“It’s my responsibility. I need to somehow find the solutions,” Brendan Rodgers

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The Celtic Star

·3 de octubre de 2025

“It’s my responsibility. I need to somehow find the solutions,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Braga in the Europa League last night…

Brendan Rodgers arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, how disappointing was that tonight?

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Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, very frustrating. We started the game well, I felt, in the first 20 minutes. And then once we conceded the goal, the first goal, I felt that Braga were better than us. We started to chase the ball a little bit, and they were able to play through because of the system. So we didn’t finish the half how we would have wanted. I felt we needed to change it at half-time, so we changed the structure of the team, came out on the front foot really well, had opportunities. I don’t know why the goal wasn’t given. It’s a real pivot point in the game, we get the goal, one each, and then it builds the confidence again. So I don’t know why, and I haven’t had an explanation as to why it wasn’t given. We continued to press and the keeper has made a couple of great saves. We couldn’t quite get the goal. Of course, at 1-0 when you’re chasing, you then concede a disappointing second goal. Yeah, very frustrating.”

Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal, which was later ruled out during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: How frustrating is it with the decision you are speaking about there? Kelechi Iheanacho looks to have equalised for Celtic, but it doesn’t look as though the ball has touched Kelechi’s arm. Would you agree with that?

Brendan Rodgers: “100 per cent. And I can’t understand why the referee hasn’t asked to go and have a look at it. I think if you’re looking at that, again, if you look at it once, twice, and I’m assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took. There’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it. So it’s hit his face, he’s gone away and finished it very, very well. And that’s a big moment in the game for us.”

Q: You said you haven’t been given an explanation about it, is that correct?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes.”

Q: You sought one, trying to speak to the…?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, no, not as of yet.”

Kelechi Iheanacho looked to have gotten Celtic back into the game... but VAR rules out his strike for handball ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK
– jueves, 2 de octubre de 2025

Q: I mean, the referee clearly gives the decision, so do you think it’s maybe the case that VAR can’t see conclusively, I’m trying to reach some sort of rational explanation for what I think most people see as quite bizarre?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, well, I think clearly that is what the assumption is, that it’s not conclusive. But I think it’s very clear that if you watch it, it’s a mistake by the referee, and that is why we have the VAR, to overcome that. I just watched Aberdeen score a penalty, clear handball. Referee’s asked to go and have a look, gives the penalty, and they gone 1-0 up. So for us, it was a big moment in the game. We started the half well, and in fairness to the players, they continued to push to some really good areas, but just a mixture of them making good blocks, us not making the finish, left us frustrated.”

Kasper Schmeichel arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Kasper Schmeichel’s been such a big player for you since he’s come to the club. Has he said anything in the changing room? It looks like he probably should have done better with the opener.

Brendan Rodgers: “I haven’t spoken to him. I think, from looking at it, it looks like the ball is moving, of course. He probably will be disappointed with it. But yeah, it looks like it’s a good strike by the player, and it’s obviously moved a little bit. But I haven’t spoken to Kasper.”

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Q: Just more generally, Brendan, it’s another game where fans are bemoaning a lack of creativity, and despite Iheanacho’s goal being chopped off, a lack of goals in the squad. After the transfer window, is this the club’s chickens coming home to roost in that regard?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, listen, whatever it is, I need to find the solution to it. Like I said, there have been too many games now where we haven’t scored from a team that was… Last year we scored more goals than in the last 54 years of the club’s history. So yeah, we’re just in a spell now, and it’s my responsibility. I need to somehow find the solutions to that, because we haven’t been scoring. We’ve got into some good areas, and the keepers have made some good saves, but we still need to be more aggressive in our attacking play.”

Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Do you put that down to being a spell, or is it the lack of tools that you have at your disposal?

Brendan Rodgers: “Again, it doesn’t really matter what it is, because nothing’s going to change in that aspect until at least January. So I need to find the answers to that.”

Q: Just an overview of two games, one point so far. There is plenty to go, but is there an appreciation that you need to kick on in this competition now and start picking up a lot more points?

Brendan Rodgers: “Well, the next game, we’re going to need to win that. That’s what’s important now. We obviously pick ourselves up, we’ve got a very, very important league game here on Sunday. As you say, the next matchday here at home, it’s a big game for us. If we’re going to push on in the group, we would have to win that.”

