Brendan Rodgers elated after Celtic end long wait for Champions League win

Brendan Rodgers elated after Celtic end long wait for Champions League win

With a thrilling 2-1 victory over Feyenoord at Parkhead, Celtic broke past a Champions League barrier,

much to the pleasure of manager Brendan Rodgers.

In stoppage time, substitute Gustaf Lagerbielke scored to secure Celtic’s first

win in 16 Champions League group matches dating back to Rodgers’ first stint as

manager and their first at home in ten years.

After the fifth matchday, Celtic was relegated to the bottom spot in Group E;

nonetheless, their victory meant they finished with four points, one more than the previous year.

Given how long it had been, it was a significant occasion.

A Champions League victory at home has been the talk of the town ever since I arrived the first time.

Now that they have overcome that obstacle, we can go on.

“I told the players that they didn’t have to bear the load, especially since many of them were new,

but obviously the longer it continues…

It demonstrates the Champions League’s difficulty.

However, we’re committed to breaking that record during my tenure here.

“We have demonstrated that we can play at a high level and compete, but of course you have to get results.

I have been really pleased with some of the performance levels, especially at home.”

“Winning puts a stop to that home record, and with any luck,

we’ll qualify for the next season and start fresh,

giving the players more self-assurance that they can succeed at this level.”

After Luis Palma’s 33rd-minute penalty put the home team ahead,

Celtic had already surrendered in the 82nd minute and appeared destined for more late suffering.

We have seen games over the years where the equaliser comes and the opposing club goes on to gain the winner,

but the players demonstrated that they had learned from the process we have gone through this year,

according to Rodgers.

“You have to give the guys credit for their excellent mentality.

Although some may have believed that this was a pointless game,

for us in the process we are going through, it meant everything to win and feel confident.

For his first appearance since September 30 and his first in the

Champions League since getting sent off in Rotterdam during the opening match,

Sweden defender Lagerbielke came off the bench to replace Stephen Welsh.

“It was a great moment for him because other guys have been in front of him in

squads and he hasn’t been involved in any of them,” Rodgers stated.

However, he has had a great attitude and has always been prepared for training.

“It was a very pleasant moment for him,

and it was ironic that he was sent off before scoring the goal.”

Before the match, Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot said he felt bad for Celtic since, like his team,

they had had absolutely no luck at all during their Group E campaign.

Slot stated following the match:

“You have to give Celtic credit for the manner they played throughout the Champions League,

possibly with the exception of their 10-man match against Atletico Madrid.

Thus, in my opinion, they merited a small amount of good fortune.

Despite outperforming both of their opponents,

they only managed to pick up one point from their previous two home games.

“We are the team that gives teams a little bit of luck, so they deserved a little bit of it.

” That’s what we do; you don’t have to thank me for it.

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