TALK of any Red Bull carve up of the remaining fixtures in the Europa League to see those two energy drink owned clubs progress and Celtic eliminated should be dismissed.
That’s the view of Brendan Rodgers who yesterday reflected on his side’s brilliant win the night before against the German Red Bull team, RB Leipzig and looked ahead to the two remaining games in the group, targeting two wins.
Celtic could finish the group on 12 points and fail to qualify – this would be the highest ever points total achieved in the competition by any side finishing the group in third spot.
But that could also happen to RB Leipzig and even their Austrian cousins RB Salzburg who already have 12 points the board with 4 wins from 4 to date. Two heavy defeats in their remaining two game – at home to Leipzig on 29 November and then at Celtic Park in December on match day 6.
Salzburg will want to ensure that they win the group and will want to get the job done in the next game, making their trip to Celtic Park a formality.
If Celtic win in Trondheim moon 29 November, it will all go to the last games and we can assume that RB Leipzig will be too strong for the hapless Rosenborg in Germany.
If Celtic beat (possibly a half-hearted) Salzburg then we’re through. So Rodgers is focusing on his own side’s efforts rather than worrying about any conspiracy theories.
“I would never question the integrity of it,” Brendan said at yesterday’s media briefing.
“Both teams have pride. You saw it in the first game between the two of them when Salzburg won 3-2 in Leipzig.
“Both teams want to win. Salzburg are a very good side. They have shown that against Leipzig and in their game against Rosenborg on Thursday night (they won 5-2). So, no, I’m sure that will be a very good game. Both teams will want to win that.
“This is a very tough group we are in. You see the level of the two Red Bull teams, plus Rosenborg. So hopefully it will be a fight right to the end for us.
“It was a fantastic win for us on Thursday against Leipzig, there were no negatives for us. So we have to enjoy that win and where it puts us in the group.
“We know it’s always difficult in Europe, especially away from home. But we will go and attack the next match away to Rosenborg and see where it takes us.”
Livingston v Celtic: Remembrance Day – A Plea for Silence
Ahead of Celtic’s match at Livingston tomorrow lunchtime, Celtic historian and respected author David Potter has made a plea to The Celtic supporters to respect the minute’s silence ahead of the game and to remember Celtic’s fallen. Please read this article which we published last night, and share as widely as possible.
Livingston v Celtic: Remembrance Day – A Plea for Silence…See HERE.
Also on The Celtic Star this morning…
Jim Craig – Young Celtic Star Kenny Dalglish makes his debut for Scotland…See HERE.
