NO PSG REPEAT FOR CELTS, VOWS BOSS
HOOPS BOSS BREN CONFIDENT AHEAD OF BATTLE OF BRUSSELS
BRENDAN RODGERS last night promised the Celtic supporters their team would not make a repeat of their timid performance in the mauling by Paris Saint-Germain tonight in Brussels.
Whoever comes out on top in tonight’s meeting with Belgian champions Anderlecht will have the best chance of finishing third and therefore dropping into the Europa League after Christmas, which is the Celtic manager’s first priority.
Anderlecht are on 40,000 euro a man to win this evening in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium and the Scots’ bonus won’t be far off that figure, which highlights how much is at stake.
Rodgers admitted that the 5-0 home defeat to the French giants was a reality check but he spoke confidently about Celtic playing their normal game tonight.
“I think games like the PSG one are
little reality checks,” said the Celtic manager. “That’s what it’s like at this level. I always tend to think there is learning in every situation. It’s about facing problems you want to solve afterwards.
“Obviously, they’re very humbling experiences. It’s boys who are used to winning.
“But we’ve got an honest group. They’ve got spirit and we feel they’ll improve over the course of the campaign. We saw that last year too. We’ll do everything we can to fight for the result, whoever we play.
“Just because we have been on the run we’ve been on for the last 15 months or so doesn’t mean you’re not susceptible to not good performances.
“I think the players in terms of what they have given the club and the nation in terms of performance has been outstanding, but every now and then against the top players in world football they might just miss it.”
And Rodgers, who has no injury worries following Saturday’s win over Rangers, wanted the players to believe simply reaching the group stage was not the be-all for a club such as Celtic.
“It’s important for us as a team and a club that we don’t just see the qualification as the success, I want to try to create a mentality here that we can come and believe that we can get a result wherever we go,” he said.
“That’s going to be over time, to have the confidence at this level.
“Listen, with all the will in the world it can be tough against these types of teams.”
Rodgers was asked whether he believes it is money which motivates players at this level, something he dismissed.
“At this level, the resources and finances that you get if you progress can be worth it,” he said. “But I don’t think, for most footballers, it is a consequence of playing well.
“In the Champions League it’s for a love of football and love of the game – for the spirit of the game.”