TOMORROW 12PM, SKY SPORTS
Let’s help clubs ditch the plastic
that surface. But we have to find a way to get a result.”
Although Celtic may not be able to play the same way, they can certainly take confidence from their crackling Euro display.
Rodgers reflected with great satisfaction about a mental step being taken and said: “That is what we spoke about before the Leipzig game.
“In fairness to the players, because of the number of injuries and what we haven’t had going in to some games and big games in particular, we have always had to shuffle the pack around and play not quite our game. What we said to the players before the Leipzig game was: let’s show our identity and, if it doesn’t work out and we lose the game, it’s OK because we’ve at least tried to do it the best way that we can which is our way.
“I was really proud of the players. I’d said on Wednesday you can’t be timid at that level and there was certainly no sign of that in terms of their performance.
“But that is how we have been playing. It was great to take that from domestic level into a game against a top-class team and the pleasing aspect is that it wasn’t a hard-luck story at the end. It wasn’t 1-1. We deserved to win. We actually earned the victory and had to show a resilience.
“A lesser player just falls away but I said to our players: You are top-class players, if anything does go against you in the game it is OK, you have the fight and quality to get back.
“We showed that once we conceded. Straight away we went forward again, we had the belief and scored a wonderful goal which ended up being the winner.
“Europe’s always difficult. Away from home especially but there was no negative on Thursday. We have to enjoy that win and we’ll go and attack the next match.” BRENDAN RODGERS has called on the Scottish government and the SFA to help clubs rip out artificial pitches and protect the image of the country’s flagship league.
The Celtic manager is a long-standing critic of the surfaces and believes they have no place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Rodgers understands the economics attached to clubs installing the pitches.
But he believes authorities in and out of the game could intervene and provide assistance to give those clubs another area to make money from. And that would ensure only grass surfaces are used in the top flight.
Celtic’s next two games against Livingston and Hamilton are both on artificial pitches and Rodgers said: “I have always said that the Premiership is the flagship of Scottish football and there should not be astroturf pitches in it. Simple as that. If this is the flagship league, which it is, we shouldn’t have it.
“I also think the teams which do have them probably need some help as well. They obviously need to generate money, that’s why they do it.
“But let’s see if government, if councils, can help the teams that have them find an artificial pitch somewhere else close by and let the main stadiums be grass.
“Like I say, we are trying to promote a level and a standard. Whether we like it or not, that doesn’t make your flagship league here in Scotland the best standard.
“I respect and understand all the other stuff that comes with the community clubs.
“That’s what I’m saying. It’s not just their fault. They need help. So can we, in football and in government, help the teams?”