Celtic are in the running for the Champions League knockout stages.
Even Brendan Rodgers would tell you that the domestic crown is Celtic’s bread and butter, but he desired and has finally achieved success in Europe’s top league.
Celtic failed to advance from the group stage last season, and in match week two this season, they were defeated 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund.
Many felt that the scoreline was harsh on the Bhoys, but the truth is that it happened, and most importantly, everyone recovered.
Atalanta has been scoring like crazy in Serie A, but they couldn’t get past Celtic’s defenders, and then there was the clean sheet in Croatia.
Celtic are in the running for the Champions League knockout stages.
Even Brendan Rodgers would tell you that the domestic crown is Celtic’s bread and butter, but he desired and has finally achieved success in Europe’s top league.
Celtic failed to advance from the group stage last season, and in match week two this season, they were defeated 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund.
Many felt that the scoreline was harsh on the Bhoys, but the truth is that it happened, and most importantly, everyone recovered.
Atalanta has been scoring like crazy in Serie A, but they couldn’t get past Celtic’s defenders, and then there was the clean sheet in Croatia.
The fact that they have not conceded on the road since that Dortmund trip, as well as their magnificent performance against RB Leipzig, demonstrates the progress that has been achieved.
That’s why Rodgers was upbeat and proud following the result against Young Boys, despite the fact that his statements appeared to rattle Simon Jordan.
What Brendan Rodgers said about Celtic ‘critics’ after Champions League qualification
Rodgers received a lot of criticism after Celtic lost to Dortmund, but he dusted himself up, altered his style on the road, and the results are clear.
He explained how there have been ‘a lot of critics of Celtic at this level’, even though, from a financial perspective, the champions of Scotland have their backs up against the wall.
But Rodgers was ‘very proud’ of the journey everyone has been on since he returned and the progress is there for everyone to see.
On a personal satisfaction in Celtic going through: “Clearly, it’s obviously a privilege to be here and manage here,” responded Rodgers.
“There have been a lot of critics of Celtic at this level. There is no doubt that it is a challenge at this level. But the players have stepped up. They have been absolutely superb over the course of these seven games. The setback we had in Dortmund, we learned from and now the players (against Young Boys) get their reward.
“I am just very proud of the club and the supporters because, like I said, there have been so many moments and near misses. And some tough times, at this level. I don’t think there is any doubt that, in the 18 months we have been here, we have made progress and taken big steps. This season, we have shown that. We just want to keep growing. I wanted to be a Celtic manager at this level and be competitive.”
Simon Jordan gets rattled by Rodgers’ comments on Celtic in the Champions League
Simon Jordan appears to be angered by everything on talkSPORT, which is exactly what occurred as Celtic advanced to the Champions League knockout stage.
The former Crystal Palace owner did not like Rodgers talking about ‘Celtic’s critics’ and believes the criticism was justified.
Jordan added that Celtic have not been beaten by clubs like Real Madrid in recent years, as they were under Ange Postecoglou, and that he believes Rodgers is peddling a ‘myth’.
“Let’s be clear, when Brendan Rodgers says there have been a lot of critics around,” said Jordan. “The most important thing to qualify that is, is it justified criticism? Because he will be positioning it as, ‘there have been a lot of critics around’, as if that is somehow unfair.
“Celtic have gone out of European competition with a whimper. Having their backsides handed to them repeatedly in the group stages. If it was unfair criticism, then you can start on that little soapbox, but it wasn’t unfair criticism.
“After coming back after a smashing at the hands of Dortmund, and then getting themselves together, I think is very credible. I mean, you should beat Young Boys at home. If this is the game that gets you to qualify. I think you should beat them and they have done. The 1-0 scoreline wasn’t reflective of the game. They were better than 1-0.
“I don’t like Rodgers getting away with that narrative. He is a bit of a smart a__, at times. When he is on top, he operates in a certain way. I like him as a manager and I think he is a very capable operator. But he also skates away from things and redirects the conversation, which is what he should do. If you got beat by Real Madrid, nobody is going to say, ‘well, Celtic should have beaten Real Madrid’, but there were games and times during the period of time Celtic underachieved.”
