Manager: I'm proud of players and now we face exciting play-off tie

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Celtic F.C.

·29 de enero de 2025

Manager: I'm proud of players and now we face exciting play-off tie

Brendan Rodgers’ side produced a battling performance at Villa Park in their final league phase fixture of the UEFA Champions League.

Despite conceding two goals inside the first five minutes, the Hoops battled back and Adam Idah hit a double to level the game at the break.

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However, two further Aston Villa goals in the second-half gave the English Premier League side a 4-2 victory on the night.

Despite that defeat, Celtic have progressed to the knockout play-off after an impressive European campaign, and they will find out on Friday whether they will face Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

Speaking to Celtic TV after the game, Brendan Rodgers said: “I thought we actually started the game well in those first couple of minutes and we showed a confidence and authority with the ball, but then we got done with two quick goals.

“And that then really is a test of your nerve, your heart, your mentality, and the players shone in that aspect right the way through the game.

'We scored two fantastic goals, and we went into the second half and knew we would have to defend but we still had some good moments with the ball.'

“The game’s in the balance right to the very end, but there was a mistake at the end which puts a bit more of a shine on the game for Aston Villa, but there’s nothing but pride.

“We’re putting on some young players that have never played for Celtic, never mind playing in the Champions League before. So putting them in and, like I say, they showed a great mentality and a great desire right the way through the game.”

It was Adam Idah who produced two excellent first-half finishes to draw Celtic level on the night, although the home side restored their two-goal advantage in the second-half.

And the Irish striker’s performance drew praise from his manager.

“There’s obviously a lot of pressure being the striker at Celtic and Adam hasn’t quite got the goals that he would want, but I thought his two finishes were excellent tonight,” Brendan Rodgers said.

“For the first goal he’s had to adjust quickly and showed great athleticism to finish, and the second goal is a brilliant team goal and he’s at the end of that to finish off.

“And, overall, I thought he carried a real threat and was a real handful for Aston Villa.”

Now the Hoops await Friday’s draw when they will discover their knockout play-off opponents, either Bayern Munich or the UEFA Champions League holders, Real Madrid.

Either opponent is an exciting prospect for everyone connected with Celtic.

“We’ve built a really good foundation this season and shown that we can compete and play the game to the level that we want, and shown that we can also defend,” the Celtic manager said.

“Clearly, at this level if you make mistakes you’ll get punished and you’ve also got players with big quality.

'But, overall, we were very competitive over the course of the eight games which gives us the 12 points, and now gives us a really exciting tie for the players and the supporters.'

“I’m very proud of the team, which gives pride to the club and to the nation, and then we can hopefully continue to grow over the coming years.

“It’s absolutely amazing, all the effort and commitment, everything, to end up with one of those two teams. It’s going to be a big challenge but we can go and, like we’ve shown at this level, make it really difficult for teams.”