Wednesday 13 July 2016

Celtic lost in Rodgers first game in charge.


Brendan Rodgers claimed there was "no embarrassment" in losing his first game as Celtic boss 1-0 against part-time Lincoln Red Imps in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier at the Victoria Stadium.

The Parkhead side were stunned when striker Lee Casciaro, who had scored Gibraltar's first international goal against Scotland at Hampden in 2015, sensationally put the part-timers ahead in the 47th minute.

Hoops striker Leigh Griffiths hit the woodwork twice as the visitors battled back but the home side held out for a result which ranks as one of the most embarrassing in Celtic's European history, although the Scottish champions will fancy their chances in the return game in Glasgow next week.

Asked if there were red faces in the dressing room, the former Liverpool boss, who took over from Ronny Deila in May, said: "No. There is obvious disappointment.

"There is no embarrassment. It was a tough game in tough conditions. We didn't take our chances, they took their chance.
"We dominated and created enough chances to score. Sometimes it can happen, obviously with the pitch, an awkward bounce and all of a sudden the player is in, it's into the floor and goes in.

"We have seen enough to see that we can get through in the second leg. Of course you are disappointed to lose.

"It was difficult, of course. They set up 5-4-1. And it doesn't matter the team, the level. Teams have good organisation, 11 players behind the ball.
"Throw the pitch into that, it's very, very tough for the players.

"But we created enough chances, their keeper made fantastic saves. It gives us a bit of work to do in the second leg."

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