Rodgers lauds Celtic squad amid ´demanding´ fixture schedule

Brendan Rodgers commended his Celtic players for dealing with the demanding fixture schedule after beating Dundee United 2-0 on Wednesday.

Celtic moved 16 points clear at the Scottish Premiership summit with their 18th win of the season thanks to goals in either half from Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate.

They have now kept a clean sheet in 17 of their 21 games this campaign, while also leading the scoring charts with 57 goals, 20 more than second-placed Rangers.

But their win over United was already their third game of 2025, having been beaten by Rangers last week before easing past St. Mirren three days ago.

Rodgers’ side still have six more fixtures to play in January, which include Champions League ties against Young Boys and Aston Villa in their quest for the knockout stages.

But the Celtic boss lauded his side’s display against United at Celtic Park, despite weathering a storm in the second half after a dominant opening period.

The visitors failed to register a shot in the first 45 minutes but improved after the break, with Kasper Schmeichel saving efforts from Glenn Middleton and Sam Dalby late on.

“No matter how dominant you are you’re going to have to defend for some of the spells,” Rodgers told BBC Sport.

“You have to deal with that and fairness to the players they did that really well. Then we get the second goal and put the game to bed.

“There are two teams playing in the game, you want to get into the areas. I think in the first half we could have crossed the ball a bit more.

“I can’t fault the players, they’re giving everything in what is a real demanding schedule.

“When you’re the team having to take the game to the opponent, it takes a big big effort and I think the effort was there from the players.

“Once we weathered the storm we finished the game really well.

“I have to give huge credit to our players because to play how we want to play takes a lot of effort and energy and mobility.

“The game shows you all the time that you can’t give very little and get a lot back, you have to give everything to the game.”