Celtic 1-0 BSC Young Boys – “The Bhoys were absolutely amazing,” Brendan Rodgers | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers admitted in his post-match interview with TNT Sports that he has never been prouder of his Celtic team…

Brendan Rodgers applauds the fans after the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The manager had to watch from the sidelines as his men absolutely overwhelmed the opposition with their free-flowing football in the opening 45 minutes and had the ball in the back of the net THREE times. All of which were chalked off much to the amazement of all watching in the stands.

Tonight was the time Arne fluffed his lines

To go in at the interval must have been tough for the Irishman as we had ample opportunity to take the lead and were gifted a big chance to that when Greg Taylor was pulled back in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and at that point we thought it was our time.

Yet, sometimes football, as in life, has a different plan in store for us. Arne Engels has been great from the penalty spot since his arrival but tonight was the time he fluffed his lines.

Arne Engels takes a penalty kick, which is saved by Marvin Keller during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The exasperation was palpable in the second half

The exasperation was palpable in the second half but Celtic never gave up and kept the pedal to the floor in the belief that they would get the breakthrough. That happened in the 85th minute, when Reo Hatate played a delicious pass all the way through the Young Boys’ team to set up Adam Idah. Idah held off the defence in the box and struck the ball towards the goalkeeper which then ricocheted off Keller and rebounded onto Loris Benito and into the net.

Adam Idah celebrates after his shot leads to an own goal, and the only goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“The winning goal… we get a little bit of luck with the final finish, which we deserved because of our first half, but when you actually trace it back… the composure in the 85th minute of the game to take the ball from the keeper, work the ball side to side, create the space on the side and then what a pass by Reo,” Rodgers said. “It was absolutely incredible. I don’t know what incredible is in Japanese but it was absolutely unbelievable.

READ THIS…Celtic 1-0 BSC Young Boys – Three talking points after Celtic Champions League progression

Reo Hatate celebrates with Adam Idah after winning during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and BSC Young Boys at Celtic Park on January 22, 2025. Photo JustPictures.ch/RichardCallis

‘The Bhoys were absolutely amazing so it was a special night for us’

“And then you have to see the game out. We were down to 10 men so you adjust, 5-3-1. And the Bhoys were absolutely amazing so it was a special night for us as a club.

“We talked about the maturity of the team and missing the penalty didn’t rock us. Arne has been brilliant on penalties but the keeper made a great save but we stayed calm and focused back on the game. It doesn’t matter when it comes – winning is important. It was an excellent first half performance.”

The Celtic manager continued: “We were so good in the game but that bit of luck was missing because or penetration as so good and we got in some great areas and got the goals but something was given against us.

“We were such a threat and pressed the game really well. And then as you would expect at Champions League, the opponent came out and were going to have a bit of the ball. They were going to adjust at half time. But we had to stay strong and keep the maturity and we had that mentality to keep going and going.”

‘The biggest players make the big contributions in the big games’

UEFA Champions League 2024 2025, Celtic Glasgow vs Young Boys Bern YB Celtic Park. Kasper Schmeichel cheers Celtic’s 1- 0 victory. Photo JOERAN STEINSIEK (IMAGO)

The boss also kept a special mention for Kasper Schmeichel, who’s double-save later on in the match kept us above water at a pivotal moment.

Brendan said of the man he’s worked with at two clubs now: “The biggest players make the big contributions in the big games – that’s why we want him here. He’s been absolutely first class on and off the pitch for us, Kasper. But in big moments he’s got those saves in him and is one of the best shot-stoppers in world football.

“Our first objective was to qualify and we’ve had three wins, three draws and a defeat which is a great return over the course of the season so far. So we just have to recover. We’ll miss Daizen but we can go to Villa Park and look to try and play to the level we can and it’s a great stadium so we look forward to it when it comes.”

Paul Gillespie

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