Rodgers vows to go for the jugular next time at Celtic Park
us. We will go into the last game going to win the game. It’s very hard to go and just play for a point or a draw.
“We’re playing a good side but we want to use the whole Celtic Park experience and the atmosphere to push us over the line. But tonight is a great, great performance and it takes us lovely into the weekend [for the Betfred Cup final against Aberdeen].”
Rodgers is looking forward to what is sure to be a crackling atmosphere at Celtic Park in two weeks’ time, in stark contrast to the low-key surroundings of the Lerkendal Stadium last night in Norway.
“There’s no doubt [it will be a great atmosphere],” he said. “I don’t need to encourage it. It will be a fantastic demonstration of what the Celtic support is about and that synergy between them and the team.
“It’s been a great learning campaign for us again. We came here knowing we had to win and to see the players playing with that pressure and that level of control was very, very pleasing. That, along with the result, makes it a really good night for us.
“I am pleased with the result and even more with the performance. I think to come under pressure, knowing we really had to win after we gave ourselves a big opportunity in the last game, and to play to that level technically it was a good insight into the game for me in terms of the team and their calmness and confidence and how they all connected.
“They were pressing the game and with their ability technically they showed their talent when they had the ball to take opportunities and control the game. It was very, very good.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers believes his team are in the best form of his tenure ahead of Sunday’s League Cup final showdown with Derek McInnes’ side.
“We love playing at Hampden, the pitch suits us,” he said.
“I would say this is the best level of performance – probably because we have been together longer and won trophies.”
Rodgers allayed any injury fears surrounding Mikael Lustig, James Forrest and Odsonne Edouard ahead of the Hampden showdown with Aberdeen this weekend, after the three players were withdrawn against Rosenborg.
Lustig in particular appeared to be limping as he walked from the field, but Rodgers says that the substitutions were purely precautionary.
“There were a few of the boys we just needed to protect,” he said.