BRENDAN RODGERS praised his players for their “effort and commitment”, despite the 2-0 loss to Lazio in Rome firing Celtic into Euro oblivion for another season.
The Hoops conceded two late goals in another disappointing collapse in the Champions League – their fourth in five games – to make the final Group E match against Feyenoord at Parkhead a fortnight today meaningless.
It been a painful adventure among the European elite with the defence shipping FOURTEEN goals and only three – two by Kyogo Furuhashi – being scored at the other end.
EURO PAIN…Brendan Rodgers gives his views after loss in Rome.
It’s been a punishing procession since nine-man Celts lost 2-0 in Rotterdam in September, their topple towards the exit stalled only by a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid in Glasgow last month.
Rodgers, of course, could point to key players missing some of the big games and the gaffer was without the injured Reo Hatate and Liel Abada and the suspended Daizen Maeda and Luis Palma against the Serie A outfit.
There is the distinct possibility three of the four would have been certain starters at the Olimpico stadium. The chronic situation saw James Forrest handed his first start at this level since 2020.
With a fair degree of understatement, Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Mail, admitted: “We’ve been hampered with our squad a little bit.
“But the players who have been playing have been giving everything. The effort and commitment was there.
“Now we want to finish on a high and to win in front of our own supporters.
“Our supporters have been incredible coming all around Europe and they haven’t seen us winning.
“So, we would love to be able to give them that victory and finish off with a positive result against Feyenoord.
