The REAL Celtic make VIP pundit dumbstruck as Neil Lennon corrects himself over 'ridiculous' Rodgers record
The Hoops are off to Hampden once again after downing Hibs 2-0 at Parkhead
Brendan Rodgers admits his troops had to be 'the real' Celtic as they reached the Scottish Cup semi-final.
Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah fired the holders to Hampden once again as they edge closer to completing another domestic Treble. The Premier Sports Cup is already in the bag and with a commanding lead over Rangers in the Premiership, getting their hands on the famous old trophy once again is now just potentially two days out at the national stadium away.
Hibs rocked up at Parkhead boasting a long unbeaten run - and victory over the champions on their own patch just a few weeks ago - but Celtic made it 20 wins on the competition under Brendan Rodgers as he maintained a 100 per cent record as boss in the tournament. Neil Lennon was in awe branding the numbers behind the run as "ridiculous" as Celtic now join Hearts and Aberdeen in the hat for the last four with Livingston or St Johnstone joining the trio in the Hampden part.
Speaking to Premier Sports about the game and the 7,000 away fans in attendance, Rodgers explained: "I think that is what we all want to see. The Hibs supporters were brilliant and that galvanises our support. The atmosphere was good in the game.
"Hibs are coming off the back of a brilliant run so we knew for us to get to the semi-final we had to be the real Celtic today and play. I thought the boys did that really well. This is where you earn your money at this point of the season. To win trophies and stand on the podium at the end. So that is what we want to do."
Lennon added: "It is ridiculous. It is some record. Well it is perfect."
Maeda has been the star of the show in Celtic's season and he notched yet another goal to set Celtic on their way. His boss was full of praise and told any aspiring youngsters that he is the exact type of role model they should emulate to make it all the way. He said: "The first goal when you see it back, his anticipation in such a tight space, and the ground he makes up over the defender to get there and read it, I think he is an amazing role model.
"If you are a young player coming through and want to give your honesty to the game, work, intensity and everything. No cheating, no nothing - even away at St Mirren, the penalty we got last week he tried to stay on his feet - he's so honest to the game. Natural isn't it? He could run like you two (Lennon and Brown). He's been absolutely brilliant."
He continued: "Listen, I can trace back to what I said, I said he can play as a striker. But I didn't want him to have to. I wanted another body for depth and the games and intensity. You don't play for Japan in a World Cup as a No9 and score the goals he has scored and for Yokohama if you can't finish."