Rodgers praises Celtic´s determination to keep them on track in the Champions League

Brendan Rodgers was pleased with Celtic’s determination after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Club Brugge in the Champions League.

The Scottish side conceded first through a bizarre Cameron Carter-Vickers own goal in the 26th minute, before Daizen Maeda restored parity in the 60th minute in what Rodgers described as a “game of two halves”.

Celtic now sit 20th in the league phase of the Champions League on eight points. It leaves them just short of the 10-point target that should be enough to guarantee qualification for the knockout phase play-off round.

Despite failing to hit that mark at Celtic Park against Club Brugge, Rodgers was encouraged by the resilience shown by his side.

“First half not so good, second half much better. You obviously want to win every game, but first half we were very passive in our pressing and you could see they are a good side,” he told TNT Sports.

“Second half, we adjusted a couple of things and we had a much better press, which allowed us to sustain attacks.

“It’s a brilliant finish from Daizen. We were much more courageous in the second half.

“So, so pleased with the second half. We kept going, showed determination right to the end. It’s a really good point against a good side and we’ll take that into our next game.

“We’re still in a really good place. We’re still well on track [to get into the play-off stage].”

What an equaliser from @M_daizen_1020! #CelticClubBrugge | #UCL | #CelticFC

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— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 27, 2024

Celtic have three games left to play, with their next test coming away at Dinamo Zagreb before they welcome Young Boys to Celtic Park in the new year and round off the league phase with a trip to Aston Villa.

They are undefeated in their last three games in the Champions League. Their last joint-longest unbeaten streak was from 10 December 2008 to 2 October 2012, leaving Rodgers confident about their prospects.

“We’re on eight points, nine to play for. We can still get to very much on course to get to where we want to get to. And, yes, still three games to go,” he added.

“Tonight was always going to be a really, really dangerous game because on the back of the Leipzig and Atalanta results, people will look at Club Brugge and think we should definitely win that. But this is a team that’s more experienced than us at this level.”