Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has hailed his side after they beat Motherwell 2-0 to win the Scottish League Cup.

The Hoops were battered 7-1 by PSG earlier in the week, and many would’ve expected them to be depleted against their rivals when it came to the cup final, but they stood firm.

Goals from James Forrest and Moussa Dembele secured the win against the 10-man Motherwell side, and the result was praised by Rodgers who admitted it was a “phenomenal achievement”.

“We had to tick a few character boxes after midweek,” he added.

“Yet again the players produced. It was always going to be difficult for us, how Motherwell have started the season, and the confidence they have in terms of how they play.

“Once we got the first goal we settled into a rhythm, but it’s our fourth trophy in 12 months, a phenomenal achievement really and a huge credit to the players for their hunger and desire.

“Jamesy’s goal was a wonderful piece of skill, and difficult for the defender because he maybe thinks he’s going to go down the outside, but he’s got that ability to come into his left side and hit it with the outside of his right foot or bend it as he did with his left.

“I look at [the Kipre challenge] and think it’s a penalty. It’s a great ball, Scotty makes the run and is getting there. The defender cannot get there, so he impedes him, he pulls him, so it’s a penalty.”

“I’m not sure what the rules are now, I’m not sure if it’s a sending off. I’m sure Stephen [Robinson] will feel it’s a bit harsh being a sending off. But it’s definitely a penalty.

“We managed the 11 v 10 very well. Sometimes you see it when you’re playing against the man down and you can go a bit loose, but our positioning was good and we broke away. We should have made the game a lot more comfortable with the chances that we had.

“My idea after midweek was just to try to get the win and play well. The players deserve a huge amount of credit. We came back after the midweek – a sore one to take – but the culture that we created the process by which we review that allows us to come in with a real positive attitude, to work well.

“It’s a trophy for everyone at the club. The support was amazing, really helping the team, the backroom staff and the work that they put in, combined with the players.”
[Quotes via BBC Sport]