Brendan Rodgers names Celtic’s stand-out performance of the season

Brendan Rodgers considered Celtic’s 3-1 victory against RB Leipzig to be their standout display of the entire 2024/25 season…

Celtic team photo — Celtic players pose for a team photo on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic secured a memorable Champions League triumph over the Bundesliga side who were in top form in their domestic league at the time.

Christoph Baumgartner gave the visitors the lead in the 23rd minute, but the Hoops responded impressively, with Nicolas Kuhn netting twice to ensure Rodgers’ men went into half time in front.

With just under 20 minutes remaining, Reo Hatate struck to cement the victory and secure all three points that went a long way in Celtic sealing a place in the top 24 of Europe’s elite club competition.

Reo Hatate scores — Reo Hatate of Celtic scores in a Champions League football match against Leipzig on 5 November, 2024, in Glasgow. Photo IMAGO (The Celtic Star)

“That’s my favourite performance of the season,” Rodgers revealed during Celtic’s season review show, which aired on Sky Sports on Friday night.

“Because at the very highest level, we had taken on a team who had an outstanding manager in Marco Rose, Leipzig, who had been in the Champions League for a number of years and had some fantastic players, and we demonstrated at the highest level every part of our game.”

“We went behind in the game. We showed the courage to counter-press and press the game. We go 2-1 up at half-time, then go 3-1 up. In the second half, we played some amazing football.”

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates again — Nicolas Kuhn of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig at Celtic Park on November 05, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“And I think the comments from some of the players afterwards, talking about our performance and how they felt in the game, that’s what I always wanted for my team.”

Celtic ultimately concluded the league stage of the Champions League in 21st place which set up a two-legged affair against Bayern Munich.

Player of the match Nicolas Kuhn is pushed by team mates to celebrate in front of the Green Brigade at full-time after scoring twice in Celtic s 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig. Celtic v RB Leipzig, UEFA Champions League, Group Stage, Celtic Park, – 05 November 2024. Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Reaching the knockout playoffs, Celtic suffered a heartbreaking end to their European campaign when Alphonso Davies’ stoppage time equaliser in Germany ended the Hoops’ hopes of taking the game to extra-time against the Bundesliga champions.

The press for that second goal 👏 pic.twitter.com/5CR6Lm5xr1

— Highland__Paddy (@Highland__paddy) November 6, 2024

To secure a place in next season’s Champions League group stage for a fourth consecutive season, Rodgers’ side must first overcome a crucial play-off qualifier clash in August.