Rodgers' Celtic 'now on same page' on Perth return

When Celtic came to McDiarmid Park past season, Brendan Rodgers said he had "never been truthful angry astatine half-time" arsenic a head arsenic his broadside trailed earlier going connected to triumph 3-1.

On his 2nd visit to Perth since returning to nan club, Celtic put successful a hugely awesome first 45 minutes and netted 3 terrific goals.

This clip around, he said his half-time temper "was a spot different".

But why are truthful galore things astir this Celtic broadside different to past season? According to Rodgers, Celtic "weren't connected nan aforesaid page astatine that constituent successful time".

In total, six goals were scored by Celtic successful Perth and it was a scoreline that flattered St Johnstone.

The visitors had 19 shots astatine goal, 11 connected target. They entered nan last 3rd 98 times and had 38 touches successful nan box. In comparison, Saints had nine.

There's a ruthlessness and a relentless astir this broadside that leaves nan remainder of Scottish shot pinch overmuch to ponder this season.

But an acerb trial lies successful hold for Celtic against Borussia Dortmund connected Tuesday. Rodgers said "preparations commencement tonight" for their 2nd Champions League game.

The coming week's jaunt to Germany has agelong been connected nan mind of galore supporters, but pre-match Rodgers stressed his sole attraction was connected St Johnstone, though he wanted "a Champions League level performance".

After Daizen Maeda's volley was chalked off, Kyogo Furuhashi took 2 touches to cushion successful nan opener. Paulo Bernardo bookended an fantabulous squad extremity earlier Kyogo cutely cushioned successful nan third.

That tally was matched successful nan 2nd half. From Callum McGregor's piledriver, to Maeda's neat motion and Adam Idah's decorativeness pursuing a silky move, nan Scottish champions were connected different level.

Under Rodgers' predecessor Ange Postecoglou, Celtic erstwhile deed Dundee United for nine. They ne'er rather reached double figures successful Perth but they could have.

"This is arsenic bully a shot squad I've seen successful Scotland for years," erstwhile St Johnstone subordinate Allan Preston said connected BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"I don't cognize nan past clip I saw personification arsenic fluent, arsenic crisp arsenic that. I honestly deliberation they are amended than Celtic were nether Ange Postecoglou."

Though that first half showing backmost successful December near Rodgers astatine his angriest, his broadside still scooped up 3 points successful a 3-1 win. But they were not gathered nan measurement he wanted them.

There was not nan power and desire location is now. Nor nan hunger and hunting, which is continuing to beryllium led by Maeda.

The Japan international, who Rodgers said conscionable complete a week ago was amended than anyone astatine search backmost defenders, was astatine it erstwhile much astatine McDiarmid.

Six goals up and 86 minutes connected nan clock, he charged backmost and robbed David Keltjens successful Celtic's half. He leaves you exhausted simply watching on.

Fleetingly does nan Celtic head azygous retired a player, but he did truthful again pinch Maeda, and so nan extremity he had chalked off, which he believes was nan incorrect call.

But arsenic his work-rate typifies that of nan mentality monsters, his ain projection successful capacity aligns pinch what Rodgers has rallied for.

The 1 point missing successful Maeda's crippled had agelong been goals. The energy, nan enthusiasm and exceptional gait was evident, but goals evaded him.

In Perth he picked up another, and possibly should person had 1 more. In full past season, he only scored six successful nan Scottish Premiership.

"He is getting nan reward for each that activity by scoring consistently," Rodgers said. "It's possibly thing he could person been amended astatine but he’s getting into bully positions now."

It's not conscionable Maeda successful a bully position, Celtic couldn't beryllium amended placed to return connected Borussia Dortmund.

All this was done coming pinch Reo Hatate, James Forrest and Idah sitting connected nan chair for 66 minutes.

Cameron Carter-Vickers was retired injured, while Luis Palma was absent from nan matchday squad too.

Even without specified players, Rodgers saw everything he could person wanted to see. The remainder of Scottish shot are shutting their eyes.