Q: You saw the match between the Red Star and Partizan. What do you expect from the Red Star? Do you think that the Red Star’s coach will put Stefan Leković in the team, and do you think that he will make some changes in the match? How much does it affect the team’s performance, and do you feel satisfied with that?
Brendan Rodgers: “Firstly, we watched the Red Star play, and it was a good victory for them at the weekend. We’ve also looked at the European games that they have played and some of the domestic games, so we tried to anticipate that maybe the team they play might be more experienced. But either way, you know in any game you play in European football, you have to start strong and you have to be really compact as a team, and you need to be together and you need to earn the right to play your football. As a football club, our identity and DNA are very clear. We always look to play attacking football, but you also understand that you won’t always have it your own way. There will be moments to defend, and we have to be really strong in those moments. We have the confidence to play our game, and that’s what we have to play.”
Q: What are the support’s expectations for achieving a better result in this competition?
Brendan Rodgers: “I think initially, probably like Red Star, there was a big disappointment to get knocked out of the Champions League. We were similar; we were disappointed when we did not qualify for the Champions League. However, that is life. We didn’t earn the right to be there as a football club, so we’re not there. We can’t look back. You can only look forward. I’m really pleased that we’re in this competition, a prestigious competition also, and playing against some great teams. For us, and for myself and the players, the disappointment is long gone. We have to look forward, and we have to embrace this great competition and see how well we can do.”
Q: I’m really keen to hear how you’re feeling about the prospect of playing somewhere like this tomorrow night and having your first taste of European adventure in this competition itself?
Brendan Rodgers: “I’m looking forward to it a lot. I’ve heard a lot about this place. It’s going to be an amazing atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to it a lot.”
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CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES by DAVID POTTER – OUT NOW!
Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.
