Rodgers on Celtic's humbling UCL campaign and exit despite 2-1 Feyenoord win
Rodgers on Celtic's humbling UCL campaign and exit despite 2-1 Feyenoord win
Transcript
00:00 Hi, good evening.
00:06 We'll just kick off with questions, please, Jane.
00:09 Brendan, congratulations.
00:10 How do you reflect on that one, given your players' determination
00:13 to carry on and try and get that win after the equaliser goes in for Feyenoord?
00:19 Yes, I think the players showed that they've learnt
00:23 throughout the process that we've been in this year,
00:27 because we've seen games over the years where the equaliser comes
00:31 and then the other team go on and then get the winner.
00:35 But we've got to tip the hat to the players,
00:39 because the mentality in the game was very, very good.
00:44 Some people may have thought this was a nothing game,
00:46 but this meant everything to us in the process that we're in,
00:50 to get the victory, to feel the confidence of being able to
00:56 compete at this level.
00:57 And I think over the course of this competition,
01:00 we've shown lots of moments of potential,
01:03 especially at home.
01:04 We could have been sat on nine points just from our home games.
01:07 But I think they thoroughly deserved it.
01:11 They put so much into the game
01:14 and obviously it's always nice to get the win later on.
01:17 Positives to take, obviously, but is there an element of frustration
01:21 that it comes now in the campaign?
01:24 Listen, we've known that it has been a challenge for us with key players being out.
01:30 But like I said, I look at over the course of the six games
01:36 and I've seen enough and how we've played
01:39 and how we've fought in games, that if we can strengthen this squad
01:44 and add quality to it in key areas, then
01:47 we can take the confidence from this victory
01:52 and look to qualify again next year and then
01:56 and see if we can push on, if we can arrive in the competition again.
02:00 But you have to have
02:03 certain qualities to perform at this level.
02:07 To close the gap, is it as simple as adding quality players?
02:12 Is that what you need to take that next step?
02:14 Yes, it's that.
02:16 And there's a number of things we have to do to bridge the gap.
02:19 We have to play a way that makes it really difficult for teams.
02:22 Surprise teams with the quality of our football.
02:26 But there's no doubt that you can't get away.
02:30 You need to have a deeper squad of quality
02:33 to be able to compete at this level.
02:36 And I said to the players before the game,
02:39 listen, whether you win, lose or draw this game,
02:41 that this is a competition and a level which
02:44 can dint your confidence.
02:50 But when you finish it, you're going to be better players for it.
02:52 And you'll have gained invaluable experiences.
02:56 And you're still really good players that are in the process.
03:00 And with some help, you will improve.
03:03 So, I'm delighted they got the win and obviously for the supporters.
03:06 The campaign is over for this season, but what can that result
03:11 tonight do for the rest of the season domestically?
03:17 I think that obviously winning, especially at this level,
03:21 always gives confidence.
03:24 I think for me, it's about consistency.
03:27 We'll start to get players back, hopefully over these coming weeks,
03:30 which strengthens our squad and will set it up really well for us
03:35 for the second part of the season.
03:36 It was a big moment tonight because it's been so long
03:40 when I was here the first time and this time,
03:43 it's all that's been talked about.
03:44 It was a win in the Champions League at home.
03:47 They've now cleared that sort of barrier and now we can look forward now.
03:54 You gave a debut tonight to young Mitchell.
03:57 How impressed were you with him?
03:59 Yes, he's done very well for the second team.
04:02 He still obviously has a long, long way to go.
04:05 But his positivity set up the corner for the goal at the end.
04:09 He took the defender on and won the corner, which we got the winning goal from.
04:15 Gabriel?
04:16 A word on Gustaf as well.
04:18 A word on Gustaf as well.
04:24 Obviously, he was sent off the first day against Bayern all three months ago.
04:28 Not many people would have had him down in the match.
04:31 What was that like for him?
04:32 What was that like for his confidence and his confidence in himself?
04:35 Well, it was a great moment for him because he hasn't been involved in a lot of the squads.
04:40 Other guys have been in front of him.
04:43 But his attitude in training and in the main has been superb.
04:47 And obviously, he's always been ready.
04:51 So to come in and obviously, like you say, the irony of him getting sent off and then getting the winning goal in the game was great.
04:57 So, yes, it was a really nice moment for him.
05:01 Steven?
05:03 Bendon, statistics have been thrown at you so often this season about the Champions League.
05:08 Is it just good to get the monkey off your back?
05:10 Is that quite a big thing for the club?
05:13 Yes. I said to the players it wasn't a burden that they had to carry, especially a lot of the new players in.
05:19 But clearly, the long road goes on.
05:22 I think it shows you the challenges of the Champions League.
05:24 But I think we're very determined over the course of my time here to improve on that record.
05:33 And I've been really pleased with lots of elements of the performance level that we've had,
05:39 especially at home, where we've shown against good sides that we can play at a high level and play well and compete.
05:46 But of course, you have to get the results.
05:50 So to get the win tonight, like you say, it draws a line under that home record.
05:57 It's the first win since Anderlecht, I believe.
06:00 And now we hopefully qualify next season and then we go into that afresh.
06:06 And the players can gain confidence knowing that they can win at this level.
06:09 That's the last ever group game, of course, here.
06:14 When you look at the format they're bringing in next year, do you like the way that looks?
06:19 Do you think it'll be beneficial or more difficult?
06:22 Or will it just be about the luck of the draw?
06:25 Yes, I think so. I think it's beneficial.
06:27 You obviously have eight games.
06:29 You might not always play each team home and away.
06:32 But yes, I think the important thing is to be in it.
06:36 First and foremost, to qualify.
06:39 I think a club like ourselves, even though it is a huge step up in terms of resources
06:44 and this gap that we have to try and bridge somehow,
06:48 we're still better being in it and learning and trying to achieve nights like this evening.
06:54 And that hopefully allows the club to progress.
06:57 Kevin.
06:59 Can I just ask you about Liam Scales' performance tonight?
07:04 Does that show the benefit of getting experience at that level, the way that he showed leadership as well?
07:10 Yes, I thought he was excellent.
07:11 I thought Eamon Stephen-Wiles, who hasn't played for a long time either,
07:14 thought he'd done great for us to last that long and did really well.
07:18 But Scales, he's obviously come in and I think he's shown from pre-season that a player that maybe
07:25 was unsure of where his future was, that can come in and consistently play.
07:29 And in the Champions League, in the main, he's played very, very well.
07:32 So, a very good performance from him tonight and I'm pleased for him.
07:37 OK, all good. Thank you very much.
07:41 Thanks, guys. Thank you.
07:42 Thank you.
07:43 (wind blowing)