BRENDAN RODGERS admits the team’s seven-goal mauling in Dortmund “felt like an assault” on Celtic’s spirit.
The Irishman saw his team get off to the perfect start with a 5-1 triumph over Slovan Bratislava at Parkhead last month, but the harsh realities of life in the Champions League were felt in Germany as the visitors were shredded by the Bundesliga side.
Now the Hoops boss and his players are back in the saddle on matchday three as they prepare to take on Europa League winners Atalanta in Bergamo this evening.
Once again, Rodgers, Callum McGregor and Co step into the pressurised arena where no quarter is asked or given.
There are questions to be answered after the feeble capitulation against ruthless opponents in the Westfalenstadion who scored five goals in a rampant first-half – and were on the receiving end of something similar last night when they saw a 2-0 half-time lead over Real Madrid obliterated as Carlo Ancelotti’s side came roaring back to win 5-2.
Weaknesses are exposed savagely at this level and without the leadership qualities of Cameron Cater-Vickers against the Serie A club the Hoops can expect a torrid evening in Italy.
However, Rodgers remains defiant as to how he will set out his team and said: “I started coaching over 25 years ago and from the very beginning, my coaching has always been aggressive.
“Until the day I finish, it will be aggressive. That’s how I work.
“But I’m also respectful that you play against teams at a certain level and certain opponents, where you have to really look at their strengths.
“I don’t tell them not to do that in every game, because I do, no matter what team I’m playing, whether it’s in Scotland or in the Champions League. It’s the level at which you can get punished.
“So, I think it’s one where you have to have the balance in your game.
”We’re looking forward to the experience. It’s a very good side, very aggressive team, very attacking, and for us it’s that compactness in the team which is very important.
“We weren’t tight enough in certain moments in the game in Dortmund. Of course, you add to that the quality with which they finished.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “For us, we deserve to be here in this competition and it’s always important to install that belief in the players.
“This is a level about belief. These are belief games. You have to go into these and really believe you can get the result.
“It might not always go your way, but you certainly have to go in with that belief.
“You know you are going to have to defend well and be strong in your duels against a team that is, in terms of defensive organisation and how they work, pretty unique.
“You’ve got to be able to deal with that, play through that pressure, but also be really strong defensively.
“It’s the aim we go into every game with, but, going into the games at this level, it’s even more important.”
The Hoops gaffer went on: “I just think in the Dortmund game those things went against us very early on in the game. Then their quality and their confidence takes over – and you end up on the back of a really heavy scoreline.
“And that’s on me.
“But, we hope to learn from that, and that’s the case. This is the long game here in Europe in terms of what we are trying to achieve, not just this season, but going forward.
“One of the reasons I came back was to show that we can make that progress.
“And that isn’t something that happens in one game or two games, but this is a team where the spirit and togetherness is so strong. For us, it’s about that tactical discipline, having that togetherness and having that belief in your quality.
“If you have that, then you’ll always be in with an opportunity to get a result.”
The Celtic manager also accepted that his team are set up for a fall when they mix with the elite with superior resources in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
He accepted there are detractors who cannot wait to “beat them over the head with a stick” if they do not produce in this environment.
Quizzed if he believed expectation levels are disproportionate, Rodgers answered: “I think that if you get any sort of common sense and logic, you would see that.
Images courtesy Celtic TV.
“But it’s something that doesn’t count. You don’t get the leeway. That’s the reality of it. It’s an opportunity for people to beat you over the head with a stick and that is clear.
“I’m not going to get too emotional about it. I don’t listen too much. It’s a perfect storm for some people. You know that when you lose, especially when you come into Europe, that they will write a great piece.
“Actually, they’ve been saving it for probably a number of months. So that’s the opportunity to do it.
“I can’t change that. I’m not even going to be bothered to try, to be honest. There’s no leeway given.
“So, we just have to concentrate on our own club, keep trying to improve and see where it takes us.”
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