Brendan Rodgers singles out Celtic star after Scottish Premiership win over Aberdeen
Celtic continue their perfect start to the season
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Brendan Rodgers singled out one player for their impressive performance after Celtic kept their perfect start to the season.
The champions faced a stern examination from Aberdeen, who were eager to replicate their Scottish Cup final success against the Glasgow side from the previous campaign.
The home team began with intensity, pressing Celtic aggressively and denying them space during the opening twenty minutes. Jimmy Thelin's players displayed physical determination in their challenges, creating an uncomfortable environment for the visitors.
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Aberdeen's Adil Aouchiche forced Kasper Schmeichel into action after eight minutes, with the Danish keeper stretching to push a powerful long-distance strike past his post. However, this represented the hosts' sole attempt in the opening period as Celtic gradually established their authority.
Brendan Rodgers heaped praised on his side after a perfect start to the season
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The visitors' persistence paid dividends when Benjamin Nygren found the net for his inaugural Celtic goal. The breakthrough arrived courtesy of Kieran Tierney's brilliant forward surge and precise delivery, which Nygren converted to break the deadlock.
Rodgers praised the Swedish midfielder's contribution after the match. "I'm really pleased for Benji [Nygren]. That's why we signed him. He's a player with a record of scoring goals from midfields or wide areas. But we see him very much as an eight. He can move well, he can take the ball in tight spaces and he can get in the box. It's really nice for him to get that goal."
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"Very pleased. This was always going to be a challenging game in the context of how the last season finished and coming here so early in Aberdeen's first [home] game," the Celtic manager stated.
Rodgers acknowledged the defensive resilience shown when required. "And then when we had to defend, which you do, you can never dominate 100% of the game. But in those moments we defended very, very well and were strong."
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Benjamin Nygren scored his fist goal for Celtic helping them to the win over Aberdeen
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The Northern Irishman highlighted his side's composure throughout the encounter.
"But I thought we controlled it really well. We had a lot of really good moments in the game, scored two outstanding goals. Had a few other opportunities to score. Their keeper makes a great save."
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The strike arrived after Celtic had struggled to penetrate Aberdeen's defence despite increasing their grip on proceedings.
Celtic's dominance increased following the interval, with Aberdeen goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov producing an exceptional stop to thwart Daizen Maida
Kieran Tierney was forced to leave the game early after feeling unwell
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The visitors doubled their advantage through impressive build-up play, as Rodgers noted: "And the second goal, we played out the pressure really well. And then we've done what we've done up here a few times."
Kieran Tierney's afternoon ended prematurely when illness forced his withdrawal. Rodgers revealed the defender's determination despite feeling unwell: "He was actually sick at half-time, but he wanted to give it a go. But he's given us a really good hour in the game, created the first goal, and we know that it's just about building his football fitness up."