Pride of a Celt: Rasmussen always motivated Pic: ©STV
Morten Rasmussen insists his Celtic players will be driven by pride as they fight to keep up with Glasgow rivals Rangers at the top of the SPL. In his first start, the Hoops forward set up team-mate Robbie Keane for the first of the Irishman’s double at Falkirk which left the club 10 points behind the league leaders.
However, despite trailing by an almost impossible margin Rasmussen maintained that the Parkhead side won’t be short on motivation especially with the Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Kilmarnock next week.
"I don't think it is difficult [to keep going]," said the former Borndby striker. "As a professional, you want to show your best when you play, you have pride, so I don't think it is difficult.
"We must look in each other's eyes and know that we have done the best we could.
"We have to win every game and then see how the title is looking - anything can happen in football. Is it hopeless? No.
"We have a lot of games left and an important cup game at the weekend so I don't think so."
Rasmussen was delighted to get his first SPL start alongside Keane, who bagged both goals in their 2-0 victory over a dangerous Falkirk side. Keane showed why he is reportedly earning £65,000 per week, although it was by no means a walk in the park.
Rasmussen said: "I do my best in training so I was pleased to start. It was nice to play with a top-class striker, I enjoyed it.
"You learn a lot when you play and train with a good player - but the whole team are good players."
Falkirk remain three points adrift at the bottom of the SPL but boss Steven Pressley is more than confident his side can avoid the drop.
"I think we can stay in this division," he said. "We have 10 games to go now and our focus is beating St Johnstone next weekend.
"The players were disappointed because they know that winning is the most important aspect but in terms of what you can ask for from players, I can't ask for any more than what they gave me.
"Robbie Keane was the difference between the teams, he produced two wonderful finishes and we missed a number of opportunities."
