BRENDAN RODGERS spoke about the significance of Celtic’s Europa League victory over RB Leipzig but knows that it will have all been in vain if his players fail to take advantage of it by defeating Rosenborg this afternoon.
With kick-off fast approaching Rodgers knows that a win this evening will mean that Celtic are still involved in the qualifying shake-up on the final match in the Group, regardless of what happens in Salzburg tonight.
With a bit of luck the home side will win the battle of the Red Bulls to maintain maximum points and win the group. That would mean that if Celtic win tonight a draw against Salzburg would suffice to get is through.
The bookies seem convinced that RB Leipzig will win 1-0 though and if that comes to pass then the corporate arrangements of the two cousin clubs will come under intense scrutiny.
But there is little doubt that Celtic’s win over the Germans was the result that gives us a great chance to qualify – if we don’t blow it this evening!
“That was a very big result for us,” Brendan said.
“Leipzig, as everyone knows, are a top-class team playing in a very good league and they’re right at the very top end of that. To play the way that we played is always important for us.
“You need that confidence to allow the mind-set to grow. That’s what we’ve always tried to do. We’ve tried to develop this mind-set where the players have grown in confidence and belief.
“In the last few weeks we’ve been much more like the level we’ve been at consistently for a few years. That wasn’t the case at the beginning of the season, or even when we came here last but, there’s a real clear identity in the team and the players are performing at a very high level.
“We understand and respect Rosenborg. The game they play, the quality of players and the way the club is run is very well-structured.
“They’ve come off the back of a celebration of being champions again for four consecutive times so we know it’ll be a difficult game for us.”
The Celtic manager has Leigh Griffiths available again after his scoring return at Hamilton on Saturday and both skipper Scott Brown and talisman Tom Rogic are also available for selection.
“Leigh’s come in fit and got a goal at the weekend.
“Edouard’s been great over the last eight weeks.
“What you want as a manager is options, options in your squad and options in the type of game you want to play.
“Tom was away with the international team, so he wasn’t going to play against Hamilton regardless. He’s a big player, as is Scott, and what’s important is both are available and ready to play if required.”
