THE SCOTTISH SUN 🔵 Some Celtic fans I know jumped onto boat at 3.30am this morning to get to Dingwall, says Rodgers, THAT is commitment

BRENDAN RODGERS paid tribute to Celtic’s boat Bhoys for their support as they went 18 points clear at the top of the table. 

Rodgers – who’d criticised the club’s fans for being “disrespectful” towards Greg Taylor for singing about transfer target Kieran Tierney against St Mirren last week – praised the fans who’d made the trek to watch his side beat Ross County 4-1 in Dingwall.

4

4

He said: “I said to the guys before the game that there’s many reasons why we want to win the game. 

“But I know a group of supporters that jumped onto a boat at 3.30 this morning to travel across, then drove up to Dingwall – a drive we’d made on Friday.

“And they were going to stand in the freezing cold and watch the game. 

“I said THAT is commitment. So at the very bare minimum, we have to match that commitment.

“If we do, then our quality and everything else will take us through the game. 

“So it was brilliant for the supporters to be here in this weather, brilliant for the players, a good day for us all.”

Rodgers watched his side pegged back to 1-1 after an hour – but late goals from Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels and Luke McCowan saw them home after Jordan White’s penalty had cancelled out Kyogo’s opener. 

He said: “I think you saw the resilience the team has, that determination to find a way.

“The players did exceptionally well. Because it’s super cold, the pitch was really bumpy and lively, but we found a way. 

“First-half we could’ve and should’ve been more than one up, then we get pegged back with the penalty. 

“But the reaction from there was outstanding. That push to keep going, to stay calm. 

“The guys coming into the game gave us a nice little change of energy and we ended up with what the score should reflect, really.

“The first goal was a fantastic goal. Even in the difficult conditions, technically the players were really strong. 

“We knew that Don’s team were going to be compact and tight, lots of players behind the ball.

“Obviously when you have a fast pitch, you can move the ball quickly but we knew that wasn’t going to be the case today because of the conditions.

“But we still tried to do the right things and we got a reward in the end. 

4

“Kyogo worked really well. I think you have to remember he was a winger when he played in Japan. He came into the club as a winger, so he has played there.

“It was a case of trying to bring goalscorers in and finding a way to be flexible and I thought he and Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston managed that really well on that side of the pitch.”

Furuhashi – who took his goal total for the season to 12 – has been linked with a Celtic exit in recent weeks.

But Rodgers said: “We want to improve and develop the squad.

“Even his goals today, that’s what he’s all about. Great runs, getting round the box and getting them finished.

“You have to give him and Adam Idah credit, because they had the will to want to make it work.

“Obviously they haven’t really done that before. It was just a little structural change where he morphs on the inside, and it can take a little bit of time.

“But there were some moments, especially in the first half, where Adam makes that space for him. 

“It’s never going to be perfect, but we just find a way to have a go at it and challenge the players to make it work.And I thought they did that really well.

“Kyogo got two goals – it isn’t perfect, but I can’t expect it to be perfect.

“In the overall structure of the game it can give teams problems, but I need to have a look at it in the game to analyse it. 

4

“Adam’s performance shouldn’t really change. He’s a central striker, he was a reference for the team, set the game up, run in behind, press the game.

“It was more about Kyogo adapting in the early stages of build-up.”

Striker Johnny Kenny also made his debut after his loan spell at Shamrock Rovers.

Rodgers added: “It was absolutely brilliant. A young Irish guy who came in a few years ago and he obviously went back out, but he scored goals regularly, he scored in Europe for Shamrock.

“To then come in and be given that opportunity, I was so pleased for him because it means everything to him.

“He deserved that wee run-out he got. Him and Luke McCowat energised the game.

“With Arne Engels you see the confidence in him now and the happiness he has playing. 

“He’s playing with authority, which is what you need to do in midfield.

“He’s been on a great run of form, shown great consistency and he’s just got to keep it going.

“At the penalty, he misses the first one and when it’s re-taken let him deal with the pressure.

“The response since the Rangers game has been good. 

“We were awful that day, to lose in the manner we did.

“We know we can’t be there again. But the response has been great. And I think we’ve seen the commitment of the players.”

Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page