Brendan Rodgers: Celtic showed they can compete in the Champions League despite Feyenoord defeat

Nine-man Celtic lost 2-0 to Feyenoord in their opening group game

Author: Gabriel AntoniazziPublished 19th Sep 2023

Brendan Rodgers felt his Celtic team showed they can compete at Champions League level before inexperience played its part in their Group E opener against Feyenoord running away from them following two red cards inside five minutes.

Both Gustaf Lagerbielke and substitute Odin Thiago Holm were sent off on their Champions League debuts with Celtic trailing to Calvin Stengs’ 30-yard free-kick in first-half stoppage-time.

Joe Hart saved a penalty in between the red cards before Feyenoord went on to win 2-0 in Rotterdam.

Rodgers said: “We showed in the game that for this tournament we are going to be competitive.

“We started really, really well, for the first 60 minutes the game was very close. I thought we looked a threat and progressed the ball well into the final third. Maybe with better decision-making and releasing the pass we would have given ourselves the opportunity to get in front.

“I’m disappointed with the first goal, we should never be conceding that, especially at that moment.

“But it was even for 60 minutes and unfortunately we got two players sent off. It’s really difficult at this level with 11 against 11, but with 11 v nine, it’s difficult.

“But I have to applaud the players for their spirit and mentality, they kept going. It was harsh on them.”

Hart was left exposed by his wall for the opener, with Kyogo Furuhashi inadvertently jumping out of the way of the ball, and the curl on the shot took the ball away from the goalkeeper after it bounced on the wet turf, although he got a hand to it.

Rodgers said: “We talked about it inside. I like the players to make decisions and there was a decision within the game to change the wall. But you have to make sure the wall is correct or else you get done.

“It’s a very, very small detail but if you don’t look after it, you end up beaten. It was bitterly disappointing because we played well up to then.”

Rodgers felt both red cards should have been avoided. Lagerbielke received a second yellow after catching Igor Paixao in the throat with his arm as he tried to jockey the forward. Holm was shown a straight red card for lunging in to a high tackle.

Rodgers said: “With Gustaf, there was no drama. The ball was running through to the goalkeeper. I think it’s inexperience, just let the ball run through. I still thought it was a bit harsh but I can maybe see why the referee gave it. But we can avoid that situation for sure.

“The second one, he is young and committed but at this level you can’t go to ground. When I saw it back, his foot is up. At this level you get punished for that.

“Obviously they are bitterly disappointed afterwards, their first experiences of games at this level. They will learn from it.

“Gustaf had done well up to that point, two inexperienced centre-backs – I thought Liam Scales was outstanding and Gustaf had been coping well.”

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Founded in 1888, Willie Maley was Celtic's first manager and one of the most successful managers in Scottish football history. He managed the club from 1897 to 1940, winning thirty major trophies (16 league championships and 14 Scottish Cups).

Jimmy McStay (circled) managed Celtic between 1940 and 1945. However, this clashed with the suspension of the League and Scottish Cup during wartime, meaning he never had the opportunity to manage the club in official competitions.

All-time leading goalscorer in top-flight British football Jimmy McGrory managed Celtic from 1945 to 1965. He won one First Division trophy, two Scottish League Cups, two Scottish Cups, four Glasgow Cups, one Coronation Cup, one Saint Mungo Cup and four Glasgow Charity Cups.

Jock Stein managed Celtic from 1965 to 1978 and guided Celtic to nine successive Scottish League championships between 1966 and 1974. He also won one European Cup, eight Scottish Cups, six Scottish League Cups, five Glasgow Cups and one Drybrough Cup.

Billy McNeil managed Celtic from 1978 to 1983. McNeil won three Scottish League titles, one Scottish Cup, one Scottish League Cup and one Glasgow Cup.
McNeil returned from 1987 to 1991 where he won one Scottish League title and two Scottish Cups.

David Hay managed Celtic from 1983 to 1987 and won one Scottish League title and one Scottish Cup.

Liam Brady managed Celtic from 1991 to 1993 but failed to win any trophies.

Lou Macari managed Celtic from 1993 to 1994 but he failed to win any trophies.

Tommy Burns managed Celtic from 1994 to 1997 and he won one Scottish Cup.

Wim Jansen managed Celtic from 1997 to 1998 and won One Scottish Premier Division Title and One Scottish League Cup.

Jozef Venglos managed Celtic from 1998 to 1999 but did not win any trophies

John Barnes managed Celtic from 1999 to 2000 but did not win any trophies.

Kenny Dalglish managed Celtic in 2000 and won one Scottish League Cup

Martin O'Neil managed Celtic from 2000 to 20005 and won three Scottish Premier Leagues, three Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.

Gordon Strachan managed Celtic from 2005 to 2009 and won three consecutive Scottish Premier League Titles, one Scottish Cup and two Scottish League Cups.

Tony Mowbray managed Celtic from 2009 to 2010 but failed to win any trophies.

Neil Lennon managed Celtic from 2010 to 2014 and he won three Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups.
Lennon returned from 2019 to 2021, where he won two more League titles, two Scottish Cups and one Scottish League Cup.

Ronny Delia managed from 2014 to 2016 where he won two Scottish Premierships and one Scottish League Cup.

Brendan Rodgers managed Celtic from 2016 to 2019 where he won two Scottish Premierships, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.

Ange Postecoglou took over as Celtic manager in 2021 and has won a Scottish League Cup.