Brendan Rodgers bigs up 3 Celtic game changers against Aberdeen and reveals 'hope' over Carter Vickers injury

Brendan Rodgers has admitted he hopes injuries to top stars Cameron Carter-Vickers and Reo Hatate won't leave him short with his squad.

The Celtic boss watched as his side secured their second win of the campaign, but their first three points on the road against Aberdeen. And Rodgers reckons, despite losing Hatate and Carter-Vickers to potential injuries, that his pool of players has the depth to respond in big moments when called upon. He singled out substitutes Stephen Welsh, who came on as his USA counterpart went off, and new boys Odin Thiago Holm and Yang Hyun-jun for praise after they impressed in the final stages at Pittodrie.

Meanwhile Japanese star Hatate, who was left on the bench for the second consecutive game, came on at half time in what Rodgers described as a tactical move, but made it just after the hour mark before coming off with a suspected calf knock. The Irishman, however, gave an updated on both stars and reckons his squad stood up to the task of a dogged Aberdeen showing.

He told Sky Sports: "A very good win for us, Barry has his team very well set up and it's difficult going man to man and playing against that direct style but we got through it very well. Scored some good goals, disappointed with the way we lose the goal from a static goal kick. Second half we settled better but it's a tough place to come. The boys stood up and it was a good win.

"There's no doubt on that [mentality]. The attitude of the players is top class, and it's always a good sign to start well and finish strong. It was always in the balance but we got the third goal we can control it. The subs came in and settled the game well, made a really important contribution. There's lots to work on but it's the beauty of the squad,