We must learn to keep the ball at this high level, insists Rodgers

BOSS Brendan Rodgers stressed the need to retain possession better after Celtic let slip an early lead to lose 3-1 in Salzburg on Thursday night.

The former Swansea City and Liverpool boss (below) said: “It was a great start for us. Good pace to get there, pace and strength and then a wonderful finish.

“You can see how Salzburg play, they are a very good side but we limited them really in terms of clear chances.

“But at this level you have to be better with the ball and keep the ball and be able to play quicker with minimal touches, otherwise you don’t get a rest in the game and that hurt us.

“But the guys gave everything, even when down to 10 men they were running, fighting, working and as I said we were just beaten by the better team.”

While Salzburg top the table with six points from six, Celtic have three points from their match day one win over Rosenborg at Parkhead.

The Scottish champions now face a double-header against RB Leipzig, starting with a trip to Germany later this month.

Rodgers added: “I think the best team won. I thought in the first half we started well and by the end of the half we had frustrated Salzburg.

“So the first half I was reasonably pleased with, the second half we gave away disappointing goals. That was the frustration for us and then from that they gain confidence.”