Brendan Rodgers spoke to the media after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Braga in the Europa League last night…
Brendan Rodgers arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: Brendan, how disappointing was that tonight?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, very frustrating. We started the game well, I felt, in the first 20 minutes. And then once we conceded the goal, the first goal, I felt that Braga were better than us. We started to chase the ball a little bit, and they were able to play through because of the system. So we didn’t finish the half how we would have wanted. I felt we needed to change it at half-time, so we changed the structure of the team, came out on the front foot really well, had opportunities. I don’t know why the goal wasn’t given. It’s a real pivot point in the game, we get the goal, one each, and then it builds the confidence again. So I don’t know why, and I haven’t had an explanation as to why it wasn’t given. We continued to press and the keeper has made a couple of great saves. We couldn’t quite get the goal. Of course, at 1-0 when you’re chasing, you then concede a disappointing second goal. Yeah, very frustrating.”
Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s first goal, which was later ruled out during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: How frustrating is it with the decision you are speaking about there? Kelechi Iheanacho looks to have equalised for Celtic, but it doesn’t look as though the ball has touched Kelechi’s arm. Would you agree with that?
Brendan Rodgers: “100 per cent. And I can’t understand why the referee hasn’t asked to go and have a look at it. I think if you’re looking at that, again, if you look at it once, twice, and I’m assuming the guys in the VAR will have watched it more than that, because of the time it took. There’s absolutely no way from every angle you look at that he’s touched it. So it’s hit his face, he’s gone away and finished it very, very well. And that’s a big moment in the game for us.”
Q: You said you haven’t been given an explanation about it, is that correct?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yes.”
Q: You sought one, trying to speak to the…?
Brendan Rodgers: “Well, no, not as of yet.”
Kelechi Iheanacho looked to have gotten Celtic back into the game… but VAR rules out his strike for handball ❌
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Q: I mean, the referee clearly gives the decision, so do you think it’s maybe the case that VAR can’t see conclusively, I’m trying to reach some sort of rational explanation for what I think most people see as quite bizarre?
Brendan Rodgers: “Yeah, well, I think clearly that is what the assumption is, that it’s not conclusive. But I think it’s very clear that if you watch it, it’s a mistake by the referee, and that is why we have the VAR, to overcome that. I just watched Aberdeen score a penalty, clear handball. Referee’s asked to go and have a look, gives the penalty, and they gone 1-0 up. So for us, it was a big moment in the game. We started the half well, and in fairness to the players, they continued to push to some really good areas, but just a mixture of them making good blocks, us not making the finish, left us frustrated.”
Kasper Schmeichel arrives at Celtic Park ahead of the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Celtic FC and SC Braga at Celtic Park on October 02, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Q: Kasper Schmeichel’s been such a big player for you since he’s come to the club. Has he said anything in the changing room? It looks like he probably should have done better with the opener.
Brendan Rodgers: “I haven’t spoken to him. I think, from looking at it, it looks like the ball is moving, of course. He probably will be disappointed with it. But yeah, it looks like it’s a good strike by the player, and it’s obviously moved a little bit. But I haven’t spoken to Kasper.”
Kasper had a bad night both with the goal and distribution. Time for a rest.
In my opinion the bigger problem however is Calmac.
A great player in decline and no wonder with the miles in his legs.
His brain and legs no longer working in tandem.
Rest of the team rely on him to provide the spark and continually seek to play through him.
Time to re evaluate the system and give the younger midfielders a chance to show their true worth.
Treble still there to be won with a few tweaks.
Hail Hail
He could start with playing football you know that game that;s been played all over the world , ffs stop the recycle the ball pish and the sideways back the way football ,he’s the only loser in europe to play that crap and still thinks he’s a winner
Could also allow players to play football express themsels ,do what they want not this pish of trying to walk it into the net , 520 passes last night ,,,,,yeah great , Braga had 312 and scored 2 goals ,,,,,really eassy to figure out whats wrong , were the only team in europe to make 9 passes to gain 2ft and go back 1ft
He turned a team of winners into dregs , the managers the problem the footballs shite to watch , must be even more mind numbing playing it
I agree with Kelly the manager decides the way the team play. He is probably leaving at end of season which is a good thing . He moans about not having the quality thats pish. He wanted 2 wingers which he got 1 is ok no sign of the other. Ben doak was let go and now ends up a £20 million plus player at Bournmouth so does Rogers really know what he is doing . He has spent a small fortune during is tenure so this sack the board is in my opinion nonsense, players he as signed Engals Trusty Idah Lagerbecke Nawrocki the 2 recent japanese players the kid from man city and none of them played before being shipped out or dropped all is signings ,and is record in europe is the worst of any Celtic manager