Brendan Rodgers sees his Celtic two-word mantra ripple through pre-season as DC demolition follows title reminder

Brendan Rodgers has demanded his Celtic players stick with his "no excuses" mantra after seeing off DC United despite concerns over the quality of the pitch.

Matt O'Riley was the main man for the Hoops again as he netted a first-half double in Washington before Mikey Johnston – who missed a sitter and a penalty – got in on the action. James Forrest would round off the scoring at the Audi Field as the Scottish Premiership champions continued to build momentum going into the new campaign - despite concerns over the pitch going into the showdown.

Rodgers admits he had a similar message to his side before they travelled to Rugby Park as they thrashed Derek McInnes' side to claim the title on the artificial Ayrshire pitch. Speaking after the full-time whistle, Rodgers said: “I think I mentioned before the game one of our key targets was that defensive intensity, because I always think when you have that defensive attitude in.

Game it brings that offensive attitude which is fast and dynamic. I thought we pressed the game really well, all the guys, in contention, making the last step to the ball and that sped up out offensive player. So, some of the football on a really difficult surface was exceptional.”

Pressed on the pitch by Celtic TV about the concerns surrounding the pitch: “I said to the players that this is a game to show how technically good you are. It’s a wee bit like when we played Kilmarnock on the astroturf pitch when we won the title, there are no excuses.

"We are here to increase our physicality and improve tactically, but technically let’s get your first touch - because the first touch is the characteristic of the top player. And tonight it was really, really impressive.”