The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Celtic left staring at exit door
Boss Rodgers backs defender Toure after costly errors
Boss Brendan Rodgers backed “warrior” Kolo Toure to bounce back after the defender’s mistakes led to Celtic suffering a 2-0 defeat by Borussia Monchengladbach last night in their Champions League clash at Parkhead.
The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool player was caught by striker Andre Hahn trying to shepherd the ball out of play in the 56th minute which led to captain Lars Stindl driving in the opener.
And when he lost possession in the 77th minute Hahn was able to race away and slam in the second to leave the Hoops at the bottom of Group C with one point from three games and staring at the exit door.
Rodgers believes Toure, who took the blame for the defeat, will be ready to go again in the Betfred Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park on Sunday.
The Celtic manager said: “There will be no one more disappointed than him. He is experienced enough to know to deal with the first one and the second one was unfortunate, the guy has walked away and finished it brilliantly with a toe-poke finish.
“It is why he has been in game so long. He hurts, he is an honest player and tonight will hurt him.
“He is also a warrior as well and he is a guy who is very mentally tough and he will recover.
“But tonight he will hurt, as will the team, as we all will but we will go again and get ready for the weekend.”
Despite the frustration of losing the two goals, Rodgers admitted his side were beaten by a better team, whom they will face in the return fixture in Germany in two weeks’ time.
The Northern Irishman said: “I thought the best team won, I don’t think there is any argument about that. My players gave absolutely everything tonight but they were up against a top side.
“Our only disappointment is the two goals. They didn’t create so much even though they looked dangerous on the counter attack which a lot of the German sides will.
“We gifted them two goals really.
“We set out to press them but you see that level of players, the technique, if you are not quite there on your press, you see how they can play through it and play round it.
“We had some good spells as well but we were beaten by a side who are very good, technically strong, fast, good power in their team and who have quality. So we have no complaints.”
Gladbach boss Andre Schubert was delighted to get his first three points.
He said: “I am extremely happy. It was a mature performance, we played with strength.”