CELTIC manager Brendan Rodgers faced the press after this evening’s hugely frustrating 2-0 defeat to Gladbach.
“I thought the best team won. No argument about that,” Rodgers admitted.
“My players gave everything against a top side. Disappointment in gifting them two goals.
“You see at that level how they can play through pressing. We had some good spells but beaten by a good team, no complaints.”
“There are still elements we need to compete in consistently. We are in the process of building something here but sometimes there are teams better than us,” the manager stated.
“That’s no disrespect to our players. BMG had a World Cup winner in midfield and other good players.
“This was always going to be tough for us.
“It wasn’t to be tonight and we’ll play every game now and have to do our best.”
Looking at the nature of the two goals where Celtic were the authors of their own misfortune, Rodgers said: “That is frustrating. Players poured everything into the game and some of them were outstanding, individually.
“Mistakes get punished heavily at this level. Top players will hurt you and that’s what happened.
“We have to find a way at this level of consistently looking to perform. You can’t click your fingers and achieve it overnight.”
On another amazingly atmospheric night at Parkhead, the boss had this to say:
“Our supporters created an incredible environment for us to play and credit goes to them.”
Looking at the next stage in developing the current squad, Rodgers had this to say:
“There are certain attributes you need that cost money but that’s up to us and our recruitment.
“That will be over the course of time and something we’ll look to do.”
And finally he had a word for Kolo Toure, who incidentally has been an exceptional player for Celtic. Rodgers said:
“He’s been in the game for so long. He’s an honest player. Tonight will hurt but he’s a warrior and will recover.”
