Brendan Rodgers claimed Celtic’s 2-1 Europa League win over RB Leipzig was his best European victory at Parkhead since becoming boss.
In a game the Scottish champions realistically needed to win to keep qualification hopes alive, left-back Kieran Tierney’s strike on 11 minutes gave them a deserved interval lead.
The Bundesliga side, who had beaten Celtic 2-0 at the Red Bull Arena last month, levelled in the 78th minute through striker Jean-Kevin Augustin but only a minute later the Hoops’ French forward Odsonne Edouard restored their lead to take the Scottish champions on to six points in Group B and level with Ralf Rangnick’s side, who have a better goal difference and head-to-head.
Pre-match: 😍Post-match: 😍 Scenes all round in Paradise tonight! 🕺💚#CELRBL #UEL pic.twitter.com/4v4rw41hUA — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 8, 2018
Celtic travel to Trondheim to play Rosenborg on November 29 before hosting Salzburg, who have maximum points, in their last game.
Asked if it had been the best Celtic Park win since he took over in 2016, Rodgers said: “I couldn’t argue against that if you look at the level of the opponent and our performance against that.
“People see pressure as negative, I said that the other day. This was a pressure game that we needed to win but you seen the positivity in the team.
Odsonne Edouard scores a HUGE goal on his 50th Celtic appearance! 👑 ⏱ Just 64 seconds after Leipzig drew level! Scenes in Glasgow! 💚 pic.twitter.com/wXOeoNzr9u — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 8, 2018
“What I was pleased with was the performance against a very good side we played with no fear.
“We brought our aggression and identity to the game. We’ve seen the team returning to that in the last seven eight games and it’s nice to see we can do it not just domestically but against one of the best teams in Europe.
“It was a fantastic victory and one I am very proud of.”
🎙️ Brendan Rodgers: "Tonight was a proper win for us against top class side. Everyone knows the quality of @RBLeipzig_EN. Everyone involved with #CelticFC deserves a huge amount of credit." #CELRBL #UEL pic.twitter.com/HwQqWIhM8a — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 8, 2018
Rodgers insists his players were inspired by another big European night at Celtic Park.
He said: “If you have never been to Celtic Park before it is one of the most intimidating arenas in European football.
“Some of the best teams in the world have come here over the years and have suffered.
Tonight was how I remember European nights in Paradise 🍀 Too many good performances… a very special place to play when the atmosphere is like this👏👏 — Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 8, 2018
“The emotion in the stadium really helps us as a team and the supporters are very proud of their players.
“Tonight was a very emotional game, our players fed off that and the supporters helped us to the victory.”
Rangnick believes his side need to win their final two Group B matches to go through.
⏰ RESULTS ⏰ 🎯 64 goals scored⏭️ 7 teams through to the round of 32 ✅ Arsenal✅ Chelsea✅ Frankfurt✅ Dinamo Zagreb✅ Lazio✅ Leverkusen✅ Zurich#UEL pic.twitter.com/ANPXcHbLpd — UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) November 8, 2018
He said: “After we conceded the goal we didn’t play well. The second-half was better, we were dominant and dangerous but if you equalise in the 80th minute you can’t concede after it.
“With a draw one more win would have been enough but now we need a win in Salzburg and probably in Trondheim so we are not happy with the loss.
“I am especially frustrated with the second goal we conceded.”
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