Q: You called for fan unity before the game. We saw that being the case, we know the club’s reached out to fans. Do you hope we’re now coming to the end of this back and forth between supporters and the board?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think listening and engagement are important, so I think that was great. I thought the support we got tonight was great. It’s an early kick-off, and it’s a real challenge for a lot of supporters to get here in time for the game, but they did get here and gave us great support throughout the evening. I think I mentioned it the other day, I can only hope that we can find the solution and, like I say, move forward.”

Celtic line-up prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Brendan, just to touch on the lack of goals, but particularly in the first half, there was a lack of chances created as well. Is that something that you’re mindful of and you’re trying to work for next time?

Brendan Rodgers: “The baseline philosophy that I’ve always had is to have a really attacking, creative team that plays at speed, with high ball speed and lots of creativity. That’s something that we’re always searching for. We need to get to that point again. We have to push in training and we have to analyse the games and where we can be better. It’s constant work.”

Q: Just a quick one on Sebastian Tounekti tonight. Probably the bright spark in the team, would you say?

Brendan Rodgers: “Yes, I thought he played very well. He was a real problem for them in the first half. In the second half, we were having him more pressing on the inside than getting out for the one-versus-ones. He’s a really dynamic player, and he’s settled into the team really, really well. He’s unfortunate not to score. I thought the goalkeeper made a brilliant save. So yes, I thought he done very well.”

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Q: We’ve seen lots of contentious decisions since VAR came in. Is that up there with the worst that you’ve seen, given the context of where it was and in the game itself? The way the game has switched at that point?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think the whole nature of VAR is supposedly to help and support the officials on the field. I think when it happened, I didn’t think it was a handball. But it’s only really when you see the clarity on the images that it doesn’t even go, with the greatest respect, even near to it. It’s clearly come up and whether it’s in real time or slowed down, it’s hit his face and he’s away. And that’s for me what VAR is about, to correct the wrong decision. So yes, it’s a wee bit baffling that he wasn’t even asked to come over and look at the screen.”

Kasper Schmeichel during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Also, just getting back to Kasper as well. There were a few moments with his distribution that was a bit off tonight as well. Is that a growing concern this season, in terms of his position?

Brendan Rodgers: “I think the rhythm of the team isn’t quite there, of course. And then, I think what is important, you make a mistake in the game, which all players can do, that you don’t follow that up with another two or three. Kasper’s made some great saves for us. I think there’ll be a couple of ones that we’ll analyse with him and look to correct. But yes, it’s where we’re at. He’s a fantastic goalkeeper and has been since he’s come in.”

Colby Donovan in action during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Just on Colby coming off at the break tonight, was that a tactical decision or was that to do with his performance?

Brendan Rodgers: “No, no, just purely tactical. I think the young boy’s been great since he’s come into the team. I wanted to go to a back three and bring the wing back into midfield to give us that box to match their four-versus-four. It was more a tactical change just to give the team a different structure.”

Q: Is that system something you could implement going forward in games?

Brendan Rodgers:“Yes, yes. I did it when I was first here. I’ve never had to change the structure so much since I’ve been here. Purely because we’re having the ball a lot, we’re dominating a lot. There’s no doubt when the game needs it. It’s something I’ve always done. The style will always be the same. We always want to play and attack the game. The structure can change. I thought the second half worked for us to a certain extent. The players were flexible enough to do that. We may look at that again.”

Q: Just more generally, about eight months ago that night in Munich, you were so excited at that. The prospect of Celtic doing well in the Champions League. How frustrating is it now, eight months down the line, to be sitting here with one point from two Europa League matches?

Brendan Rodgers: “Clearly, it clearly is. But we can’t look back. Especially in my position, it’s something that I don’t want to turn this into all sorts of frustration. I have to remain focused on the players that we do have and maximise what I can get from the team. That’s my only focus really.”

Q: Just a couple of questions on Motherwell. Your thoughts on their start to the season? And just how big a challenge that will be off the back of this match?

Brendan Rodgers: “They’ve started well, unbeaten in the league, I believe. I think any game, whether it is home or away, after a European game is always a challenge. We have to make sure our energy and attitude is right in the game. Which we’ll do in the next couple of days.”

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