Brendan Rodgers reacts to Dorus De Vries’ debut performance, comments on possible transfers

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Celtic beat Aberdeen 4-1 in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.

Brendan Rodgers celebrates

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has told the club’s official website that he thought new signing Dorus De Vries was ‘outstanding’ against Aberdeen this afternoon.

After scraping it into the Champions League group stages, the Bhoys were back in league action this afternoon as they hosted Aberdeen at Celtic Park.

Rodgers’ men ran out 4-1 winners against Derek McInnes’ side, with Leigh Griffiths putting Celtic 1-0 up before Adam Rooney equalised for the Dons.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

James Forrest put Celtic back in front before half time, and after Mark Reynolds was sent off for Aberdeen, Scott Sinclair scored from the penalty spot and Tom Rogic added gloss with a fourth goal.

Celtic head into the international break having made a strong start under Rodgers, and he was able to field one of his newest signings during today’s game.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers

Goalkeeper Dorus De Vries, who worked with Rodgers at Swansea, started in goal against Aberdeen as Craig Gordon – who committed a comical error against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in midweek – was dropped to the bench.

After the game, Rodgers told the club’s official website that he felt De Vries was ‘outstanding’, largely thanks to his distribution skills, and defended his decision to drop Gordon in favour of the Dutchman.

“I just do what I do in every game,” said Rodgers. “I pick what I think is the best team and the goalkeeper’s no different to the outfield players. I always say that my teams have to play with control from behind in order for us to play how I want us to play and to have that speed and domination in the game, and I thought Dorus came in and did very well.

Dorus De Vries in action for Nottingham Forest

“He had one loose pass, but apart from that he’s able to orchestrate the game from behind – there was a little bit of tiredness today from one or two of the players that didn’t get us into position quick enough but overall I thought he and the team were outstanding.”

Rodgers also spoke to Celtic’s official Twitter account after the game too, as he was asked about Wednesday’s transfer deadline – and he admitted that he wants to bring in more new signings.