Rodgers salutes Celtic´s ´Champions League mentality´ in St. Johnstone rout

Brendan Rodgers paid tribute to Celtic’s “Champions League mentality” in their 6-0 rout of St. Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice, while Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah were also on target for the Hoops, who warmed up for their midweek European trip to Borussia Dortmund in emphatic fashion.

The dominant victory moved Celtic back to the top of the Scottish Premiership table – ahead of Aberdeen on goal difference – as they continued their perfect start to the season, with a sixth win in as many games.

And Rodgers was pleased by the character his players demonstrated.

“I thought this was an opportunity to show our mentality,” he told Premier Sports. “All the noise has been about Dortmund, but I wanted a Champions League mentality here, and I thought the boys controlled the game.

“We wanted to keep our rhythm going. You see some of the guys coming in this evening, like Valle coming in at left-back, showing his composure.

“Most were looking at it as a tick-box before Dortmund, but for me, it was to show their mentality. Everyone will be flying on Tuesday night, but I want to see how they do when they’re here, or other grounds. It’s a case of just focusing in on that.

“I thought the variety of our game was very good; everything you’d want from your team.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s clash with Bundesliga giants Dortmund, he added: “[They] are a good team with top players, so we can’t get away from that.

“OK, they’ve lost one or two [players] from last year, but I always say we make sure we press, make sure we attack. It’s a tough game, but we’ll look forward to it.”

Super Six for CELTIC!!!!#STJCEL | #CelticFCpic.twitter.com/d2dtS5TEVy

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 28, 2024