Celtic v Sporting Braga – “Our whole duty is to win,” Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers reflecting on Europa League opener in Belgrade…

“I still feel it was a game that we could have won, being a little more progressive in our play and obviously we conceded from a corner which is a static position so we ought to defend that better. But I still feel coming away with a point, away from home in Europe – yeah we want to win every single game we play but we’re not entitled to do that, we have to earn it. What you mustn’t do when you go away from home in a tough venue is lose. We showed that mentality, that strength and stayed resilient and now we’ve got a couple of home games and that’s where you want to maximise your points.”

Brendan Rodgers on Kelechi Iheanacho and how his season is going to develop… 

“The reason for bringing him here at the time was we needed a striker in and he, in my time working with him for over four year, I know everything he brings on and off the pitch. So I think he’ll prove by the end of the season to the supporters and his teammates, what a great signing he’ll be for us.

“He’s a great guy around the place, he’s got a lovely demeanour, he’s always available in the main – touch wood – his robustness and his love for football that he clearly has and obviously he loves scoring goals. So I think this is a really good time for us to get him and also hat we can give him as a football club and a team so really pleased for him.

Brendan Rodgers on Liam Scales being superb this season 

“I think that Liam Scales has been playing at a really high level, a consistent level. Scalesy has been superb in the team. He’s someone I trust, I know what I’m going to get every single game from him every week so yes it’s been a good start for us.

Brendan Rodgers on the challenges posed by Sporting Braga

“I think they’ve had their struggles in the league but had a good result against Feyenoord so that got them the three points in the first game. Like all Portuguese teams they’ll be well organised. They jump between 3-4-3 in there structure and 4-3-3 so we’ll see what they will bring. They have got gifted players, talented players and in games at this level are always going to be a good challenge.

“But I’m really happy for us to be at home over our next to games as it’s a really good opportunity for us to impose ourselves in this early stage of the group. Every time we play I always want us to be creative and be attacking and play with a real speed and tempo in their game. That’s when my teams are at their best, then that’s how they are playing.

“So we want to bring that to Celtic Park so the supporters get behind that and enjoy that and for us to have a really good performance and of course get the three points. Like I said at the beginning our whole duty is to win and that’s what we want to do.”

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