BULL DOZED
Rodgers’ Celts ship three after Edouard opens scoring
FRUSTRATED Brendan Rodgers blamed Celtic’s sloppy defending for more misery on the road in Europe after they were sunk in Salzburg last night.
Odsonne Edouard got the Hoops off to a flier but poor goals were lost in a second-half collapse and Celts finished the game with 10 men after James Forrest’s red card. Rodgers was
annoyed with way his side conceded and also their inability to keep the ball as Celtic made it 13 away games without a win in the group stage of the competition.
The Parkhead boss said: “The best team won. In the first half we started well. By the end of the half we’d frustrated Salzburg and we carried a threat when we broke out of our shape.
“So the first half I was reasonably pleased with but in the second half we gave disappointing goals away. That was frustrating and it gave them confidence.
“We didn’t retain the ball well enough either. We needed too many touches.
“When it gets to 3-1 it’s a difficult game with 10 men.
“If you look at the first couple of goals we could have anticipated a bit better. It’s a cross into the box. That’s something we are disappointed with but we will go away, analyse it and see what we can do better.”
Edouard’s strike in the second minute was the ideal start and Rodgers said: “Our plan was to be compact then be able to threaten. They push the full-backs right on so there is always that possibility of the pass from deep.
“It was good pace to get there, strength and a wonderful finish. You could see the confidence in the team but you can also see how Salzburg play, they are a very good side.
“First half, we limited them but at this level you have to do better with the ball. You have to play quicker with minimal touches otherwise you don’t get a rest in the game.
“That hurt us but the guys gave everything and when we went down to 10 men they were fighting.”
Israeli striker Manus
Dabbur was the chief tormentor with a couple of goals but Rodgers was impressed by the whole Salzburg side.
He said: “Collectively they are a good team.
“Dabbur works hard and makes good runs. He has a nice touch and is a nice technical player but as a team they’re very good.
“To get to the semi-finals last year, we knew they were a good team. The best side won with very good individual players.”
Dabbur’s second came from the spot after Forrest had seen red for conceding the penalty.
The winger will now miss the next game away to RB Leipzig as Celts bid to jump above the German side into second place in Group B.
But Rodgers tried to look on the bright side and added: “The positives from the first half were it was compact and tight and we gave them problems.
“We didn’t concede too much from an offensive perspective. But it was a disappointing result.”
Despite his frustration, Rodgers handed out credit to recent signing Youssouf Mulumbu.
The Frenchman deputised in midfield after an injury to skipper Scott Brown and the boss said: “When Scott doesn’t play it always takes a little bit away from the team.
“But I have to give credit to Youssouf. He hasn’t played so much and is still working his way into the way we play.
“He was excellent. Scott is obviously a big player and important to us but Youssouf came in and played very well.”