BRENDAN RODGERS claimed “there’s no embarrassment” after Celtic crashed 1-0 to Lincoln Red Imps in the Champions League second qualifying round in Gibraltar.
Local cop Lee Casciaro’s goal for the part-timers condemned the Hoops to one of their worst-ever defeats in the Irishman’s first competitive game in charge.
“There’s no embarrassment,” he said. “It was a tough game in tough conditions.
“We never took our chances and they took their chance. The second leg will be different.”
Celtic take on the champions of Gibraltar at Parkhead next Wednesday and Rodgers insisted he saw enough from his new team to believe they will still get through the tie.
He added: “We dominated and had enough chances, but sometimes it can happen like that – one ball up the pitch and they’re in.
“You let the local team have their night, we press on, another week’s training and be better for it.
“We’ve given ourselves a bit of work to do, but there’s no panic. It’s a two-legged affair and our objective is to get through.
“The message for our fans is to stay calm. I always felt this qualification phase would be based on the second legs at home and we’ll need their support.”
