Brendan Rodgers: Celtic still in really good place in Champions League | OneFootball

Brendan Rodgers reckons Celtic are still in a ‘really good place,’ following their 1-1 draw with Club Brugge at Paradise in the Champions League last night…

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic appears dejected after scoring Club Brugge KV’s first goal with an own goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Belgian Champions displayed a masterclass in efficiency during the first 45 minutes. Celtic failed to get close to their opponents, and it was clear from the off that Nicky Hayen’s side were tactically first-rate and technically superior.

In saying that, the Hoops were the masters of their own downfall. Cameron Carter-Vickers’ rare error and blind pass back to Kasper Schmeichel resulted in Club Brugge taking the lead through extraordinary circumstances.

Unlike RB Leipzig three weeks ago, there seemed to be a nervousness both on the pitch and in the stands. The ever-reliable’s of this season had an off night. And that can happen.

Brugge in the second-half passed up key opportunities to make it two and put the game out of reach. Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a stunning save from Maxim De Cuyper just after the interval. Also, the Danish shotstopper’s international teammate Andreas Skov Olsen who was impressive all evening, missed a huge chance a minute before Celtic’s equaliser.

Daizen Maeda celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Daizen Maeda’s moment of magic as curled the ball into the helpless Simon Mingolet’s bottom left hand corner was much-needed. In scoring, the Japanese winger became the first Celt to score three goals in a Champions League group ‘stage’ or ‘phase’ since Moussa Dembele in season 2016/2017. Maeda also becomes the sixth Hoops player in 23 years to score three goals or more in the competition’s group phase.

It was also Celtic’s 10th goal after five games in Europe’s elite club competition this campaign – their highest number of goals ever scored since the competition rebranded in the 90s. You would have to go back to season 1977/1978 the last time Celtic scored more than 10 goals [13] at the top table of European football.

Within their environs of Paradise, it is now five matches unbeaten in the Champions League. Considering the awful record in their spiritual home in this competition the past decade, the signs are there of significant improvement at this level.

Ferran Jutgla of Club Brugge KV scores a goal which was later ruled out for offside during the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, VAR came to the rescue when Spanish forward Ferran Jutgla’s close-range strike was quite rightly ruled out for offside. After the misery VAR compiled onto the Scottish champions in last season’s Champions League group stage, it is maybe the luck that we are deservedly due.

Subsequently, as both sides could not be separated, Celtic are one point closer to securing an elusive top 24 spot. Three points is all that is required from either Dinamo Zagreb, BSC Young Boys or Aston Villa. The assignment is tough, but an ill-deserved draw versus Brugge maintains the notion that Celtic are still well on course for a knockout playoff round tie in February.

Brendan Rodgers agrees with this sentiment, as he spoke about the positives in his post-match presser yesterday evening.

“We’re still in a really good place. We knew where we wanted to get to at the end of January which was at least into that play off stage and we’re still well on track for that,” he said.

“We have three games left, two away and one at home and we’ll be ready for them when they come. The first half wasn’t so good, the second half was much better. But a point at this level is still very good.”

“You obviously want to win the game. I felt first half we were very passive in our pressing and they’re a good side, you can see why they’ve had some good results and have good experience at this level.”

Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic looks on at the end of the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Club Brugge KV at Celtic Park on November 27, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Rodgers added: “We were much more courageous in the second half and working the ball better in gaps. They defended it well so we had to really work and probe but I was so pleased.”

“I’ve been in enough of these games where you can get yourself back into the game and lose it but we kept going and showed that determination right to the very end. We take the point against a good side, especially as you don’t play well over the course of 90 minutes.”

Conor Spence

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