Brendan Rodgers 'cannot ask for more' from Celtic after 14th successive league win
Thursday 29 December 2016 08:47, UK
Brendan Rodgers admits he cannot ask for any more from his Celtic players after they extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 16 points with a 2-0 victory over Ross County.
Defender Erik Sviatchenko and midfielder Stuart Armstrong both struck late in the first half at Celtic Park against a dogged County side.
The victory extended the Hoops' winning run of league games to 14 and their unbeaten domestic run of matches to 24.
Celtic travel to Ibrox on Hogmanay to play Rangers, live on Sky Sports, for the last of nine fixtures in what has been a punishing December, and Rodgers reckons his squad full deserve to be in their current position.
"It is recognising the players are worthy of being 16 points ahead," Rodgers said.
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"Their quality and mentality going into the games with real focus, and I thought we played well last night.
"My only complaint, and I said that to them, was we have to be better in the last 10 minutes of the game.
"Apart from that it was yet again an outstanding team performance.
"That's eight games this month, seven wins and a draw in the Champions League (against Manchester City), and you cannot ask any more of the team."
Celtic have the opportunity to further extend their lead on Saturday with a victory over second-placed Rangers, who lost ground on their rivals with a 1-1 draw against St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Rodgers expects another tough test, but he is confident his side can go into the winter break with a 15th successive league win, and he believes are Rangers are under greater pressure having already lost twice to Celtic this season.
"It will be a battle. There is no doubt about that. It will be a tough game," Rodgers said.
"There is huge pressure on them to get the result at home.
"For us, we have played in big games under pressure this season and dealt well with it, stayed calm and got the result.
"We know it will be tough and it's a game we are looking forward to. It finishes off a remarkable first half of the season for us. And we aim to go there and win."
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