Celtic F.C.
·4 October 2023
Manager: I'm disappointed we didn't get any reward for our performance
![Article image:Manager: I'm disappointed we didn't get any reward for our performance](https://image-service.onefootball.com/transform?w=280&h=210&dpr=2&image=https%3A%2F%2Fs3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com%2Fgc-media-assets.gc.celticfc.com%2Faee85ee0-6303-11ee-929b-07419101d770.jpg)
Celtic F.C.
·4 October 2023
There were mixed emotions when Brendan Rodgers reflected on the UEFA Champions League clash against Lazio tonight (Wednesday).
The Celtic manager was proud of his players for the performance they produced against a top Italian side, yet there was also obvious disappointment that his team were denied at least a share of the spoils after the visitors scored an added time goal to win 2-1.
The Hoops had taken the lead early in the match through Kyogo, though that was cancelled out Matias Vecino.
But despite looking the more likely side to score in the second-half, it was the veteran winger, Pedro who headed home the winning goal.
Speaking after the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “I am very disappointed for everyone – the players and the supporters.
We gave so much to the game and got a great start with the fantastic goal that we scored, although we’re disappointed with the two goals we conceded.
“But I thought in the second half that we were the team in the ascendancy. They maybe had one opportunity that they created but apart from that we looked like the team that was going to score.”
Indeed, Celtic did score with 10 minutes remaining through substitute, Luis Palma, though a VAR check ruled the goal out for offside.
“The winning goal is bitterly disappointing,” continued the Celtic manager. “You’ve just got to manage the game at that stage.
“It’s a long ball and you just have to deal with it and make sure that you’re secure behind the ball because when we lose it, they break away and they score into an area where we’re light on bodies, and that’s just having that ruthless streak to get something from the game.
'The supporters were brilliant for us, they drove the team on and I’m just disappointed we couldn’t pick up something from the game.'
“The players gave everything to the game and I couldn’t fault them for that – the mentality, and we’ll go away and analyse where we can be better in our next Champions League game here against Atletico Madrid.
“We’ll fight and we’ll show our spirit and hopefully show our quality that can get us a result.”