Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers Slams ‘Needless Challenge’ on Reo Hatate
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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers was furious after Reo Hatate was forced to leave the pitch in pain following a “needless challenge” during Celtic’s 5-1 thrashing of Aberdeen at Pittodrie. The incident occurred near the end of the Scottish Cup Final dress rehearsal, and Rodgers was quick to express his discontent.
According to Celtic Quick News, Hatate was replaced by Callum McGregor just after the hour mark and had only been on the pitch for a short time when he was left writhing in pain. Aberdeen striker Pape Gueye followed through with a wild kick that jarred Hatate’s right knee as he blocked the ball. The Celtic playmaker spent the remaining minutes sitting on the touchline with his right knee encased in ice before limping off.
Rodgers was quoted by Celtic Quick News as saying: “It was a needless challenge. The free-kick was given and the ball runs away – Reo’s just relaxed and stopping it and the guy loses his head and just kicks through and block-tackles him.” The Celtic manager added, “Hopefully, it’s not going to be too serious.”
The match itself was a one-sided affair, with Celtic dominating Aberdeen from start to finish. The champions’ boss was pleased with the performance, particularly from young players such as Johnny Kenny, who scored his first goal for the club with a neat head flick on his first start after seven scoreless substitute appearances. Maik Nawrocki, a comeback central defender, also claimed his first goal for the club when he nodded in the opener.
Aberdeen’s consolation strike came from Kevin Nisbet, but the hosts also played out the closing stages with 10 men after on-loan Spurs centre-back Alfie Dorrington picked up his second booking to see red after tripping Adam Idah as he raced onto a through pass from Paulo Bernardo.
In response to the result, Rodgers said: “That’s for Aberdeen. From my side, I’m really happy with the performance.” When asked if the result would have an impact on the Scottish Cup showpiece a week on Saturday, Rodgers maintained that it was for Aberdeen to worry about.
The Celtic Quick News report also noted that Celtic’s goal parade included strikes from Yang Hyun-jun, Luke McCowan, and Adam Idah. The 5-1 scoreline marked a convincing win for Celtic, who will look to build on their momentum in the upcoming Scottish Cup Final.
Reo Hatate’s injury will be a concern for Rodgers and the Celtic medical team, but the manager’s comments suggest that it may not be too serious. The incident has highlighted the need for players to be mindful of their tackles, particularly in high-stakes matches.
As reported by Celtic Quick News, Rodgers’ reaction to the incident demonstrates his commitment to protecting his players and ensuring that they are not subjected to reckless challenges. The Celtic manager’s comments will likely be echoed by many in the football community, who value fair play and sportsmanship.
In conclusion, Celtic’s 5-1 win over Aberdeen was a convincing performance, but the incident involving Reo Hatate and Pape Gueye has raised concerns about player safety. As Celtic Quick News reported, Rodgers’ reaction to the incident highlights the importance of responsible play and the need for players to be mindful of their actions on the pitch.
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