Brendan Rodgers reacts as Celtic staged a superb fightback against Sturm Graz to nab three important Europa League points.
Celtic’s win started off in the worst possible way after Kelechi Iheanacho and Alistair Johnston were both forced off as injuries threatened to wreck the Bhoys’ Europa League night.
The game went from bad to worse after Tomi Horvat’s long range effort left Kasper Schmeichel stretching as the Celtic goalkeeper tried in vain to stop the Austrian opener from hitting the back of the net.
However, the second half saw a fired up Celtic come out the traps as a quick-fire double from Liam Scales and Benjamin Nygren helped the Bhoys record a much-needed Europa League win.
And as the win sunk in, Brendan Rodgers took a pop at the ‘experts outside’ of Celtic as the Hoops boss fires back to his critics.
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty ImagesBrendan Rodgers snaps back at Celtic critics after superb win vs Sturm Graz
The Celtic manager was over the moon as Rodgers took shots at his critics after the second half fightback at Celtic Park.
When asked what was the change in the team for the win after the Celtic boss criticised the team after the Dundee defeat, Rodgers told TNT Sports’s Connie McLaughlin, “Well, maybe all the experts outside will be able to say that it was poor management and it will never work.
“For me, these players know how much I trust them.”
McLaughlin replied, “Was that intentional from you?”
Rodgers said, “Well, I think every now and then you have to be harsh to be clear. These are men, you know.
“You’re at a big club with a competition and all the endeavours are critical, so sometimes you have to be harsh to be clear.
“I think it’s different if the players don’t know you’re with them, and every waking moment you’re not thinking about them, because they know that’s the case.
“But for whatever reason, we haven’t been to the level. But I’m glad to say that as disappointed as we were on Sunday, tonight was the total opposite.
“We were so good in the game and coming from behind, because it was an absolute brilliant goal, but we still get disappointed. Stayed focused and the football was so good.”
Celtic’s next big challenge after impressive Sturm Graz fightback
Rodgers will be keen to put this win on the back burner now and focus on what lies ahead for Celtic this week.
Celtic’s next fixture is against Hearts where the champions will be looking to build on the battling qualities they showed against the Austrians tonight.
If Rodgers can get the same performance out of his Celtic team as he did in the second half against Sturm Graz, fans will be confident of leaving Tynecastle with a crucial win.