Watching Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final from the stands, home, and beyond, Celtic fans knew something needed to change at half-time.

While the Hoops dominated the ball in the opening 45 minutes, they failed to break down a stubborn, well-drilled Rangers side, who took their chance when they got it, capitalising on Greg Taylor’s loose pass in the middle of the park.

Manager Brendan Rodgers had to earn his wages at the break, and introduced Liam Scales, who, by all accounts, had a relatively stable performance after coming on.

That was the notable alteration Rodgers made going into the second 45, but he also made a few tactical tweaks.

Indeed, Hoops captain Callum McGregor revealed post-match what was said in the Celtic dressing room at half-time in the final with the Bhoys a goal down: “It was more about trying to calm the group down,” he said (The Celtic Way).

“The gaffer gave us a couple of tactical things that he thought could help us.

“We were a wee bit safe in the first half. But once we were less safe on the ball and played through the press a wee bit better, you could see we were a threat in the second half.

“So it was actually more the other way in terms of trying to stay calm. It was about trying to get something more out of the players that way.  He’s always very good in pressure situations and that was the same again.”

Rodgers changing things at half-time in the cup final when Celtic were one down was where he really earned his wages.

The Irishman got it spot on, and you could see that the Hoops really got into their stride in the early stages of the second period.

Nicolas Kuhn emerged as a key threat on the right-hand side, tormenting Jefte, who eventually had to be subbed off after the Hoops went 2-1 up.

Although they were then pegged back twice after going ahead, Rodgers’ men proved their elite winning mentality to come through and emerge victorious on penalties.