There was a suggestion in some quarters this week in the aftermath of Celtic’s win at Ibrox that it is better to be lucky than good.

Former Ibrox captain Barry Ferguson used his column in a tabloid newspaper to pour cold water on the result and on the decision to go for the win even when reduced to ten men but Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers was having none of it.

Rodgers was reluctant to play up his own part in the 3-2 win but he was effusive in his praise of his own players insisting that he had “10 soldiers in the game” after Jozo Simunovic’s red-card.

“In any game of football there is always an element of luck,” shrugged the Hoops boss. “I would think even Rangers supporters wouldn’t say that [we were lucky] if you look at how we played and what we had to go through in the game.

“That’s the third time in the 20 months I have been up here when we’ve gone down to ten men. They were all away, at Pittodrie, Hamilton and Ibrox. In those matches, over the course of the time we were down to ten men, it has been 94 minutes; so virtually a game and extra-time we’ve played with ten men.

“And in those games, when we were down a man, we scored four goals and conceded none. I don’t think that’s luck.

“It was a great game, we had to show fighting qualities, we were up against it through our own mistakes. If you look at their two goals, the first one was a mistake from us, and the second wasn’t the best defending when a cross comes in but then, really, there was nothing.

“All they had was the Alfredo Morelos opportunity which he should score.

“Listen, Barry Ferguson is someone I don’t know. I’ve never met him so I can’t comment on him. I only know him as a player and I had great respect for him as a player. He clearly is very much Rangers, which I respect, and the win can hurt very much.

“But I think most supporters would admire our team and how we won, and I mean both sides, would not say we were lucky.”

The dismissal of Simunovic appeared to galvanise Celtic who then changed their shape and put on Odsonne Edouard who went on to score the winning goal within two minutes of his arrival onto the pitch.

It would be nonsensical to suggest that a numerical disadvantage is anything other than that – a disadvantage – and Rodgers explained that what carried Celtic through to the three points was the desire of his players and the ability to revert to a system they account for in their daily training methods.

And while Rodgers also felt that the dismissal of Simunovic was justified he was nevertheless scathing about the role that linesman Douglas Ross played in it. The assistant could be seen on camera to shout ‘red card! red card! as soon as he spotted the infringement, something that irked the Celtic manager.

“I think the linesman couldn’t wait to give it and that’s not his job,” he said. “His job is to assist in the decision, not to make, and I think it was pretty clear he made the decision. But however it come, deserved or not, you have to be ready as a team.

“And I think my team showed they were absolutely ready for it. They had elven players, but we had ten soldiers in the game who were ready to fight, and we had the quality to see it through.

“It’s not as easy thing to do. Rangers went down to ten men and lost 5-1 to us. So it’s not easy. It is part of the game you have to prepare for. It’s a pressure situation and they have to be able to anticipate it and stay calm. I’m not trying to be clever, this is how we work from when I first came in.

“I like my team to be disciplined. We want to win and win in the most sporting way we can.

“We’ve had three cards, two of them are from Willie Collum. Callum McGregor at Hamilton was never a sending off. Mikael had two yellows at Pittodrie so I can see that. There is an argument around at Ibrox but I would say it was because his arm was bent.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has also confirmed that Simunovic will not continue his international affiliation with Bosnia.

The defender switched allegiances last season after representing Croatia at every youth stage but not at senior level. However, this week he declined an invitation to partake in Bosnia’s friendlies against Bulgaria and Sweden with Rodgers revealing that an honest chat had revealed that the defender felt his heart was not in it.

It is not expected that he will make himself available for selection for Bosnia again.

“He spoke to me in the week,” said Rodgers. “It’s simple, really

“He had a respect for the coach of Bosnia, who is a highly regarded former Croatian player.

“I think he felt he could go there and maybe have a better chance of playing.

“But he has been really honest and brave in his decision. When he went there, it didn’t feel right. Croatia is in his heart.

“But also I think he felt he would be taking the place of a Bosnian player who really wants to play for Bosnia. If there was any doubt with him, he didn’t want to be in the position of blocking someone else.

“What was also brave is that he was going to ring the coach and tell him. I know sometimes the player gives you the story and then asks you to ring the coach.”

And Rodgers also explained that the defender had apologised for his red card at the weekend.

“He was apologetic, but we can’t dwell on it,” he said. “He takes his two match ban. He has to be ready to be available after the international break.”