Brendan Rodgers laments Celtic’s lack of talent following their elimination from champions league.
Brendan Rodgers decried a lack of talent after Celtic’s European ambitions were dashed by a 2-0 defeat to Lazio in the Champions League in Rome.
The Hoops came into the game with just one point from four Group E games, but were undone by two late goals from the host team’s brilliant substitute Ciro Immobile.
Celtic were given a penalty in additional time for a push inside the box on substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu, but it was overruled after VAR intervened and sent referee Halil Umut Meler to the pitchside monitor for another look.
Without Luis Palma, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate, and Liel Abada due to suspension or injury, Parkhead will finish bottom of their Champions League group for the second straight season.
“It’s the overall quality,” Rodgers was reported as saying on bbc.co.uk/sport. We must have our finest players accessible.
Brendan Rodgers laments Celtic’s lack of talent following their elimination from champions league.
“It’s that bit of experience and genuine quality that makes the difference.” That’s something we’ll hopefully be able to work out over the following few windows.
“This group has gained more experience and demonstrated their ability to compete in some games, but we need to add quality.” That is the most noticeable feature.
“Unfortunately for us, we’ve been hampered by our squad and availability throughout all of the games.” That is the bare minimum for us at this stage.
“However, I must commend the players who have been playing.” They have given their everything. The game was quite competitive throughout.
“We fell short on two goals, but the effort and commitment were there.”
“In the final 20 minutes, we looked like the team that could go on and win, but we gave up two poor goals.”
“In the first, we’re in a great position up the field, but we lose possession and never recover our shape.”
Then they got lucky with the deflection. That was a difficult one to swallow.
“For the second goal, we obviously need to be stronger and better.”
The Scottish champions finished with two points in the Champions League last season and have one more chance to enhance that tally when they face Feyenoord at home next month.
Rodgers said: “We want to finish on a high. We want to win in front of our own supporters.
“Our support has been incredible, travelling all round Europe. They haven’t seen us win and we’d love to give them that victory at home and finish off with a positive result.”
