Brendan opens Dor for Gordon
yesterday, coming on as a half- time sub for Dorus De Vries in the champions’ 6-1 romp over Kilmarnock.
The Dutchman felt a pain in his chest after being beaten by a 40-yarder from Souleymane Coulibaly that saw the Hoops surprisingly fall behind in the first half.
And although Rodgers insists the substitution was precautionary, the Celtic boss has no qualms about playing the Scotland keeper on Wednesday night against the English Premier League leaders.
He said: “100 per cent. He’s more than capable of coming in. He’s a brilliant shot stopper and he’s improving his game with his feet all the time.
“Dorus strained his chest when he landed. He could have played on but we had Craig there fit and capable and I didn’t want to take any risk with it so we will sesee how Dorus is over the nenext couple of days.“Asked whether his foformer Swansea keeper wawas at fault for the goal – hish 12th conceded in five gamgames – Rodgers said: “It’s a bitb of both. “At the time I thought to get beat from that ranrange… I’ll need to look at thathat again. “WWhen I saw the video, I watwatched it two or three timtimes there and I give the credcredit to their player.
“ThThe keeper was actually in theth perfect position but if yyou see the strike it wouldwou be harsh to say anythingthin against the kid.
“IIt was an incredible touchtou , turn and the techniquetech was great. When a kekeeper gets beaten from that range there’s always a question mark but I give applause to the kid because it was a great goal.”
Rodgers now takes his team into their second Champions League game with their morale restored after their 7- 0 battering from Barcelona.
But he admits he’s wary of a team he believes is world class in every department.
The Parkhead gaffer said: “It was a great team performance.
“We started the game well and had four or five chances but to be fair you won’t see too many better goals than the one they scored over the course of the weekend.
“We stayed calm as sometimes those kind of goals can really shock a t eam a nd g ive t he opponent real resilience to stay in the game.
“But our attacking play was really good and equal to that, if not better, was our defensive aggression.
“The hunger in the team to get the ball back and press allowed us to go and get the goals. And when you win a game 6-1 it gives you great confidence.
“But Man City are an incredible team playing with high confidence in their own league.
“They have a group of some of the best players in the world and they are also working very hard and winning.
“It’s a great game for us. Games at home here at Celtic Park in the Champions League are really special nights.
“You can’t really prepare any better for it than how we did today.”
Asked how his side planned to stop Sergio Aguero, Rodgers laughed: “His first goals in English football were against my team at Swansea when he came on as sub.
“He actually cost more than our stadium. He is a big talent and one of the leading strikers in the world and is a real handful.”