BRENDAN RODGERS and Celtic, it could be argued, are stuck somewhere between a rock and a hard place...
By accepting the Celtic manager’s job for the second time, Rodgers cannot say he didn’t know he was also accepting the limitations that come with the post. And those financial limitations in the transfer market are what has the club existing in a space where the team is too good for domestic opponents, but not quite good enough to really compete at the top level on the continent.
As it was, some of Celtic’s transfer trademark project players had to be flung in, and two of them in Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm exhibited their rawness by picking up needless red cards, leaving their teammates in the trenches. “Probably sadly, a little bit, is when they get to that level where they have matured and experienced then you lose them.
“I think Red Bull Salzburg went to Benfica and won 2-0 with a lot of young players - top young players. So that’s what we can aspire to, making improvements and maximising the players that we have and just getting better. That will be the difference IF the model is to bring them in young. “We were all disappointed [to lose that goal], having worked so hard against a team of that level. Part of the game plan was to ensure that, in the first 20 minutes, we matched the intensity and matched their level. And we did that.
“One, when you go behind it’s not always as straightforward to get back into the game. And, two, the other teams normally find extra confidence because they’re at that level.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brendan Rodgers blasts Celtic cynics who 'dismissed' Champions League pedigreeThe nine-man Scottish champions slumped to a 2-0 defeat inside the De Kuip cauldron.
Read more »
Feyenoord 2-0 Celtic: Can Brendan Rodgers' side learn from Champions League defeat?After a promising start, Celtic lost 2-0 away to Feyenoord in their Champions League Group E opener; they ended the match with nine players after Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Holm were sent off; Celtics last away win in the competition was in 2017
Read more »
Celtic Hotline caller would hand Rangers title if meant end of Brendan RodgersGordon Parks manned the phone after the Hoops suffered defeat in their Group E opener in Holland.
Read more »
Brendan Rodgers in 'not content' Celtic transfer admissionBrendan Rodgers admitted he was not content with Celtic's transfer business - before insisting his comment was not intended to be disrespectful.
Read more »
Celtic: Brendan Rodgers not 'content' with summer transfer businessBrendan Rodgers wanted more summer signings at Celtic; nine new players joined the club; Celtic face Livingston on Saturday, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 12.30pm
Read more »