Brendan Fraudgers!

Just After The Tifo.

 

BRENDAN Rodgers hailed his players and the Celtic support after the Hoops’ sensational 5-2 home victory over Hapoel Be’er Sheva put them firmly in charge of the UEFA Champions League play-off.
The Scottish champions ran riot in the opening 45 minutes to lead 3-0 at the interval thanks to a deadly double from Leigh Griffiths, the second of which was a stunning free-kick, and Tom Rogic’s ninth-minute opener.
From looking dead and buried, the visitors scored twice in quick succession in the second-half through Lucio Maranhao and Maor Melikson to give the tie a completely different complexion.
But, backed by a packed-out Paradise, Celtic rallied again late in the game and goals from substitute Moussa Dembele and captain Scott Brown to put them back in the driving seat ahead of the second-leg in Israel next Tuesday.
Speaking after the game, the manager said: “It was a brilliant result for us. You would obviously prefer 3-0, but 5-2 shows the level we played at in a European game where everything was riding on it.
"Over the course of the game, in the first-half we were excellent. We pressed them really well, really aggressively. We created opportunities, scored three and could have had more.
“We started the second-half well and I was pleased but then we had a spell where we defended poorly for about 10-12 minutes and conceded two poor goals.
“We didn’t reduce the space, and there was a little bit of inexperience for the first goal, where we were crossing over the defensive line and created a gap ourselves in order for them to score.
“Then it goes to 3-2 quickly again, and then there a question is asked of you. We were talking about it before the game and I mentioned it in the press the other day.
“At this level, and at any level, there are going to be periods where you come under pressure and it’s about having those checkpoints in place to stay calm, get control again and look to shift the momentum.
“From 3-2 and then to go on and win 5-2 really shows the mental strength of the players, along with their quality. They are nowhere near the finished article in terms of where I want them to be but they look a really exciting team full of character.”
He continued: “I was in here a few weeks ago and I talked about the supporters being patient and allowing the players to play in difficult moments in games. I have to say a massive thank-you as I think they have taken a huge stride forward tonight in terms of understanding how we want to work and the game-model in which we are trying to play.
“When it went to 3-2, I’m nearly sure that before it might have been an edgy game but they stayed calm and they roared the team on. They understood they were trying to play themselves back into the game.
“They were absolutely incredible and the support tonight really helped the players, so a big thank-you to them.”
The Hoops boss, while pleased to have established a commanding advantage, was adamant that plenty of hard work remained in the tie.
He added: “For us, we are not getting carried away. There is still a massive job to do out there. We showed tonight that when the space is reduced we can score goals and if they have to come and attack, then there is going to be more space for us to play on the counter.
"There is a three-goal advantage but our mentality will be that it’s 0-0 and we just have to get the job done next week.”

 

Early days of course,but something inside tells me he could well end up our 2nd best manager ever,like i said early days,but sometimes you just get this gut feeling.
No matter what he has turned our club and team right around and we can get better!

 

Rodgers out. He's too much of an idealist. Get Steve Clarke in.

 

What a manager.

 

He is a good en! Love the fact he is not afraid to change his tactics. After one season we will be a very very dangerousness team to play against. Switching formations seamlessly.

Seeing some of the best football being played from the team in a long while. The future is bright bhoys, fact it's green and white!

 

If that was Delia we would have drew/lost that game. The guy is Marvellous.

 

A front 4 of Sinclair wide right/left and Roberts on the opposing with Griff and Dembele upfront is frightening.

 

He makes subs when things are going wrong!!!

I don't know what to say!!!

 

Best manager since Saint Martin. Love that he's one of us, love that he wants to play the Celtic way, love that he can make changes during a match that actually make a difference. When we had the new manager poll on here in the summer, I voted for Rodgers. So far he has been everything I thought he would be and more. Could not be happier with him.

 

Most managers after conceding two would make defensive subs but he did the opposite and it payed of massively, big balls.

 

I love you

 

Ridiculously good subs tonight. He knew what was needed when I don't think anyone else did. Made the right changes and turned the game around.

Brilliant

 

You have come, to lead the Green and White.

 

Will be interesting to see how he lines us up in the 2nd leg..

Does he do cautious!?

 

HE WILL GO FOR THE JUGULAR :icon_mrgreen:

 

didst mean to0 shout

 

or spell

 

Nope! and that's my only concern about BR in Europe. SPFL....no problem., but Europe against decent opposition? He's a very intelligent guy, so surely must be thinking that if Hapoel can score 2 against us last night then unless he tightens up things they will score at least 2 over there.