In a recent interview, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers expressed his frustration over what he perceives as unfair coverage of his team’s struggles against some of the top clubs in Europe. Following Celtic’s heavy 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund earlier this month, Rodgers voiced his belief that critics are eager to “beat them over the head with a stick” when things go wrong.
Rodgers highlighted that, while Celtic does face similar challenges at the domestic level, the scrutiny of their European performances seems particularly harsh. He reflected on how his team’s commendable play against Slovan Bratislava at the start of this European campaign was quickly overshadowed by the narrative surrounding their defeats.
When asked about the expectations placed on Celtic in the Champions League, Rodgers said, “If you apply common sense and logic, you would see that expectations are disproportionate. But unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to matter. You don’t get the leeway, and that’s just the way it is. It’s a prime opportunity for some to criticize.”
He acknowledged the emotional toll of such criticism but stressed that he wouldn’t let it consume him. “I don’t pay much attention to it,” he remarked. “It’s a perfect storm for some people. When you lose in Europe, you just know they’ve been saving their harsh words for a while, and that moment provides a platform for them.”
Rodgers made it clear that he doesn’t intend to change his approach, despite the negativity. “I can’t change that. I’m not even going to waste my time trying,” he noted. “The focus needs to be on our club, on improving, and seeing where that leads us.”
Reflecting on the psychological impact of the Dortmund match, he described it as feeling like an “assault” on Celtic’s spirit. With another challenging encounter against Atalanta on the horizon, Rodgers remains committed to his attacking philosophy. “My coaching has always been aggressive, and it always will be,” he asserted. “However, you must respect the strengths of your opponents. This balance is crucial at this level.”
Rodgers emphasized the necessity of a strong defensive strategy, noting, “There will be times to press high and times to sit back. The key takeaway for us is that when we opt for one approach, we must do it as a unit. Our squad has a lot of players who are inexperienced at this level.”
Unfortunately for Celtic, they will be without key players Cameron Carter-Vickers and Greg Taylor for the match in Bergamo, putting additional pressure on the squad.
