Rodgers admits worries over calamity corner
BRENDAN RODGERS has expressed concern about the goal Celtic conceded at a corner to Astana in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round match in Kazakhstan last night.
However, the Irishman is optimistic the Scottish champions, who drew 1-1 to give themselves a chance of progressing, can draw or win at Parkhead next week and head into the play-off stage.
The Glasgow club had serious problems at set pieces during Ronny Deila’s two years in charge, in European competition especially, and Rodgers was alarmed to see them surfacing again.
Celtic fell behind in the 19th minute, when Yuri Logvinenko peeled away from his marker Eoghan O’Connell and headed in as Craig Gordon raced off his line unnecessarily.
And Rodgers is keen to see his team perform better in that area when they square up to Stanimir Stoilov’s charges in the rematch in Glasgow next Wednesday evening.
“The goal was disappointing,” he said. “I think there is an issue there with set pieces long before I came in. We lost the man too easy.
“I think over the course of pre-season we have defended them well, but we have to defend better. We need to ensure that our concentration is 100 per cent.”
Rodgers added: “The mentality in terms of how we came back from that goal was pleasing. We started the game fairly well and gave away a disappointing goal from the corner. They had that resilience and persistence, and were fighting right to the bitter end.
“I thought Patrick Roberts was outstanding. He showed his technique. Collectively that mentality was pleasing and there were elements of our game where we had control in the second half.
“It’s never easy on an artificial pitch, it was certainly better than the last one we played on.
“Everyone could see how difficult and unnatural it was for the players. Over the last couple of years here you look at the results this team has had against some really top teams shows how good our result was.
“We will go away and reflect on it. It’s a new game, a tough game, but it was important to get the away goal.
“Over two legs in a European game that goal was vital for us. We will reflect on the game; we still have a bit of work to do and we will pick the best 11 for the game.”
He continued: “I think we had to cope with some elements of pressure. You expect that away from home but we dealt with that. If we continue to be lucky and get through I will be happy.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers singled out O’Connell, the 20-year-old Irish defender who made his European debut in the meeting in Asia, for praise for his mature personal display.
“I thought he was outstanding,” he said.
“For a young player who has been on the fringes of the team for a few years to come into that environment, under that pressure. He made very few mistakes.
“I was very proud of him.”
Stoilov, whose team qualified for the Champions League group stages for the first time in their history last season and then drew with Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray at home, is confident that his team can win the game at Parkhead next week
He said: “It was a very good game. Obviously we have certain things to improve. We had to score two or three more goals, but if you make a mistake in European football teams can score immediately. We will try our best when we go to Glasgow.
“Celtic were supposed to be the favourites in this game, but I think in the second game we will have two teams and either of them could win. This is how it is supposed to be.”