scores to give Celtic a 3-1 lead. Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Premiership, 10 May 2025 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
Q: How pleasing was it to hit that 106 goal milestone, obviously the same as there was in 16/17?
Brendan Rodgers: “Is it 106 or 105? 106, probably 106. 106, is it? Yeah. Cheers, guys. Not that special! I’ve been telling the players there’s one less. I think, again, setting many targets for them, of course, that was going into this block of games, we had items that we wanted to achieve, obviously the goal scoring, I think there was a record number of goals at home, which was 62 in a league season, I think when Martin (O’Neill) was in 2003, 2004, that was 62, so we’re now on 61. There’s one game to go, and so we’ll be hungry to make Trophy Day special, but also during the week, but I’ve given them targets to achieve beyond winning the trophies, and so you see the hunger in the team in order to achieve those.”
