'Everyone Will Get Their Chance And The Whole Squad Will Be Needed'

NEW season, same old story – Celtic swatted Hearts aside in the Scottish Premiership opener on Saturday in scintillating style and it bore all the hallmarks of Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering side over the previous 12 months.

- Mark Henderson

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There was a dominance of possession, some breathtaking attacking football and plenty of goals for a bumper crowd in Paradise to enjoy.

The Treble Invincibles had simply continued from where they had left-off in May, laying down an ominous marker for the rest of the division. For Chris Davies and the rest of the management team at the club, there was a familiar sense of satisfaction, having watched the Bhoys produce a complete performance to start their quest underway for seven-in-row with a bang.

“The overall performance had many qualities to it,” he told the View in an exclusive interview. “We always start our game-play on our defensive work, and as a defensive unit we looked very compact and solid. We were a bit disappointed that we conceded the late goal, but that does happen – that’s football.

“We looked compact and organised in how the backline moved together, in how they moved up and condensed the pitch. That was really good to see as it stops the opposition from having space to play and it allows us to get the ball back quicker and defend better. That was really pleasing.

“The goals were all a demonstration of us being with the ball. For the first goal, Griff ran in behind the defence and it was a good ball in to exploit that space and it was a great, instinctive finish from Leigh. We then scored from a set-piece, which is always important – you have to be a threat from set-plays in your game – and Scotty got free in the box and found the net.

“There were 29 or so passes leading up to Griff’s second goal, with Callum McGregor crossing the ball in for him. It was a fantastic move, which included every player bar KT. Although he was in good positions for the ball, he never received it, but it opened up space for other people.